Guildford Jazz are delighted to welcome US jazz saxophonist Greg Abate.

For more than four decades, Greg Abate has been recognized as one of the foremost interpreters of the bebop tradition. His unmistakable sound, commanding technique, and joyful creativity have earned him an international reputation as one of today’s leading jazz saxophonists.

A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Greg began his professional career with the Ray Charles Orchestra before embarking on a lifelong journey as a recording artist, composer, educator, and bandleader. Since then, he has performed in major jazz clubs, festivals, concert halls, universities, and performing arts centers throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and beyond.

Equally fluent on alto and soprano saxophones, tenor saxophone, and flute, Greg’s music reflects the spirit of Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt, Phil Woods, and the great bebop masters while speaking with a voice that is unmistakably his own. His performances combine dazzling improvisation, lyrical expression, technical brilliance, and a deep sense of swing that captivates audiences wherever he appears.

Greg has released more than 27 acclaimed recordings as a leader and has collaborated with many of jazz’s most respected musicians, including Kenny Barron, Rufus Reid, Billy Hart, George Mraz, Claudio Roditi, James Williams, Harvie S, Bill O’Connell, Steve Johns, and many others. His contributions to jazz have earned him induction into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame, and he has been recognized multiple times in the DownBeat Readers Poll among the world’s leading alto saxophonists.

Beyond the concert stage, Greg is a passionate educator whose masterclasses, clinics, and artist residencies have inspired students around the world. His ability to communicate the language of jazz with enthusiasm and clarity has made him a sought-after guest artist at universities and educational festivals.

With Alex Hutton on piano, Marianne Windham on bass and the phenomenal Mark Taylor on drums

Pre gig menu from Mandira’s Kitchen (please see the Event Info tab for the menu)

Please click the tabs for more information

EVENT INFO

The performance is upstairs in Guildford Pavilion, The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP

Please note there are no physical tickets, just give your name on the door when you arrive. There’ll be seating reserved for you.

Doors open and supper available from 7pm, music 8pm to approx 10pm. Licensed bar. Seating is cabaret style and there is a lift for disabled access.

Pre-gig Menu from Mandira’s Kitchen :

• Coronation Chicken (Chicken in a creamy, mildly spiced curry sauce.)

• or Shahi Vegetable Korma (v) : Seasonal vegetables in a creamy, lightly spiced cashew and saffron sauce with sweet apricots.

• Accompaniments:

  • Cranberry and Cashew Pulao (A festive pulao gently cooked with sweet cranberries and golden cashews)

  • Vegetable Samosas (Crispy handmade pastry filled with spiced potatoes.)

  • Cranberry and Rum Chutney (Tart cranberries slow-cooked with warming spices and a splash of dark rum)

  • Mint Raita with Pomengranate (Mint-infused yogurt raita topped with jewel-like pomegranate seeds

  • Papad

TICKETS

Full Price £20* /Guildford Jazz Members £18

Students £10* / Student Members £8

Meals £15.50

*Ticket price includes £2 temporary membership of Guildford Jazz for this event

By purchasing a ticket, you confirm to Guildford Jazz that you have read, understood and agree to be bound by our terms and conditions which are available here

WHO'S PLAYING?

Greg Abate - alto sax

Alex Hutton - piano

Marianne Windham - bass

Mark Taylor - drums

DIRECTIONS

The performance is upstairs in the Pavilion building at the Guildford County Cricket Club, The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP

For sat navs please check the postcode takes you to Wharf Road. There’s a car park alongside, entry from Wharf Road. If you’re approaching from Guildford town centre, Wharf Road is on the left just before the Sports Ground. If you’re approaching from the A3/Ladymead there’s no right turn into Wharf Road, but continue to the next roundabout to double back.

The car park next to the Pavilion holds about 40 cars (to enable emergency access, cars can only park in the marked bays). Unless it’s very wet, the overflow car park at the far end of the Cricket ground will be open.

To access the overflow car park, turn left as you come out of Wharf Road and carry on along Woodbridge Road towards the railway bridge, and the entrance to the ground is just before the end of the green fence that runs along the perimeter of the ground, next to the Woodbridge Café.

You might prefer to use one of the larger public car parks which are just a few minutes walk away: the open air Mary Road Car Park (GU1 4QU) or multi-storey Bedford Road Car Park (GU1 4SJ)

SEATING

Seating is either in front row settees/armchairs, central round tables, or rear high chairs/tables. Seats will be reserved for you when you book. If you’re a Guildford Jazz member, please let us know if you have a seating preference in on the booking form.

Notes on the layout:

Front row: Seats 1 to 5 are sofas or armchairs

Middle tables: Tables 6 to 23 and 31 to 33 are small round tables , each seating 4 (for bookings of 1 or 2 seats, we’ll seat you at a table with others, please let us know if you have friends coming who you’d like to sit with!).

Rear tables: Tables 24 to 29 are tall tables with high stools.

Groups: If you have a group of 4 or more please let us know and we will try to seat you together