Billboard Hitmaker Greg Manning Launches EQuity Records
Billboard hitmaker Greg Manning launches EQuity Records to provide a platform for supporting musicians to step into their own spotlight
Patches Stewart, Wakana, and Patrick Bettison are the first artists signed to the new label.
LAS VEGAS, Nevada (19 FEBRUARY 2025): After spending ten years living out of a suitcase performing around the world as a keyboardist for GRAMMY® winners, nominees, and Billboard chart-topping contemporary jazz and R&B artists, Greg Manning decided to get off the road and step into the recording studio. Making the transition to recording artist while still supporting yourself financially isn’t easy yet Manning began writing and producing other artists as well as his own records and writing music for film and television. Having architected more than a dozen Billboard No. 1 hits and contributing to two GRAMMY nominated albums, Manning is determined to create opportunities for other long-time accompanists to step into the spotlight successfully like he did. That is the purpose behind his new indie label, EQuity Records, which launched on Valentine’s Day with the release of trumpeter Patches Stewart’s single, “Soul Serenade.”
“EQuity Records was born from my desire to give great musicians that have mostly been sidemen/women the exposure they deserve. Nobody personifies this more than Patches Stewart. He has played with Quincy Jones, Al Jarreau, and Marcus Miller just to name a few, but he has never been perceived as a solo artist until now,” said Manning who cowrote and produced the jazzy, midtempo R&B instrumental groove.
Manning’s latest Billboard No. 1 came earlier this month with a song that he cowrote and produced for guitarist Les Sabler titled “Patches’ Groove,” which inadvertently aligns and serendipitously sets up Stewart’s own single release. Stewart is featured playing on Sabler’s hit that was named for the New Orleans-born trumpeter who has a lengthy and accomplished career as a sideman that has toured or recorded with Jones, Jarreau, Miller, David Sanborn, Anita Baker, George Duke, Bonnie Raitt, and Rickie Lee Jones.
“‘Soul Serenade’ is about connecting with one heart through the essence of music. I wanted to create a feeling of joy and happiness through music as one deals with life’s uncertainties,” said Stewart (trumpet and flugelhorn) who is joined on the track by guitarist Andrea Lisa and Manning’s keyboards, bass, and programming.
On March 31, Manning plans to issue his own first single for EQuity Records titled “Now and Forever.” In addition to Stewart, Manning has signed Japanese saxophonist Wakana and harmonica and bass player Patrick Bettison to the label, both of whom are slated to release their debuts for EQuity Records in the second half of this year.
Manning brings an international perspective to his music having been born in Nigeria and raised in Switzerland. He attended the Berklee College of Music after which he hit the road to tour extensively throughout the U.S., Europe, South Africa, and the United Kingdom playing alongside Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Brian McKnight, Will Downing, Richard Elliot, and Mindi Abair. Manning also served as musical director for two-time GRAMMY nominee Jonathan Butler. Beginning his own recording career with the 2010 album, “The Calling,” Manning earned Billboard’s Song of the Year in 2019 with “Top Down,” which was a No. 1 hit. He received GRAMMY recognition for his work on albums by Herb Alpert and Keb Mo, and notched Billboard No. 1 hits for Blake Aaron, Cindy Bradley, Jeff Ryan, Ryan La Valette, Phil Denny, Paula Atherton, and Will Donato along with No. 2 singles by GRAMMY winner Whalum and Kim Scott.
Manning beams with excitement and enthusiasm when talking about launching EQuity Records and building a roster of creative and visionary artists who will be granted the freedom to explore the outer limits of contemporary jazz and venture beyond.
“My own chart successes as an artist, songwriter, and producer have given me the confidence to start a label to serve the needs of the artists while expanding the boundaries of contemporary jazz. I’m excited to start this new chapter in my career and I feel gratitude for the success I’ve had.”
For more information about EQuity Records, which also stands for equality, diversity, and inclusion, visit www.equityrecordsmusic.com.
For more information about Manning: https://www.gregmanningmusic.com.
For more information about Stewart: https://patchesstewart.com.
For more information about Wakana: https://www.wakanasax.com
For more information about Bettison: https://patrickbettison.com
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