I've seen the name Greg Abate
(pronounced Ah-BAH-tay) "just around the corner" in the jazz world
for a number of years. But this is my first chance to put him to the test. He's
a hard bopper to be sure and takes no prisoners in this exuberant live
performance. Eight of the eleven tunes are his own creations and he blows four
instruments here. I heard the likes of Phil Woods, Pepper Adams, Cannonball
Adderley and even Richie Cole all hovering somewhere nearby. The two standards
covered here couldn't be more different: Fats Waller's "Jitterbug
Waltz" and Joe Henderson's "Inner Urge". Abate works flawlessly
with a spirited rhythm section led by high flying pianist Tim Ray. The quartet
is completed by bassist John Lockwood and drummer Mark Walker. This very
versatile bop maven and his colleagues offer a swinging, satisfying
performance. It's real deal jazz...no excuses and no pretense!
Whaling City Sound; 2019; 71:59
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