Chris Greene Quartet CD Release Party

Chris Greene Quartet returns to Mayne Stage for release of “A Group Effort.” The album was recorded live at Mayne Stage last year.

At a time when jazz continues to seek new audiences, the Chris Greene Quartet sits poised on the future’s cusp. In much the way that classical composers have historically used native folk elements as the basis for their art, the CGQ uses familiar modern materials – the funk and hip-hop he heard growing up – as a bridge between jazz and other genres.

PRESS:

"...a saxophonist highly deserving of your attention." - Neil Tesser, The Examiner

"There's nothing better than listening to music performed by musicians who aren't afraid to take a chance, but who also treat the music with respect. Such is the way of the Chris Greene Quartet." - Bridget Arnwine, Allaboutjazz.com

Paul Abella Trio

The Paul Abella Trio has one goal in mind when they're playing for you: to make jazz fun again. Their unique blend of jazz, samba, rock, blues and folk is quirky and joyous. Their members draw on a combined experience which has seen them work in a wild variety of settings, from church worship teams and symphony orchestras to avant-garde jazz and Grateful Dead cover bands.

Guitarist and vocalist Mitch Corso is well versed in a number of genres, including jazz (he studied at NIU in their prestigious jazz program with Fareed Haque), rock (his rock band, The Mitch Corso Band is outstanding), folk and blues.Bassist Bob Ferraris is just as eclectic, having played with a handful of different symphonies in the Chicago area, many rock and R&B bands in Chicago's south suburbs and even did a stint with Yanni before Yanni "got big." The only real comparison one can make to Bob's style is to call him the Jaco Pastorius of the upright bass. It's been said that there are two kinds of bassists in the audience at Paul Abella Trio shows: those that are Bob's students, and those that are about to be.

Vibraphonist Stephen Lynerd is the newcomer to the band, and the guy that throws the math way off. A classically trained percussionist, church pianist, organist, guitarist and vocalist besides, Stephen is a musical wunderkind. On vibes, he is a whirlwind of activity and absolutely a perfect compliment to our band.

Paul Abella is also a percussionist, and in this band, focuses on bongos and cajon. As a bongo player, he is influenced by the masters of the instrument, like Juan Mangual, Dandy Rodriguez and Jack Costanzo. He is also the music director at WDCB in Chicago and a review writer for Chicago Jazz Magazine.