What’s On

Greg Abate with the Gaz Hughes Trio

Thu 13 Nov 2025, 7.00pm

Seven Arts

Greg Abate is a US alto sax player and master of BeBop. He is accompanied by the superb Gaz Hughes Trio
Join us this coming Thursday evening at Seven Arts Leeds for US sax legend Greg Abate, with the Gaz Hughes Trio.
Former lead alto player with the Ray Charles Orchestra, Greg’s recording history covers the likes of Kenny Barron, Phil Woods, James Williams, Rufus Reid, Kenny Washington, and a string of gigs at festivals and clubs around the world. He’s an engaging and fiery performer and his gigs always have an edge of the unexpected.
Making up the quartet for this gig are one of the UK’s top jazz trios led by drummer Gaz Hughes with Andrzej Baranek on piano, Gavin Barras on double bass.
Please join us for the very best swinging music in the classic jazz tradition, one of those unmissable nights in the beautiful acoustic intimate space at Seven Arts
“… his fast-moving lines give his work a feeling of constant invention and creativity.” –Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune

US-based musician of international standing, saxophonist Greg Abate is considered to be amongst the finest jazz players of his generation. After studying at Berklee in the mid 70’s Greg went on tour with the Ray Charles band for two years before once again going on the road in the late 80’s with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra. Following that experience he established himself as an international soloist, something he has now been successfully doing for the last 25 years working throughout the US, Canada, UK, Western and Eastern Europe and Russia.

As well as his touring work, Greg is also a composer, arranger, a Grammy-nominated recording artist and educator of some considerable note, serving as an adjunct professor of Jazz Studies at Rhode Island College. His fluent and muscular playing is best described as “post hard bop”, encompassing a classic approach to the material in the style of Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Cannonball Adderley and Phil Woods. Greg Abate ventured out as post hard bop soloist following his role within Ray Charles’ Orchestra, forming his group “Channel One”. Greg was voted in the top five for alto sax in the Downbeat Readers poll and inducted into the Music Hall of Fame in 2016.

He is accompanied at Seven Arts by the Gaz Hughes Trio featuring Gaz on drums Andrzej Baranek piano and Gavin Barras bass. Iaving toured extensively across the UK, they are recognized as one of the most in-demand jazz groups in the British Isles.

So excited for this gig!

Support

Greg Abate

Alto Sax

Andrzej Baranek

Piano

Gavin Barras

Bass

Gaz Hughes

Drums