Greg Abate: The Professional

Jazz saxophonist, flutist, and composer Greg Abate has the chops. A Berklee grad, Greg played lead alto for the Ray Charles Orchestra, formed the influential Boston outfit Channel One, cut a live record at Birdland NYC in '91, and is an adjunct professor of Jazz Studies at Rhode Island College. On Saturday April 1st, his group will be performing two sets at atac. Read up, then grab yourself tickets here.

atac: Who are you?

Greg Abate: I am an international jazz artist and composer, arranger, and recording artist. I am also a Jazz educator at Rhode Island College, where I hold an adjunct position.

atac: You’re from around these parts, right? How’d you come up?

GA: Originally, I was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, but grew up in Woonsocket, RI. I didn’t have much exposure to Jazz as a young man, but when I was in the fifth grade, I started to play clarinet. That evolved into performing with my junior high school and high school band programs, where I then switched to saxophone. After high school, I went to Berklee College of Music where I studied music totally, with no academics. From there I moved to Los Angeles, spending several years in different bands. Eventually, I auditioned for the Ray Charles Orchestra and played as lead alto saxophonist for two years.

atac: The Ray Charles Orchestra is a serious line on any resume. Across all your years playing and listening, what are some stand-out recordings and performances?

GA: For albums, Charlie Byrd's Jazz At The Showboat, Samba Manhattan Style from Claudio Roditi, and any Charlie Parker recording. I’ve seen hundreds and hundreds of shows in my travels…too many to mention any one, specifically. But I find it very important to listen to jazz as something that’s infinite, insofar as progressing oneself to be a better player.

Above: Greg Abate in the studio

atac: As a teacher, what advice do you give your students? 

GA: I tell my students that when you’re about to play gigs and get started, if you have practiced sincerely and worked hard, you should have the confidence to get up there and perform. Know that you’re a unique individual; we are all different and as legitimate as anyone else. As long as you’ve done the work and you have that confidence, you should be fine. 

I also suggest they dress neatly; don’t go on the bandstand with ripped jeans, tees, and sneakers. If you’re going to present your music, present it professionally. That’s how I feel about it.

atac: What are you yourself still learning? 

GA: To this day I still have a little nervousness when I get on stage; I do so many different types of gigs…the music changes, always, and I’m trying to play new music a lot more these days. I have to concentrate really hard on that.

Above: Gig poster for Greg Abate Group’s performance at atac on April 1

atac: Clubs sometimes mix-up band configurations; what’s that like as a player?

GA: When working with different trios every night, sometimes you get a player or two in the trio that just aren’t ready for playing the type of music that is called for. Sometimes the promoter or club owner hires people that are good players, but they’re not great for the particular style called for on the gig. So with that, I have to play through without complaining. It can be a horror show—but I just leave after the gig; leave that behind me. Hopefully next time I go back, I will have different players.

atac: What about great players and composers; maybe from around MetroWest? Who should people be paying attention to?

GA: There are many. A few names include Todd Baker, John Lockwood, Paul Del Nero, Tim Ray, Steve Hunt, Ben Cook, Mark Walker, Gary Johnson, Les Harris Jr, Jeff Stout, Phil Grenadier, and Jeff Galindo. Many more.

atac: You tour quite a bit; what’s it like out there, beyond New England?

GA: I travel A lot through the United States; I play almost every state except two or three. Everywhere I go it’s a wonderful experience, usually finding good restaurants, stores, museums, and stuff like that. San Francisco, Chicago, New York City, and Denver are very cool.

atac: What are you up to when you put the sax down?

GA: Music is what I do and make my living at it. I like nature, animals, and the ocean. I also love to cook and drive fast cars. I love the great muscle cars from the 60’s 70’s—the ones I can’t afford! I’ve got a 396 Chevelle that I drag raced at the speedway, and my own current high performance car is an Audi A6 3.0. I’ve also got a 1999 Mercedes C43 AMG.

atac: I love a 90s Mercedes! Is there any relationship between cooking and playing music? 

GA: Actually, yes! I cook without any specific recipes. It’s in the moment, just like I play. I have a specific form I want to follow through for the listener, but I don’t preconceive my solos, and I’ll play the melody in different ways each time as well. That’s how I cook.

atac: I was just talking to another band leader, Danny Fox, who’s big on cooking. Danny cited Ahmad Jamal The Awakening as an all time favorite trio record. Now I'm wondering, who do you regard as the all time best small groups?

GA: Charlie Parker’s work for innovation, from swing bands to BeBop; and Dave Brubeck’s Take 5 was a mind-blower at the time, in 1959. Kind of Blue by Miles Davis is up there, as are Chasin’ the Trane and Giant Steps from John Coltrane. Dexter Gordon Cheese Cake, too. These artists, these styles of jazz—they inspire players like myself to take hold; to honor them and keep the tradition of innovation alive!

atac: Giant Steps, forever! Any parting words?

GA: Be kind, honest, and follow through in business and for friends.