EC-CHAP Jazz Series: Greg Abate Quartet
Tickets $25.00 in Advance (ONLINE) / $30.00 at the Door
EC-CHAP MEMBER DISCOUNTS & FREQUENT FLYER PROGRAM AVAILABLE
Special Note: It’s a privilege to have Greg Abate return to The Packing House as part of the EC-CHAP Jazz Series! Join us for an evening of exceptional jazz 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.
Greg recorded his first CD Live At Birdland NYC in 1991 on the Candid Jazz Label with the trio of James Williams, Rufus Reid and Kenny Washington. To this date Greg has recorded over 17 other recordings as leader.
Greg’s recent release Gratitude, with the Tim Ray Trio has received glowing reviews and a lot of international airplay. The project includes eleven original featuring Greg with members of the Tim Ray Trio - Tim Ray (piano), John Lockwood (bass), and Mark Walker (drums).
Greg is currently a Whaling City Sound recording artist. His newest album, Magic Dance is planned for release April 2021.
Greg is also an adjunct professor of Jazz Studies at Rhode Island College and is also a very active jazz clinician with co. sponsorship from the Conn-Selmer Instrument Co., conducting workshops and master classes through the U.S and abroad. Greg was inducted into the RI Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
Greg will be joined at The Packing House by Matt deChamplain on piano, Matt Dwonszyk on bass, and Ben Bilello on drums.
This program is hosted by the "Eastern Connecticut Center for History, Art, and Performance" (EC-CHAP). Doors 7:00pm / Show 7:30pm. Tickets $25.00 Advance / $30.00 Door.
Soft drinks and snacks available. We are pleased to offer our exclusive "BYOB&F" TM 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! Click HERE for secret recipe.
For more information, 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 laudecademy 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, 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.
Matt Dwonszyk
LMatt Dwonszyk is an accomplished bassist, composer, arranger and educator from Rocky Hill, CT. Dwonszyk graduated from the Jackie
McLean Institute of Jazz studying under his mentor and world-renowned bassist, Nat Reeves and then went on to receive his Masters degree from SUNY Purchase College. After spending 5 years in Brooklyn, NY, Dwonszyk returned back home to Rocky Hill, CT.
Throughout his career, Dwonszyk has performed and recorded with numerous contemporaries as well as legendary jazz artists including Steve Davis, Harold Mabern, Jazzmeia Horn, Bennie Wallace, Dr. Eddie Henderson, Herlin Riley among many others. In 2018, Dwonszyk toured through Russia apart of the Rainy Days Jazz Festival and in 2019 he toured through Canada with the Oleg Butman Trio. His last tour was in 2020 with Jonathan Barber and Vision Ahead through the West Coast of the U.S. He frequently performs at some of the top jazz clubs in New York City including Smalls Jazz Club, Dizzy's Coca Cola Club, Smoke and The Blue Note. Dwonszyk is scheduled for a U.S tour with Jonathan Barber and Vision Ahead in May of 2022.