Eric Richards

STATS Rank: 5,148 Fans: 1 Views: 4,332

Born: July 21, 1953 Primary Instrument: Bass, electric

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.

Last Updated: September 24, 2009

1981 Dudu Pukwana: Sounds Zila
1983 Zila: Life in Bracknell and Willisau
1986 Dudu Pukwana: Zila 86
1989 Lloyd Ryan: Circular Storm
1989 Dudu Pukwana's Zila: Harambe Africa - War on Want
1990 Dudu Pukwana: Cosmics Chapter 90
1991 Stick Jam: Stick Jam
1995 Die Big-Band der Stadt Hamm: Die "Hammer" Big-Band
1998 Selma Garcia: Smilin' Samba
1999 rocksiechor!: She's got it
2001 "Crazy" Chris Kramer and friends Vol. 1 - Guarantee for the Blues
2003 "Crazy" Chris Kramer and friends Vol. 3 - Guarantee for the Blues - second set
2003 rocksiechor!: splash!
2004 IGEL-RECORDS: Der Bär auf dem Seil
2004 Soulful Swinging Singers: Praise The Lord!
2004 Jan Bierther Team: Der will nur spielen
2005 IGEL-RECORDS: Kindergarten Geschichten
2005 Inez Timmer : nichts haut mich um... Inez Timmer singt Cole Porter 2005 jan bierther trio & gäste : jazz in der fabrik 2007 Pott Pack : Kowalski Drive 2008 20 Jahre Hammer Bigband feat. Bobby Shew

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