It occurs to me that many people in our area, due to the lack of media coverage, may not know who some of the better jazz artists who perform locally on a regular basis. In an attempt to rectify this shortcoming I'll be sending out newsletters from time to time featuring a different jazz performer. Please note the flyers included in this message are recent events by Greg (not upcoming events) to enhance my story.
How long have I known Greg Abate?
My memory
is not what it once was but I'm fairly certain that I've known Greg just about
as long as I've been advocating jazz in our area. He is the man that I always
contribute as having instilled in me an appreciation of hard bop jazz. He is
credited by many as a force that refuses to let hard driving bebop die, don't
let that fool you, while he loves to play bebop, I've heard him play a ballad
like Angle Eyes on flute so sweetly it will make your eyes water.
Mr. Abate is a bonafide international jazz star that comes through our
area twice a year, spring and fall, like clockwork. He is one of the hardest
working musicians that I know who spends around 150 days a year touring the
globe. After finishing a four year program at Berklee College of Music back in
the seventies, Greg played lead alto for the Ray Charles Orchestra for 2 years.
He played with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under leadership of Dick
Johnson in the eighties and went on as a 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. He has recorded over twelve
albums, one of which was nominated for a Grammy in four categories.
Greg Abate
is a jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer, an International Jazz/Recording
artist, an adjunct professor of Jazz Studies at Rhode Island College and is also
a very active jazz clinician with company sponsorship from the Conn -Selmer
Instruments. In addition to conducting workshops and master classes through the
U.S and abroad.
Usually
when he visits our area he will stay with his long time friend, local drummer,
Lee McKinney, who is a wizard of bringing small high quality jazz groups
together. In recent times the Dayton area, formation has been Greg on various
saxophones and flute, Lee on drums, Randy Villars on keyboard and Phil Bowden on
bass. In Cincinnati, his last time through, he played with Phil DeGreg on
piano, Art Gore on drums and Jim Anderson on bass. I have never seen him
perform with his own trio, quartet or quintet that he records with but I do seem
to recall him having done so at Night Town in Cleveland Heights. Of course the
reason is money; it cost to bring your own group along. Over the years I have
come to appreciate his performing with our local backup players because I know
they are every bit as good as anyone he would bring in. I'm not unique, my wife
and most of our friends always make it a point to catch his events and his
audience continues to grow. He's just too good to miss, he gets better every
performance, and he has as the say has developed a unique voice.
I'm looking forward to next September.
