George Colligan - Live At The Jazz Standard [CD]

Cat. no: WR4836
Format: CD
Barcode: 5065014356616
Release Date: 02 May 2025
Genre: Jazz

Pianist and composer George Colligan has enjoyed a long association with drum legend Jack DeJohnette, playing in Jack's own band for six years

Jack returned the favour on George's acclaimed 2013 release The Endless Mysterieswith Larry Grenadier rounding out the trio. A year later, George and Jack performed the music live at Manhattan's legendary, but now closed, Jazz Standard club, this time featuring Linda May Han Oh on bass. This exclusive one-off performance entered into 
legend, equaling and perhaps surpassing the studio album in intensity and excitement. Now the recordings from that gig are released on Whirlwind Recordings as Live At The Jazz Standard. It's a compelling snapshot of a moment in the lives of three master musicians, all at different stages in their journey with the music, but all coming together in perfect accord to deliver a set of performances that dazzle with their power, empathy and utter conviction. 

'Waiting For Solitude' opens with a tension building ostinato vamp: "It's perfect playing with Jack because you can do a lot with very little," before exploring the Bill Evans-inspired melody in an extended improvisation that switches meters effortlessly. 'Song For the Tarahumara' was inspired by the long- distance runners of the Tarahumara People and begins with a powerful statement by Jack before exploding into an intense up-tempo swing, with George fying high over the driving rhythm. 'Her Majesty' was written for George's wife (and fellow pianist) Kerry Politzer. The afox inspired rhythm was chosen to refect Kerry's love of the music of Brazil.

Linda Oh excels in her solo exploration of the stately melody. For 'Liam's Lament', written for his infant son, George swaps the piano for the melodica to lead a freely creative exploration of sound and texture in which the whole trio participate with gusto. Finally 'If The Mountain Was Smooth' has a wonderfully uplifting, anthem-like quality, and a Gospel inspired groove reminiscent of some of Keith Jarrett's classic excursions into the genre.

George Colligan: piano
Linda May Han Oh: double bass
Jack DeJohnette: drums

Tracks: Waiting For Solitude / Song For The Tarahumara Intro / Song For The Tarahumara / Her Majesty Intro / Her Majesty / Liam's Lament Intro / Liam's Lament / If The Mountain Was Smooth, You Couldn't Climb It