Never did I think that I’d be sitting in the crowd watching a trombone-led three piece perform for the Seattle World Tour, but there I was watching Greg Kramer on stage at the Belltown Yacht Club. He’s a veteran of the Seattle music scene and I was absolutely stoked to be able to interview him for the 2023 SWT series.
I wanted to know if the trombone was Greg’s first choice in instruments to learn. He told me, “In 4th grade I wanted to play clarinet or violin. My big brother played trumpet and told me I should play trombone because no one else played it. It was the best advice he ever gave me and thank goodness.” Since that pivotal moment, Greg has had many opportunities come up because he chose a severely underrated instrument to play and does it well. He has recorded, performed, and toured with countless groups including Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Sol, Wheedle’s Groove and the True Loves.
Greg Kramer with some of his best friends | Sourced from his Instagram
When Food Meets Music
The third annual Seattle World Tour provided Kramer with the opportunity to play at the relatively new Belltown Yacht Club for the first time. Although he hadn’t been to the BYC before, he reflected on a special moment from another venue featured in the SWT. “I’ll always remember playing two nights at the Clock-Out in late 2019 with True Loves. The people there were so great, and they made us feel so welcome.”
He went on to say, “We had pizza specials for our shows. I got to go in and film a promo video in their kitchen. I’m a huge fan of food, tv and cooking, so I was ecstatic to be in the kitchen! We played two sold out shows, ate some great pies and had an awesome time. We filmed the second night, so, some of those moments are on YouTube forever or until Google goes under, at least.”
Greg Kramer isn’t kidding when he says he has a love for food and music, especially when they’re put together. In our interview he mentioned, “I’ve loved getting to explore my creativity making my own music videos.” In the video for his song, “93rd Pl W,” he goes to the 99 Ranch Market, buys ingredients and proceeds to make his own gyoza recipe, making the music video just as appetizing as it is audibly appealing.
Going Solo
Having known Kramer as a member of many ensembles, I wanted to know how the transition was going for him in making his own music. “The transition has been a really slow one. I’ve taken my time, starting to write music in 2015, and my first music coming out in 2020. I work on music slowly. I like to have the freedom to take time to make things sound how I hear them.” His solo music has an amalgamated sound that encompasses all of his personal influences including hip-hop, soul and jazz stylings.
As he continued to discuss his transition into making solo music, he mentioned how much more difficult performing is. “Playing trombone as the lead voice in a band is taxing!” Greg went on to say, “I’m practicing more than ever, which is great. Booking and promotion is a ton of work although I have learned a lot doing promo for True Loves. Being a solo artist has made me grow so much in every facet of music and I’m so thankful it’s a big part of my musical life.”
Greg Kramer on stage at the Belltown Yacht Club for the 2023 Seattle World Tour | Photo shot on 12mm by Brett Caughie
I asked if he had any advice for those learning to navigate the process of booking and promoting a show. He admitted, “I certainly need to take my own advice more, but there is no replacement for just being out there. Go to shows, play them when you have the chance. I don’t get out as much as I used to, but I’m always glad I do when I go out.”
Reflecting on the Past and Manifesting the Future
Over the years of going out to shows, as well as performing, there have been a bunch of moments where Greg felt like he was part of the greater music community, but one in particular stood out to him, “…playing Bumbershoot in 2014 with both Otieno Terry and Kore Ionz (Daniel Pak). There was some overlap in those groups, and it felt like a real musical family. I made a ton of lifelong friends, and it was a special time in my musical life.”
Looking ahead to the future, Greg said that he was working on his first full length record. He talked about writing a bunch of new music and looking towards the community to help bring it all together. He also said, “I’m really looking forward to being a part of Tiger Tiger Fest in Portland July 22! Tiger Tiger is a festival featuring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander artists, performers, and chefs. I can’t ask for much more than music and food coming together!”
