+BRIEFBIO

 

American jazz tenor saxophonist Jason Rigby is known for his compelling inside-outside style of improvising. Rigby has performed at major venues in the US, Japan, Russia, and Europe as both leader and sideman, and has appeared on numerous critically-acclaimed recordings. Jazz Improv magazine states that Rigby "brings a fresh, creative spirit to the forum, opening the door to a world in need of musical rejuvenation." In 2005 Jason Rigby created his own quartet based out of New York City. His debut recording, Translucent Space, released on Fresh Sound Records, was highly praised by critics and named one of 2006 Records of the Year by WIRE. The Village Voice: "the young saxophonist's Translucent Space gave jitters a good name. The antsy music had enough grace to assuage its attack. That's a best of both world's deal." NY's allaboutjazz: "the strength of Translucent Space lies in its coherence, intellect and accessibility - making it one of the year's most remarkable debuts." His second Fresh Sound release, The Sage, was also highly praised. The Village Voice: "the saxophonist's quintet sustains a daunting finesse while swinging full tilt on the new The Sage."

As a leader, Rigby has performed with Billy Hart, Tom Rainey, Rudy Royston, Gerald Cleaver, Mark Ferber, Jeff Davis, Jeff Hirschfield, Thomas Morgan, Cameron Brown, Kermit Driscoll, Eivind Opsvik, Phil Palombi, Mike Holober, Russ Lossing, Dan Wall, Kris Davis, Mike Baggetta, and Russ Johnson. Rigby's Detroit-Cleveland Trio is his main current project, and features bassist Cameron Brown and drummer Gerald Cleaver. Heavy Merge is an explosive trio which Rigby co-leads with pianist Russ Lossing and drummer Jeff Davis. Since 2007 Rigby has been one-third of the electronic-garage-jazz group Heernt, along with drummer Mark Guiliana and electric bassist Cole Whittle. Additional sideman efforts include performing with the Mark Guiliana Jazz Quartet, Mike Holober's Balancing Act, Cameron Brown Quartet, George Schuller and Circle Wide, Eivind Opsvik's Overseas, the Jeff Davis Band, the Mike Baggetta Quartet, Chris Morrissey, Aretha Franklin, and bassist/film composer Kyle Eastwood. In addition to the aforementioned bands, Rigby has earned a strong reputation for his large ensemble work, most notably with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Alan Ferber, David Binney, Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, Asuka Kakitani, Arturo O'Farrill's Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, and the Westchester Jazz Orchestra, to name a few.

A strong advocate for music education, Jason Rigby is a passionate and effective mentor to younger musicians, having taught a wide spectrum of ages from single digits to post-university students. He was recently appointed Assistant Professor of Jazz/Commercial Saxophone at Towson University bordering Baltimore, Mayland. Rigby joins trumpet visionary Dave Ballou and trombone master Jim McFalls, along with a fantastic roster of artist educators at Towson. In addition, Rigby maintains a healthy private saxophone studio in NYC and has served as adjunct lecturer at the City College of New York in Harlem. Many of his high school students have gone on to attend prestigious conservatories in the US. Mr. Rigby has given performance masterclasses at universities both in the US and abroad, most recently at the Berklee College of Music's Valencia, Spain campus, in addition to serving as guest soloist, clinician and conductor at various festivals and student performance opportunities.

Jason Rigby is endorsed by D'Addario Woodwinds, and has played LaVoz and Hemke reeds exclusively for more than a decade. Rigby plays on an SBA Selmer saxophone, a Selmer Mark VI soprano saxophone, a New Wonder Conn alto saxophone, Buffet R13 clarinets, and a Haynes Commercial Model flute. He plays on an 11* Francois Louis Spectruoso tenor mouthpiece, a 9* Otto Link hard rubber alto mouthpiece, and a J Selmer Super Session soprano mouthpiece.