Greg Abate jazz saxophonist, flutist, compose, continues as an
International Jazz/Recording Artist with 225 days a year touring the
globe.
In the mid 70’s after finishing a four year program at Berklee College
Of Music, Greg played lead alto for the Ray Charles Orchestra for 2
years.
In 1978 Greg formed his group Channel One which was a favorite 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
from 1986 to ’87.
Following this experience Greg ventured out as post hard bop soloist
playing Jazz Festivals, Jazz Societies, and Jazz Clubs throughout the
U.S., Canada, and abroad, including most of Europe, UK, Georgia, and
Russia.
He has recorded prolifically as a leader, with sidemen including Phil
Woods, Kenny Baron, Richie Cole, Rufus Reid, Akira Tana, Hilton Ruiz,
and Claudio Roditi.
Pianist Keith Saunders spent his formative years in
Los Angeles where he studied with Charlie Shoemake and Horace Silver.
Keith worked extensively in L.A. with such well known artists as Eddie
Harris, Roy McCurdy, Bill Holman, and
Bill Watrous, as well as recording with Dick
Berk's Jazz Adoption Agency.
After moving to New York City in 1984, Keith worked and/or recorded
with Richie Cole, Richie Vitale, Hank Crawford, Mickey Roker, Ralph
LaLama, Frank Wess, and Valery Ponamarev. In 1991, Keith
became the leader of The NY HardBop
Quintet, a cooperative unit featuring Joe Magnarelli and Jerry Weldon,
which released four recordings for the TCB Montreux Jazz label.
Relocated to the Bay Area, Keith appears with Calvin Keys,
Noel Jewkes,
Jim Grantham, Chris Amberger, Patrick Wolff, Erik Jekabson, Smith
Dobson, Peppe Merolla, and Dave Rocha.
Keith appeared previously at Chez Hanny with the Robb Fisher-Keith
Saunders Trio, Frank Tusa, Peck Allmond, Michael Zilber, Dave Rocha,
Erik Jekabson, Noel Jewkes, George Cotsirilos, and the Keith Saunders
Trio.
Bassist Eric Markowitz, born and raised in New
Jersey, never thought much of growing up 30 minutes away from the jazz
mecca of New York City. That all changed when half way through his
college studies in St. Louis, he met world renowned jazz drummer Joe
Charles. Eric spent the next few years apprenticed under local St.
Louis legends Joe Charles and saxophonist/composer Jimmy Sherrod.
Markowitz quickly became one of the leading jazz bassists in St. Louis,
voted 4 years in a row best jazz group in St. Louis while playing with
the David Stone Trio.
He moved to San Francisco in 2004, and was quickly integrated into the
local jazz scene, performing with players such as Patrick
Wolff, Adam Shulman, Scott Larson, Jeffrey Burr, Jay Standards, Joe
Cohen, Smith Dobson, Scott Foster, and Vince Lateano.
He appeared here previously with the Keith Saunders Trio, and the Scott
Barnhill Quartet.
Mike Quigg began playing the drums at age 9 and hasn't looked
back since. He grew up in Tracy, CA where he honed his craft while
studying with a private instructor for 7 years and within that time,
grew to be a well known and highly sought after drummer in his home
town along with the surrounding bay area at a young age.
He has played with renowned artists such as Eric Marienthal, Gilbert
Castellanos, Claudia Villela, Kai Eckhardt, Ernie Watts, David Binney,
and Laurence Hobgood.
He went on to get his Bachelors in Music from the California Jazz
Conservatory in Berkeley, CA.
He has performed at Chez Hanny with the Jacam
Manricks Quartet, Jacam Manricks/Giulio Cetto/Mike Quigg/Justin Rock,
and MQW Trio with Michael Zilber.