CANCELLED

Unfortunately this event has had to be cancelled but hopefully can be rescheduled to a date in the New Year

Ticket link : https://wegottickets.com/event/682465

Ray Butcher is a jazz trumpeter who has performed with his own acts at jazz clubs such as the 606 Club, Ronnie Scott’s, Matt and Phreds and many others.

Having performed worldwide, and making his first musical TV appearance on BBC TV aged 15, he has also performed the trumpet solo on the song ‘God’s Great Dance Floor’, for the Grammy nominated singer Martin Smith and also the version by Chris Tomlin, for the album ‘Burning Lights’ which topped the US album charts for one week in Jan 2013. The album was nominated for a Grammy award.

He has worked with New Orleans great Dr John, Mica Paris, Robbie Williams and many commercial artists.

He is joined by Tim Amann on piano, saxophone (TBC), Mike Green on bass and Miles Levin on drums.

We are delighted to welcome back legendary US saxophonist, Greg Abate, to Kenilworth Jazz, as part of his 2025 Autumn 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 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.

“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

Joining Greg, we have the flying socks, passion and innovation of Alex Steele on piano; the insuperable merchant of groove and swing, Mike Cypher on drums; and the beautifully melodic, lyrical and effervescent, Mike Green on double bass.

Photo © Nigel Hall 2023