Gregory Abbott

Born on April 2, 1954, in Harlem, New York City, Gregory Abbott’s musical journey began early, influenced by his Venezuelan mother and Antiguan father. His mother taught him piano and encouraged his vocal development. Abbott pursued a robust academic path, majoring in psychology and minoring in music and dramatic arts in college. He continued his graduate studies at Berkeley and Stanford, where he earned a Master’s degree and was awarded a Wallace Stegner Fellowship to Stanford University’s Creative Writing Master’s program. During this period, he supported his education by forming a band, which helped him refine his unique musical style. He also served as an English professor at the University of California, Berkeley, before fully committing to a professional music career. His dual citizenship in the USA and Antigua highlights his diverse background.

Abbott launched his music career by building a studio, applying academic discipline to develop his skills as a singer, composer, and producer. His debut album, “Shake You Down,” released in 1986, proved to be a monumental success. The title track quickly achieved platinum status and topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It became the first and fastest song in BMI’s history to reach one million radio airplays, now exceeding three million, and earned him BMI’s Pop Song of the Year award. The album’s second single, “I Got the Feelin’ (It’s Over),” peaked at Number 5 on the R&B chart, contributing to the album’s overall platinum certification and numerous accolades. His international recognition includes winning first prize at the Tokyo Music Festival.

Throughout his career, Abbott has consistently released music, including his second album, “I’ll Prove It to You” (1988), whose title track was featured in a Japanese movie. He has collaborated with notable artists, including a duet with Whitney Houston early in his career and producing for the group EQ on Atlantic Records. His work also includes a performance with Princess Stephanie of Monaco in Belgium. Beyond his musical achievements, Abbott has engaged in significant community service, participating in initiatives like Rock Against Drugs and the “Bands to Beat AIDS” campaign. He has also served on the Board of Directors for NARAS (Grammys) and NAPM (Songwriters Hall of Fame), and his foundation supports emerging musical talent. He continues to release new music through his own label, Mojo Man Entertainment, incorporating diverse influences, such as the Caribbean sound in his 1996 album, “One World!”, and smooth jazz singles like “Chill”featuring Gerald Albright more recently.