Gregory Tardy: The Journey (A Pilgrim’s Progress)

“Finding time to compose is always a challenge,” states saxophonist, multi-reedist, and composer Gregory Tardy. The jazz suite The Journey: A Pilgrim’s Progress was an epic undertaking that Tardy was finally able to take on during the pandemic.  “When everything shutdown I was finally able to conceptualize and write this 9 part suite based off John Bunyan’s famous novel The Pilgrim’s Progress.”  Tardy incorporates various musical influences to pull together this magnificent musical tale which uses a 10 piece ensemble and a narrator.

Tardy is one of the most versatile jazz musicians of his generation, equally comfortable in a variety of musical and improvisational situations.   He started playing with the legendary drummer, Elvin Jones and quickly became a sought after sideman playing with many prominent jazz artists including: Andrew Hill, Tom Harrell, Dave Douglas, Wynton Marsalis, Jay McShann, Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove, Steve Coleman, Betty Carter, Don Byron, Bill Frisell, Rashied Ali, Ellis Marsalis, Brian Lynch, John Patitucci, and many more. His performance schedule has taken him all over the world, playing at all of the major jazz festivals and on some of the biggest stages in jazz.  As a sideman, he has been featured on several Downbeat Albums of the Year and also several Grammy nominated recordings; including a Grammy winning CD with Brian Lynch in 2006.  He also has recorded fifteen CDs under his own name featuring his unique compositions, blending his love of traditional jazz with a more modern seeking style. Recently he recorded his first leader project on clarinet, In His Timing, to rave reviews. His latest project, Abide in Love, is a beautiful ballads project and was released in the spring of 2025 on WJ3 Records.