Greg Abate Quintet
featuring Nat Steele
 
Greg Abate (saxophone/flute), Nat Steele (vibraphone), Leon Greening (piano), Arnie Somogyi (double bass), Matt Skelton (drums)
 
We are delighted to welcome back to the Club after a gap of nine years the great USA saxophonist and flautist Greg Abate, always a great favourite for his emotionally charged, technically brilliant and expressive playing. Greg’s career spans over 40 years, starting as lead altoist with Ray Charles and Artie Shaw bands and then developing his solo career in the States. Steeped in bebop, but always melodic, he recorded his first album live at Birdland, New York in 1991 and subsequently has released 18 CDs under his own name, including two albums recorded with the great Phil Woods, the last being in 2016 shortly before Phil passed away. Greg is also an adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies at  Rhode Island College and is also a very active jazz clinician with sponsorship from the Conn-Selmer Instrument company. In the Downbeat magazine (USA) readers poll, Greg is frequently voted year on year as one of the top five saxophonists in the world. Joining Greg for this concert will be the brilliant vibraphonist Nat Steele and a great rhythm section with top pianist Leon Greening and the very highly rated duo of  Arnie Somogyi on double bass and drummer Matt Skelton. Don’t miss one of finest saxophonists in the world today leading an all-star quintet.