Michael Garrick

Biography

30 May 1933, Enfield, Middlesex, England. Largely self-taught as a pianist and composer, Garrick led bands during the 50s and was active in the ‘poetry and jazz’ movement. In the mid-60s he worked with the band co-led by Don Rendell and Ian Carr and also fronted his own small group, which often featured the outstanding saxophonist Joe Harriott. A prolific composer, in the late 60s Garrick’s writing reflected his beliefs and ‘Jazz Praises’ was performed at St Paul’s Cathedral in London. ‘Judas Kiss’ was a two-hour setting of Christ’s passion drawn from four gospels. In keeping with the mood of works such as this, Garrick also played the pipe organ.

In the 70s Garrick advanced his own musical knowledge by studying at Berklee College Of Music in the USA and subsequently taught extensively in the UK. In the late 70s he formed a trio with Phil Lee and Norma Winstone. The following decades saw Garrick...

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