Greg Abate + Elliott Sansom Trio

1000 Trades 16 Frederick Street Jewellery Quarter B1 3HE

£12.50/£10 Members/Students £5

Greg Abate, jazz saxophonist, flutist and composer, is a global phenomenon and International recording artist. For this gig he lands in Birmingham on his latest tour of the UK. To accompany him will be the rising star that is Elliott Sansom and his piano trio. Expect a hard driving pace from this special quartet which blends Greg’s established sound with the up and coming Elliott and his cohorts.

In the mid 70’s after finishing a four-year programme at the Berklee College of Music in the US. Greg played lead alto for the Ray Charles Orchestra for 2 years and in 1978 Greg formed his group Channel One which was a favourite in the New England area and from there had the opportunity to play tenor sax with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under leadership of Dick Johnson from1986 to ’87. Following this experience Greg ventured out as post hard bop soloist playing Jazz Festivals, Jazz Societies and Jazz Clubs throughout the US, Canada and abroad, including most of Europe, UK, Georgia and Russia.

Greg recorded his first CD Live at Birdland NYC in 1991 on the Candid Jazz Label with the trio of James Williams, Rufus Reid and Kenny Washington. To this date Greg has recorded over 17 other recordings as leader. Greg is also an adjunct professor of Jazz Studies at Rhode Island College and is also a very active jazz clinician with co. sponsorship from the Conn -Selmer Instrument Co., conducting workshops and master classes through the US and abroad. Greg has been inducted into the RI Music Hall of Fame 2016. Greg’s newest release Kindred Spirits Greg Abate Phil Woods with The Tim Ray Trio.

Elliott is the rising star of the recent crop of Conservatoire pianists. He has been writing original music inspired my some of his favourite composers such as John Taylor, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis and Paul Bley.

He has also been experimenting with taking some of his favourite classical pieces such as Frederic Mompou's 'Musica Callda’ short pieces for piano and playing and improvising with them in a jazz context. As well as this the Trio also play and explore the jazz tradition by playing standards and arrangements of standards for sessions. 

Greg Abate sax, Elliott Sansom piano, Ben Muirhead double bass, Nathan England Jones drums