The Barnstable Patriot

Greg Abate

Join Greg Abate and his “cats” for great jazz

Written by Michael Gross

Oct 17, 2008 

If you couldn't be at Birdland in 1991 to hear Greg Abate record his first album, then tonight (Oct. 17) at 8 at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod in Yarmouth he's not be missed. What you'll hear is a true ambassador of classic be-bop, not "gimmick music" as Abate characterizes much of what he hears today. Instead it will be an evening of great creativity and artistry in Greg's words, "in the moment."

Taking a quick "time out" from teaching at Rhode Island College earlier this week, Abate summarized tonight's performance. "Jazz standards...the great stuff...along with some of my originals, that's what we're playing, and I've got some great cats with me," he said. Just in "off the road," and even with students waiting, Abate wanted to make sure his audience knew how much he truly appreciated the opportunity to be back on the Cape, and that tonight would be a time of excitement and sweet lyrical playing, whether on his choice of saxophone or through the rich tones of his flute.

At the Friday night "Jazz Café" in the historic former Bass River Savings Bank headquarters - 307 Old Main St. South Yarmouth, Abate will be joined by Berklee College of Music faculty pianist Greg Wardson, well known Cape bassist Rod McCauley, and Provincetown's outstanding drummer and music promoter Bart Weisman for an evening that could just as easily be happening at Scullers or the Regatta Bar in Cambridge, or any one of the top clubs in New York.

"They're great cats. I always bring great players...cats who join me 'in the moment,' and I want the audience right there with us," he said.

"I've known Greg (Wardson) for a long, long time...great player, (he's) right there all the time," said Abate, speaking about the pianist who will fill the sound behind his solo work. Wardson's a member of the powerful John Allmark Jazz Orchestra, and leader of his own trio. An amazingly versatile player, he's backed Motown's Smokey Robinson and the sultry Rebecca Parris. He's played with Herb Pomeroy, and legendary drummer Alan Dawson, as well as Clark Terry, Phil Wilson, and Gray Sargent, among many.

Rod McCauley still considers himself a student of his instrument - the upright bass – and yet he plays with a sensitivity and lyricism that can only come from someone far removed from the student ranks. He's heard all over the Cape, and has paid more than his share of "dues" on theroad.

Bart Weisman is one of the most visible players on the Cape today. From organizing Provincetown Festivals, to bringing the monthly Jazz Jam to the Island Merchant on Main Street in Hyannis, to regular weekend gigs at the Grand Cru in the Cape Codder Resort & Spa in Hyannis, Bart is backing swing, blues, Broadway, and be-bop artists, and just about everything in between. He's a lively player with a style that ranges from sweet cymbal accents within the emotions of a ballad, to strong power solos on one of his cherished Gretsch "kits." 

With Rod and Bart "laying down" the foundation, Greg Abate and Greg Wardson will fill the Cultural Center of Cape Cod with both sweetness and true surprise. Tonight’s "Café" audience will experience great jazz in a wonderfully intimate environment that today is very difficult to find on Cape Cod.