According to Jazz Improv magazine, tenor saxophonist Jason Rigby “brings a fresh, creative spirit to the forum, opening the door to a world in need of musical rejuvenation.”  The Cleveland native’s unique and un-compromised approach to playing the saxophone has earned him international recognition and respect as both a leader and a sideman.

A saxophonist and composer known for his compelling style of inside-outside improvising, Rigby is an important contributor to New York’s cutting-edge creative music scene. Critics recognize his as a voice deftly combining many influences - the creative mindset of Wayne Shorter, the energy of John Coltrane, and the elasticity and compositional style of Ornette Coleman and Paul Motian - emerging as something new and trustworthy. To date he has released two recordings as a leader, both of which have received critical acclaim, and has appeared on many others as a sideman. Jason has performed at top venues in the US and Europe as both leader and sideman, and has performed with David Binney, Randy Brecker, Tim Hagans, Jeff Hirschfield, David Liebman, Chris Lightcap, Joe Lovano, Tony Malaby, Thomas Morgan, John Patitucci, Brad Shepik, John Scofield, and Dan Wall, to name a few.

In 2005, Jason created his own quartet based out of New York. His debut record, Translucent Space, released on Fresh Sound, was highly praised by critics and named one of 2006 Records Of The Year by WIRE. The Village Voice stated: “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 worlds deal.” NY’s AllAboutJazz stated: “the strength of Translucent Space lies in its coherence, intellect and accessibility – making it one of the year’s most remarkable debuts.” Rigby's second Fresh Sound release, The Sage, was equally praised. The Village Voice wrote: "the saxophonist's quintet sustains a daunting finesse while swinging full tilt on the new The Sage."

As a sideman, Jason’s list of contributions is extensive and includes work with Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, Mike Baggetta, Cameron Brown, Kris Davis, Kyle Eastwood, Alan Ferber, Aretha Franklin, Mark Guiliana, Asuka Kakitani, Chris Morrissey, Eivind Opsvik’s Overseas, George Schuller, the Village Vanguard Orchestra, and many more.

Rigby is currently working on three new separate recording projects: his quartet performing an original suite dedicated to Paul Bley and Dewey Redman; a co-led trio with pianist Russ Lossing and drummer Jeff Davis; and Rigby’s Detroit-Cleveland Trio with bassist Cameron Brown and drummer Gerald Cleaver.

Leader:
DETROIT-CLEVELAND TRIO (JR - saxo / Cameron Brown - bs / Gerald Cleaver - dms)

QUARTET (JR - saxo / Mike Holober - pno / Cameron Brown - bs / Mark Ferber - dms)

QUINTET (JR - saxo / Russ Johnson - tpt / Mike Holober - rhodes / Cameron Brown - bs / Mark Ferber,Gerald Cleaver or Jeff Davis - dms)

Co-Leader:
RIGBY-LOSSING-DAVIS (JR - ts / Russ Lossing - pno / Jeff Davis - dms)

RIGBY-GOLDBERGER-DAVIS (JR - ts / Jonathan Goldberger - gtr / Jeff Davis - dms)

WE CAN BUILD YOU (JR - woodwinds / Rich Johnson - tpt, laptop)

Sideman:
MARK GUILIANA - HEERNT

MIKE BAGGETTA QUARTET

CAMERON BROWN: DANNIE'S CALYPSO

KYLE EASTWOOD

ASUKA KAKITANI JAZZ ORCHESTRA

WESTCHESTER JAZZ ORCHESTRA