Excerpt of live performance by Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra

Reverberations - excerpt

Alto Sax solo w/ Strings, harp, and rhythm section.
Arr. Curt Wilson

01 Triste

I'm going to start calling these improvisations, Rhapstudies. A rhapsody is an instrumental musical piece of irregular form incorporating improvisation. However, these pieces lack the euphoria, bliss, or ecstasy of rhapsodies. They are, despite their lack of a predetermined form, studies. I'm exploring the sound of the instrument, the room, the mics, various approaches to the improvisation. I'm carving out a path as I go, with no particular destination in mind, but only to explore what is interesting along the way. Hence, Rhapstudies.

On the practical side, I am usually very constrained in terms of the time I can spend working on music. I have to get things done quickly and efficiently. If you care to, you can check out some of my earlier work over which I have labored for months or years and to which I still go back to see about improving. This approach forces me to accomplish a certain amount of path-finding and bypasses, for better or worse, most self-doubt and self-censoring. I need to get something done, and I have little time in which to do it.

I do very much love the process, and have to credit my fellow improvisers/explorers from my time in Santa Fe for their encouragement and fellowship: Sandy Brown (why can't I tag on this page??), Jonathan Hill, Dave Nielsen, Al Faaet, and the late Jack Fishman in particular, though certainly not exclusively. Now I find myself alone in my musical journey, and it's more daunting. I must rely on my own wits. But, given that the real goal is to make the most of this moment, I am delighted to be able to continue on the path (or lack thereof) and am always thrilled to see what's around the next bend.

One more thought: I do also present these pieces with the idea that another artist just might want to grab a little something and make something completely different out of it. Sandy Brown requested some accordion and melodica for his use at future improv sessions. I am delighted to oblige. Now I'm off and running and will continue to spontaneously create as often as possible and share the process with all of you.

Well, with that rambling preamble (not unlike some of this recent music) I present to you, Rhapsody #3. Recorded on my 6' Weber grand piano using a pair of those cheap Chinese CAD GXL2200 gold diaphragm condenser mics. The only effects are a bit of stereo widening and limiting/dithering. No EQ, no reverb. Again, it's a study. So, enjoy. Or not. I'll entertain comments of any kind. Challenge my philosophy; it will only help me sharpen my game. I might try to expand this at some point with video. Maybe even do a livestream. Sound interesting? Let me know. Cheers, mates!

Rhapstudy #3

This live 2007 recording of my take on the Louis Armstrong classic features the great Jon Faddis in concert with the New Trier High School Jazz Ensemble. The band was directed by the legendary Jim Warrick. 

It goes without saying that Jon (along with the rest of this amazing band) sounds incredible.

WHEN IT'S SLEEPYTIME DOWN SOUTH (Rene, Rene, & Muse/arr. Eric Richards) BIG BAND

The First Noel and Joy to The World

The University of Nebraska Jazz Orchestra plays my arrangement of Nature Boy. Influenced by Kurt Elling's quartet version. Featuring Mike Dee on Soprano, Nick Johnson on Drums, and Russell Zimmer killing that lead trumpet.

Nature Boy

I composed this shuffle for big band as part of the "Red Sketches" suite for Messiah College. The edited recording heard here is by the IUP Jazz Ensemble. Envision Calvin and Hobbes out for a ride.

Little Red Wagon

Idle Spies is:

Chris Varga - vibes
Clark Sommers - bass
Matt Carroll - drums

Re - Solving

This new setting of the well-known tune from the musical "OKLAHOMA" was commissioned by the US Army Jazz Ambassadors in 2007 and was intended to be a concert opener. The recording is a live take by some friends of mine -  "The Area 51 Big Band". Enjoy!

OH, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING! (comp. Rodgers & Hammerstein/arr. Eric Richards)

All tracks recorded on this arrangement except the rhythm section, were recorded by me on a Yamaha WX7 and a Vl70 synth unit with the "turbo" chip, the Bari sax is the sample modeling " Sax Brothers" Bari.   A bulk of my commercial work is now done on windsynth and this kind of playing is a seriously lot of fun.

Christmas Overture

Groovin Hard. Pretty good guitar solo. Just fun music!

The Funk

A native of Pittsburgh and currently residing in the great state of Wyoming, Eric Richards is a versatile and widely performed composer/arranger, conductor, trombonist and educator active in a broad range of musical media and genres. As a composer who defines himself as a “contemporary American eclectic”, he has written music for groups ranging from rural high school marching bands to chamber music ensembles to nationally recognized wind ensembles, big bands, and symphony orchestras. Eric’s work as a composer/arranger and trombonist has been heard worldwide in performances recordings by professional and academic ensembles in major concert venues across the United States, Europe, Asia and India to include: 
• The US Army Field Band and Jazz Ambassadors 
• The USAF Band and the Airmen of Note
 • The US Army Band (Pershing's Own) and the Army Blues 
• The US Marine Band (The President's Own) 
• The US Navy Band and the Navy Commodores 
• The USAF Brass in Blue (Offutt AFB) with guest soloist Joseph Alessi (NY Philharmonic) 
• The National Symphony Orchestra
 • The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
 • The Boston Pops  Orchestra
• The New World Symphony Brass Ensemble with guest soloist Ian Bousfield
• The University of North Texas Wind Ensemble
 • The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Jazz Orchestra “2.0” and Wind Ensemble 
• The California State University-Long Beach Concert Jazz Orchestra
• The University of Northern Colorado Jazz Lab Band I
• The Hall High School Concert Jazz Band (West Hartford, CT) 

Concert venues include: Carnegie Hall (New York), the Midwest Clinic (Chicago) and the Montreux, Nice, and North Sea Jazz Festivals. Recent engagements as a guest composer, conductor and teacher include residencies or commissions at: 
• Washington State University
• Shanghai Conservatory of Music
• Taipei Jazz Orchestra
• Winona State University
• Wyoming Jazz Educators Big Band
• Yellowstone Jazz Camp 
• Lamont School of Music (University of Denver)
• Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra (Denver, CO)
• The Omaha Youth Symphony 
• The Metropolitan Area Youth Jazz Orchestra (Omaha, NE)
• Colorado Christian University

From 1984 – 2004, Eric served as Composer/Arranger with The United States Army Field Band, the Army’s premiere touring musical organization based near Washington DC. His works for jazz orchestra, wind ensemble, symphony orchestra, and voices were heard by audiences worldwide. He honorably retired at the decorated rank of Master Sergeant (E-8). Eric earned the Doctor of Musical Arts (Composition) degree from the University of Maryland at College Park where he studied with Mark Wilson and Robert Gibson. He holds the Master of Music (Composition) and Bachelor of Science (Music Education) degrees from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh where he studied with John “Doc” Wilson, Joseph Willcox Jenkins, and Matty Shiner. 

A regularly commissioned composer-arranger, Eric is available to answer inquiries regarding commissions. Please note that his production schedule develops as much as two years in advance. To inquire about commissions and explore his music further, please visit www.ericrichards.com.


WHEN IT'S SLEEPYTIME DOWN SOUTH (Rene, Rene, & Muse/arr. Eric Richards) BIG BAND

Eric Richards Music

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