Throughout his career, alto saxophonist Greg Osby has been celebrated for his insightful compositions and fearless experimentation, releasing numerous acclaimed albums as a leader on labels such as JMT, Blue Note, and his own Inner Circle Music. At Birdland he leads an allstar band through contemporary interpretations of the music of Duke Ellington. With Greg Osby (alto sax) Eric Harland (drums) Ethan Iverson (piano) JD Allen (tenor saxophone) Lonnie Plaxico (bass) Virginia McDonald (clarinet)An iconoclast and stylistic alchemist (JazzTimes), Greg Osby is a trailblazing American saxophonist, composer, and producer, renowned for his adventurous spirit and profound impact on contemporary jazz. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1960, Osby began his professional music career in 1975, following intensive studies on clarinet, flute, and alto saxophone. After attending Howard University and Berklee College of Music, he moved to New York in the early 1980s, quickly establishing himself alongside jazz luminaries like Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, and Jack DeJohnette. Osby is a founding member of the influential M-BASE Collective, which helped redefine modern jazz with its emphasis on complex rhythms and innovative structures.
