Positive Energy – Greg Abate Quartet

“…one of the most gifted alto and soprano saxophonists recording today…” -Jazz Wax

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Greg Abate – alto sax
John Rangel – piano
Terry Burns – bass
David Post – drums

This recording is a super-charged, diverse flow of energetic, original jazz that never lets the listener down. A push of musical boundaries that challenge each of the artists and challenge the listener.

A collaboration of seasoned jazz musicians setting out to explore original compositions in a session in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Greg Abate has been making his yearly pilgrimage to New Mexico collaborating with John Rangel on piano for the last 16 years. They are both dedicated jazz players and educators. Terry Burns on Bass and David Post on Drum Set round out the group with solid time and tasty solos. This recording has a broad range of jazz compositions and moods and is full of positive energy.

Individually and collectively this quartet of world-class musicians do not disappoint!

REVIEW:

Alto saxist Greg Abate is a throwback to the big bold and soulful sounds akin to Cannonball Adderley, which means he’s got the Charlie Parker bug, but with some added churchliness. It works perfectly her, as he swings with John Rangel/p, Terry Burns/b and Dave  Post/dr through a mix of band-composed tunes. He’s sweet and lyrical on “Easy Living” and boogaloos over Burns’ bass line on ”Song For My Brother”. There’s an irresistible “Jeanine” groove for Abate to long board on during “ Positive Energy” and he digs in with Rangel on the boppingly crisp “Growing All The Time”. A dark and moody “Little Bird” features Burns and Rangel, while the rhythm team is playful on the joyous “Monkism”. Something else!

-George Harris for Jazz Weekly

REVIEW:

Alto saxophonist Greg Abate has been around. In addition to recording since 1980, Greg has won the admiration of leading players, from Herb Pomeroy and Rufus Reid to Kenny Barron and Phil Woods. He’s one of the smoothest players, with a honey-coated tone and Parkerian speed and bluesy soul.

The new album, Positive Energy (Summit), showcases Greg at his very best. The moment you put on the recording, you can’t take it off. His sound is that seductive. His quartet features Greg Abate (as), John Rangel (p), Terry Burns (b) and David Post (d).

Greg is a bopper at heart and blows long, clean solos that are lyrical and peppered with tags of other songs. John on the piano is a driving force, with Terry’s bass swinging away and David on drums keeping the cauldron bubbling. [Photo above of John Rangel]

…As Phil Woods wrote in the liner notes of The Greg Abate Quintet, Featuring Phil Woods (Rhombus), which I posted about in 2012, “I sleep a lot better knowing there are alto players like Greg! It was a joy to make music with him, and he writes good songs that are challenging.”

-Jazz Wax