Ryan McGillicuddy

Bassist

After forging a place for himself as a bassist/composer of choice in Los Angeles' creative music scene, then teaching jazz abroad in South Korea as invited professor at a top university, Ryan McGillicuddy continues his musical journey in the Kentucky foothills of the Appalachian mountains as faculty at Morehead State University . His vibrant organic approach has earned him work with many of the world’s finest musicians. Recently, Ryan has shared the stage as a sideman with Greg Osby, Peter Erskine, Anthony Wilson, Russel Ferrante, Joe Labarbera, Bob Shepard, Bill Cunliffe, Bob Mintzer, Larry Koonse, Freda Payne, Antonia Bennett, the Tamir Hendelman trio, the Bill Cunliffe trio, the Bill Holman band, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

He has toured extensively in the United States as well as in Japan, Korea, Europe, and the Middle-east. Ryan currently performs and composes with his own original trio featuring Peter Erskine and Vardan Ovsepian, the LA based trio 3 -ish, the Vardan Ovsepian trio, the Korean-based Jangeun Bae trio, and the original project Sigmund Fudge among many other groups, and is a core member of the arts/composers group The Los Angeles JazzCollective.

Left Coast Revisited

January 30, 2018  /  Ryan McGillicuddy

Its that time again. The waves beckon, the siren song of the Blue Whale calls, and football-sized potatoes get served to hungry jazz lovers.  I'm talking, of course, about a trip out west to play some music with some of my favorite people at 2 of my favorite jazz clubs-- The Blue Whale and The Baked Potato.  

My partners in crime?-- longtime collaborators, artists extraordinaire, and friends.  On Saxophone, Matt Otto.  When I first moved to LA in the early 2000's he was a huge influence.  As a result of playing with Matt my fluency in odd-meter language started to take shape-- along with the help of Jason Harnell-- drum and cymbal virtuoso.  Its always nice when you find a drummer you really click with, and Jason was that way for me.  Gary Fukushima will be joining us on keys.  Gary's like family to me-- a genuinely big-hearted creative force on the keys.  I've always enjoyed playing with Gary, and enjoyed the compositional style he brings to the table. Last but not least-- Steve Cotter on guitar.  When I was in college at North Texas, Steve was like a guitar-guru to me.  When I first got the chance to play with him out in LA, It was like playing with one of my heroes.  

So come and join us-- at the world famous "Baked Potato" in Studio City on Sunday, February  Bluewhale on Feb 11th.  Or stop by the Blue Whale in downtown LA on Monday, February 12th for some great tunes and tomes.

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From Bluegrass to the Blue Whale

November 06, 2015  /  Ryan McGillicuddy

Been a while since I posted anything on here.  Life happens.  Things unfold.  And before I could take a breath I found myself halfway around the world again, starting a new chapter.  Kentucky was calling with an opportunity to make a shift.  

I missed the States.  The adventure of living in Korea was a grand one, but one starts to miss the little things.  After a certain point as an expat, you begin to become sentimental, and even hyper-patriotic with a longing for home.

In the middle of a chaotic summer-- death in the family, bike accident that ripped my face half open-- I got a call from Kentucky.  Morehead State University was offering me a job.  We contemplated the move, and decided to make it.  

Roughly 3 months later, I sit at my computer writing this.  Last night I was able to watch the band that I rehearse, the MSU jazz ensemble, perform a 'jazz-festival-quality' set of music.  I mean-- they just killed it!  Aided by the one-of-a-kind tenor saxophonist Matt Otto, and trumpet virtuoso Greg Wing as guest soloists, the band tore up the house. I'd like to take credit for their sound, but It was all them-- their hard work, and dedication.  Kentucky's gettin' to it! 

I'd be remiss not to plug my LA gigs coming up.  Sunday November 8th @9:30pm at The Baked Potato with Jason Harnell and Matt Otto, and Tuesday November 10th at the Blue Whale with Jason Harnell and friends.

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