Northern News, Page 1.  May 25, 2004

LOCAL MUSICIAN/COMPOSER PRODUCES MUSIC FOR ATHENS

Hawkesbury Musician/Composer Greg Englert has recently completed composing and producing music for a member of the United States Equestrian Team for the 2004 Paralympics in Athens. Greg is well known to Jazz fans around Australia through his bands 'Ozz Jazz' and the 'Peoria Jazz Band' as well as his Rock/Pop group 'Rhapsody'. Greg has recorded several albums of his original music ranging from Ragtime and Jazz to more contemporary Rock and Pop. Regarding the 2004 Athens project Greg said 'This was a most exciting project which came about following my involvement with the U.S. team during the 2000 Sydney Paralympics. I was contacted by one of the United States most experienced equestrians and asked if I could provide music for her to ride to during her freestyle test. Of course I was delighted to assist'.

ATHENS PARALYMPICS 2004

Hawkesbury Gazette, Life and Style section, August 4, 2004

MADE IN MARAYLYA

When US Paralympic equestrienne Robin Breuckman decided she wanted to ride to good old Southern jazz in Athens, she chose an Australian to compose it.  Maraylya multi-instrumentalist Greg Englert got to know Robin, who has a muscle wasting disease, when she was in Sydney for the 2000 Paralympics.  "It was amazing to see how well they rode", Greg says now of the Paralympic competitors.  "Robin has actually learnt to ride a horse with no reins and no bridle".  And Greg has an eye for good riding.  Passionate about the Hawkesbury's rural lifestyle he's always had horses on his two hectare property and his wife Libby is a dressage competitor and judge.  "They're loyal, they're honourable- they're just beautiful animals" he says.  But it's his first love, music that truly cemented his friendship with Robin.  His main instrument is the trumpet, but he plays trombone, saxophone, and he composes, arranges and sings.  He's in several bands including his own ensemble Ozz Jazz and the Peoria Jazz Band and plays first trumpet in Dave Dallwitz's Big Band.  He's played with jazz legends like the late Ricky May and is a regular performer at Stadium Australia for the Australian Rugby Union.  On top of that, Greg has recorded five albums including a tribute to everyone's favourite jazzman, Louis Armstrong.  Despite a musical career blessed with highlights, Greg believes he'll always pursue new ambitions.  Keen to play more rock and pop, he picked up a guitar and taught himself to play.  Now he has another band, Rhapsody, whose repertoire ranges from 1890's ragtime to the Beatles.  "I still write jazz" he says.  "I write whatever comes into my head, all kinds of music.  It's an addiction!"  Ultimately, Greg's dream is to write musical scores for film and television.  In the meantime, his latest album, "Here with you", has been enjoying airplay during Brian Edmonds Tuesday afternoon drive show on Hawkesbury Radio.  And locals can catch him playing trumpet with the Swinf Era Big Band at the Baulkham Hills Sporting Club.  Greg is also available to perform at private and corporate functions.