Sunday 11/20: Jazz Lunch 🇬🇧: Celebrating Phil Woods with Greg Abate , Alan Barnes & Jamie O’Donnell

Sep 14, 2022

GREG ABATE alto sax; ALAN BARNES alto sax; JAMIE O’DONNELL alto sax; ROB BARRON piano; DOMINIC HOWLES bass & MATT FISHWICK drums

One of the true masters of the bop vocabulary, Phil Woods had his own sound beginning in the mid-’50s and stuck to his musical guns throughout a remarkably productive career. There was never a doubt that he was one of the top alto saxophonists in jazz, and he lost neither his enthusiasm nor his creativity through the years.

www.gregabate.com

Greg Abate jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer continues as an International Jazz/Recording Artist with 225 days a year touring the globe. In the mid 70’s after finishing a four year program at Berklee College Of Music, Greg played lead alto for the Ray Charles Orchestra for two years. In 1978 Greg formed his group Channel One which was a favourite in the New England area and from there had the opportunity to play tenor sax with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under leadership of Dick Johnson from 1986-87. He then ventured out as post hard bop soloist playing Jazz Festivals, Jazz Societies and Jazz Clubs throughout the U.S. Canada and abroad, including most of Europe, UK, and Moscow and Georgia Russia.

Greg recorded his first CD Live At Birdland NYC in 1991 on the Candid Jazz Label with the trio of James Williams, Rufus Reid and Kenny Washington. To date, he has recorded over 17 other recordings as leader. His latest release Gratitude, with the Tim Ray Trio has received glowing reviews and a lot of international airplay. Other recordings include special guests Phil Woods amongt other notable artists.

He is also an adjunct professor of Jazz Studies at Rhode Island College and is also a very active jazz clinician with co. sponsorship from the Conn-Selmer Instrument Co., conducting workshops and master classes through the U.S and abroad. Greg was inducted into the RI MUSIC HALL OF FAME 2016