In the summer of 2014, Greg Abate and Phil Woods recorded "Kindred Spirits: Live at Chans." A few months later, Mr. Woods passed away, just before the CD was released. Eighty two and on oxygen at the time of the recording, Woods was still one of the finest saxophone masters on the planet, and Greg and his trio really rose to the occasion.

 

On June 3rd, Abate will bring to the Harwood all the passion of that session, in celebration of the master. To stoke it up even more, he has invited alto sax firebrand Richie Cole to join him. Both Cole and Abate have recorded with Woods, and been deeply inspired by him. Both have adopted and adapted the hot, swinging feel and melodic, harmonic approach favored by Woods. And even more than that, both Abate and Cole bring to the bandstand their style of going for the fences emotionally, every single night, year in-year out… the same thing Woods did for more than 6 decades all over the world, including whole decades of more than 200 performances a year.

The evening will inevitably include the historical drama of the saxophone battle. Greg and Richie are much too close and respectful for this encounter to be anything but exciting and fun, but there may be a not-so-subtle feeling of “Oh yeah? I hear you… and here’s what I can do!”

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A superior bop player who finally emerged on records as a leader in the 1990s, Greg Abate had picked up experience playing with the Ray Charles Orchestra (starting in 1973 when he succeeded David "Fathead" Newman) and the Artie Shaw band from 1985-1987. He considers Charlie Parker, Paul Desmond, and Phil Woods to be among his most important influences, and has recorded twice with Woods: "Greg Abate Quintet Featuring Phil Woods" and "Kindred Spirits Live at Chan's."

 

Richie Cole is propelled by the idea that any tune, no matter how unlikely its source, can (and should!) be turned into exuberant bop. Influenced by Phil Woods and Charlie Parker, Richie also performed with Woods on many occasions.