Silky Denims: Greg Abate

Showing posts with label Greg Abate. Show all posts

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Greg Abate / Alan Barnes / John Donaldson - Birds of a Feather

Styles: Saxophone And Piano Jazz
Year: 2008
Time: 69:50
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 160,6 MB
Art: Front

( 9:58) 1. Hot House
(10:00) 2. Wong's Way
( 9:44) 3. In The Stratosphere
( 6:59) 4. The Love Of Life
( 6:22) 5. Mr. T.C.
(10:27) 6. The Birdfeeder
(10:45) 7. The 'y' Blues
( 5:33) 8. Be-Bop

Anybody who grew up in a place called Woonsocket probably has to have cultivated a phlegmatic outlook on life, and saxophonist Greg Abate like his fellow Rhode Islander Scott Hamilton clearly believes the long familiar practices of classic bebop and mainstream swing have plenty of musical possibilities and ticket sales left in them.

Like Hamilton, Abate is a regular visitor to the UK and, again like Hamilton, he's the perfect partner for the British straightahead virtuoso Alan Barnes, engaging in a lively dialogue with him throughout this live recording from Leicester's Y theatre in November 2007.

Pianist John Donaldson, bassist Andy Cleyndert and drummer Spike Wells make up the rhythm section. Half of the tunes are Abate's, one is Barnes's and the others are standards including Tadd Dameron's Hot House and Dizzy Gillespie's Be-bop.

Abate's themes are dead right for the idiom, though not particularly memorable, but both saxophonists ingeniously improvise on them, with the amiable mainstream two-sax sound often driving the proceedings.

Donaldson's ebullient trills and churning mid-tempo rhythms glimmer through the music, and grooving blues like Mr TC and The Y Blues revel in the snappily punctuated melodies this style depends on. It's unpretentious swing, played with effortless relaxation.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/jan/09/greg-abate-alan-barnes

Personnel: Greg Abate - alto / tenor; Alan Barnes - alto / baritone; John Donaldson - piano; Andrew Cleyndert - acoustic bass; Spike Wells - drums

Birds of a Feather

Saturday, April 3, 2021

Greg Abate - Magic Dance: The Music of Kenny Barron Disc 1, Disc 2

Album: Magic Dance: The Music of Kenny Barron Disc 1

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:06
Size: 109,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:17) 1. Sunshower
(6:09) 2. Cook's Bay
(7:54) 3. Golden Lotus
(7:19) 4. Innocence
(8:59) 5. Water Lily
(7:38) 6. Sonia Braga
(3:47) 7. Bud Like

Album: Magic Dance: The Music of Kenny Barron Disc 2

Time: 40:44
Size: 94,9 MB

(6:14) 1. Lemuria
(4:52) 2. Concentric Circles
(8:28) 3. Rain
(5:25) 4. Voyage
(5:35) 5. Magic Dance
(4:32) 6. Song for Abdullah
(5:35) 7. And Then Again

Woonsocket native saxophonist Greg Abate is releasing a new album “Magic Dance: The Music of Kenny Barron” on April 2, a tribute to the keyboard legend Barron. An inductee in the RI Music Hall of Fame, Abate has played and recorded with artists as diverse as Phil Woods, Richie Cole, Jerome Richardson, as well Kenny Barron. Abate was recently ranked #4 in the world on alto sax in the annual Downbeat Magazine Reader’s Poll. There’s a beautiful marriage happening with Greg Abate’s “Magic Dance: The Music of Kenny Barron.” It’s the union between Abate’s multi-instrumental gift of bebop and Kenny Barron’s varied and sublime compositions. Abate and Barron, who, in addition to lending Abate his material, handles keys on this recording session, are soul mates occupying the same lovely musical space.

With Barron’s material and Abate’s fresh vision, the two-disc set, recorded over three days at Rudy Van Gelder Studio in New Jersey, is a revelation. Says Abate: “Kenny was kind enough to provide me with music for a range of his tunes, some more well-known than others. The only difficult part was choosing which ones to record.” Abate researched and reworked Barron’s music, inserting his own ideas when appropriate, enhancing his arrangements with multiple sax overdubs, and, when the original was so good, it made sense to leave well enough alone. The project was challenging, multi-dimensional, and immensely gratifying. “I even scored a big band sax section (two altos, two tenors and bari) on ‘Innocence’ and ‘Voyage.’ The other 12 tracks have either one horn, or two horns in harmony.”More...Ken Abrams https://whatsupnewp.com/2021/02/ri-jazz-great-greg-abate-to-release-magic-dance-the-music-of-kenny-barron-in-april/

Magic Dance: The Music of Kenny Barron Disc 1, Disc 2

Sunday, June 3, 2018

Greg Abate Quintet - Bop Lives!

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:07
Size: 148,2 MB
Art: Front

( 7:41) 1. Love's No Secret
( 5:39) 2. Happenin'
( 4:04) 3. Blues for H.O.
( 7:23) 4. This I Dig of You
( 6:40) 5. Bop Lives!
( 9:39) 6. Ask Me Now
( 5:16) 7. Voyage
( 6:50) 8. Children's Waltz
(10:51) 9. Speak Low

With a title such as Bop Lives, it is a bit surprising to realize that there are actually no bop standards on this CD. However the playing by altoist Greg Abate (whose sound recalls Phil Woods and Richie Cole) is certainly in the bop tradition; he is a heated and frequently exciting improviser. Trumpeter Claudio Roditi is aboard for five of the nine selections and is a perfect frontline partner for Abate. Of the repertoire, three tunes are by the leader and there is one apiece from Roditi, pianist Kenny Barron (who leads a rhythm section also including bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Ben Riley), Mark Morganelli, Hank Mobley ("This I Dig Of You"), Thelonious Monk and Kurt Weill (a nearly 11-minute rendition of "Speak Low"). The well-rounded program features Greg Abate at his best and this uncomplicated but generally chancetaking bop set is easily recommended.~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/bop-lives%21-mw0000610795

Personnel: Greg Abate (alto saxophone); Claudio Roditi (trumpet, flugelhorn); Kenny Barron (piano); Ben Riley (drums).

Bop Lives!

Thursday, May 31, 2018

Greg Abate - Bop City Live at Birdland

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:02
Size: 165,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:02) 1. Bop City
(5:05) 2. Minorism
(4:16) 3. What is this thing called love?
(7:58) 4. The Gypsy
(8:17) 5. Peaks Beaks
(5:11) 6. Basting The Bird
(6:17) 7. Andromeda
(6:38) 8. These Foolish Things
(7:46) 9. The Young 'uns
(5:23) 10. Opportunity
(6:36) 11. Gemini Mood
(3:27) 12. Sax O'Blues

Journeyman saxophonist Greg Abate makes a decent modern hard bop recording on this 1992 session. His playing is solid and sometimes frenetic, but also derivative. The compositions are straightforward and long enough for Abate and cast to make effective solos, yet short enough not to become tiring. He has a first-rate rhythm section with pianist James Williams, bassist Rufus Reid, and drummer Kenny Washington. ~ Ron Wynn https://www.allmusic.com/album/bop-city-live-at-birdland-mw0000602278

Personnel: Greg Abate (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); James Williams (piano); Rufus Reid (bass instrument); Kenny Washington (drums).

Bop City Live at Birdland

Monday, March 13, 2017

The Greg Abate Quintet - Happy Samba

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:13
Size: 131.0 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1994
Art: Front

[4:16] 1. Happy Samba
[5:26] 2. On The Road
[5:41] 3. Mambo Mio
[6:04] 4. Remembering Dad
[3:50] 5. Dr. Jekyll Mr Hyde
[3:20] 6. Ode To Eric
[6:50] 7. B'niece
[6:35] 8. Firewalk
[4:48] 9. Jag
[5:03] 10. Dom Joaquim Braga
[5:15] 11. Art And The Bird Wonder

Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Greg Abate; Bass – Harvie Swartz; Congas – Wilson Corniel; Drums Percussion – Ed Uribe; Piano – Mark Soskin.

A superior bop player who finally emerged on records as a leader in the 1990s, Greg Abate had picked up experience playing with the Ray Charles Orchestra (starting in 1973 when he succeeded David "Fathead" Newman) and the Artie Shaw band when it was headed by clarinetist Dick Johnson during 1985-1987. Based in Rhode Island, Abate has played at many festivals and club dates, mostly on the East Coast and in Europe. Although he also plays tenor, flute, and soprano, alto is his main ax. Abate, who considers Charlie Parker, Paul Desmond, and Phil Woods to be among his most important influences, has recorded as a leader for Seaside, Candid, and Blue Chip Jazz (Bop Lives!). ~bio by Scott Yanow

Happy Samba

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Greg Abate - Straight Ahead

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1993
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:37
Size: 148,4 MB
Art: Front

(6:26) 1. Straight Ahead
(7:33) 2. Kelly Blue
(7:13) 3. Denise Marie
(8:24) 4. Nica's Dream
(6:41) 5. Jessica
(5:45) 6. 2-22
(8:26) 7. Con Alma
(6:20) 8. Bossa For Gregory
(7:45) 9. It's All Right With Me

The title perfectly summarizes this quintet date -- hard bop and standards delivered professionally and competently by an experienced band. Greg Abate is a fluid alto and tenor saxophonist who executes the chord changes, progressions, and solos efficiently, while trumpeter Claudio Roditi adds some Afro-Latin spice and hot licks, and pianist Hilton Ruiz, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Kenny Washington keep the rhythmic center together. Mraz's bass sounds undermiked at times, but otherwise this date does exactly what it set out to: showcase jazz professionals comfortable in their environment and with their material. ~ Ron Wynn http://www.allmusic.com/album/straight-ahead-mw0000182465

Personnel: Greg Abate (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Claudio Roditi (trumpet, flugelhorn); Hilton Ruiz (piano); Kenny Washington (drums).

Straight Ahead

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Greg Abate - Horace Is Here: A Tribute To Horace Silver

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:28
Size: 168.2 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2005/2011
Art: Front

[7:08] 1. Mayreh
[8:08] 2. Horace Is Here
[6:21] 3. Nica's Dream
[7:15] 4. Song For My Father
[6:07] 5. Nutville
[7:21] 6. Silver's Serenade
[7:18] 7. On The Road
[9:56] 8. Peace
[7:45] 9. Filthy Mcnasty
[6:04] 10. Quicksilver

Bass – Marshall Wood; Drums – Artie Cabral; Piano – Hilton Ruis; Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Flute, Arranged By – Greg Abate; Trumpet, Arranged By – Claudio Roditi. Recorded Sept. 24-25, 2004.

Many artists have covered pianist Horace Silver's compositions, but few have approached them with a freshness like multi-reed player Greg Abate. Accompanied by trumpeter Claudio Roditi, pianist Hilton Ruiz (on one of his last recording sessions prior to his mysterious death in 2006), bassist Marshall Wood, and drummer Artie Cabral, Abate reharmonized each of the pieces and gave them a new sound while retaining the essence of the original works. "Song for My Father" is a perfect example, with the leader's rich tenor blending with Roditi's mellow trumpet and a less pronounced rhythm. Abate is on alto for "Nica's Dream," which has a more breezy air, almost seeming to float over its hard bop inner soul. Wood's brooding bass introduces "Peace," with Abate's mournful soprano sax beautifully backed by Ruiz's almost reverent piano. Abate also penned two solid tribute to Silver, the hip "Horace Is Here" and the turbulent "On the Road." Greg Abate's salute to Horace Silver will please fans of the hard bop giant's music. ~Ken Dryden

Horace Is Here: A Tribute To Horace Silver

Friday, January 15, 2016

Greg Abate & Phil Woods With Tim Ray Trio - Kindred Spirits: Live At Chan's

Size: 150,0+120,2 MB
Time: 64:21+51:45
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

Disc 1
01. Steeplechase (11:31)
02. House Of Flowers A Sleepin' Bee (11:33)
03. The End Of A Love Affair ( 9:39)
04. Angel Eyes ( 7:45)
05. Cedar's Blues ( 9:21)
06. Willow Weep For Me ( 5:06)
07. Steeplechase (Short Version) ( 4:36)
08. Fried Clams With Bellies ( 1:30)
09. Phil & Sequel (Live) Phil And Sequel ( 2:05)
10. Emotionally Involved ( 0:55)
11. Different Keys ( 0:13)

Disc 2
01. I'll Remember April (9:19)
02. Moonlight In Vermont (9:42)
03. One Touch Of Venus Speak Low (8:53)
04. Strollin' (7:45)
05. Yardbird Suite (9:21)
06. Moonlight In Vermont (Short Version) (5:09)
07. The First One's Free (1:33)

Greg Abate boasts one of hard bop's best-known alto saxophones. In fact, he's earned the nickname "the prince of bebop," which makes perfect sense if you've seen him perform. Phil Woods, another saxophone legend, was widely hailed as one of the prototypical practitioners on the instrument. Together, with the Tim Ray Trio, Abate and Woods whipped up the brand new double CD "Kindred Spirits Live at Chan's." Sadly Woods passed away before this release of sizzling jazz featuring Ray on piano, Mark Walker on drums and John Lockwood on bass. "Kindred Spirits Live at Chan's" incidentally, is dedicated to jazz giant, the great Phil Woods, for his enormous body of work and his contribution to the world of jazz."

Kindred Spirits Disc 1, Disc 2

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Greg Abate Quartet - Motif (Feat. John Lockwood, Mark Walker & Tim Ray)

Size: 166,5 MB
Time: 71:33
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Contemporary Jazz
Art: Front

01. Motif (4:49)
02. Buddy's Rendezvous (8:11)
03. Snowfall (7:10)
04. Mrs. T (7:00)
05. Bittersweet (9:15)
06. Flashback (6:37)
07. Steppin' Out (4:38)
08. Morning Of The Leaves (6:15)
09. Conflict (5:37)
10. Swingin' At The Cookie (6:05)
11. Bop'n Bob Don't Stop (5:52)

Motif might be the title of Greg Abate’s new album, but it could just as easily, and perhaps more appropriately be called Conversations for the way it feels. Each song breezes beautifully by, with Abate’s organic spume of notes, cascading effortlessly the way wind pushes over a field of wheat. Abate is masterful in the way he handles a variety of themes (or topics) and the disc is persistent and interesting, the way an adept communicator can be when making great conversation.

Abate, a master on the alto saxophone, has been doing this a long time, and his experience lifts up the songs on Motif, shines a light on them, and makes the record a joy to listen to. It doesn’t hurt that he’s surrounded himself with an impeccable cadre of musicians: drummer Mark Walker, inimitable bassist John Lockwood, and pianist Tim Ray. Together, they encircle Abate with a cushiony, luxurious musical bumper, keeping Abate on track with his blowing yet also allowing him the space for full expression. Abate certainly takes advantage. Fans of the sax, and alto in particular, will revel in his tone and note choices, as he explores the full range of the instrument.

He plays with immense personality and always has. Going back to his earliest days as a professional—in the Ray Charles Orchestra (where he, if you recall, replaced the one of a kind, David “Fathead” Newman) and the Artie Shaw band, led at the time by clarinetist Dick Johnson. Since then, he has been at it on and off, mostly on, and his dexterity stands out on Motif.

The record opens with the zesty title track, a re-harmonization of the standard “All the Things You Are.” It moves smoothly into the slower, and slightly bluesy “Buddy’s Rendezvous,” an elegy to Abate’s late friend Buddy Hawkins. That, in turn segues into “Snowfall,” a peaceful evocation of the title matter, that is brisk and light, even while Abate’s minor key composition and solid alto paint a beautiful picture of what it might have been like on the inside looking out. “Bittersweet,” the track that follows, is deep and personal, with a bossa nova underpinning and, according to Abate, “several different key centers.”

It’s easy to continue in this vein, but we won’t. The songs are easy to hear and artfully executed. Like an exhilarating talk between friends, it is beautifully paced and wonderfully articulated.

On Motif, Greg Abate presents prima facie evidence proving he belongs near the top of the list when the subject is today’s top sax players. Abate reminds us, as the notes tumble generously out of his horn, that he deserves every jazz fan’s unwavering attention.

Motif