TENOR SAXOPHONIST JASON RIGBY has carved out a niche in the world of creative and improvised music with his unique and compelling voice – one that is renowned worldwide – by embracing individuality focused on quality and a constant search for organic expression.
Having spent the past decade recording and touring as prime member of drummer Mark Guiliana’s Jazz Quartet, Rigby has performed at many of the world’s top jazz festivals and venues in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. He has appeared on several Grammy-nominated recordings and collaborated with Billy Hart, Michael Formanek, Cameron Brown, George Schuller, Kris Davis, Eivind Opsvik, Aretha Franklin, Mike Baggetta, Thomas Morgan, and Rudy Royston. Rigby has contributed his voice to a number of large ensembles including the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, and the composer-led groups of Miho Hazama, Jihye Lee, Alan Ferber, Mike Holober, Jared Schonig, David Binney, Darcy James Argue, and Asuka Kakitani.
London Jazz News states: “American saxophonist/composer Jason Rigby has this spontaneous capacity to adapt his way of playing to different styles and moods. He is a shape-shifter whose musical approach is a synonym for consistency regardless if he’s playing in small groups such as the quartet of Mike Baggetta and Mark Guiliana, or large ensembles like the Alan Ferber Big Band. Rigby leads with resolve, evincing an outgoing posture, compositional bravura, and laudable flair for exploration.”
“There’s a breathy tone, some of the Coltrane to Pharoah preach, and seemingly boundless chops. (That breathy tone in part is particularly attractive; the Michael Brecker/Jan Garbarek ‘glossy’ lineage is cool too, but sometimes I crave something darker and fuzzier.)” – Ethan Iverson, pianist
“The warmth of Rigby’s tone and the rigor of his ideas come across even in the stormiest free blowing.” – David R. Adler, Stereophile
“Rigby’s burly tone and searching improvisations recall the expressionistic flights of Ornette Coleman and Joe Henderson.” – John Murph, DownBeat
JASON RIGBY QUARTET
Jason Rigby – tenor saxophone
Russ Johnson – trumpet
Clark Sommers – bass
Dana Hall – drums & cymbals
