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.
Since moving to the Bay Area from Los Angeles to attend UC Berkeley in
1994, Ben Stolorow has become one of the most in demand jazz
pianists in the
area both as a leader and sideman. He has performed at Yoshi’s, The
Jazzschool, and the Kuumbwa Jazz Center, at the Healdsburg and SF Jazz
Festivals, at Oakland’s Art and Soul Festival, and has also toured and
performed throughout Japan. He has performed with many great musicians
including Craig Handy, Akira Tana, Dayna Stephens, Lorca Hart, Andrew
Speight, Vince Lateano, Noel Jewkes, Michael O’Neill, and vocalist
Kenny Washington. Ben is also a faculty member of the Jazzschool in
Berkeley, CA.
He appeared here previously with Ron Vincent, and Greg Abate.
Essiet Okon Essiet first received critical acclaim more than a
decade
ago as a member of saxophonist Bobby Watson's post hard bop group
Horizon He has long since established himself as one of New York's
premier bassists.
His first big break came in 1982 when he met Chicago based
percussionist Famoudou Don Moye. Moye asked Essiet to join his quartet
and during that same year the bassist met Abdullah Ibrahim, the famed
South African pianist. Working with Ibrahim, Essiet toured the globe
splitting his time between Europe and the US during the period from
1982 to 1986. Eventually Essiet settled in NYC. Two years later, he
joined Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and remained in the group
until the famed drummer/teacher's passing in 1990.
He has performed and recorded with Benny Golson, Johnny Griffin, James
Moody, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Cedar Walton, Sam Rivers,
George Adams, Pat Martino, Kenny Burrell, Jackie McLean, Frank Morgan,
Kenny Barron, Louis Hayes, Ben Riley, Jimmy Cobb, Billy Higgins, Billy
Hart, Art Farmer, Abby Lincoln, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Billy Cobham,
Bennie Maupin, Al Foster, Eddie Henderson, Steve Turre, Jon Faddis,
Bobby Watson, Victor Lewis, Kenny Garrett, Kenny Kirkland, Mulgrew
Miller, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Mike Stern, Kevin Mahogany, Kurt Elling,
Fort Apache Band, Danilo Perez, Claudia Acuna, Geri Allen, Ralph
Peterson, Greg Osby, Javon Jackson, Tim Hagens, Kevin Hays, and Bill
Stewart.
He appeared previously at Chez Hanny with the Peter Zak Trio, Jerome Sabbagh, and the Sylvia Cuenca Quartet with Craig Handy.
Drummer Sylvia Cuenca, originally from San Jose,
now living in New York, has performed for 17 years with trumpet legend
Clark Terry
at venues such as the Village Vanguard and Blue Note in New
York City.
She toured internationally for 4 years with saxophonist Joe
Henderson, including trio settings with Henderson and bassists Charlie
Haden or George Mraz.
Ms. Cuenca has performed with such jazz
luminaries as Billy Taylor, Eddie Henderson, Gary Bartz, Kenny Barron,
Ray Drummond, Frank Foster, Red Holloway, Jimmy Heath, Al Grey, Frank
Wess, Michael Brecker, Houston Person, Etta Jones, Jon Faddis, Dave
Stryker, Ed Cherry, Dianne Reeves, John Hicks, Geoff Keezer, John
Handy, Lew
Soloff, Marian McPartland, Hilton Ruiz, George Cables, James Spaulding,
Kenny Drew Jr., Frank Foster, Randy Brecker, Emily Remler, and Helen
Merrill.
She has appeared at Chez Hanny with Jared Gold and Ed Cherry, Jared
Gold and Brian Levy, Cuenca/Bollenback/Blades, the Peter Zak Trio, the
Roni Ben-Hur/Harvie S Trio, the Peter Horvath Trio, Harvey Wainapel, Charles McNeal, Jerome Sabbagh,
and the Sylvia Cuenca Trio and Quartet.