Greg Osby

The Green Mill in Chicago will present the Greg Osby Four onFriday, September 21st at 9 pm and on Saturday, September 22nd at 8 pm.

Saxophone innovator Greg Osby has made his mark on jazz as a leader of his own ensembles and as a guest with other acclaimed jazz groups for the past 20 years. Known for his insightful and innovative approach to composition and performance of original jazz music, Osby is a shining beacon among the current generation of jazz musicians. He has earned numerous awards and critical acclaim for his recorded works and passionate live performances.

Born and raised in St. Louis, Greg Osby began his professional music career in 1975, after three years of private studies on clarinet, flute and alto saxophone. Coming from a vibrant and musical city, Osby showed an early interest in the performing arts and spent his years in secondary school with a heavy involvement in Blues and Jazz groups. In 1978 Osby furthered his musical education at Howard University where he majored in Jazz Studies. He continued his studies at the Berklee College of Music from 1980 to 1983.

Belinda Underwood & Benny Green © Andrea Canter

Portland-based multi-instrumentalist/singer/songwriter Belinda Underwood is a young star on the rise. On her 2005 debut recording, Underwood Uncurling, the talented Underwood not only sings but also plays bass and ukulele. “It's hard to classify myself but here goes,” she says, “.....jazz, Latin jazz, vocal jazz, instrumental jazz, swing, blues, vintage jazz, lounge, free jazz, big band, pop, rock, folk, country, middle eastern, world, electronica, singer/songwriter....I dabble in it all because it is all valid and interesting to me.” Belinda will be more than dabbling when she and pianist Benny Green bring their quartet to the Dakota in Minneapolis (August 29^th) and the Green Mill in Chicago (August 31-September 1).