Greg Osby
Saxophonist, composer, producer, educator and curator Greg Osby has been a formidable presence on the international music scene as a leader of his own ensembles and as a guest artist with other acclaimed groups for the past 39 years. Highly regarded for his insightful and innovative approach to composition and performance, Osby is an inspired voice among the ranks of improvising musicians. He has earned numerous awards and critical acclaim for his recorded works and passionate live appearances and has been recognized by The New York Times as one of the "most provocative musical thinkers of his generation".
Born and reared 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 (Washington, D.C.) where he majored in Jazz Studies. He continued his studies at the Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA) from 1980 to 1982.
Upon relocating to New York in late 1982, Osby quickly established himself as a notable and in demand sideman for artists as varied as Herbie Hancock, Dizzy Gillespie, Jack DeJohnette, Andrew Hill, Freddie Hubbard, Muhal Richard Abrams, Woody Shaw, Jim Hall, Chick Corea, The Grateful Dead as well as with many other international new music ensembles. In addition to his rigorous performance schedule, Osby devotes a generous amount of his time to educational activities. Mr. Osby is also a founding member of the innovative M-BASE music collective.
In 1985 Osby was invited to to join 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."
After recording 4 projects for JMT/Polygram, Osby signed with Blue Note Records in 1990 and recorded fifteen outstanding recordings for that label as a leader. In 2007, Osby launched his own label, "Inner Circle Music", which serves as a platform for many of today's brightest artists.
Tags
Album Review
- Channel Three by John Kelman
- Channel Three by Michael McCaw
- Channel Three by Jim Santella
Live Review
- Greg Osby Four at the Green Mill
- New Inventions: Greg Osby Debuts Latest Band at Kennedy Center Jazz
Album Review
- 9 Levels by Mark F. Turner
Interview
Music and the Creative Spirit
Record Label Profile
Interview
Read more articlesMarch 10, 2015
Music Education Monday: Saxophone master classes with Greg Osby
August 07, 2012
Greg Osby And Cohort Of Rising Stars Present 4-Night International...
March 15, 2012
Greg Osby on the Audience and Musicians Who Play for Themselves...
December 15, 2011
Jazz This Week: Greg Osby, Craig Pomranz, Sinatra Songbook, Funky Butt...
December 04, 2011
STLJN Saturday Video Showcase: A Greg Osby Sampler
September 24, 2010
August 03, 2010
Greg Osby Broadcasting Live from the Viillage Vanguard This Tuesday,...
April 10, 2009
Greg Osby Featured in RFT Story
April 09, 2009
Jazz This Week: Jazz Attack, Greg Osby with Willie Akins, Wee Trio,...
April 02, 2009
Guitarist Jimmy Herring to Embark on First Solo Tour with Greg Osby,...
Don Byas
saxophone, tenorSonny Rollins
saxophoneArt Tatum
pianoEarl Bostic
saxophone, altoEddie "Lockjaw" Davis
saxophone, tenorVon Freeman
saxophone, tenorBunky Green
saxophone, altoEddie Harris
saxophone, tenorJoe Henderson
saxophoneBen Webster
saxophone, tenorMatthias Kohler
saxophone, altoPhotos
Album Discography
Microburst
From: Lincoln MemorialBy Greg Osby