My online portfolio of vocal solo features with Big Band.
Many of these charts are available. Contact me for more information:
eric@ericrichards.com

Eric Richards VOCAL FEATURES with BIG BAND

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 concert arrangement of Billy Strayhorn's quintessential jazz ballad was written for the late, great Dana Rogers-vocal soloist with the US Army Jazz Ambassadors. The live recording is from a 1992 (?) concert at Maryland Hall in Annapolis, MD and features a beautiful tenor saxophone solo from Vince Norman.

The chart is available at SHEET MUSIC DIRECT here:
https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1300539/Product.aspx

LUSH LIFE (Billy Strayhorn/arr. Eric Richards) VOCAL + BIG BAND

This is an energetic samba treatment of Michel Legrand's classic tune from the 1964 film The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. The live recording features Marva Lewis (vocal soloist), Pat Dillon (piccolo) and the US Army Jazz Ambassadors.

The chart is available at SHEET MUSIC DIRECT here:
https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1300447/Product.aspx

WATCH WHAT HAPPENS (Michel Legrand/arr. Eric Richards) VOCAL + BIG BAND

This funk treatment of the Porgy and Bess standard was written for the late, great Dana Rogers-vocal soloist with the US Army Jazz Ambassadors. It has been performed with great response all over the world:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6aP4xr2tl0

The chart is available at SHEET MUSIC DIRECT here:
https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1300531/Product.aspx

SUMMERTIME (George Gershwin & DuBose Heyward/arr. Eric Richards) VOCAL + BIG BAND

This new setting of Angel Eyes was written for the late, great Dana Rogers - vocal soloist with the US Army Jazz Ambassadors and was recorded in the late '90's. The track features a wonderful solo by Darryl Brenzel on alto saxophone.

The chart is available via UNC JAZZ PRESS here:
https://www.uncjazzpress.com/product-p/dl1114pdf.htm

ANGEL EYES (Matt Dennis & Earl Brent/arr. Eric Richards) VOCAL + BIG BAND

This straight-ahead treatment of the American Songbook tune was recorded by the late, great Dana Rogers and the US Army Jazz Ambassadors. Tenor saxophone solos are by Vince Norman and Pat Dillon.

The chart is available at UNC Jazz Press at this link:
https://www.uncjazzpress.com/product-p/dl1116pdf.htm

BLUE MOON (Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart/arr. Eric Richards) VOCAL + 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

YOU BECOME MY SONG (featuring JACKIE ALLEN)
Composed by Bobby Hutcherson
Lyrics by Hans Sturm
Arranged by Eric Richards

Some of the most enjoyable collaborations in my career have been with singers. I love working with good vocal musicians…their interpretation of text brings an invaluable added dimension to musical expression. In January of 2013, I had the great fortune of writing an arrangement for Jackie Allen, one of the most soulful, expressive vocal musicians I have ever had the pleasure of working with.

This arrangement was for Jackie’s guest artist appearance with the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra in early 2013 and is based on a composition by the great vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, originally titled ISN’T THIS MY SOUND AROUND ME. So that you can see our point of departure, here’s the original version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YDgzHuIZZ4

My good friend (and master bassist-improviser-pedagogue) Hans Sturm, happens to be Jackie’s husband. As a love song to her, he collaborated with Bobby to adapt this tune as a bossa and then created some of the most beautiful and evocative lyrics I’ve ever heard. They never fail to move me. 

A crisp cold night above the bright moon,
the scent of hyacynth in full bloom.
The taste of sweet and bitter fruit, 
a distant faint seductive flute,
let each moment touch your senses.
A song to lift you when you’re pensive.

The first few rays of summer sunrise,
the laugh that comes after the tears dry.
The touch of silk upon your skin,
the joy that only love can bring.
memories of sound embrace you gently.
And You Become My Song around me.

Dude, you’re a Renaissance Man. 

This is a live concert recording (i.e., a board mix) of the Nebraska Jazz Orchestra remixed by the great Tom Larson. You’ll hear Jackie’s solo vocal, a wonderfully soulful alto flute solo by Ed Love, and some beautiful Jobim-esque guitar comping by Peter Bouffard. It seems to me this track is ideal for enjoying a moment of reflection with your beverage of choice at sunset. For me, every time I hear this song, I feel a sense of gratitude to my Creator for the gift of music and the privilege to be part of it. 

ER




YOU BECOME MY SONG (Bobby Hutcherson & Hans Sturm/arr. Eric Richards) VOCAL + BIG BAND

Choir and Orchestra- New York POPS/TCU Concert Chorale/University Christian Church Choir
Vince Guaraldi
Arranged Curt Wilson

01 Christmas Time Is Here Wilson 1

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

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 contact him at:
eric@ericrichards.com

YOU BECOME MY SONG (Bobby Hutcherson & Hans Sturm/arr. Eric Richards) VOCAL + BIG BAND

Eric Richards Music

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