Born in Enfield, Middlesex, England on May 30, 1933, Michael Garrick was a jazz pianist, composer, and educator. He is acknowledged as a pioneer in mixing poetry with jazz, and his blending of choral works with jazz music. He first became interested in jazz during WWII when he would hear boogie-woogie and big band music during radio broadcasts. He taught himself to play piano and studied English literature while attending University College in London. After graduating in 1959 with a BA in literature, he formed his first quartet and released his first album, Silhouette. In the early 1960s, he became the musical director of the Poetry & Jazz In Concert roadshow which involved the written works of Spike Milligan, Adrian Mitchell, Laurie Lee and others. He came to commercial prominence when he joined saxophonist Don Rendell and trumpeter Ian Carr’s quintet in 1965, playing with them for the next four years. That group released the album Black Marigolds in 1966. In 1968, he introduced his innovative jazz-choral direction on Jazz Praises at St. Paul’s, which combined his jazz sextette with a large choir. He began collaborating with poet John Smith in 1969, releasing a series of albums including Mr. Smith’s Apocalypse (1971). During the 1970s, he released a series of well-received albums that further explored his innovative approach to music including Cold Mountain (1972) and Troppo (1974). Michael Garrick’s passion and support of jazz music led to him being an educator, holding teaching posts at the Royal Academy of Music, Trinity College of Music, London, Guildhall School of Music and on his own Jazz Academy Vacation Courses. He founded his own Jazz Academy Records label, releasing many of his own recordings with different group formations. In 2010, Michael Garrick was honored with an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). Michael Garrick died of heart problems on November 11, 2011.
