This is a live recording of the great Paul Haar, Associate Professor of Saxophone and Director of Jazz Studies at the Glenn Korff School of Music, University of Nebraska-Lincoln performing my big band arrangement of Tom Harrell's beautiful composition SAIL AWAY. This unedited live take features the Amazonia Jazz Band of Belem, Brazil-Dr. Nelson Neves, director. There is nothing like Brazilian musicians performing a Brazilian groove!


SAIL AWAY (Tom Harrell/arr. Eric Richards) BIG BAND

A YULETIDE RHAPSODY
(Saxophone solo with wind ensemble)
Many years ago, in a galaxy far, far away…I was asked to write a “classical” saxophone solo based on Christmas/Holiday themes for the US Army Field Band. It had to be recognizable and  “accessible” (no digital effects, lion’s roars, or trips to IKEA for bowls, pans, and various other accoutrements typical of contemporary band music). So…here ya go. It’s essentially a set of themes and variations on Angels We Have Heard On High, Veni Emmanuel, and We Three Kings of Orient Are. After the first read-through, my musical brother Tom Puwalski renamed the third tune to “We Three Kings of La Mancha.” Once you hear it, you’ll dig.

So sit back, sip some eggnog, tighten up that neck strap, throw a few more Vandoren #3’s on the fire and enjoy this fine recording by the USAF Heritage of America Band conducted by my friend LTC (ret) Doug Monroe. The featured soloist was SrA Tag Tuck.

YULETIDE RHAPSODY (Eric Richards) SAXOPHONE and WIND ENS.

An original march for brass and percussion commissioned in 2012 by the USAF Brass In Blue, formerly at Offutt AFB, Nebraska to be the official march of the US Strategic Command.

GLOBAL DEFENSE FANFARE and MARCH (comp. Eric Richards)-Brass

O COME, O COME EMMANUEL
(from A Yuletide Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble) by Eric Richards

The USAF Heritage of America Band, Langley AFB
Tag Tuck, Alto Saxophone
LTCol (ret.) Douglas Monrow, conducting

O COME, O COME EMMANUEL (Eric Richards)

UNL Jazz Orchestra "2.0" LIVE
Friday, 12 Dec 14
Bob "Santa Funk" Fuson, baritone saxophone

SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN TO TOWN (UNLJazzOrchestra "2.0" LIVE)

A new setting of the Brent/Dennis jazz ballad written for the late Dana Rogers. Originally recorded by Dana and the Army's JAZZ AMBASSADORS.

AngelEyes (Brent/Dennis, arr. Eric Richards) BIG BAND VOCAL (Dana Rogers)

LUSH LIFE (Strayhorn/arr. Eric Richards) BIG BAND VOCAL (Dana Rogers)

BLUE MOON (Richard Rodgers/arr Eric Richards) BIG BAND VOCAL (Dana Rogers)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! (arrER)

This is a digital transfer from a 1986 album by the great Army Jazz Ambassadors titled GETTIN' SENTIMENTAL. The concept was to "update" some good old standards and big band chestnuts. Yeah...this chart is overwritten (what can I say...I was in my mid 20's...), but man, these guys nailed it! I still have no idea how they got through that ensemble soli... And how about Les Owen on baritone saxophone and Bruce Silva on lead trumpet!

CHEROKEE 86 (Noble/arr. Richards)

This piece is based on a song composed by my friend and colleague Joel Dulyea. It was written to honour the memory of his brother Barry who gave his life in the service of his country in Vietnam. The soloist sings from the perspective of the mother of the fallen hero. This recording features Judith Norton, mezzo-soprano soloist along with the Soldiers' Chorus and the United States Army Field Band.

EricRichardsMusicCHANNEL2

Popular tracks