Simon Grey
Simon Grey Bio
Producer, composer and keyboard player Simon Grey’s signature sound is a blend of jazz, polyphonic badness and layered syncopated grooves that’s as soulful as it is sophisticated.
Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Simon's musical journey began early — and unconventionally. Known for driving his piano teachers (and the parents of other students) to distraction, he had little interest in sticking to the notes on the page. “Music was always the thing,” Simon reflects. “Conformity I was never particularly talented at.” Even from a young age, he pushed back against the well-worn idea that “everything’s already been done” in music. “I thought — really? Surely there’s still so much left to explore and attempt to expand.”
That spirit of exploration shaped Simon’s early sonic world. Late-night mixtape deep-dives with mates led him to giants like Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, and Joe Zawinul. But one haunting sound from those sessions stuck in his mind. “What was that oboe-ish thing?” he asked. That’s the ARP 2600 synthesizer, my friend.
That moment ignited a lifelong obsession with analog synthesis, vintage keyboards, and all things polyphonic — an obsession still very much not under control. “It was the point of no return. I had to find that sound. I had to have those boxes.”Blending jazz harmony, synth-based orchestration, David Garibaldi-inspired linear grooves, and textures that span classical to disco, Simon’s music is deeply layered, meticulously arranged, and fiercely self-contained — where production and performance constantly drive each other in an cycle of creative energy.
Originally a drummer, Simon eventually shifted to jazz keys and production — but the drummer in him never left and drum programming still plays a big part in his production thinking. After formal jazz piano studies, he relocated to Europe in 2005, joining forces in the studio and on stage with UK soul institutions Incognito and Reel People. His unique production voice soon resonated across club culture, earning remix credits with KneeDeep for Jamiroquai, Elton John, and Bootsy Collins, along with his funk, house releases like Galactica Suite and Prophecy. As a keyboard player, he’s shared stages with the NDR Bigband, Deodato, Darryl Jones, and Tony Momrelle.
Never content with remaining in comfort zones or doing what is expected within them, Simon started to fuse his own take on the worlds of modern gospel, sound scapes, broken beat and future Jazz in 2015. This led to a bold new chapter: The ‘Pressing Matters’ Sessions begun in 2018. Eclectic, ambitious, and recorded across multiple continents, the project brings together musical heroes as collaborators and explores his own uncharted sonic and harmonic terrain.
Music
Pressing Matters (2025)
Bridging the gap between funk, synth-infused orchestral arrangements and future jazz, Simon Grey’s long-awaited album Pressing Matters hits with an undeniable kick. A thematic exploration of the internal battles we all face against the unseen forces that threaten to derail us — and the ongoing struggle to become the best versions of ourselves — this record is both a reflection and a rallying cry.
A no-compromise affair, Pressing Matters features an incredible array of guest musicians and was painstakingly crafted over seven years. The result is a sound that digs deep into the soul, relentlessly chasing the perfect riff or counter melody - the sound that won’t let go, until it’s finally captured. The plan is to change games or go home.
As the opening monologue declares: “Be realistic? You be a bitch up in here.” Whether it’s through the bark of the Rhodes, the majesty of a Oberheim, the punch of a Minimoog, or the chaos of life itself, Pressing Matters more than anything.
Mamas Cookin' (Opolopo Remix) ()
Long term friends and brothers in Disco Simon Grey and Opolopo team up on this historic occasion to repaint Simon’s recent Single ‘Mamas Cookin’, released on GroundUP Music, featuring rapper Munir Zakee and bassist Michael League. Swedish house producer Opolopo has built a decades-long reputation as a highly respected DJ and producer, with remix credits for artists like Gregory Porter, Omar, and Lisa Stansfield. Known for his unique approach to mixing, arrangement, and groove, his sound has become legendary among those in the know. With the intention of giving the song a different take, Simon knew there was only one person he could trust with the task. Giving his longtime friend carte blanche to reinterpret the track proved to be the right call. Opolopo delivers with full artillery, Opolopo’s signature Moog bass is out in force as is the skillful use of the synth and backing vocal production elements.
Song Mamas Cookin’ is about treating every moment as sacred, mysterious,and magical. Even when we’re stressed—or even broken—whilechasing ‘impossible’ dreams, we can always take flight up above.Swedish producer OPOLOPO, who has built up a decades long reputation in the funky house scene delivers a fresh take on the track,taking to new places.The original is the 2nd single of Simon’s debut Pressing Matters LP and features Munir Zakee on Rap & Michael League on bass.
