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Greg Koch: Milwaukee's Own Guitar Virtuoso

Born and raised in the area, Greg Koch still calls Milwaukee home.

Heavily influenced by his older brother’s record collection growing up, Koch plays his own hybrid of several iconic styles.  Joe Bonamassa, current guitar god in his own right, once said Koch is pound for pound the best guitar player in the world.

In the liner notes of his first album, released in 1993, Koch described his style as, “Chet Hendrix meeting the Kings (BB, Albert and Freddie) at the first annual Zeppelin-Holdsworth Coffee Guzzlers Hoedown.”

Steve Vai took enough notice of Koch’s playing to sign him to his record label, Favored Nations, in 2001.

When Koch is between gigs with his own groups and traveling the country, he leads guitar clinics and demonstrates guitars and gear.

“I’ve never done better than I’m doing right now,” says Koch.  “But I’m doing things that I never would have dreamed would be the case.”

Koch produced several popular instructional books and DVDs through Hal Leonard and has worked as a clinician for Fender, the world’s largest producer of guitars and amplifiers.

Koch’s most recent release, Plays Well with Others, features some of his current favorite guitar players, including Joe Bonamassa. 

greg_koch_tune_for_web_-_jsk.mp3
"JSK" played live by Greg Koch

Tosa Tonight will highlight Koch during their 2015 Summer Concert Series on July 15. Koch will be a special guest of the Saturday J.U.G. for Local Legends Night at the Rotary Performance Pavilion on 68th and State.

Bonnie North
Bonnie joined WUWM in March 2006 as the Arts Producer of the locally produced weekday magazine program Lake Effect.