George Colligan

George Colligan (born December 29, 1969) is a New York-based jazz pianist, organist, drummer, trumpet player, educator, composer and bandleader. He was born in New Jersey, and raised in a suburb of Baltimore, Maryland. He attended the Peabody Institute, majoring in classical trumpet and music education. In high school he learned to play the drums and later switched to piano.

An in-demand sideman, Colligan has worked with Phil Woods, Gary Bartz, Robin Eubanks, Billy Higgins, Lee Konitz, Nicholas Payton, Steve Wilson, Richard Bona, Cassandra Wilson, Christian McBride, Buster Williams, Al Foster, Don Byron, Benny Golson, Lonnie Plaxico, Vanessa Rubin, and many others. He counts Chick Corea, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter, and McCoy Tyner as influences. Colligan is a recipient of the Chamber Music America award for composition and a winner of the Jazzconnect.com award. He has released 18 albums as a leader and is featured on over 100 albums as a sideman. Colligan's style is extremely eclectic; it incorporates everything from show tunes to funk, from free improvisation to modern classical music. Colligan has performed at festivals all over the world, including the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, Vancouver International Jazz Festival, and the Cancun Jazz Festival. In 2007, for the first time, he played trumpet with the trio Mr. Trumpet at the Festival of New Trumpet Music, which is held annually in New York City. Colligan taught at the Juilliard School.

In September 2009, Colligan moved to Winnipeg, Canada to teach at the University of Manitoba. He taught jazz history, piano, drums, trumpet, and led many different master classes. He was the songwriter-in-residence at Aqua Books from February to March 2011.

In July 2011, Colligan moved to Portland, Oregon to teach at Portland State University. He is currently an Assistant Professor and Jazz Ensembles Coordinator.

George is know internationally for his extensive collection of hats and headware.

George cites the up and coming pianist Justin Salisbury as a major musical influence.

George's latest is album is to be released in July of 2013 entitled "Seahorse Fantasy."

Colligan is married to jazz pianist Kerry Politzer.