Fleece Jazz

We are delighted to welcome legendary US saxophonist, Greg Abate, to Fleece Jazz together with some of the UK’s finest jazz musicians. Greg is based in the USA, a celebrated New England saxophonist and flautist with an assertive style on alto saxophone, rooted in bebop. His fluent and muscular playing encompasses a classic approach to the material in the style of Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Cannonball Adderley and Phil Woods. As well as his touring work, Greg is also a composer, an arranger, a Grammy-nominated recording artist and an educator of some considerable note, serving as an adjunct professor of Jazz Studies at Rhode Island College.  He has had an impressively diverse international career: from 1972-’74, he played lead alto for the iconic Ray Charles Orchestra, followed by a spell playing tenor sax for the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra. Since then, he has had an outstanding career as a band leader in his own right with more than 24 recordings featuring notable greats such as Phil Woods, Kenny Barron, and Red Rodney.

Joining Greg, we are pleased to have back the wonderful Jim Watson on piano. With his fabulous technique he is rightly considered to be one of the most talented pianists in the country. He has been featured in a huge variety of bands, including the Jazz/Funk bands Incognito, Brand New Heavies and US3.  His jazz bona fides are just as impressive, having worked with Dave O’Higgins, Julian Argüelles, Jean Toussaint and Peter King among others.

Simon Thorpe is one of the UK's best-known and most versatile jazz bassists, nominated in 2016 and 2017 for a British Jazz Award.  He has worked with many of the great UK and US names in jazz, recording and touring with Bobby Wellins, Stacey Kent, Bheki Mseleku, Alan Barnes, Elaine Delmar, Scott Hamilton, Benn Clatworthy and Ray Gelato.  He runs several of his own bands and is also known as a composer and arranger.

Alfonso Vitale started playing the drums at the age of three and became a regular fixture at local jazz club ‘La Sosta’, sitting in with visiting veteran stars like Bobby Watson, Kenny Barron, Buster Williams, Steve Swallow and others. Soon after moving to the UK, he found a comfortable footing on the London scene before visiting New York which enabled him to hone and extend his skills.

This promises to be a special jazz gig for a summer’s evening!

“Abate is not content to rely on stock bebop riffs … his work has a feeling of constant invention and creativity.” Chicago Tribune

“Abate’s musical style can be seen as a distillation of swing’s easy-going vibe and bop’s
more animated groove. He has developed a unique voice.”   METRO San Jose, CA

“Greg Abate is one of the most appealing saxophonists on the scene today … the result is that he plays music with sweetness and daring.” New Jazz Recordings

• Greg Abate - Saxophones
• Jim Watson - Piano
• Simon Thorpe - Bass
• Alfonso Vitale - Drums

Fleece Jazz is an independent, non-profit association run by a voluntary committee who have been providing modern and contemporary jazz for 28 years. They book talented musicians and jazz bands from the UK and beyond to perform at Stoke by Nayland Resort, providing the perfect backdrop for these cherished and popular events.

Fleece Jazz events are generally held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month.