“RICK MARGITZA is simply a great tenor player.” This verdict, on the saxophonist who plays Galway this weekend, was passed by no less a person than Miles Davis.
There is little more recommendation needed than an approval from a jazz giant like Miles Davis and Galwegians can look forward to Rick’s show as part of the 2011 Galway Jazz Festival which takes place tomorrow, Saturday, and Sunday.
Rick Margitza and his quartet, which will feature pianist Myles Drennan, bassist Dan Bodwell, and drummer Shane O’Donovan, play The Druid Theatre at 8pm on Sunday.
Born in Detroit, Rick started on the violin when he was four. He studied classical piano and also played oboe before switching to tenor in high school. Later he moved to New York in 1988. That year he joined the Miles Davis’ group and recorded three albums with them: Amandla, Live Around The World, and Live in Montreux.
He then cut three sets as a leader for the prestigious label Blue Note during 1989 - 1991. Since 1994, he has recorded eight more albums and collaborated with Maria Schneider, Chick Corea, and McCoy Tyner.
Rick currently resides in Paris where he is a member of the Moutin Reunion as well as touring and performing with his own quartet. Jazz Times has called Rick: “one of contemporary music’s most important saxophonists”.
Other gigs to look forward to include Galway DJs Deviant and Sebi C in the Town Hall Theatre studio tomorrow.
Deviant will perform a new skratch music piece composed on two turntables, utilising 12” vinyl and modern digital vinyl manipulation technologies. The second half sees Deviant and rapper Sebi C reunite for their experimental group the Flying Buttresses. The show promises to be a distillation of the duo’s jazz influences.
The Cois Cladaigh choir will perform a special show in St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church on Saturday at 10pm. While their repertoire is usually 15th/16th century music, for their jazz festival show they will appear with saxophonist Matt Berrill, to blend differently musical styles into one new creation.
The Druid Theatre will also host two shows - Neofobic plus Colm O’Hara at 8pm on Saturday while on Sunday at 5pm, Mikael Fernstram will perform.
The festival club is at The Meyrick Hotel. Tickets for all jazz festival shows are limited and available on a first come first served basis, so book early to avoid disappointment. See www.galwayjazzfest.com
