Greg Osby at SFJAZZ Center

Greg Osby
SFJAZZ Center
San Francisco, CA
February 1, 2026

Alto jazz saxophonist Greg Osby has an impressive résumé. A St. Louis, Missouri native, Osby finished his studies at Howard University and the Berklee College of Music before moving to New York City in 1982. Since then he has performed and recorded with a number of legendary musicians, including pianists Jaki Byard, Muhal Richard Abrams, Andrew Hill, and John Abercrombie. He was also a member of Jack DeJohnette's Special Edition and became a founding member of the M-Base Collective. He has also toured with Phil Lesh. He has even developed the SYOS "OZ" custom alto saxophone mouthpiece, which meets the needs of both Osby and multitudes of other alto sax players.

Taking the stage at SFJAZZ, Osby was joined by his very capable and creative pianist, Tal Cohen, who came in from Miami for the date. They were joined by local musicians David Ewell, a bassist known for his work with The Supplicants and carnatic jazz fusion band VidyA), and drummer Jemal Ramirez.

Ewell's bass introduced Ornette Coleman's "Mob Job," which featured solos by Osby, as well as gorgeous piano work from Cohen. "Please Stand By," named after the message that once appeared on television screens decades ago, followed, beginning with a fast fingered solo by Osby and then radiant piano from Cohen, before Osby stepped back in to conclude. Thelonious Monk's "Ask Me Now," a melodious ballad, featured lyrical alto with flowing piano; a flourish from Ramirez on the mallets concluded the piece.

A lively and robust version of Duke Ellington's "I Didn't Know About You" began with Ewell's bass solo before Osby came in with a sonic burst.  Another rapid fire alto solo introduced  Lou Donaldson's "Alligator Boogaloo." Featuring interplay between bass and drums, it had a funky rhythm reminiscent of Junior Parker. 

Osby related that "Minimalism," the first set's concluding piece and the title track from Osby's most recent release "Minimalism" (INCM, 2023), was so named because he had to edit it down and then cut it some more. He told us that when he had asked his sister what she thought of his music, she had claimed that "It sounds like mad cow music." This inspired him to cut it down a bit. 

The second set followed much the same successful formula. Repeats of "Please Stand By" and "Mob Job" were supplemented by additions such as "Truth" and "Inner Circle." Ewell and Ramirez stretched out with solos. At the end of the set, a man came up to Osby and rapturously praised the music. He was likely not the first.