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John Richmond
Jazz writers and musicians have described his tenor saxophone sound as "big and round", "full bodied", "muscular" and his style as "fluid, solid, individual, quite varied", and he "plays with harmonic intelligence." John Richmond's live engagements and recording sessions have included work with many of the top jazz musicians of our time.
He performs regularly at the Turning Point Cafe in Piermont, NY where there is an ongoing Jazz series, "Jazz at the Turning Point Cafe" that includes Monday Open Jazz sessions and a Jazz Concert series at which many notable jazz artists perform.
A new CD is in the works.
The CD “Live at Cecil’s” was recorded in January 2007 and features Keith Saunders, Bill Moring and Eliot Zigmund.
His early recording as leader, "Round Once," on Consolidated Artists, featured pianist Mike Longo, bassist Buster Williams, and drummer Al Harewood, received favorable critical reviews and radio air play and was a "feature pick" of Cash Box magazine. Among his varied recording credits, he has appeared on two CDs by bassist Ray Drummond, "Maya's Dance" and "Vignettes."
He has worked in countless NYC venues and spent time living in Italy and performing all over Europe including the Umbria Jazz and San Remo Jazz Festivals. He was involved with Umbria Jazz in the early 80's where he also worked with the jazz clinics.
Born and raised in the New York City area, having lived on E. 15th St. for years, his musical studies began at age nine with clarinet. After studies at the Eastman School of Music in both saxophone and clarinet, he graduated from the Manhattan School of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree. His musical training has included studies with Joe Allard, his principal teacher, as well as Dave Tofani, Charles Russo, Harvey Estrin, Mike Longo, David A. Gross, Ramon Ricker, Tim Price.
He is a multi woodwind player including flute, clarinet, soprano, alto and baritone saxophones in addition to his main voice, the tenor saxophone.
He grew up in a culturally diverse environment and was exposed to classical music and soul music and rhythm and blues in his youth. His major influences include Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Dexter Gordon, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Bela Bartok, Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, BB King, and R & B artists such as James Brown.
“I was so blown away and inspired when I first heard Charlie Parker that I had to become an alto player. Later, I began to really hear John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter and Joe Henderson and I eventually switched over because I kept hearing the tenor in my mind.”
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John Richmond, Allen Farnham, Bill Moring and Steve Johns at The Turning Point Cafe
by David A. Orthmann
John Richmond, Allen Farnham, Bill Moring, Steve Johns The Turning Point Cafe Piermont, NY June 7, 2021 The return of Monday night jazz at The Turning Point Café felt like good old times. The series has been running since 2007 and the last date was March 9, 2020. In addition to an air of anticipation prior to the opening set, familiar, reassuring signs were in evidence. An aging trumpeter sat at a table blowing into ...
read moreJohn Richmond at The Turning Point Cafe
by David A. Orthmann
John Richmond The Turning Point Cafe Annual Gemini Birthday Bash Piermont, NY June 10, 2019 The night began with a question of the identity of an alto saxophonist on a Miles Davis recording that was playing on The Turning Point Café's sound system. John Richmond, tenor saxophonist and the Monday Jazz Sessions curator, put pre-set preparation on hold, grabbed his cell phone and found a wifi hotspot in the semi-basement space to search for ...
read moreJohn Richmond at Cecil's Jazz Club
by David A. Orthmann
John Richmond Cecil's Jazz Club West Orange, NJ April 17, 2009
John Richmond's recent two night stand at Cecil's Jazz Club is the latest chapter in his evolving relationship with Bob DeVos. The saxophonist and guitarist have appeared together on a couple of occasions over the past year at The Turning Point Cafe, as part of the Monday night jazz series. Richmond and DeVos are insightful interpreters of selections from the jazz canon, ...
read moreJohn Richmond: Creating A Scene For Quality Jazz
by David A. Orthmann
Originating the Monday night jazz series at New York's The Turning Point Cafe in October of 2007, tenor and soprano saxophonist John Richmond created a space where mature jazz artists can play in the company of stylistically compatible peers.
Distractions--theme-oriented programming, promotional gimmicks, or hoopla of any kind--are conspicuously absent. A refreshing lack of pretense and consistently high quality of music are bolstered by Richmond's easygoing rapport with his audience. Here, Richmond discusses the nuts and bolts of ...
read moreJohn Richmond at The Turning Point Cafe
by David A. Orthmann
John Richmond The Turning Point Cafe Piermont, NY July 14, 2008 A few months ago I started reviewing sets performed at The Turning Point Cafe, a small, intimate club which features jazz on Monday nights. The common denominator of the shows is tenor and soprano saxophonist John Richmond, who also serves as the series curator. Although I kept coming back to the club ostensibly to hear veteran saxophonists like Bobby Porcelli and ...
read moreSaxophonist John Richmond Interviewed at AAJ
Source:
All About Jazz
When he originated the Monday night jazz series at The Turning Point Cafe in October of 2007, tenor and soprano saxophonist John Richmond created a space where mature jazz artists can play in the company of stylistically compatible peers.
Distractions like theme-oriented programming, promotional gimmicks, or hoopla of any kind are conspicuously absent. There's a refreshing lack of pretense, with a consistently high quality of music bolstered by Richmond's easygoing rapport with his audience.
AAJ Contributor David Orthmann spoke with ...
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John Richmond QT-Turning Point Cafe Mon Jan 28 and Cecil's Fri and Sat Feb 1-2
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
MONDAY JAZZ at the Turning Point Cafe 468 Piermont Ave. Piermont, N.Y. 10968 (845) 359-1089 Monday January 28 Saxophonist John Richmond Quartet John Hart, guitar, Mike McGuirk, bass, Steve Johns, drums Cecil's Jazz Club Friday and Saturday February 1 and 2 John Richmond Quartet Michael Cochrane, piano, Chip Jackson, bass Steve Johns, drums, John Richmond, tenor and soprano saxophones 9pm-1am 364 Valley ...
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Monday Jazz at the Turning Point Cafe, Piermont, NY - December Schedule
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
MONDAY JAZZ at the Turning Point Cafe Great atmosphere, menu, and prices Jazz Every Monday 8pm-11pm Monday January 7, 2008 Saxophonist John Richmond Quartet John Hart, guitar, Bill Moring, bass, Tim Horner, drums Monday January 14, 2008 Saxophonist Tim Armacost Quartet Matt Wilson, drums Mike McGuirk, bass Matt Shulman, trumpet Mondays January 21 and 28 Saxophonist John Richmond Quartet Monday February 4 ...
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Monday Jazz at the Turning Point Cafe, Piermont, NY - December Schedule
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
Great atmosphere, menu and prices Jazz Every Monday 8pm-11 pm Monday December 17 Saxophonist John Richmond Quartet John Hart, guitar Bill Moring, bass Tim Horner, drums 468 Piermont Ave. Piermont, N.Y. 10968 845-359-1089 Monday Jazz at the Turning Point Cafe will be on holiday break Mon Dec 24 and Dec 31. Check club website for other musical events. Happy Holidays! See you back on Mon January 7! Also ...
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Monday Jazz at the Turning Point Cafe, Piermont, NY - December Schedule
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
MONDAY JAZZ at the Turning Point Cafe in Piermont, N.Y. 468 Piermont Ave. Piermont, N.Y. 10968 Great atmosphere and menu Live Jazz Every Monday 8-11 pm (845) 359-1089 Monday Dec 3 Trumpeter Mark Morganelli & The Jazz Forum All-Stars Vic Juris, guitar, Nilson Matta, bass, Steve Johns, drums Mark brings a consistent energy and love of the music ... As a musician, he also brings a deep knowledge ...
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Monday Jazz at the Turning Point Cafe, Piermont, NY-John Richmond QT
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
MONDAY JAZZ at the Turning Point Cafe Piermont, N.Y. Great atmosphere and menu Live Jazz Every Monday 8-11 pm Monday November 26 tenor saxophonist John Richmond Quartet John Hart, guitar Bill Moring, bass Tim Horner, drums ...solid, contemporary, individual, quite varied..." Owen Cordle, JazzTimes ...a fine tenor player...fluid... a genuine ...
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John Richmond QT with George Cables, Bill Moring, Steve Johns-Sweet Rhythm-Wed Sept 12
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
Tenor and soprano saxophonist John Richmond Quartet return engagement
Sweet Rhythm Wednesday September 12, 2007 Sets 8pm and 10pm
with: George Cables, piano Bill Moring, bass Steve Johns, drums
88 Seventh Avenue South (at Bleecker St) New York, NY 10014 (212) 255-3626
Saxophonist John Richmond was one of the most promising young voices on his instrument when he emerged in the eighties playing with the bands ...
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John Richmond Quartet at Sweet Rhythm-Tomorrow-Wed 3-21-8PM and 10 PM
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
John Richmond Quartet at Sweet Rhythm Wednesday March 21st Sets 8PM and 10PM
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
John Richmond Quartet Friday, Jan 5 at Cecil's
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
RE: recent Newark Star-Ledger article by Zan Stewart
Richmond is the real thing. I've caught him several times at The Turning Point Cafe and he's taken care of business on the bandstand with the likes of Dave Schnitter, Jerry Weldon, Bobby Porcelli, and Walt Weiskopf. The Cecil's gig [April 17-18 09] is of special interest because Richmond has worked a couple of times with [Bob]DeVos and has a good rapport with the guitarist and Steve Johns.
John Richmond
The Turning Point Cafe
Piermont, NY
July 14, 2008
A few months ago I started reviewing sets performed at The Turning Point Cafe, a small, intimate club which features jazz on Monday nights. The common denominator of the shows is tenor and soprano saxophonist John Richmond, who also serves as the series curator. Although I kept coming back to the club ostensibly to hear veteran saxophonists like Bobby Porcelli and David Schnitter interact with first rate rhythm sections, it was Richmond's solos that always stayed in my mind.
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