Formed in 1990 by saxophonists Pat Mallinger and Cameron Pfiffner, Sabertooth explores a variety of musical genres in the quartet format of two saxophones, drums, and Hammond B3 organ. The band’s repertoire includes many original compositions, some inspired from various ethnic origins. In addition, the band often performs standards and jazz classics by Duke Ellington, Horace Silver, Wayne Shorter, Lester Young, Mary Lou Williams, and John Coltrane. Sabertooth also performs jazz interpretations of compositions by the Beatles, Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan, and the Allman Brothers.
Sabertooth continues an extended residency at one of Chicago’s premier jazz clubs, the famous Green Mill Lounge. The band has been performing to capacity audiences every Saturday evening for fourteen years.
Special invited guests who have performed with the band have included Harry Conick Jr., Joe Lovano, Wynton Marsalis Band, Jack McDuff, Joey DeFrancesco, Bob Durrough, Kurt Elling, Jeff Parker, Jim Rotondi, Ron Perrillo, George Fludas, Dana Hall, Brian Ritter, Mike Schlick, Matt Wilson, Matt Ferguson, Mike Allemana, Chris Potter, Jerry Weldon, Dave Schumacher, Scott Burns, Geof Bradfield, Eric Alexander, Joel Adams, Jeff Parker, Fareed Haque, John Mclean, Umphrey’s Mcgee, and others. Bands that have attended Sabertooth shows have included Los Lobos, Astral Project, Madeski Martin and Wood, Smashing Pumpkins, David Matthew Band, and Dark Star Orchestra, amoungst others.
Pat Mallinger (Leader, woodwinds) Pat Mallinger was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he began playing the saxophone 31 years ago. He spent time performing in Los Angeles, Dallas, Boston, and Japan, before establishing Chicago as his home in 1990. He is heard around town performing with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Jim Ryan/Bobby Lewis Quintet, and the Pat Mallinger Quartet to name a few. Pat performs concerts and festivals nationally and internationally both as the Pat Mallinger Quartet and with various groups. His resume includes world renowned performers including Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Harry Connick, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Pat has toured with the Charles Earland Band, Artie Shaw Orchestra, and Woody Herman Orchestra.
Cameron Pfiffner (Leader, woodwinds) Cameron is very active on the Chicago jazz and entertainment scene. He has performed with legendary Chicago musicians including Jodie Christian, Lin Halliday, and Von Freeman. He is musical director, and co-founder with choreographer Ginger Farley, of the 58 Group. This highly acclaimed company includes an ensemble of musicians and dancers dedicated to the creation of new works of sound and movement. In addition, Cameron leads Marco Polo, a 10-piece ensemble performing original and historic jazz compositions along with different types of music from around the world.
Ted Sirota (Drums) Ted has performed with such notable musicians as Von Freeman, Lin Halliday, Ira Sullivan, Rob Mazurek, Roy Hargrove, and Kurt Elling. He has toured with jazz saxophonist Christopher Hollyday, as well as blues great Eddie Kirkland and guitar legend Phil Upchurch. In 1996 Ted formed his own group, Ted Sirota’s Rebel Souls, which has just recorded its third CD for the Naim label.
Pete Benson (Organ) As one of Chicago’s premiere Hammond B3 jazz organists, Pete Benson has been praised by renowned organ greats, Joey DeFrancesco and Chris Foreman. Pete has made a name for himself as both leader and sideman and can be seen regularly at Chicago jazz hot spots: Andy’s Jazz Club, The Green Mill, Pete Miller’s Steakhouse, The Pump Room, Pops for Champagne, among a variety of other venues. Pete frequently plays with The Andrew Distel Quartet, The Skinny, Kyle Asche, Scott Burns, and Jeff Parker. Having performed with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Pete had the opportunity to give a concert with saxophonist, Phil Woods in 2006. He has also shared the bandstand with Von Freeman, Ira Sullivan, Joe Lovano and Roy Hargrove., Pete has performed for enthusiastic audiences across the United States and Europe, and been on the forefront of the Chicago jazz scene for almost 10 years.
Yay! Thanks for the message and for the GREAT music last Saturday night. What a treat after a LONG azz, fricka frackin' day...Hope to be in town again soon, but for now, hope *you* folks come out and share summa that music luv with San Francisco sometime. xoxo, Sheila
Monday Night (Jan 15) At the Gallery Caberet, 2020 N. Oakley Chicago, Model Citizens Big Band at 10.pm, No Cover, Come on Down.... The 3rd Monday of every month...
I am still so in love with Sabertooth. I hope I stay one of your top friends (even though I think MySpace is kind of creepy.) I'll be sad when you bump me!
