STAND UP supported by Creative Leicestershire

Stand Up is Gerard's latest project.

Ten years in development Stand-Up is Gerard’s newest project. It is a combination of solo saxophone works and pieces for saxophone and electronics.

Every work is accessible and inclusive. The sublime beauty of atmospheric works such as Karen Tanaka’s Night Bird and Andy Scott’s My Mountain Top contrast with the freshness of Tony Davis’ dance inspired Iguacu, Come down and Dance. Gerard will also perform duos by Telemann and Ian Wilson using effects that have to be heard to be believed.

Virtuosic works by Paganini and Barry Cockroft include amazing techniques like circular breathing and slap-tongue. Multi-layered works, performed live, using a loop station complete this unique cutting edge project.

DUO with Craig Ogden

Over the past few years, Gerard has built up an exciting collaboration with Austrailian guitarist Craig Ogden. Together they have developed a programme of original music for this beautiful combination.

This new duo have given over 20 concerts in venues ranging from St David's Hall, Cardiff to the Sugar Club, Dublin. The BBC and RTE have broadcast several of their performances.

Figment live from the Wigmore Hall

Their album pluckbow on Meridian Records, takes its name from Greg Caffrey's work of the same name which is featured on the CD. Other works on the album include funky, new crossover works by Ulrich Schultheiss, Andy Scott, Ciaran Farrell, Billy Cowie, Stuart Greenbaum and Ian Wilson.

Gerard McChrystal & Craig Ogden

The programme has music influenced by the dance rhythms of South American with works by Piazzolla, Celso Machado and Iain Ballamy. The composers may not all be familiar to you but the styles will be.

The Celtic inspired Shannon Suite by Ciarán Farrell contrasts with atmospheric pieces from Poland and Australia by Marek Pasieczny and Stuart Greenbaum.

Bachianas Brasileras No. 5

Jazz inspired works by Andy Scott and Ulrich Schultheiss complete the programme. This programme has been previously performed at The Wigmore Hall, London and at the Sugar Club in Dublin.

View pluckblow for more sound samples.