Jazz Articles about Rick Gallagher

Notable and Nearly Missed 2016

by C. Michael Bailey
December 26, 2016

It is impossible, even for John Kelman, Mark Corroto, and Dan Bilawsky, to cover all the music worthy of discussion in a given year. At least that is my line and I am sticking to it as I pen my “Notable and Nearly Missed 2016" column. Rick Gallagher--Christmas Tidings: A Collection of Jazz Christmas Carols (RiDGeTONE Records, 2016). Working backwards, jny: Pittsburgh's Rick Gallagher's holiday trio presentation, Christmas Tidings offers many seasonal delights presented squarely ...

Rick Gallagher: Sugar Shack

by John Barron
November 12, 2007

Jazz musicians often struggle with the notion of attracting a wide audience without having to sacrifice their creative vision. Pittsburgh pianist Rick Gallagher seems to have figured out a way to produce original jazz with an accessible appeal that maintains artistic integrity. Sugar Shack, Gallagher's fifth solo release, is an inventive, swinging piano trio collection featuring bassist Paul Thompson and drummer Thomas Wendt. Percussionist George Jones joins in on a couple of tracks.

Gallagher is a confident pianist with the ...

Take Five With Rick Gallagher

by AAJ Staff
May 8, 2007

Meet Rick Gallagher:Jazz pianist, composer, arranger and teacher from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Over the years Rick has done solo and group work in a wide range of contemporary styles but has found a voice as a player and composer in classic jazz. Rick is a father of four.Instrument(s):piano.Teachers and/or influences?Teacher: David BudwayInfluences:Herbie Hancock, Wynton Kelly, Cyrus Chestnut, Bennie Green, George Shearing, Horace Silver, Red Garland, Bill Evans, ...

Rick Gallagher: Peace Be Still

by Mark F. Turner
February 16, 2005

Jazz artists have always expressed spirituality in their music, whether it be subtle inclusions or overt dedications of faith as found in John Coltrane's masterpiece, A Love Supreme. Pittsburg pianist Rick Gallagher's third release is a solo outing featuring a fresh reworking of popular hymns and spirituals. His previous two recordings, the debut Sweet Potato Eyebrows, and a holiday recording A Sleigh, A Song & A Baby Boy, both delivered appealing and thoughtful music with the pianist surrounded by solid ...

Rick Gallagher: A Sleigh, A Song & A Baby Boy

by Dave Nathan
November 19, 2002

Like it or not folks - and what's not to like - that Season is upon us with all its attendant musical fantasies, sugarplum fairies, and the other appropriate traditional items and trappings of the holy season. So the market will be loaded with releases of jazz, variety pop, classical and Latin, Holiday, modern Latin, calypso and bossa nova mixed in well so the result is a true bouillabaisse a Christmas nog. The thing they have in common is that ...

Rick Gallagher: A Sleigh, A Song & A Baby Boy

by Mark F. Turner
November 17, 2002

The classic sounds of Christmas music are always a joy, and this season they are reinvigorated with the new release by jazz pianist Rick Gallagher. A talented musician, Gallagher received deserved acclaim and airplay for his debut recording Sweet Potato Eyebrows, which featured his own compositions as well as classics. With an approach in the Ellingtonian vein, he combines a fresh sound with a modern focus on swing and style.

A Sleigh, a Song, & a Baby Boy ...

Rick Gallagher: Sweet Potato Eyebrows

by Mark F. Turner
April 12, 2002

Style and panache are just a few adjectives used to decribe jazz music and the way it make listeners feel. The phrase “Jazz it up" means to take something and add a little flair and spice to it. Gershwin and Ellington were masters in the classic sense at the very heart of swing and were synonymous with music that trancended the ordinary, but was accessible to everyone. They produced music that made your toes tap and your heart smile with ...