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

Ticket link: The Burt Bacharach Jazz Experience: Featuring Alex Steele & Catherine Sykes Quartet

New jazz interpretations of the music of Burt Bacharach featuring Catherine Sykes (vocals), Alex Steele (musical director, piano), Paul Jefferies (double bass), Euan Palmer (drums)

This evening, we are delighted to welcome the brilliant ‘Burt Bacharach Experience’, a jazz evening exploring the incredible diverse compositions of Burt Bacharach, re-interpreted through the creativity of Musical Director, Alex Steele, on piano and the luscious vocals of Catherine Sykes.

Everyone knows the music of Burt Bacharach, with classics including The Look of Love, Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head, What the World Needs Now, I’ll Never Fall in Love Again and many more. They are classic songs, made famous by singers including Dionne Warwick, Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield and the Carpenters, and explored by jazz greats including Sonny Rollins and Brad Mehldau. From the 1950’s onwards, Burt Bacharach created a huge catalogue of compositions, featuring a very unique style of chords, harmonies and changing time signatures. It is this creativity in his compositions which has led his music to be greatly explored and appreciated by jazz musicians. Tonight, Alex Steele leads this new band, with a set of special arrangements of these classic songs, pushing the music more deeply into modern jazz territory. You’ll know the songs, but you won’t have heard them played like this before!

More than a thousand artists have recorded the songs of Burt Bacharach over many decades. This new ‘Burt Bacharach Experience’ takes us one step further into explorations of his beautiful music.

Leading the quartet, Alex Steele is a unique voice in jazz, well-known for his passion, energy and a deep sense of musicality as a jazz pianist. He has been inspired by his heroes, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Herbie Hancock and Brad Mehldau, and through his own musical journey, he has found his own unique voice. Alex brings his own special sense of energy to audiences, exploring the beauty of improvisation, zest, passion and creativity in music.

Vocalist Catherine Sykes expresses one of her most significant musical influences as Ella Fitzgerald. Catherine says “I love the freedom and space of jazz music. There are no set rules, no boundaries, no definitive way to sing. Rhythm and melody can be played with, feelings explored, day-to-day worries lost in the wonderful world of the music. I love what I do”. When she’s not with Alex exploring the music of Burt Bacharach, Catherine sings with the Glenn Miller Orchestra UK, she tours around the world, and makes special guest appearances with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Pasadena Roof Orchestra, Nick Ross Orchestra, Manhattan Orchestra, Fat Chops Big Band, Paul Barry Big Band, The Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra, and many more.

* Photo © 2025 Ron Milsom