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Eric Richards

I was born in 1953 in Alnwick, a small market town in Northumberland, about thirty miles both from the Scottish border to the north and the city of Newcastle upon Tyne to the south. After leaving school I spent one year at the City of Leeds College of Music and then went on to Durham University where I studied Music (along with Biblical Studies and Indian Civilisation - a General B.A.) and finally did a diploma course in Jazz and Light music at the Newcastle College of Arts and Technology. Shortly after ending my studies I moved to London where I found that the experience, that I had gathered in the clubs and pubs of the north east was enough to get my career in the capital started. Within a short time I had work with dance orchestras, in recording studios, in theatres and pubs, in TV and radio and was freelancing on the London jazz scene. From 1980 -1991 I played many international jazz festivals, radio and television shows as well as touring from Africa to Sweden with the Afro jazz band Dudu Pukwana's Zila (south Africa / Great Britain). In 1984 I played a British tour with Gloria Gaynor.

Since 1990 I have been living in Germany and have played some musicals e.g. Oklahoma! (original Broadway version), Jesus Christian Superstar (New York production) and Starlight Express (Bochum). I have played for numerous artists e.g. Ute Lemper, Max Greger, Roberto Blanco, Drafi Deutscher. In 1993 I was engaged at Le Cabaret au Casino in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

I have also written an educational book - The Music Factory ( Faber Music, London 1993) and taught at colleges and workshops (e.g. Goldsmith's College, University of London (1980-1985) Brighton Rock (1988 to 1991).

Currently playing jazz with Jan Bierther, Inez Timmer, Tore Down House and Pott Pack.

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