Jazz Articles about George Colligan

George Colligan: Come Together

by Dan McClenaghan
September 21, 2009

New York-based pianist George Colligan has been prolific since his 1996 debut, Activism (Steeplechase Records), releasing nineteen CDs as a leader. He keeps it fresh with Come Together, a very energetic and modern-sounding piano trio affair.The set opens with the title tune, written before Colligan was born (just barely, in 1969). Penned by John Lennon--the lesser jazz-covered songsmith of the Lennon/McCartney team--Colligan and his trio-mates put some powerful and percussive funk into the tune, using hard edges and ...

George Colligan: Runaway

by Woodrow Wilkins
October 7, 2008

To borrow a phrase, the cat is out of the bag. George Colligan has been said to be one of the best kept secrets in jazz. With Runaway, his cover is blown.Colligan has been a sideman for such artists as Cassandra Wilson, the Mingus Big Band and Christian McBride. He studied a variety of instruments before settling on keyboards. A product of the fusion era, he also embraces mainstream influences. He's also had associations with Ravi Coltrane, Vanessa ...

George Colligan: Runaway

by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
October 4, 2008

A George Colligan record is an audio guarantee of superior musicianship and his extensive resume proves why: he plays several instruments, has collaborated with an impressive roster of luminaries and dons different hats, not only that of a musician, but that of a bandleader and instructor at Juilliard.

George Colligan: Runaway

by Edward Blanco
September 7, 2008

George Colligan is no ordinary musician and offers convincing proof on his Sunnyside Records. On Runaway, this award-winning pianist and composer presents a dynamic program of eleven new and varied lyrical pieces ranging from straight-ahead to free improvisation and a touch of fusion. With a lengthy and impressive discography, this album comes off the heels of the highly acclaimed Blood Pressure (Ultimate, 2006) that featured Colligan with multiple rhythm sections.

Here Colligan stick with his trio ...

George Colligan: Runaway

by John Kelman
September 6, 2008

Over the course of a career, relationships are made, with an artist's network growing ever larger. George Colligan--keyboardist of choice for artists including Don Byron, Buster Williams and The Mingus Big Band--has built a circle of friends larger than most, drawing upon them for Runaway, his Sunnyside debut, a logical follow-up to Blood Pressure (Ultimatum, 2006). Blood Pressure was a more eclectic affair, drawing on two separate rhythm sections and a couple of guests; Runaway is a more consistent group ...

Kerry Politzer: You Took Me

by Virginia A. Schaefer
February 19, 2008

Following her three releases as a jazz pianist who composes much of her material, Kerry Politzer steps out as a singer-songwriter with You Took Me In. As well as performing all the vocals, she plays piano with the band, which consists entirely of jazz musicians. Although the turn from jazz piano to pop-oriented song may seem surprising, Politzer has actually been active as a singer-songwriter for several years, and has received awards in songwriting competitions. On the ...

George Colligan: Variety, Presentation and Doing It Because It's Fun

by Paul Olson
May 7, 2007

Although George Colligan is a wildly in-demand musician whose piano, organ and Fender Rhodes have graced the recordings and performances of clarinetist Don Byron, bassist Buster Williams, vocalist Cassandra Wilson, and many other artists, he's also managed to produce a pretty sizable discography as a band leader. While his chops and imagination--coupled with a consistent clarity of thought and touch--make his playing a consistent pleasure to the jazz listener, he's just as good a composer, having written for Chamber Music ...