Biography

HAYWOOD GREGORY - Singer, Guitarist, Composer & Producer

Haywood Gregory, a native of Savannah Georgia, began singing in churches and public schools at the age of seven, and became a professional singer at the age of fourteen.

Some of his many accolades include having performed with Morgan Freeman, The Blind Boys of Alabama and The Soul Stirrers in the Broadway hit play "GOSPEL AT COLONUS" (1988) at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City.

Haywood has toured throughout the United States and Europe performing at various festivals such as the Newport Jazz Festival (RI), the 36th Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), the 20th Savannah Jazz Festival (GA), and made numerous appearances on the Joe Franklin Show.

Haywood made his big screen movie debut singing Rockabilly Willy in the hit movie "THE KING OF NEW YORK" (1990) starring Christopher Walken,Laurence Fishburne,and Wesley Snipes.

Haywood has recorded on numerous albums; to include the 1997 "LAST CONCERT CD" with Eddie Harris and Bernard Purdie in Cologne Germany, the Killer Joe CD, "SCENE OF THE CRIME", with performers’ Joe Delia, Max Weinberg, Jimmy Vivino, Jerry Vivino, David Keyes, Mark "Loveman" Pender, Bob Smith, Erik Lawrence, and guest artists Jon Bon Jovi, Branford Marsalis, Phoebe Snow, Benmont Tench, Southside Johnny, Steven Van Zandt, the Orchestra of St. Luke's and the Beach Boys which was distributed by BMG Music. Haywood released several self-released albums off his label, Gregota Music LLC entitled THE HAYWOOD GREGORY COLLECTION VOL. 1&2, SHADEZ OF DA BLUZ guest starring JEANNIE C. GREGORY a native of Savannah,Georgia vocalist/songwriter extraordinaire , HAYWOOD AND JEANNIE GREGORY SWINGING WITH THE ROMERO BROTHERS and THE SEVEN TRUMPETS.

As a singer and guitarist, Haywood has shared center stage with such notables as Bruce Springsteen, Carl Perkins, Dion, The Roy Gerson Orchestra, Freddie Jackson, Tony Bennett, Liza Minnelli, Lionel Hampton, Bobby Watson, Buddy Guy, The Blues Jumpers , Otis Blackwell, Ronnie Dove, Isaac Hayes, George Coleman, BB King,Rob Paparozzi, The Drifters, The Marvelettes, The Oak Ridge Boys, and vintage gospel groups such as Marie Knight, The Echoes of Harmony of Jersey City, The Southland Singers and many other great stars.

In 2007, Haywood was nominated at the 38th Annual GMA Dove Awards by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) in the category of TRADITIONAL GOSPEL ALBUM of the year for producing the album entitled: “Clarence Fountain and The Blind Boys of Alabama with Sam Butler, Jr.” and TRADITIONAL GOSPEL RECORDED SONG of the year for song titled “Look Where You Brought Me From” performed by Clarence Fountain and the Blind Boys Of Alabama with Sam Butler Jr.

A huge supporter of the Military, he selflessly performed for the troops serving overseas at numerous USO shows and Veterans Events as a way to show his support, respect and patriotism to his country and the men and women that serve. He was awarded two resolutions from the New Jersey General Assembly, and the New Jersey State Senate, for being a world class musician and family man.