John O'Gallagher

Catch New York jazz saxophonist and composer John O’Gallagher at Birmingham Conservatoire this March.

The jazz department is thrilled to present two concerts by the contemporary New York jazz pioneer John O’Gallagher. An alto saxophonist and composer, O’Gallagher has been active on the New York scene for over 20 years and has collaborated with Joe Henderson, Maria Schneider and with many of the younger major players of the avant-garde.

In our lunchtime Live Jazz Broadcast slot, O’Gallagher presents 'The Webern Project' where he leads a senior student and graduate band through his extraordinary re-workings of his Webern compositions.

The concert includes performances of the original sources, 'Opus 25 (Three Songs)', 'Opus 5 (The Seventh Ring)', and 'Opus 27 (Piano Variations)'.

Following on from this, in the evening John curates music by his current New York contemporaries, alongside classic jazz compositions from the history of the music, in a concert showcasing our jazz students’ excellent improvising and ensemble playing.