GREGORY AGID: ALVIN BATISTE BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE

Gregory Agid is emerging as the preeminent jazz clarinetist of his generation. The New Orleans based multi-instrumentalist maintains an extremely active performance schedule playing both clarinet and saxophone with GRAMMY award-winning artist Michael Buble, Delfeayo Marsalis’ Uptown Jazz Orchestra, and his own Gregory Agid Quartet, with whom he has released three albums to date. Agid comes from a strong tradition of jazz excellence, education, and mentorship in New Orleans. As the protégée of clarinet guru Alvin Batiste — to whom he is presenting an homage concert tonight, on "Bat"s birthday — it is only natural that Agid has found great success and fulfillment as an educator. Alongside drummer Darrian Douglas, Agid is the co-founder of Second Line Arts Collective, a non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating the artistic and entrepreneurial growth of aspiring creatives. It is no surprise that aspiring clarinetists also look to Agid; his strong social media presence marks him as a leader in the worldwide clarinet community. While boldly and deliberately carving his musical path, Agid says he is simply, “building upon the innovations of his heroes.”