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George Colligan had his musical introduction to Portland on Dec. 13, 2011, at the Mission Theater.
A new faculty member at Portland State University at the time, Colligan made an impressive debut as a bandleader, playing the music of Andrew Hill for the PDX Jazz @ the Mission Theater series.
Twelve months later, on Thursday, Colligan returns to the same stage to play the music of McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock, and to cement his place as a vital member of the Portland jazz community.
Colligan -- a pianist, composer, trumpeter and drummer -- has been teaching at PSU for a year, but also touring through Eastern Europe with famed drummer Jack DeJohnette, so he feels as though he hasn't quite made a connection with Portland audiences.
"There's little challenges in balancing teaching and family, playing with Jack, and so forth," he said. "I'm still trying to meet people in the community."
Colligan already has a big champion on the city's jazz scene, though: the Portland Jazz Festival.
"George arrived from New York with heavy credentials; he was always one of the busiest players on the scene there," said Don Lucoff, the festival's managing director.
"To have that kind of experience in a player here in Portland, to work with aspiring players at PSU and the working musicians night in and out, is immeasurable," Lucoff added.
Colligan and Lucoff decided that Tyner and Hancock would make a great tribute concert for Colligan, since both of the legendary pianists had a big influence on his artistic development.
Read more on: http://www.oregonlive.com/music/index.ssf/2012/12/and_on_pianogeorge_colligan.html
Saturday, December 8, 2012
George Colligan returns to PDX Jazz
Monday, July 5, 2010
George Colligan, an award-winning composer....
He is also prolific as a leader with 16 recordings full of his intelligent writing and impressive technique. His latest CD on the Criss Cross label is entitled Past Present Future . He also has a new CD entitled Realization( Sirocco) featuring his organ trio called Mad Science. "Colligan is an equally deserving torch-carrier of the piano trio tradition...." John Kelman , All About Jazz "One of the best kept secrets in jazz...." Chris Hoven, All About Jazz "Couple that sensitivity, that ability to be both supportive and assertive when need be, with strong chops and knowing one's way around the keyboard, and you get a picture of George Colligan , one of those fine young talents bubbling just below the collective periscopes of the jazz critical and presenting fraternities.
Keep an ear on George Colligan ." - Willard Jenkins, from Jazztimes George Colligan has toured, recorded , and/or performed as a sideman with Gary Bartz,Benny Golson, Gary Thomas, Steve Coleman, Eddie Henderson, Ralph Peterson, Vanessa Rubin, Steve Wilson, Jane Monheit, Ravi Coltrane, Lenny White, Michael Brecker, Mike Clark, Nicholas Payton, Sheila Jordan, Janis Siegel, Christian McBride, Billy Hart, Charles Fambrough, Mingus Big Band, Mark Turner, Lee Konitz, Jamie Baum, Michal Urbaniak and Stefon Harris, among others.
Influences
Clifford Brown,Monk,Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, John Scofield, Miles Davis,CHick Corea,Herbie Hancock,Igor Stravinsky,Olivier Messian,Stevie Wonder, Wu Tang Clan,Scarface,TOny WIlliams,Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return to Forever, Weather Report,Sergei Rachmaninoff,Gary Thomas,Lonnie Plaxico,The Police,Larry Young,Woody Shaw,John Coltrane,The Funky Meters,Earth Wind and Fire,Rush,Steve Coleman,Method Man,JS Bach.
Band Members
Mad Science is George Colligan keyboards Tom Guarna guitars Kenny Grohowski drums.
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