The Jazz Club presents Saxophonist Greg Abate Quartet
Experience bebop brilliance with legendary US saxophonist Greg Abate and the powerhouse RhythmEarth Trio. A Jazz Hall of Fame inductee, Abate delivers world-class virtuosity and high-octane swing. Dont miss this exhilarating collaboration of international talent for an unforgettable night in the quintessential atmosphere of The Havana Club..
A relentless "jazz road warrior," US saxophonist Greg Abate has spent over five decades cementing his status as one of the most exciting post-hard bop soloists in the world. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Abate first rose to international prominence in the mid-1970s playing lead alto saxophone for the legendary Ray Charles Orchestra. He later contributed his virtuosity to the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under Dick Johnson in the mid-1980s.
Abate's career is defined by high-profile collaborations with some of the greatest names in jazz history. He famously recorded and performed with his mentor, the late alto master Phil Woods, most notably on the 2016 album Kindred Spirits: Live at Chans. His 2021 release, Magic Dance, featured NEA Jazz Master pianist Kenny Barron and was hailed as one of the year's best albums. Other distinguished collaborators include Red Rodney, Billy Hart, Rufus Reid, Claudio Roditi, and James Williams.
Recognized for his "muscular" and "inventive" playing style, Abate is frequently compared to bebop titans like Charlie Parker and Sonny Stitt. His extensive discography spans over 20 albums as a leader, including the Grammy-nominated Evolution (2002) and his 2024 quartet release, Positive Energy.
His contributions to the genre have earned him numerous accolades, including a 2016 induction into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame and consistent rankings in the Downbeat Critics and Readers Polls for alto sax. Beyond the stage, Abate serves as an educator and adjunct professor of Jazz Studies at Rhode Island College, sharing his lifetime of expertise with the next generation of musicians.