Evening of Jazz

International jazz artist Greg Abate and his Jazz Quartet will perform at the Mass Arts Center on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024. The concert will begin at 8 p.m. and will be preceded by a cocktail hour at 7. A celebrated New England saxophonist, flutist, and composer, Abate has had an impressively diverse international career. From 1972-’74, he played lead alto for the iconic Ray Charles Orchestra, followed by playing tenor sax for the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under the direction of Dick Johnson. With more than 24 recordings as a band leader featuring notable greats such as Phil Woods, Kenny Barron, and Red Rodney, Abate has established himself as a significant force in the jazz world. Abate’s insatiable drive keeps him on the move, touring 275 days a year. In addition to his hectic schedule, he works as an adjunct professor of jazz at Rhode Island College and serves as an artist representative for instrument maker Conn-Selmer, often teaching master classes. A Fall River native, Abate recently returned from a month-long tour of the United Kingdom and is looking forward to performing at local venues. Abate’s quartet for this show includes Chris Taylor on piano, Todd Baker on bass, and Gary Johnson on drums. Taylor, a distinguished jazz pianist and composer, has an extensive background performing in Philadelphia and Boston. Baker, a Berklee College of Music graduate, has played with renowned ensembles, including the Artie Shaw Orchestra. Johnson, a seasoned drummer, has worked with notable jazz figures like Scott Hamilton, Keely Smith, and Dizzy Gillespie, and is the son of New England jazz great Dick Johnson. The Mass Arts Center show will feature selections from the American songbook, jazz standards, popular tunes, and some of Abate’s original compositions. “It will be swinging,” Abate said. In 2016, Abate was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame. More recently, he clinched the 2nd and 3rd spots in the 2021-22 Downbeat Readers Poll, underscoring his influence in the jazz arena. Fellow saxophonist Phil Woods once remarked, “I sleep a lot better knowing there are alto players like Greg Abate.” Mike Joyce of The Washington Post writes: “Greg Abate is considered by jazz writers and aficionados to be one of the most exciting saxophone players out there today.”