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George Colligan: Como La Vida Puede Ser (How Life Could Be)
by C. Andrew Hovan
Some of the greatest jazz talents are known not only for being talented instrumentalists, but also for their prowess in the area of original composition. Names that come to mind would have to include Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, and of course, Duke Ellington. While George Colligan certainly has not yet achieved the name recognition of any of the gentleman in the above list, his originals are often light years beyond the norm in terms of ingenuity and substance. As a ...
Continue ReadingGeorge Colligan: Constant Source
by C. Andrew Hovan
When it comes to spotting young talent worthy of wider recognition, it’s often those small independent labels who are responsible for giving the youngsters some visibility. This also makes for a good situation in terms of the artist because he/she, more often than not, has more control over the artistic integrity of the final product, something that is not as easily achieved when spending the big corporate dollars. The downside, however, is that the coffers for publicity are on the ...
Continue ReadingGeorge Colligan/Jesper Bodilsen: Twins
by C. Andrew Hovan
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 ...
Continue ReadingGeorge Colligan: Unresolved
by C. Andrew Hovan
Over the course of his several recordings for the Danish SteepleChase label, pianist and composer George Colligan has presented a multifaceted portrait of himself as a musician while working in several formats, from solo piano to quintets. One of two projects Colligan has put together for Jordi Pojul's Fresh Sound label out of Spain, Unresolved really carries on where the SteepleChase set The Newcomer left off. Tenor man Mark Turner was a valuable contributor to the earlier album and he ...
Continue ReadingGeorge Colligan: Desire
by C. Andrew Hovan
As a pianist and composer, George Colligan fits the category of talent deserving of wider recognition better than anyone else out of the current thirty-something crowd. Not yet a household name, Colligan can give his better-publicized peers, such as Brad Mehldau, a run for their money. He has already established a great catalog of recordings for the SteepleChase label utilizing various formats. Add to that this rather unusual project recorded in Barcelona, Spain for the Fresh Sound label. As the ...
Continue ReadingGeorge Colligan: Stomping Ground
by C. Andrew Hovan
One of the best-kept secrets in jazz, pianist George Colligan has developed an intrepid attitude that goes hand-in-hand with a strong sense of identity. That was just as apparent on his first date as a leader for SteepleChase, Activism, as it is on this latest excursion into trio territory. Tunes such as Charles Tolliver’s “Right Now” or Billy Harper’s “The Priestess” were not really created for the piano, their lines voiced more easily by a horn player, yet Colligan fashions ...
Continue ReadingGeorge Colligan: Small Room
by Mark Corroto
In a solo setting, George Colligan displays sensitivity not heard in his previous recordings. Whether recording under his leadership or as sideman for trumpeter Eddie Henderson or saxophonists Gary Bartz or Gary Thomas, Colligan opted for thrills and bebop lines. As a soloist he has the subtle feel of the great Bill Evans. Like Evans, he can appeal to the romantic and classical listener. Colligan seems to reject the urge to swing on several tracks, a calculated emotional abstinence. He ...
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