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“Music is the silence between the notes.”
- Claude Debussy |
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 Wednesday, 07 January 2009 |
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George Colligan and Mad Science at the C Note |
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Written by Administrator
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Wednesday, 10 August 2005 |
 George Colligan and Mad Science with
George Colligan on B3 organ and
keyboards,
Tom
Guarna on
Guitar, Kenny Grohowski on Drums appearing at the C Note for one show only at
7pm on
Monday Aug 15th with NO COVER CHARGE. The C Note is 157 Avenue C at 10th Street. Their new CD
entitled Realization (Sirocco) will be available for
purchase check out the band at
www.sonicbids.com/GeorgeColliganandMadScience
"Great writing, completely different
approach to the organ-group
thing. George [Colligan] is a very brilliant piano player, and it
makes sense that he would be brilliant on organ as well. As a
creative artist, he's really up there. In terms of technique,
knowledge of music and improvisational creativity, there aren't a whole
lot of cats from his generation that are any better than him. As
a matter of fact, I can't think of any."- Don Braden in
a blindfold test for Jazz Times
George Colligan's Mad Science thrills listeners with intense, lyrical
and cinematic compositions. The group's new sound for an organ
trio combines the the raw funk of Tower of Power and the fusion
of Return to Forever and Mahavishnu Orchestra. The
resulting music is full of surprising meter combinations, and
satisfyingly tight full-group hits. Named the "ultimate
thinking man's jam band (Bill Milkowski, Jazz Times), Mad Science is
comprised of George Colligan, Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes and
synthesizer, Tom Guarna, guitar, and Rodney Holmes, drums.
Mike Joyce, of the Washington Postwrites: "[Colligan's] latest
collaboration, the organ-powered Mad Science ensemble, reveals his
multiple talents in a series of intriguing, groove-triggered
settings."
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.br />
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.
"Mad Science is a smashing CD and
jazz lovers can look forward to this
group woodshedding on jazz' center stage for a long time." --
Terrell Holmes, All About Jazz
Check out George Colligan and Mad Science at the C Note
7pm on
Monday Aug 15th. The C Note is 157 Avenue C at 10th St.
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