David Richards

David Richards

David Richards is a musician, composer, arranger and teacher from Forest Hills, New York. He begins studying saxophone in 1971, at the age of nine, and his early experience of jazz comes in 1974 through his junior high school big band, where he hears older players improvising. He then starts listening to, transcribing and performing jazz, with early influences including Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt and John Coltrane.

Early work and instruments

In 1974, Richards begins professional work playing school dances and private parties in his first band, Stretch and the Rubber Bands. He expands his woodwind range in 1977 by adding flute and clarinet, and becomes a doubler on flute, G flute, piccolo, clarinet, bass clarinet and chromatic harmonica.

Education and New York work

Richards receives a music scholarship to St. Bonaventure University in 1980 and graduates in 1984. From 1984 to 1987, he is active on the Manhattan jazz scene, leading his own quartet and performing with Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Jaco Pastorius, Arnie Lawrence, Joey Calderazzo and Clem DeRosa. During this period he also studies with Dave Liebman and Lawrence Feldman.

Brazil and later activity

In 1991, Richards moves to São Paulo, Brazil, to continue studying Afro-Brazilian rhythms, and lives and works there through 2003. Over the course of his career he performs, composes, arranges and teaches, and appears at jazz festivals in Brazil, the United States, Europe and Africa. He also fronts groups with varied instrumentation and styles. At one point he is seen in the stage production Movin’ Out at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York.

Associated act

Richards is associated with The Neo-SF Choir.