EC-CHAP Jazz Series: Greg Abate Quartet
Tickets $20.00 in Advance (ONLINE) / $25.00 at the Door / Special Student Price $10.00 at the Door (WITH VALID I.D.)
Special Note: Its an honor and privilege to have the Greg Abate Quartet return to The Packing House for their spring performance! Greg, Ben, Matt, and Lou continue to amaze our audiences with their seamless interactions and improvisation.
Greg Abate jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer 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, and Moscow and Georgia Russia.
A live album, Kindred Spirits, released in 2016 (Whaling City Sound) featured The Greg Abate Quintet with Phil Woods, and the Tim Ray Trio. This 2-CD set was recorded live at Chans in Rhode Island (read more).
His most recent recording, Road to Forever, was released earlier this year on the Waling City Sound label (read more). The project includes ten original tunes written by Greg and features members of his working trio Tim Ray Trio, Tim Ray (piano), John Lockwood (bass), and Mark Walker (drums).
Greg will be joined at The Packing House on October 14th by Matt deChamplain on piano, Lou Bocciarelli on bass, and Ben Bilello on drums.
Take advantage of this unique opportunity to see this jazz great in our intimate historic setting. This program is hosted by the "Eastern Connecticut Center for History, Art, and Performance" (EC-CHAP). Doors 7:00pm / Show 7:30pm. Soft drinks and snacks available. We are pleased to offer our exclusive "BYOB&F" model - Bring Your Own Beverage & Food (Wine & Beer Only - I.D. Required). You can also bring your paid ticket to Willington Pizza House (or WP Too) for eat-in or take-out the night of the show and receive 15% off your meal purchase. Ask for "The Packing House" pizza - you won't go wrong! Click here for secret recipe.
For information and table reservations, please call 518-791-9474.
About the Artists:
Matt deChamplain
Matt deChamplain grew up in Wethersfield, Connecticut attending the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts during high school, obtaining his bachelors degree from the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the Hartt School of Music and graduated magna cum laude with his masters from the University of Toledo in Ohio in 2012. He has opened for Wynton Marsalis’ Quintet, Dave Brubeck and Hank Jones, played with Dave Brubeck, Shawnn Monteiro, Nat Reeves, Steve Davis, Javon Jackson Jose Feliciano, Paul Keller and Jon Hendricks and has appeared at the JVC Jazz Festival, the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Kennedy Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center and jazz clubs such as the Regatta Bar in Boston, Smalls in New York City and Yoshi's in San Francisco.
Matt was selected for the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Program where he engaged in a two week intensive composition and performance workshop led by Dr. Billy Taylor and Curtis Fuller culminating with three performances filmed live from the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. He has participated in the Martial Solal Jazz Piano Competition in Paris, France, toured New Ross, Ireland with bassist Nat Reeves, and released two albums as a leader, "Stride Bop" and "Pause". He has also been featured on guitarist Norman Johnson's album "Get It While You Can" (2011), jazz violinist Jason Anick's album "Tipping Point" (2012) and recorded several songs with vocalist Jon Hendricks for "Holiday Wishes II: River of Stars" (2013). Matt currently holds a faculty position at the Hartt School of Music (University of Hartford), teaches piano at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts and is a visiting clinician for the Glastonbury High School Jazz Ensemble. While maintaining an active performance schedule, he continues to teach and compose.
Ben Bilello
Ben Bilello received his Bachelors Degree in Jazz Studies at the Hartt School of Music, where he studied with Ben Toth, Glen Velez, Michael Carvin, and Tony Leone. Since graduating from Hartt, Ben has performed and recorded with Mulgrew Miller, Eddie Henderson, Branford Marsalis, Curtis Fuller, Javon Jackson, George Cables, Joe Wilder, Anthony Braxton, Charles Flores, Steve Davis, Jimmy Greene, Wayne Escoffery, Dezron Douglas, New Jazz Workshop, and Shelton “Fatman” Laster, among many others.
In addition to performing with noted jazz musicians, Ben has toured with the South American folk groups Viva Quetzal and Markamusic. At this time, Ben can be seen performing with his own trio, Josh Evans and The Connection, bassist Jeff Fuller, and Earl MacDonald’s New Directions Ensemble, as well as many others.
Lou Bocciarelli
Lou Bocciarelli is a member of the Hartford Jazz Orchestra, Al Copley’s Band, Bill’s Seafood Jazz All-Stars, Charlie Holland All-Stars, Vince Thompson & TNFT, Johnny and the ECR, Mystic Jazz Ensemble, New London Big Band, can be seen at venues & festivals around the New England area.
Lou has had the good fortune to perform in the Jazz world with many wonderful artists including Phil Woods, Louie Bellson, Joe Morello, Dave Bruebeck, Bob Mintzer, Claudio Roditi, Dick Johnson, Tom Kubis, Steve Allen, Donn Trenner, Roger Ingram to name a few. Equally comfortable in the theater, Lou has performed in many pits including performances with the Goodspeed Playhouse in CT, Foxwoods Casino, and the Mohegan Sun Casino.
Lou resides in Griswold, CT with his wife Kathryn and two teenage children.