Gregg Gelb is a clarinetist, saxophonist, bandleader, arranger, composer, and educator. He directs the Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble (TYJE), founded the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra (HOCJO) and Jazz Society, and co-founded the North Carolina Jazz Repertory Orchestra. He also leads several jazz groups, including his Jazz Trio/Quartet, La Fiesta Latin Jazz Band, Second Line Stompers, and the Gregg Gelb Swing Band.

Gelb received the Raleigh Medal of Arts in 2018. Under his leadership, TYJE became the first and only North Carolina group to reach the national Jazz at Lincoln Center Essentially Ellington Festival finals, placing second in 2016 and remaining a finalist from 2017–2026. He has received a Jazz Composers Award from the North Carolina Arts Council and four Regional Artist grants.

Since founding HOCJO in 1990, Gelb has served as Artistic Director, shaping its mission to promote jazz education and performance. As a Visiting Artist at Central Carolina Community College (1989–1991), he developed a program highlighting jazz’s significance. HOCJO presents free school and community concerts and has featured renowned artists such as Cecile McLorin Salvant, Houston Person, Sonny Fortune, Renee Marie, Valery Ponomarev, and Stanley Jordan.

A standout project is JazzTales, a collaboration with writer Trinity Bursey, combining big band music with storytelling. Gelb holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Berklee College of Music, a Master of Music from the North Carolina School of the Arts, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from UNC Greensboro. He has produced numerous jazz recordings and received grants for jazz performances and projects.