About

Greg Abate is a jazz saxophonist, flautist and composer, who is on tour 250 days a year around the world. In the mid-70s, after finishing a four year course at Berklee College Of Music, Greg played lead alto for the Ray Charles Orchestra for 2 years. In 1978 he formed the group 'Channel One' which was a favourite in the New England area and from there played tenor sax with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under leadership of Dick Johnson from 1986 to '87. Then Greg ventured out as post hard-bop soloist playing Jazz Festivals, Jazz Societies and Jazz Clubs throughout the US, Canada and abroad, including most of Europe, UK and Russia.

Although he also plays tenor, flute, and soprano, alto is his main instrument. Greg considers Charlie Parker, Paul Desmond, and Phil Woods to be among his most important influences. He doesn't play very many weddings or dances, but even when he does, he only plays bebop — tunes and solos right out of the classic Charlie Parker lexicon — complex, high energy melody lines.