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.

Greg Osby © Lordes Delgadoosgr

Upon relocating to New York, Osby quickly established himself as a notable and in demand sideman for artists as varied as Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Jack DeJohnette, Andrew Hill, Muhal Richard Abrams, Jim Hall and Jaki Byard as well as with many ethnic and new music ensembles in the New York area.

In 1985 Osby was invited to tour with Jack DeJohnette's innovative group, "Special Edition". It was as a member of this ensemble Osby was able to fine tune the more challenging aspects of his conception in an open ended, no holds barred musical situation. Says Osby, "My musical thinking for performance and composition advanced by light years as Jack was open to my input and was very encouraging in pushing me to to maintain a steady flow of experimentation. It marked a major turning point in my development as an artist." In 1987, Osby signed his first recording deal with an obscure German label , JMT (Jazz Music Today). With this situation, he felt that he was finally able to document life as he saw it through music. He had free creative reign to do whatever he liked. He recorded four CD titles for that label. Osby signed with Blue Note Records in 1990 and has since recorded sixteen recordings for that label as a leader.

• The Greg Osby Four
  Green Mill Jazz
  Friday, September 21; 9pm-1am
  Saturday, September 22; 8pm-midnight
  $12 Cover

Green Mill Jazz Club is located at4 802 N. Broadway Ave. in Chicago. Visit www.greenmilljazz.com or call 773.878.5552 for more information.