Episode 15 Greg Boyer: Trombonist Formerly with Prince and P-Funk

From harmonica to trombone, Greg Boyer has played it all. His natural talent and passion for music has seen him through decades in the music business playing with everyone from P-Funk to Maceo to Prince. Listen in as we chat about his perfect pitch, natural ear, and progression through several instruments until he landed on trombone.  Greg started in music at a very early age. He recounts finding his father’s harmonica and being so jazzed to play it. The harmonica playing ended but his love for music persevered. It wasn’t until his time at St. Mary’s when he realized the trombone was his preferred instrument. It wasn’t long until he was auditioning for and playing with Parliament Funkadelic. Their laid-back style and focus on amazing music influenced his personal style for years to come… until he started playing with Maceo.  His link with Maceo led him to working with Prince and the stories he has to tell about those years are amazing. Prince’s drive and vision are legendary, but to have actually rehearsed and performed with him was something else.  Listen in as Greg recounts years of history in the music industry, his style of arranging horn charts, and why he appreciates his wife every day for keeping him grounded. With amazing natural talent and a drive to work, he would drown in the mundane if it weren’t for his wife constantly bringing him back to the present.  This was an amazing conversation! Show Highlights: [00:00:50] Welcome Greg Boyer, a multi-instrumentalist who has worked with numerous big names.  [00:01:53] Why he was known as “Spiderman.”  [00:03:09] When did he know that music was what he wanted to do?  [00:06:45] What was the first instrument that Greg learned to play and he took off with? [00:09:40] Learn what it takes to play brass. [00:12:32] Why playing brass takes a whole separate set of chops.  [00:13:43] Greg shares why his gift became a bit of a curse when it came to education.  [00:16:33] How did he feel when he left college?  [00:19:29] What was it like the first time Greg got to play with Parliament-Funkadelic? [00:21:03] Did he know all about P-Funk before he joined them?  [00:24:31] So… did they rehearse before this first gig?  [00:25:39] What is Greg’s personal style when it comes to arranging horn parts?  [00:28:47] How did rehearsals go with P-Funk?  [00:30:20] Greg shares what it was like to be on stage so many performers at a time.  [00:34:25] P-Funk was like a rockstar group… What was the offstage climate like?  [00:36:50] How was working with Maceo different than playing with P-Funk?  [00:38:50] Was he already a fan of Prince before working with him?  [00:42:58] What was it like to work and rehearse with and for Prince?  [00:48:27] Would Prince give input on the horn parts?  [00:50:17] How did the visual aspect of the performances change over time?  [00:52:22] Why working with Prince was like being in the fire department.  [00:55:27] Which Prince record was his favorite to work on?  [00:59:21] What was it like to be living on the road like that?  [01:00:52] Greg shares what it was like to work with some of the other big names. [01:05:52] … and in between tours he was a… [01:07:47] What is the premise behind the Beltway Horns?  [01:09:09] How did he come up with the Greg Boyer Peloton?  [01:10:56] Connect with Greg.   LINKS & RESOURCES   Greg Boyer: Greg’s Website   Follow The Music Makers:  The Music Makers on Instagram   The Music Makers podcast theme song was written and produced by Andy Kushner with help from the rhythm section and horn players of the band, SoundConnection: Elliot Jefferson, Lamonte Silver, Keith Hammond, Roy Lambert, Joe Herrera, and Craig Alston.   Sponsor: Kushner Entertainment    Check out Andy's Other Podcast: The Wedding Biz