George Colligan's Theoretical Planets

Theoretical Planets is the brainchild of jazz musician, composer and educator George Colligan. Primarily known as a pianist, this group features Colligan’s explosive and interpetive drumming. Inspired by the groups of Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Ralph Peterson, and Billy Hart, Theoretical Planets is a vehicle for forward thinking compositions and free form high energy improvisations. The group features virtuoso tenor saxophonist Joe Manis as well as up-and-coming alto saxophonist Nicole McCabe and bassist Jon Lakey.

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.” He has also recently toured the U.S. and Canada as a leader with his trio featuring legends Buster Williams and Lenny White. With over 130 albums to date as an accompanist, Colligan has worked with a long list of jazz greats, including John Scofield,  Buster Williams, Cassandra Wilson, Don Byron, Ravi Coltrane, and many others. His latest album, “Theoretical Planets: Long Term Goals” (PJCE Records 2021) is his 34th as a bandleader, and features PSU faculty and alumni.  Colligan, a New York resident for 15 years, now resides in Portland, Oregon where he is an Associate Professor at Portland State University. He recently won 2 RACC Grants (2019,2021) and a South Arts Jazz Road Tour Grant as well as the PSU College of The Arts Dean’s Council Award for Research, Scholarship and Creativity (2020). He also won the Researcher of the Year Award from the PSU College of The Arts (2021).

Sam First | 6171 W Century Blvd #180, Los Angeles, CA 90045  |  21+

Show Times: There are two separate shows nightly at 7:30pm & 9:00pm, and a separate ticket is required for each show.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required upon entry.

Notice of Recording: Sam First live streams and records all concerts. By entering Sam First, you understand that your image and/or voice might be included in those recordings. Sam First reserves the right to use any photography, video or audio recording taken at this event, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video.