George Colligan: Blood Pressure (2007)

Ken Dryden

Columnist since 2000

Ken has collected jazz for over three decades and been a jazz journalist since 1988.

Recent articles (222 total)

Published: April 10, 2007

During his relatively brief time on the jazz scene, keyboardist George Colligan has been very busy, recording prolifically both as a leader and sideman for a number of labels. Blood Pressure is an eclectic affair, focusing exclusively on originals in what is primarily a post-bop outing, with occasional detours. Colligan utilizes two different bassists (Josh Ginsberg and Boris Kozlov, the latter who doubles on electric bass on several tracks) and three different drummers (Johnathan Blake, EJ Strickland and Vanderlai Pereira), who are paired together in various combinations.

The opening song's title, "Rose Colored Glass, is a bit deceptive, as it is a driving work and fine example of Colligan's considerable chops playing in a post-bop vein. Violinist Meg Okura is the featured soloist in the haunting "Kerry's Theme, with the leader providing her sole accompaniment and staying in a supporting role. Colligan switches to electric piano and synthesizer (the latter very much in the background) for his progressive bossa nova "Enjoy It While It Lasts, featuring flutist Jamie Baum to good effect, though his electronic miniatures "Question and "Flashback 1 seem like fish out of water in comparison to the rest of his CD. But such reservations should not keep anyone from investigating this rewarding album.

Track Listing: Rose Colored Glass; Debonaire; Blood Pressure; Enjoy It While It Lasts; Nightmare 1; Interiors; Big Trouble; Kerry�s Theme; Angry Monk; Old Oak Tree Up The Hill; Question?; Honesty; Flashback 1; Motivation.

Personnel: George Colligan: piano, synths; Josh Ginsberg: bass (1-3,7,9,14); Johnathan Blake: drums (2,3,5,6,14); Boris Kozlov: acoustic bass (9,10,12), electric bass (4-6,11); EJ Strickland: drums (1,7,9-12); Vanderlai Pereira: drums (4); Jamie Baum: flute (4); Meg Okura: violin (8).

Record Label: Ultimatum Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream