Richard Underhill
Richard Underhill's wonderful warm alto sound, great writing and arranging skills and in-from-the-outside soloing make him one of Canada's most distinctive jazz
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Richard Underhill's wonderful warm alto sound, great writing and arranging skills and in-from-the-outside soloing make him one of Canada's most distinctive jazz performers. Richard won a 2003 Juno Award for his jazz solo debut 'Tales from the Blue Lounge' and was nominated for the Prix du Jazz at the 2003 Montreal Jazz Festival. The founding member of Toronto's acclaimed Shuffle Demons, he has toured Europe and Canada to critical acclaim for over 22 years. A truly original jazz composer and arranger, Richard's exciting original music captivates audiences with singable melodies, outstanding musicianship and engaging performances. His new album 'Moment in Time' is a fan favourite and has garnered significant critical acclaim.
Richard has performed and recorded with The Neville Brothers/Meters, Han Bennink, Julius Hemphil, Dr. John, Kathleen Edwards, Taj Mahal, Maria Muldar, Rob McConnell, Molly Johnson, Blue Rodeo, Andy Stochansky, Hawksley Workman, The Sadies, Luke Doucet, Bobby Wiseman, Soul Rebels, the Mighty PoPo, Paul Cram, Kevin Breit, the Hemispheres Orchestra, NOMA and Toronto jazz stalwarts like Reg Schwager, Jake Langley, Steve Koven, Ron Davis, Wayne Cass, Tyler Yareema, Tory Cassis, and George Koller. In demand as a session player and sideman, he has written horn and string arrangements for Kathleen Edwards, Molly Johnson, Andy Stochansky, Hawksley Workman, Blue Rodeo, Bobby Wiseman, Big Rude Jake and Lorraine Segato. He leads several diverse groups including his jazz quintet, the Funk Explosion and the improvising electronic groove ensemble Astrogroove.Have you performed in front of an audience?All the time...
Your musical influences
Wayne Shorter, Art Ensemble of Chicagio, Cecil Taylor, Lester Bowie, Gonzalo Rubacalba, Brian Blade, Brad Mehldau, Keith Jarrett, Henry Threadgill, Dave Brubeck - my first jazz album was 'Time Out', Herbie Hancock - my second jazz album was 'Headhunters', Sun Ra ( I saw him at the squat theatre in NYC when I was 16, I'll never forget Marshall Allen's rendition of 'My Old Flame'...Life changing., Charles Mingus - love his blues based compositions and passionate uncompromising playing, World Sax Quartet - always have liked these guys, hey I'm a sax player! Combine rhythmic playing with free and classical influence, and of course the blues., Thelonious Monk - for his wonderful effortless compositions that go straight to the heart of jazz harmony and remain completely singable, John Coltrane - he set the bar very high, Bird - cause I'm an alto player. I love him, but hate the fact that I hear him in my playing. can't help it!, Eric Dolphy - for his angular lines and bop no matter what note you're playing style, Sonny Rollins - simple is good, melody is good, repetition is good, sonny is great, Rhassan Roland Kirk- unbelievable that he could do what he did, Pharoah Sanders - for his watery vibrato, Fraser MacPherson - smooth as silk, Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Arnette Cobb, Lester Young - why don't I play tenor?, Ornette Coleman - Bird on acid, Don Cherry - opened for him at the Outside In festival, The art ensemble of Chicago, Cecil Taylor - Love his solo Shows, Abdullah Ibrahim - The richness of his voicings,
Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra - my 3rd jazz album was a swing compilation, Old and New Dreams - wonderful band, Charlie Haden, Foday Musa Suso, Paul Desmond, Medeski Martin and Wood
Toronto,
Canada
ID
497620
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