Since he graduated from London’s Guildhall School of Music, Richard has gone on to become one of London’s most versatile session players. He has recorded and played with diverse artists such as Michael Buble, Mark Ronson, Madness, Kyle Eastowood, Rebecca Ferguson, Dionne Bromfield, Candi Staton, Suzie Quattro, Tony Hadley, Kevin Rowland, Adriana Evans and Leroy Hutson. He has also toured with many soul legends such as The Funk Brothers, The Stylistics, James Ingram, Deniece Williams, Freda Payne, The Supremes, The Three Degrees, Ashford and Simpson, Martha Reeves, Peabo Bryson and The Temptations. Around London Richard plays with top funk outfits “Dotfunk”, and the PB Underground with the Hit Horns, and regularly plays with newly formed world music group “Bansangu Orchestra”.
Richard’s an outstanding musician and as most of his work is in London playing with all these outfits, it’s a rare treat to see him in Brighton in a quartet setting playing a selection of choice jazz standards including Wayne Shorter tunes and more! He’ll be using his tenor sax tonight and and will be accompanied by regulars Nick McGuigan on bass and myself on guitar.
Also tonight we have great drummer Tony Shepherd. I really enjoy Tony’s drum work especially his Latin side. We were in a Brazilian / Latin Jazz band 8 years ago playing Brazilian Choros and Sambas as part of Auro Quartet so hope to sneak some of that into the music! As well as being a drummer, Tony is a percussionist, keyboard player and songwriter who has played with the likes of Oasis (gigs and BBC TV’s Later with Jools Holland), Boo Hewerdine, Dave Stewart, Bobby Wellins, Jim Mullen and The Blues Corporation. He played Keys with The Bible, enjoying extensive TV, radio and live appearances in the UK and abroad, and was signed to Chrysalis Records as a recording artist and songwriter. He is a course leader at Brighton Institute of Modern Music (BIMM). In fact a lot of BIMM students regularly support the Friday jazz nights.
The music kicks off at 11pm until 1.30am, doors early, closing time 4am – free entry all night! Thanks to Jack Kendon, Loz Thomas, Nick McGuigan for a most enjoyable gig last week! It’s BBN Underneath the Greenhouse effect, 63 Church Rd, Hove, BN3 2BD.
