Ryan McGillicuddy

Associate Professor of Music, Double Bass
Area(s): Jazz and Commercial Music, Jazz Ensemble, Private Applied

Education

• MM, University of North Texas
• BM, University of North Texas

Profile

"The short time I've been here at MSU has been an energizing experience.  The faculty, students, and community have a great connectedness, and have been very welcoming to me. I am excited to be working with such talented and hardworking students in a growing music program, and look forward to building my relationships with the students, faculty, and community." 

Born in Houlton, Maine, to a musical family, Ryan McGillicuddy developed a love for music at an early age. Ryan began studying piano at age 5 and moved on to the guitar and electric bass at age 11. Although he was largely self-taught on bass, Ryan began attending summer jazz workshops at age 13. It was here that he became familiar with the jazz tradition, receiving instruction from such notable musicians as Ben Street, George Garzone and Chuck Findley. After graduating high school, Ryan furthered his studies at the University of North Texas, receiving his Masters in 2003. It was at North Texas that Ryan began playing the upright bass, which quickly became his instrument of choice.  At North Texas he studied under noted bassists Fred Hamilton, John Adams, and Lynn Seaton. During his studies at North Texas he was able to accompany such jazz legends as Benny Green, Pete Christlieb, Matt Wilson, Bill Charlap, Ignacio Berroa, Ed Soph, Dan Hearle, Stephan Karlsson and many more.  He continued his studies in Los Angeles with the legendary bassist John Clayton. 

Ryan has enjoyed a vibrant professional career.  He has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Greg Osby,  Russel Ferrante, Larry Goldings, Peter Erskine, Joe Labarbera, Anthony Wilson, Antonio Hart, Bob Shepard, Victor Goines, Marchel Ivery, Bill Cunliffe, Larry Koonse, Karriem Riggins, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Bill Holman Orchestra, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, the Alan Ferber Nonet, Kate McGarry, Sara Gazarek, Freda Payne, and the list goes on.  He has over 100 recording credits, including television and movies, and has toured extensively in the United States, Asia, and Europe.  

In 2012 Ryan was invited to serve on the faculty of Kyung Hee University in South Korea. While in Korea, he has enjoyed an active concert/touring schedule while diving into the burgeoning Korean music scene, composing and performing with his own original quartet project in Korea, as well as various stateside projects. 

In February 2015 Ryan released "Boots and Boots" on LAJC records, his first recording as a leader, featuring his original compositions with Peter Erskine and Vardan Ovsepian rounding out the trio. Ryan also continues to write/play for original projects such as the pianoless trio "3-ish", and the Los Angeles-based original project "Sigmund Fudge".  Ryan is also a founding member of the composer/performer organization "The Los Angeles Jazz Collective", a group dedicated to promoting and creating greater public appreciation for improvised music through education and cooperative efforts.