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Matt Richards

Born and raised in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, guitarist Matt Richards grew up in the culturally fertile cross-currents of the late 1960s. His musical pathway opens in the mix of folk, rock and psychedelic music that defined that decade and eventually guides him into the hyperactive jazz-fusion of the 1970s. Initially a self-taught player, Matt began earnestly developing the technically advanced musical abilities necessary to be part of that highly-energized genre. As his musicianship developed, he discovered straight-ahead jazz and classical music and began incorporating the acoustic guitar in various projects. He assimilated Spanish, Latin American and various world influences while developing a unique fingerstyle approach to solo guitar.

With his acoustic performances, Matt gathers musical styles and influences together to create his unique approach to solo guitar. He has been featured as a solo artist on a variety of televised programs, including Miles of Music and Puerto Rican Panorama. Matt performed on-screen in the independent film Smoke And Mirrors. He has been featured at the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival, the Frankford Arts Festival, the NAMM Winter and Summer Shows, the Montreal Guitar Show, One Month Festival of South Korea, Daniel Pearl Music Days and Welcome America celebrations. In 2015, Matt established the locally-based Solo Guitar On A Saturday Morning series.

Matt has also worked with a range of artists, including Phyllis Chapell, Mike Clark, Larry Coryell, Joey DeFrancesco, Kenwood Dennard, Jay Katz, Essra Mohawk, Herbie Nix, Elio Villafranca, Bobby Zankel and Bill Zola. He has played in support for Peppino D'Agostino, Richie Havens, Phil Keaggy, Dave Mason and Paco Pena.

A current faculty member at the Ambler Music Academy, Matt has served as Head of Faculty at the FrankfordStyle School for Creative Arts and Music Program Director for Zanaras Music Stores. In collaboration with Kenwood Dennard, he has conducted workshops at Berklee College. Matt's guitar-based workshops and masterclasses focus on playing techniques, arranging and performing.

'Balance', released in 2017, features Matt in an all-solo-guitar setting, performing his own compositions and the music of Luis Bonfa, Lennon and McCartney and John Coltrane.

For his upcoming release 'Power Trio Project' Matt returns to the electric guitar and is joined by bass guitarist Tony Donato and drummer Paul Albrecht.

Awards

Lafayette Hill Business Association Best of 2016 award Lafayette Hill Business Association Best of 2017 award

Gear

Hagstrom Swede (1975) Godin Glissentar (11-string fretless) LaPatrie Classical Cutaway Lowden mini-jumbo acoustic Hagstrom Viking (mid-1970s) John Pearse Strings Lab series amplifiers Various effects, pedals and accessories


Tags

12
Album Review

Lia Booth & Jason "Spicy G" Goldman: There's Only One

Read "There's Only One" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Southern California-based saxophonist, songwriter and award-winning producer Jason “Spicy G" Goldman, presents There's Only One, an engaging encore performance to his previously well-received album Hypnotized (2020, Self-Produced). This offering provides a selection of re-imagined standards supported by a core septet, plus the addition of violins and cello on selected tracks, that manages to produce a large ensemble sound affirming the axiom “the little big band that could." Complementing the music here is Goldman's collaboration with the vibrant young vocalist Lia ...

6
Album Review

Jason "Spicy G" Goldman: Hypnotized

Read "Hypnotized" reviewed by Edward Blanco


An award-winning producer, songwriter, composer, arranger, educator and multi-instrumentalist, Jason Goldman (aka “Spicy G") presents the EP Hypnotized, delivering another enchanting masterpiece production of music from The Great American Songbook. Best known for his collaboration with Michael Bublé, Goldman's credits extend to writing and arranging for the likes of David Foster, Herbie Hancock and Meghan Trainor as well as performing with Terence Blanchard, Michael Feinstein and jazz giant Wayne Shorter.On this project, Goldman takes a new look at ...

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145

Recording

Matt Richards' "Trio" Now Available on CD Baby

Matt Richards' "Trio" Now Available on CD Baby

Source: Michael Ricci

Matt Richards' most recent release Trio is now available at CDBaby.com. The CD features Matt with his straight-ahead trio (Dave Kaczorowski - upright bass and Mike Morelli - drums) in a live performance at Chris' Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia PA. “It was one of those 'right place at the right time' situations when we did this date," Matt reveals. “Mike was actually subbing for our regular drummer and we didn't have the chance to get any original material together--I had ...

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Performance / Tour

Matt Richards at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, 12/18

Matt Richards at World Cafe Live in Philadelphia, 12/18

Source: All About Jazz

JAZZ / ACOUSTIC MUSIC / SOLO GUITARIST MATT RICHARDS PLAYS WORLD CAFE LIVE 12/18

On Sunday evening, December 18th, guitarist Matt Richards will be featured in a solo performance at World Caf Live, 3025 Walnut Street in Philadelphia. Sets begin at 7:00pm. There is no cover charge.

Drawing upon nearly 30 years of jazz, classical and world music experience, Matt has evolved an eclectic but highly musical identity, what one listener calls “solo guitar with a world of influences". Improvisation, ...

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"Matt's album 'Balance' is really well-done — it's some of his best work. In particular, his rendition of the Black Orpheus theme is a masterpiece. " Larry Coryell ************* "The Matt Richards Group does not play your grandfather's brand of jazz, unless that patriarch happens to be John McLaughlin. The energized sound his trio produces is most definitely 21st century and their collective interaction borders on psychic. Whether on six-string guitar or a fretless 11-string hybrid, Richards is truly a guitarist's guitarist." Jazztimes.com ************* "Impossible to define and largely improvisational...

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Primary Instrument

Guitar

Location

Philadelphia

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

As a result of the pandemic I am now teaching all students online. I regularly utilize Zoom, Skype and What's App for online lessons. For further details, including rates and scheduling, please contact me directly: [email protected].

Clinic/Workshop Information

Drawing upon over 38 years of playing music and 20 years of teaching guitar, Matt Richards conducts both workshops and masterclasses for groups and provides personal musical instruction for individuals at all levels of musical ability. In his workshops, Matt provides insight into the mechanics of playing the guitar and the factors utilized to create music

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Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

There's Only One

Self Produced
2022

buy

Power Trio Project

FingerMusic
2021

buy

Hypnotized

Self Produced
2020

buy

Balance

FingerMusic
2017

buy

As You Are

FingerMusic
2012

buy
Solo guitar https://soundcloud.com/matt-richards-65/sets/solo-acoustic-guitar Power Trio Jazz Project https://soundcloud.com/matt-richards-65/sets/matt-richards-power-trio-jazz Duos https://soundcloud.com/matt-richards-65/sets/matt-richards-tony-hughes

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