papaGG aka Greg Drejza
Greg Drejza is originally from Upstate New York (Utica).
Greg has been playing guitar since he was 9 years old and still has that guitar.
Greg learned the instrument from playing at Catholic Folk Masses each and every Sunday during his
Catholic grammar school years.
Early influences were the Dave Clark Five, Rolling Stones and the Beatles. In high school Greg
continued to play lots of music: Cat Stevens, Neil Diamond, John Denver, Bread and the Eagles.
In his senior year he joined a band (Kidd) and new influences arose: Ted Nugent, Kiss, Alice Cooper
and more. More years went by and more bands too.
He moved to Phoenix in 1996 and restarted playing music when he met his beautiful wife Tiffany,
who with some other close friends bought him his 1st Martin Guitar. He still uses that guitar at gigs
today. In 2004 Greg starting playing live again at the Wineburger almost monthly with first
Tiffany at his side, then later his good friend, Uday Walli (calling themselves: Greg & Uday).
Current influences are Eric Clapton, Rolling Stones, Hawaiian Slack Key music and Ricky Skaggs
(yes, bluegrass). He has grown his musical arsenal to include playing: Harmonica, Mandolin, Ukulele
and Bass.
In 2007, Greg answered a talent Craigslist ad and met Ed Mendoza where a new synergy was
formed: Copper Skies.
Welcome to this part of our journey, hope you enjoy the positive energy, harmonies and music
which blend wonderfully like an Arizona sunset ..
Greg is also working on four other musical projects:
1. The papaGG Band, assembling a set of childrens Songs/Videos due out in the July/August
timeframe. This music features songs that teach children: the days of the week, continents,
months of the year and more! This has been hugely influenced by his 2 children: Barbara
(sings) and David (sings and drums). See www.papaGG.com
2. Montessori Moms Music L.L.C., working with Barbaras school teachers (and friends) Tara Mott
and Danielle McEuen, the music (CDs and Videos) created will fill schools (both Montessori
and public) with songs, poems, classical guitar songs (featuring Ed Sipos), meditation music
and more which will be used in the classroom setting around the world! Check out www.MontessoriMomsMusic.com,
Look for our new CD: "Skipping Through Multiplication" due in August 2009!
3. Peace and Mind, a collection of songs created for meditation available soon for download or
purchase. This album will be released in July 2009.
4. You can hear papaGG play at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Goodyear, AZ, most every Sunday night at the 5pm Mass as part of the LifeTeen Contemporary Music Group, Director: Amy Burns.