Show List

Black Cat's Upcoming Shows

Greg Abate Quartet

Greg Abate Quartet

Residency

Sat, Jun 13

Tickets: $20 , $40 , $50 , $60

(price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee)


7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00

9:30 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:45


Greg Abate is an American jazz saxophonist, flutist, and composer known for his fiery bebop and hard-bop style. A Berklee-trained musician, he performed early in his career with Ray Charles and later with the Artie Shaw Orchestra under Dick Johnson. Over decades of international touring and recording, Abate has built a reputation as one of the leading modern interpreters of the bebop tradition.


Legendary saxophonist Phil Woods praised him, saying: “Greg Abate is one of the most exciting saxophonists around today... a hard-driving player who swings like mad.”


His accolades include induction into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame (2016), multiple appearances on the JazzWeek Chart, and longstanding recognition as a respected performer, recording artist, and educator.


Greg is in the top 5 Alto Saxophonists in the Downbeat Readers Poll. Greg has an impressive discography in clouding playing on his records such as Phil Woods, Kenny Barron, Claudio Roditi, Billy Hart, Kenny Washington, George Mraz, Rufus Reid, Hilton Ruiz, James Williams, Richie Cole, Ray Drummond, Ben Riley and many others!


Get ready for an incredible weekend of jazz!


Band Lineup:

Greg Abate, saxophone

Ben Stolorow, piano

Essiet Okon Essiet, bass

Deszon Claiborne, drums (6/12)

Austin Harris, drums (6/13)

Sylvia Cuenca, drums (6/14)

Greg Abate Quartet

Greg Abate Quartet

Residency

Sun, Jun 14

Tickets: $20 , $30 , $40 , $50

(price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee)


7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00

9:15 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:30


Greg Abate is an American jazz saxophonist, flutist, and composer known for his fiery bebop and hard-bop style. A Berklee-trained musician, he performed early in his career with Ray Charles and later with the Artie Shaw Orchestra under Dick Johnson. Over decades of international touring and recording, Abate has built a reputation as one of the leading modern interpreters of the bebop tradition.


Legendary saxophonist Phil Woods praised him, saying: “Greg Abate is one of the most exciting saxophonists around today... a hard-driving player who swings like mad.”


His accolades include induction into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame (2016), multiple appearances on the JazzWeek Chart, and longstanding recognition as a respected performer, recording artist, and educator.


Greg is in the top 5 Alto Saxophonists in the Downbeat Readers Poll. Greg has an impressive discography in clouding playing on his records such as Phil Woods, Kenny Barron, Claudio Roditi, Billy Hart, Kenny Washington, George Mraz, Rufus Reid, Hilton Ruiz, James Williams, Richie Cole, Ray Drummond, Ben Riley and many others!


Get ready for an incredible weekend of jazz!


Band Lineup:

Greg Abate, saxophone

Ben Stolorow, piano

Essiet Okon Essiet, bass

Deszon Claiborne, drums (6/12)

Austin Harris, drums (6/13)

Sylvia Cuenca, drums (6/14)

Richard Benitez III: A Bay Area Love Story

Richard Benitez III: A Bay Area Love Story

Wed, Jun 17

Tickets: $20 , $30 , $40 , $50 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 Growing up around the music in the streets of San Francisco and Oakland, Richard III grew a deep appreciation for the art of improvised music. Starting on trumpet from the age of 7, Richard now performs with Bay Area legends and groups such as Souls of Mischief, Goapele, P-Lo, Ruby Ibarra, Steve Turre, Faye Carol, Marcus Shelby and many others from all over the world including Jill Scott, Jazzmeia Horn and Jason Moran. Taking the knowledge acquired from the many peers and mentors in his life, Richard now strives to give back to those before him by intertwining the roots of the music he was taught. Band Lineup: Richard III, trumpet Isaac Coyle, bass Kevin Person Jr, piano/keys Jaycie Grady, drums Joshua Carter, vocals
Willie Jones III Quartet Ft. Jeremy Pelt

Willie Jones III Quartet Ft. Jeremy Pelt

Residency

Thu, Jun 18

Tickets: $20 , $30 , $40 , $50 (price includes $5.50 processing and ticketing fee) 7:00 show: Doors @ 6:00 9:15 show: Bar @ 6:00, Doors @ 8:30 Willie Jones III is one of the most respected and in-demand drummers in modern jazz. A dynamic bandleader and sideman, he has spent decades performing at the highest level across the global jazz scene. Jones gained international recognition as a longtime member of trumpeter Roy Hargrove’s acclaimed quintet, as well as a driving force in Hargrove’s electrifying RH Factor. He has also performed and toured with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis, and has shared the stage with legends including Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker, Bobby Hutcherson, Cedar Walton, Hank Jones, and many more. A prolific recording artist and entrepreneur, Jones founded WJ3 Records in 2000. The label has since released over 18 recordings, showcasing both his own work and that of leading voices in contemporary jazz. During the pandemic, he continued to push creative boundaries, self-producing and releasing four projects between 2020 and 2021. In August 2021, Jones headlined Central Park SummerStage with Willie Jones III: Celebrating the Charlie Parker Centennial, further solidifying his reputation as a premier artist and bandleader. As a leader, his recordings—including Fallen Heroes (2021), My Point Is... (2017), Groundwork (2015), and The Willie Jones III Sextet Plays the Music of Max Roach (2013)—have received widespread critical acclaim, with praise from outlets such as The New York Times. Beyond the stage, Jones is deeply committed to education and mentorship. Since 2009, he has served as Professor of Drum Set at Northwestern University and continues to lead masterclasses and workshops worldwide. Born in Los Angeles, California, Jones studied at the California Institute of the Arts under NEA Jazz Master Albert “Tootie” Heath and was a semifinalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Drum Competition. Band Lineup: Willie Jones III, drums Jeremy Pelt, trumpet Tyler Bullock II, piano Mike Gurrola, bass