Past Events

Ticket Link: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/596780

This evening at Kenilworth Jazz, we are delighted to welcome back legendary US saxophonist, Greg Abate, as part of his 2023 UK tour. Greg is based in the USA, a musician of brilliant international standing, and without a doubt, amongst the finest jazz players of his generation. After studying at Berklee in the mid 70’s, Greg joined the Ray Charles band, and later the renowned Artie Shaw Orchestra. Since then, Greg has had an outstanding career as a band leader in his own right. His recent albums include a beautiful album with the late great Phil Woods, and his most recent album with the incredible pianist, Kenny Baron. As well as his touring work, Greg is also a composer, arranger, a Grammy-nominated recording artist and educator of some considerable note, serving as an adjunct professor of Jazz Studies at Rhode Island College. His fluent and muscular playing is best described as “post hard bop”, encompassing a classic approach to the material in the style of Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Cannonball Adderley and Phil Woods.

Joining Greg, we are delighted to welcome back the virtuosic, energetic and deeply harmonic, ALEX STEELE on piano. The final cherries on the jazz cake are the formidable MIKE CYPHER on drums, and the insuperable MIKE GREEN on double bass. A superstar line-up for a special jazz gig!

“Abate is not content to rely on stock bebop riffs … his work has a feeling of constant invention and creativity.” Chicago Tribune

“A unique voice” Metro, San Jose

“One of the most exciting players around today” The Jazz Messenger

“Greg Abate is one of the most appealing saxophonists on the scene today … the result is that he plays music with sweetness and daring.” New Jazz Recordings

More about Greg Abate at www.gregabate.com

Ticket Link: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/593949

As a finalist in the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020, winner of the Rising Star category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards and nominee in the Parliamentary Jazz Awards 2021 & ‘22, Alex is known to be one of the most in-demand and versatile saxophonists to have emerged on the British jazz scene.

Praised for her extensive repertoire list and intelligent ear for harmony, Alex’s sound is steeped in the tradition of bebop. Her deep respect for the heritage of the music can be heard in a hard-swinging, melodic approach reminiscent of Scott Hamilton and Lester Young, with strong bop influences of Phil Woods and Cannonball Adderley.

Back in 2018, Alex released her debut album “Mirage”. In summer 2022, she released her latest quartet album “Only A Year” featuring some of the UK’s finest musicians, namely David Newton, Dave Green and Clark Tracey. This led to a sell-out album tour in January/February 2023 across renowned UK jazz clubs and festivals.

As well as leading her own projects, Alex has performs alongside many notable names such as Alan Barnes, Bruce Adams and Art Themen, and has worked with big bands such as The Simon Spillett Big Band and The Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra.

“One of the UK’s finest young jazz talents” – The Jazz Rag

“Clarke is a rising star…and here is the evidence” – Jazzwise

Album showreel: https://youtu.be/IxeWjHf_OG4