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Jeff Richman

Jeff Richman's extensive professional background includes performing on guitar, composing, arranging and recording music in many genres, and teaching in academic and private settings. He has produced 16 solo albums and toured worldwide with notable musicians over a 35-year career.

Jeff is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston. As a student, he studied privately with Pat Metheny, Mick Goodrick and William Levitt and was influenced by talented classmates Mike Stern, Bill Frisell, Al DiMeola and Vinnie Colaiuta to name a few. After graduating, he lived and performed in New York City where he was further influenced by attending live performances of renowned legends Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Charlie Mingus, Ornette Coleman, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Charlie Haden, Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, Bill Evans, Dizzy Gillespie, Keith Jarret, Gil Evans, Chet Baker, McCoy Tyner, Joe Pass, Cannonball Adderley and Jim Hall. These early influences inspired Jeff and helped him to develop his own voice while striving to make his original compositions meaningful, purposeful, and with an honesty that comes from his heart. While in New York City Jeff performed with renowned Puerto Rican Conga player, Ray Barretto and composed four songs and performed guitar solos on Barretto's album "Can You Feel It" in 1978.

He later toured in the US with Flora Purim and Airto and played in live venues with several well-known artists such as Tom Harrel, Chico Hamilton, Deodato, Blood Sweat and Tears, Willie Bobo and Gerry Mulligan. In 1979 Jeff moved to Los Angeles and toured with Ronnie Laws and Doc Severnson’s band. The LA scene provided further opportunity to play with and record alongside talented artists such as Ernie Watts, Harvey Mason, T Lavitz, John Klemmer, Alfonse Mouzon, Henry Mancini, Mark Isham, Robbie Krieger and M’shell Ndugucello. Jeff wrote and produced hundreds of “library music” cuts in numerous genres which are played regularly on TV shows throughout the world.

Jeff has performed on a multitude of television and film projects, the most recent of which was under the direction of award-winning composer Jeff Beal for the film "Appaloosa" with actor Ed Harris. As Producer, Arranger and performing artist under the Tone Center record label, Jeff recorded and released 6 CD projects paying tribute to Santana, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Steely Dan, Miles Davis, Jeff Beck, and John Coltrane. Each CD showcases Jeff and other world class guitarists including Mike Stern, Robben Ford, and John Scofield.

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Radio & Podcasts

Progressive Rock From Arkitekture, Lalle Larsson And Taku Yabuki

Read "Progressive Rock From Arkitekture, Lalle Larsson And Taku Yabuki" reviewed by Len Davis


From Korea progressive rock with Arkitekture, Swedish pianist Lalle Larsson from Infinity Of Worlds, Japanese pianist Taku Yabuki, and German band Karaba. The newest from Jeff Richman with XYZ. plus greek band Technical Info, Hungarian group Djabe with Steve Hackett, Japanese band Side Steps and guitarist Atte Aho from Finland. Playlist Arkitekture “Dark Matter" from Rationalist Impetus (Merry Go Round) 00:00 Lalle Larsson “Otherworldly" from Infinity of Worlds (Reingold) 06:15 Taku Yabuki “Genesis" from Modern World Symphony (Gemstone) ...

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SoCal Jazz

Jeff Richman: Fresh & Formidable Fusion Pioneer

Read "Jeff Richman: Fresh & Formidable Fusion Pioneer" reviewed by Jim Worsley


When the name Jeff Richman enters the conversation, there is a good chance you have nested deeply into the fusion guitarist rabbit hole. Richman recently released his eighteenth studio album XYZ (Blue Canoe, 2023), to go along with six gorgeously respectful tribute records. Now 71, the Berklee College of Music grad, has etched his name in fusion history. His career, which includes composing, arranging, playing, teaching, and writing for television and movies, dates back to the late 1970's. After cutting ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Jeff Richman, Nick Llerandi, Anton Davidyants and Baiju Bhatt

Read "Jeff Richman, Nick Llerandi, Anton Davidyants and Baiju Bhatt" reviewed by Len Davis


New music from guitarist Jeff Richman, from Japan T Square, Nick Llerandi and Russian bassist Anton Davidyants. More from London Brew, plus live from Gyor with Djabe and Steve Hackett. Eastern sounds with Baiju Bhatt and Emma Rawicz. Playlist Jeff Richman “XYZ" from XYZ (Blue Canoe) 00:00 T Square “Megalith" from Welcome Back (Self Produced) 07:04 Nick Llerandi “Godshot" from Noe:The Shrike (Self Produced) 14:08 Anton Davidyants “Movement 4" from Avalanche (Jazzist) 21:13 London Brew “It's One of ...

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Album Review

Jeff Richman: XYZ

Read "XYZ" reviewed by Jim Worsley


XYZ could perhaps reference any number of things. Sparing us that rabbit hole, in this case it references boundaries pushed to their fullest extent with some exceptional new music from fusion guitarist Jeff Richman. Richman's previous release, Sizzle (Nefer Records 2017) was/is a record that lives up to its name. There is something to be said about not putting out a record every eighteen months, twenty-four months, or any other calendar-driven period. It would seem that Richman threw away the ...

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Album Review

Jeff Richman: Sizzle

Read "Sizzle" reviewed by Geannine Reid


Veteran modern jazz guitarist Jeff Richman will release his seventeenth solo project Sizzle on November 17, 2016. The project joins together longtime collaborators to form a tight-knit band that certainly shares a well-oiled chemistry; with Jimmy Haslip on bass and handling the production, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, George Whitty (keys/programming), and Gergo Borlai (drums/programming). Richman is given a stunning backdrop to convey his rich musical message. Sizzle has a wonderful guest line-up including: Jeff Beal (trumpet, flugelhorn), Taylor Eigsti (piano), ...

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Interview

Jeff Richman: Solo Artist, Entrepreneur, or Chatterbox?

Read "Jeff Richman: Solo Artist,  Entrepreneur, or Chatterbox?" reviewed by Phil DiPietro


Guitarist Jeff Richman has worked in the highest echelons of electric jazz for the last two decades, distinguishing himself over a productive career that has spawned more than twelve solo titles and twice as many guest appearances. Recently, he's found a new niche; mastermind producer / arranger / player / instigator of the electric jazz tribute/compilation. Jeff has spearheaded no fewer than three ripping, yet somehow discerning, paeans to Miles, 'Trane and Mahavishnu issued, it seems, en masse,in the last ...

535
Album Review

Jeff Richman & Friends: Fusion for Miles, A Guitar Tribute: A Bitchin' Brew

Read "Fusion for Miles, A Guitar Tribute: A Bitchin' Brew" reviewed by John Kelman


Trumpeter Miles Davis shifted gears so many times during his forty-year career that doing a proper tribute which covers the entire time frame represents a distinct challenge. Perhaps that's why many artists have focused on specific periods in their Miles tributes. Producer Gary Guthrie put a new spin on Kind of Blue with A New Kind of Blue, while trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith and guitarist Henry Kaiser's Yo Miles! project has released three sets inspired by Miles' '70s electric period. ...

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Recording

Jazz Guitarist Jeff Richman Announces New Release: Big Wheel

Jazz Guitarist Jeff Richman Announces New Release: Big Wheel

Source: Josh Vittek

Critic’s Choice award winner by Jazziz magazine 2011 for The Line Up “I'm groovin' on your record, it sounds great! I think your best one.” —Oz Noy “I’ve always love Jeff’s playing and his writing. This is a great CD. In fact, I think it’s his best so far.” —Mike Stern Hollywood, CA June 27, 2013 – Contemporary jazz guitarist Jeff Richman and Nefer Records announce the release of their latest CD, Big Wheel. This release is Richman’s 17th solo ...

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Performance / Tour

Richman, Brechtlein, Stubenhaus and Sirota at the Baked Potato

Richman, Brechtlein, Stubenhaus and Sirota at the Baked Potato

Source: Josh Vittek


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Recording

Jeff Richman's "The Line Up" Now In Stores

Jeff Richman's "The Line Up" Now In Stores

Source: Josh Vittek

Contemporary jazz guitarist Jeff Richman today announced the release of his new CD, Jeff Richman and Chatterbox: The Line Up. The Nefer Records release features Mitchel Forman on keyboards, Joel Taylor on drums and Dean Taba on bass guitar. The new CD is distributed by City Hall Records and songs are available online at iTunes, Amazon, Abstract Logix, and your local music stores. The Line Up consists of 12 new tracks exploring and expanding the boundaries of contemporary jazz. Together, ...

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Event

Jeff Richman CD Release Party for "The Line Up" at The Baked Potato on October 23rd

Jeff Richman CD Release Party for "The Line Up" at The Baked Potato on October 23rd

Source: Josh Vittek

Come out and join us! The night is going to be off the charts. We have Joel Taylor on drums, Mitch Forman on keys, Dean Taba on bass and Jeff Richman on guitar. Be the first to hear the new music critics are claiming to be their best work yet. Yes, it's that good. We'd love to have you out. Come hang with the band, chat with friends and just have a good time. October 23, 2011 Door opens at ...

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Recording

Jazz Guitarist Jeff Richman Announces New CD Release

Jazz Guitarist Jeff Richman Announces New CD Release

Source: Josh Vittek

Hollywood, CA—Contemporary jazz guitarist Jeff Richman today announced the release date of his upcoming CD, Jeff Richman and Chatterbox: The Line Up for October 18. The Nefer Records release is Richman's 16th solo project and features Mitchel Forman on keyboards, Joel Taylor on drums and Dean Taba on bass guitar. The new CD is distributed by City Hall Records and songs will be available online at iTunes, Amazon and other music websites. The Line Up consists of 12 new tracks ...

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Recording

Guitarist Jeff Richman Releases "Like That" Feat. Vinnie Colaiuta, Larry Goldings, Mitchel Forman, Will Kennedy, Et Al.

Guitarist Jeff Richman Releases "Like That" Feat. Vinnie Colaiuta, Larry Goldings,  Mitchel Forman, Will Kennedy, Et Al.

Source: Michael Bloom Media Relations

Like That (August 17 release/Nefer Records) is guitarist Jeff Richman's 15th solo release and delivers 10 hard-hitting, playful compositions with catchy melodies and a refreshingly modern sound. Richman continues to shine in his ability to write music with creative intricacy and sophistication, articulating his individual point of view. This time around, his guitar tone is deeper, more resonant, robust, and alive. Richman's style of playing complex changes fluidly over these infectious grooves will satisfy over many listenings. Like a musical ...

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

XYZ

Blue Canoe Records
2023

buy

The Moment - Live At...

Dash Hoffman Records
2021

buy

Stratosphere

Self Produced
2017

buy

Sizzle

Self Produced
2016

buy

Aqua

Self Produced
2008

buy

XYZ

From: XYZ
By Jeff Richman

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