Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » George Colligan/Jesper Bodilsen: Twins

George Colligan/Jesper Bodilsen: Twins

By C. Andrew Hovan
January 1, 2001
View read count

As a composer and pianist of considerable merit, George Colligan has been written about here before, as he has developed quite a catalog of releases for both the Spanish Fresh Sound and Danish SteepleChase labels. Able to remake himself in subsequent works, his efforts for SteepleChase range from savvy trios ( Activism with Dwayne Burno and Ralph Peterson and Stomping Ground with Drew Gress and Billy Hart) to audacious hard bop quintets highlighting the work of peers such as tenor man Mark Turner (i.e. The Newcomer and Constant Source ).

Managing to create quite a good deal of excitement in the duo format of just piano and bass, Colligan has hit his stride once again with Twins, featuring Danish bass virtuoso Jesper Bodilsen. Recorded by SteepleChase front man Nils Winther in Denmark during the winter of 2000, this collection of nine pieces clocks in at just a tad over an hour and includes not only two Colligan originals, but also some well-chosen pieces from fellow pianists Keith Jarrett, James Williams, and John Stetch. "Arioso" swings energetically in an advanced style. Even a swing chestnut like "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams" takes on an unsullied and contemporary face via Colligan's sophisticated harmonic sense. The remarkable thing is that as technically proficient as he is, Colligan's playing is always presented with grounded passion and logic. In other words, he has really developed his own voice.

A real keeper all the way around, Twins is yet another fine collection to add to Colligan's already imposing body of work.

Track Listing

Twins, Nobody Else But Me, Behind the Door, Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams, Consolation, Scandinavian Rhythm, Heavens of a Hundred Days, So Tender, Arioso

Personnel

George Colligan

piano

George Colligan (piano) & Jesper Bodilsen (bass)

Album information

Title: Twins | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: SteepleChase Records

About George Colligan

PREVIOUS / NEXT

2000 Rewind
< Previous

A Conversation with Benny Golson
Next >

Become a Sustaining Member

Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.

Help Build the Future of All About Jazz

Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.

Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.

Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.