Greg Abate with the Tony Harris Quartet

Plymouth Jazz Club is proud to present the highly talented and exciting American saxophone star Greg Abate on the first stop of his eleven date tour of the UK. He attended the famous Berklee College of Music in Boston and has filled the lead alto chair in the Ray Charles Orchestra and played tenor sax with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra.

He made several records when leading his own band and his 2004 recording "Evolution" was nominated for a Grammy Award in four categories. He now spends around 150 days a year touring the world as a solo artiste.

"Greg Abate is one of the most appealing saxophonists on the scene today.... he plays music with sweetness and daring."

Greg is also a teacher of Jazz Studies at Rhode Island College and holds clinics and workshops around the USA and Europe.

Greg will be backed by the locally well known Tony Harris Quartet, an experienced and entertaining mainstream jazz group, which provides ideal backing for star soloists, allowing their virtuosity and personality to show to best effect.
The Quartet has provided backing for a virtual "Who's Who" of British jazz stars and for many international musicians including Warren Vache, Janusz Carmello, Michael Hashim, Scott Hamilton and Spike Robinson.

The quartet comprises the sparkling vibraphone playing of the leader Tony Harris, the bluesy keyboards of Paul Harris, the swinging drumming of Dennis Harris and
the lively bass playing of Al Swainger. New member of the band Al is Exeter based and has had the experience of playing with Greg Abate at the Teignmouth Jazz Festival, also with Alan Barnes, Bobby Shew, Steve Waterman, John Etheridge, Digby Fairweather, Mark Nightingale, Gary Potter and many other leading jazzmen. He also has his own band and plays with a number of bands around Exeter.

Look forward to an evening of exciting and swinging music in the mainstream style from these top class musicians!!!