Rick Margitza

Rick Margitza steps in for Jazz Hastings gig

There has been a change of plan for the January session of Jazz Hastings (recently named ‘the best jazz club this side of London’ in a review of Darius Brubeck’s December gig). The scheduled featured artist, legendary US saxophonist Dick Oatts, is sadly not well enough to travel. He will be replaced by another brilliant American sax player, Rick Margitza, as Julian Norridge explains.

Rick will be playing on 23 January alongside a potent and creative British rhythm section featuring Will Barry on piano, Mark Hodgson on bass and Stephen Keogh on drums.

Rick Margitza has made his name as one of the great jazz saxophonists of the present day. After having spent time living in New Orleans, where he got his degree, he moved to New York in 1989 and very quickly found himself performing and/or recording with some of the greatest names in jazz including McCoy Tyner, Bobby Hutcherson, Tony Williams, Eddie Gomez, Chick Corea, Maria Schneider, Dave Douglas and in the band of Miles Davis.

He has led his own groups in performances in the most prestigious clubs, concert halls and festivals all over the world. His 10 albums as a leader document the evolution of his playing as well as his growth as a composer. Margitza has composed works for symphony orchestra, including two symphonies and a saxophone concerto.

Born in Detroit in 1961, he studied classical saxophone with Donald Sinta at the University of Michigan, and jazz with Sonny Stitt, Gerry Niewood, Michael Brecker, Gary Campbell and David Liebman. He moved to Paris in 2003 where he continues to reside.

He is of Eastern European Gypsy descent and is part of the new band called Gypsy Tenors with fellow countrymen Gabor Bolla and Tony Lakatos. He is also in the process of finishing an album of his big band music as well as a new recording with his French quartet.

From the rhythm section, Will Barry is an award-winning pianist who graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 2016. He was the Musician’s Company Young Jazz Musician of the Year in 2017 and has since played in numerous projects all over Europe and the UK.  Mark Hodgson is one of the most in-demand bassists on the European scene, playing with the likes of Scott Hamilton, Jean Toussaint and Georgie Fame.

On drums is Stephen Keogh, who since 1988 has toured and recorded with many British and American artists including Stan Tracey, Art Farmer, Jason Rebello, Herb Ellis, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Jimmy Witherspoon and Harry Sweets Edison.

Rick Margitza Quartet Jazz Hastings, Tuesday 23 January, East Hastings Sea Angling Association (on the Stade behind the lifeboat station). Doors open 7.45pm for 8.30 start, tickets £15 on the door.

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