Greg Abate - A Tribute to Ray Charles
Saturday, February 20, 2027
$37 Advance | $40 Day of Show
[all-in pricing, no additional fees]
Doors 7pm | Show 8pm
In the early 1970s, Greg Abate was a working musician in Los Angeles when he auditioned for and won a position with the legendary Ray Charles Orchestra in 1973. This new project is a tribute to Ray Charles and features Greg Abate with a stellar group performing music associated with Ray Charles. The group was captured live in concert at WGBH Jazz Boston, in a performance that is currently available on demand through WGBH.
A CD of this historic live session is scheduled for release in 2027 on the Summit Records label. For Greg Abate, the recording brings his musical journey with Ray Charles full circle, preserving a live performance that celebrates the legacy of one of America’s greatest musical icons.
$37 Advance | $40 Day of Show
[all-in pricing, no additional fees]
Doors 7pm | Show 8pm
In the early 1970s, Greg Abate was a working musician in Los Angeles when he auditioned for and won a position with the legendary Ray Charles Orchestra in 1973. This new project is a tribute to Ray Charles and features Greg Abate with a stellar group performing music associated with Ray Charles. The group was captured live in concert at WGBH Jazz Boston, in a performance that is currently available on demand through WGBH.
A CD of this historic live session is scheduled for release in 2027 on the Summit Records label. For Greg Abate, the recording brings his musical journey with Ray Charles full circle, preserving a live performance that celebrates the legacy of one of America’s greatest musical icons.
A powerful bebop and post-bop stylist, Abate has established himself as one of the most respected alto saxophonists on the international jazz scene. He has performed and recorded with many of jazz’s finest artists, including Phil Woods, Kenny Barron, Richie Cole, Jerome Richardson, and Claudio Roditi, Red Rodney , Hank Jones ,Rufus Reid , George Mraz and many others with 27 Recordings as leader!
He also played tenor saxophone with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under Dick Johnson. (Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame)
Tim Ray - Piano
Tim Ray is an internationally respected jazz pianist, composer, arranger, educator, and recording artist based in Boston. A professor at Berklee College of Music, Ray has built an extraordinary career spanning jazz, popular music, and classical performance.
Ray served as pianist and Musical Director for the legendary Tony Bennett from 2016 until Bennett’s retirement in 2021, and previously toured and recorded with singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett for more than 15 years. He has appeared on more than 100 recordings and has performed with an exceptional roster of artists including Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Raitt, Gary Burton, Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding, Kurt Elling, Phil Woods, John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Dave Douglas, and Lewis Nash. (Berklee College of Music)
Marty Ballou - Bass
Marty Ballou is a highly respected jazz bassist and a longtime fixture of the New England jazz scene. Based in Rhode Island, Ballou has built a distinguished career performing with many of the leading jazz musicians and groups in the region and internationally.
Known for his deep, powerful sound, strong rhythmic foundation, and highly responsive improvisational style, Ballou has been a sought-after sideman as well as a leader. He has performed extensively with major figures in jazz and has been an important contributor to the vibrant Rhode Island and Boston jazz communities.
Gary Johnson - Drums
Gary Johnson is a highly respected New England jazz drummer who has been working professionally for more than four decades. The son of legendary New England saxophonist and bandleader Dick Johnson, Gary grew up immersed in the jazz and big-band tradition.
Gary toured extensively with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra, under the direction of his father, performing with such artists as Rosemary Clooney, Buddy DeFranco, and Helen Forrest. He was also a longtime member of his father’s Swingshift orchestra and performed with the groups of Lou Colombo and Ray Santisi.
Throughout his career, Johnson has shared the stage with major jazz figures including Dizzy Gillespie, Dave McKenna, Scott Hamilton, Ruby Braff, Keely Smith, Ken Peplowski, and Phil Wilson, as well as Greg Abate. (Spire Center)
He also played tenor saxophone with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra under Dick Johnson. (Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame)
Tim Ray - Piano
Tim Ray is an internationally respected jazz pianist, composer, arranger, educator, and recording artist based in Boston. A professor at Berklee College of Music, Ray has built an extraordinary career spanning jazz, popular music, and classical performance.
Ray served as pianist and Musical Director for the legendary Tony Bennett from 2016 until Bennett’s retirement in 2021, and previously toured and recorded with singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett for more than 15 years. He has appeared on more than 100 recordings and has performed with an exceptional roster of artists including Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Raitt, Gary Burton, Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding, Kurt Elling, Phil Woods, John Patitucci, Brian Blade, Dave Douglas, and Lewis Nash. (Berklee College of Music)
Marty Ballou - Bass
Marty Ballou is a highly respected jazz bassist and a longtime fixture of the New England jazz scene. Based in Rhode Island, Ballou has built a distinguished career performing with many of the leading jazz musicians and groups in the region and internationally.
Known for his deep, powerful sound, strong rhythmic foundation, and highly responsive improvisational style, Ballou has been a sought-after sideman as well as a leader. He has performed extensively with major figures in jazz and has been an important contributor to the vibrant Rhode Island and Boston jazz communities.
Gary Johnson - Drums
Gary Johnson is a highly respected New England jazz drummer who has been working professionally for more than four decades. The son of legendary New England saxophonist and bandleader Dick Johnson, Gary grew up immersed in the jazz and big-band tradition.
Gary toured extensively with the revived Artie Shaw Orchestra, under the direction of his father, performing with such artists as Rosemary Clooney, Buddy DeFranco, and Helen Forrest. He was also a longtime member of his father’s Swingshift orchestra and performed with the groups of Lou Colombo and Ray Santisi.
Throughout his career, Johnson has shared the stage with major jazz figures including Dizzy Gillespie, Dave McKenna, Scott Hamilton, Ruby Braff, Keely Smith, Ken Peplowski, and Phil Wilson, as well as Greg Abate. (Spire Center)