Ashes

James Ricci (b. 1954 in NYC) composes compelling works for soloist, chamber ensemble, voice, and orchestra.
 

He studied in Boston at the Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, and at Brandeis University with Donald Martino, Martin Boykan, and Harold Shapero. He also participated in diverse seminars and master classes in Europe and the United States with composers György Ligeti, Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Earle Brown, Jacob Druckman, Ralph Shapey, Betsy Jolas, Sylvano Bussotti, Anthony Payne, Milton Babbitt and Elliott Carter.  He obtained fellowships to attend Indiana University Composer's Forum, the Yale Norfolk Summer School of Music, and in Europe on a Sacher grant (Brandeis University).

As co-director of the LUMEN Contemporary Music Ensemble Ricci curated a series of successful concerts of new music for both concert and educational settings.

His “To the Solar Winds” was commissioned by the Arlington Arts Council and premiered by the Solar Winds Woodwind Quintet.

A collection of his music for piano has been released by David Holzman for Albany Records (TROY1875).


George Grella of NY Classical Review wrote regarding his NYC premiere of Intermezzo, “Ricci explained that he took an intuitive approach to writing the music, exploring the pathways of his subconscious and the sound of the piano. It initially presents itself as an atonal work, but quickly and smoothly becomes the fundamentally romantic reverie of Ricci’s technical approach. The music seems to sound just the way it should and, in Holzman’s performance, was completely absorbing.”


New Music Connoisseur described Ricci’s Sonatina for Solo Viola as “…cleverly expressed, while the string writing is emotive, showy, and telling - a fine listen.”


Ricci’s music was nominated three times for an award from the American Arts and Letters.

His String Quartet No. 1 (1984) won mention in the 1985 Boston League-ISCM Competition and a recording by the QX String Quartet is available on streaming services.

Ricci's album of piano music titled "Musical Connections" was released in September of 2021. It features Grammy-nominated pianist David Holzman. It is available on the Albany Records label (TROY1875).

Two recent works by Ricci for orchestra - Rune and Night Music - were recorded by Filharmonie Brno (Czech Republic) for Ablaze Records and conducted by Mikel Toms. The recording is available under the title "Orchestral Masters Vol. 9" (Ablaze AR-00066).


In Boston Ricci held a position of Assistant Professor of Composition at the Berklee College of Music. He now resides in Chapel Hill, NC.

His work is published by Universal Edition (UE) and affiliated with BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.).

It! will return. It! will shed It!'s skin and It! will begin again. 

Thank you for listening. It!'s pretty horrible right now...

All tracks  are recorded in a spontaneous manner typically in a single take. Most lyrics are also spontaneous improvisations derived from the feelings of the moment. We let the guitar and drums interact and the music just happens. Most if not all of the music is inspired from this interaction.

The recording equipment up until January 2019 consisted of a dated Fostex 8 track and a few microphones...We simply lay down a guitar and drum track and let it unfold the way you are hearing it by bouncing tracks. We just have to make music to live. Music of any kind, music that speaks for itself... 

In January 2019 recording equipment was upgraded to Logic X and a UA Apollo MKll Quad Core Recording interface...We entered a new building and still trying to find the light switch so bare with us as we keep lighting matches...  

MW

Music does not have to be nice to the ear and does not have to follow trends and "schools". But it must come from your heart and soul and convey everything you want to say but cannot express in words.

Ashes

JimboWalsh