George Colligan

George Colligan is not only one of the great jazz pianists of his generation, but he has earned an international reputation as a multi-instrumentalist (drums, trumpet, organ, keyboards), composer, accompanist, teacher, and bandleader, as well as popular blogger(jazztruth.blogspot.com). Winner of the 2015 DownBeat magazine Critics Poll (Keyboard), he has had a long association with living jazz legend Jack DeJohnette; recent touring took Colligan around the U.S. with “ An Evening With Jack DeJohnette And Savion Glover.” With over 130 albums to date as an accompanist, Colligan has worked with a long list of jazz greats, including Buster Williams, Cassandra Wilson, Don Byron, Ravi Coltrane, and many others. His latest album, "Again With Attitude"(IYOUWE) is his 31st as a bandleader. Colligan, a New York resident for 15 years, now resides in Portland, Oregon where he is an Associate Professor at Portland State University.

"Captivating and unpredictable." ★★★★ The Guardian

"More Powerful showcases Colligan's colourful use of a jazz vocabulary in the modernist tradition... It's far more than a blowing session."

Jazzwise Magazine

I have been a Professor at Portland State for almost 9 years; I have taught private lessons in piano, drums, and trumpet, and I have had some saxophone and vocal students. I also teach Advanced Jazz Improv, Jazz History, the Big Band, Small Combos, and Jazz and American Culture. I have also taught compositions and arranging. Before that, I was a professor at University of Manitoba. Before that, I was adjunct for two years at Juilliard. I have always had a number of private students and I have been a guest teacher and done masterclasses at many universities, colleges, and festivals around the world. I have had students of all levels, some whom have gone on to become professional performers.  I am a patient teacher and I like to work work students of all levels.