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Mountain Express

May 2004
"At age 15, when most kids are playing video games, jazz guitarist Gregory James was playing with jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi. James would later team up with everyone from Ray Charles to Van Morrison...recently, he joined bassist Benny Reitveld (Santana) to unleash the album Come To Me..."

Jazz Times

Come To Me Review :: July/August 2003
"Gregory James tries conceptually daring things on Come To Me. He incorporates poetry from Alex White on 'Valentine' and Craig Easley on 'St. Alison'; adds cellos, violas, violins and three vocalists underneath wailing lines and programmed bass on 'Come to Me'; and delves into Afro-Latin, funk, trip-hop, even flamenco on occasion. The better numbers include 'Solo Contigo', with James joined by tabla player Jason Lewis and percussionist Celia Malheiros as well as flutist Rita Theis and drummer Deszon Claiborne, and 'Duet #1', which has James accompanied only by Thies on shakuhachi flute. Catie Murphy's readings on 'Alphabet Town' add some verbal spice to James' bluesy guitar, and he once more solos over strings and voices on 'Tomorrow'. Because James veers in so many directions, he doesn't always concentrate on his solos. Sometimes they sound like brief interludes designed only to move the work back to its main riffing. But when he gives himself ample opportunity, Gregory James demonstrates he can play with depth and conviction. Though this disc has its erratic moments, there are plenty of memorable ones as well, and even the flawed tunes catch your ear."

Jazziz

Samsara Review :: June 2008
"'Influences are funny,' says the namesake guitarist and leader of San Francisco Bay area band the Gregory James Quartet. 'Charlie Parker always said he was very influenced by Tommy Dorsey. He loved his sound. What are you going to say to that?' James says quite a bit on his latest release, Samsara. The guitarist's nylon-stringed intro to the title track shows his classical and flamenco influences over the course of only the tune's first minute. The track's remainder shows fingerprints of the recognizable artists James has worked with during his career, including drummer/percussionist Chico Hamilton, guitarist Bola Sete and pianist Vince Guaraldi."

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