Abate plays for UMKC students

By: Shannon Ayers

Posted: 10/15/07

Photo shannon ayers

The former lead trumpet for Ray Charles, Tony Horowitz, called Greg Abate a musical delight according to www.gregabate.com.

On Friday, Oct. 5, students from UMKC had the privilege to hear Greg Abate play at the historic Blue Room in Kansas City.

Abate has played the saxophone for 35 years and has also played for various orchestras. He is now traveling all over the world to bring his compositions and love for jazz and bebop to his listeners.

He described performing at the Blue Room and the musicians there as a "major thrill."

Abate said he was drawn to jazz because it's genuine.

"It is not a gimmick. It is complicated and really a challenge to play. It's music that is very spiritual," Abate said.

As a composer, Abate said he is inspired by Charlie Parker and said his music is unique.

"[It's a ] personal statement. I have a different style and my own identity," Abate said.

For those not familiar with jazz, Abate, who is also an adjunct professor of Jazz Studies at Rhode Island College, suggested traditional bebop such as Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Dexter Gordon as good places to start learning about the musical style.

To listen and find out more about Greg Abate you can visit his Web site at www.gregabate.com.

sayers@unews.com