Live At Blues Alley [Live]

About the Artist
George Colligan has been on the New York scene since moving to Brooklyn in 1995. He has toured, recorded, and performed as a sideman with Cassandra Wilson, Gary Bartz, Gary Thomas, Eddie Henderson, Buster Williams, Ralph Peterson, Vanessa Rubin, Steve Wilson, Jane Monheit, Michael Brecker, Nicholas Payton, Christian McBride, Billy Hart, Mingus Big Band, Rodney Holmes, Mark Turner, David Binney, Don Braden, Lee Konitz and Stefon Harris, among others. In addition to his work as a bandleader, George currently is first call pianist for the bands of Don Byron, Lonnie Plaxico, Robin Eubanks, David Gilmore, Ravi Coltrane and Greg Tardy. He also travel to Spain frequently as a member of the New York Flamenco Reunion, a jazz flamenco project led by Spanish drummer Marc Miralta.

Recent highlights of George's activities would include his tenure with Grammy winning vocalist Cassandra Wilson from 1999 to 2001. Not only did George tour with her in Japan, North America, and almost every country in Western Europe, but he appears with Cassandra in The Score, a movie which features Robert Deniro and Edward Norton. In 2001, George began working with clarinetist Don Byron. The itinerary with Mr. Byron has so far included a Stravinsky concert in Vienna, several duo concerts, a soundtrack recording for a PBS documentary, a Six Musicians tour of the U.S., and a quintet tour with concerts in Portugal, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Macedonia. George has performed with Mr. Byron in his Jungle Music project, which features early works of Ellington, and Bug Music, which features music of Raymond Scott.

Also worth noting is George's work with the Lonnie Plaxico Group, where George also plays Hammond B-3 organ and synthesizers.

George Colligan is the winner of the 2001 jazzconnect.com competition. The winner was decided by over 18,000 voters deciding between 3 finalists. The prize included a gig at Blues Alley in Washington D.C. which was recorded and made into a CD. For more about the recording featuring Steve Hass on drums and David Ephross on bass goto the Discography.

Although he is in constant demand as a sideman, George has been able to lead groups in the U.S. and Europe. Most recently, George toured as a leader in Denmark, Spain, France, and Scotland. This touring also included master classes and workshops. In addition to featuring his own piano trio at the Blue Note this year, George leads an organ trio in various clubs in New York and Philadelphia.

Included in the 60 or so recordings that George appears on are 13 that he has released as a leader for the Steeplechase and Fresh Sound labels. The most recent Steeplechase recording is A Wish, a duo session with Danish bass player Jesper Bodilsen. Como la Vida Puede Ser was recently released on the Fresh Sound Label and features Flamenco and Latin influenced original compositions. A new CD for the Criss Cross label is Ultimatum, which features Gary Thomas on saxophone and flute, Drew Gress on Bass, and Ralph Peterson on drums.

George was born in Summit, New Jersey, and grew up in Columbia, Maryland, a suburban town between Baltimore and Washinton, D.C. His first instrument was the trumpet, although he did take piano lessons for a brief period at age 7. George became more serious about the trumpet in Grade 6 when his teacher, Lee Stevens, inspired him to listen intellegently to many different styles of music, particulary jazz and 20th century classical music. It was clear that George was to pursue music as a career, although less clear was in what capacity. In 1987, George enrolled at Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore as a trumpet and Music Education major. However, during his time at Peabody, his interest in the piano and jazz became stronger and he started gigging in hotels and clubs in town.

In 1990, George participated in a 1 month summer jazz workshop at the Banff Center in Alberta, Canada. The faculty there included Steve Coleman, Robin and Kevin

Product Description
George Colligan won the Jazzconnect.com internet contest which produced this CD. Features all original, high energy jazz/funk.

Live At Blues Alley,George Colligan,The Orchard,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Post-Bop

Jazz Music: