The University of South Florida Jazz Ensemble performs my arrangement of the Jazz Standard.  Tenor Saxophone Solo -Ryan Lupton, Trombone - Dave Stamps, Piano - David Cubillos, 

Rich Van Voorst - I Could Write a Book

Rich Van Voorst - Saxophone
Alejandro Arenas - Bass
Mark Feinman - Drums

The Mars Trio - Beatrice Excerpt

Rich Van Voorst - Saxophone
Matt Mill - Trumpet
John O'Leary - Piano
Alejandro Arenas - Bass
Mark Feinman - Drums

The Forefront - Dutchess

Rich Van Voorst - Saxophone
John O'Leary - Piano
Alejandro Arenas - Bass
Steve Davis - Drums

The Mars Trio (+1) - No Greater Love Excerpt

The Mars Trio (+1) - Body and Soul Excerpt

The Mars Trio (+1) - Stella Excerpt

Rich Van Voorst - Tenor Saxophone
Alejandro Arenas - Bass
Mark Feinman - Drums

The Mars Trio - Alone Together

Demo 2009

The Mars Trio - My Romance

An active saxophonist and composer/arranger primarily in the Tampa Bay area, Rich has performed all over the United States as well as in Europe where he performed at the Vienne, Montreux, and North Sea Jazz Festivals. He has accompanied and recorded with such artists as Richard Davis, Jack Wilkins, Steve Davis, Jim McNeely, “Blue” Lou Marini, Chris Vidala, Larue Nickelson, Michael Ross, Tom Carabasi, O Som Do Jazz, The Dan McMillian Jazz Orchestra, and The Don Juceum Orchestra. Rich also directs and performs regularly with his own groups, The Mars Trio, Van Voorst Jazz Quartet, and The Forefront.

As a composer, Rich studied under world renowned jazz composer, Chuck Owen, at the University of South Florida and has experience writing for big bands, various jazz combos, orchestras, choirs, worship music, as well as other chamber groups. From 2004-2008, Rich was a teaching assistant, instructor, and adjunct professor at USF while completing a Masters of Music in Jazz Composition and Jazz Performance. He received his B.M. from Hope College in Holland Michigan where he was awarded the Distinguished Artist Scholarship. In 2006, he was selected by the Center for Jazz Composition at the University of South Florida to arrange a piece for Karrin Allison for the Jazz Masterworks Series. He has also served as an adjunct professor or worship and music at Trinity College of Florida.

He is currently a doctoral candidate at the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Jacksonville, FL, pursuing a Doctor of Worship Studies. Rich has served as composer in residence at Tampa Covenant Church for the past two and a half years, working on the Ancient-Future Worship series, a collection of arrangements and original compositions that embrace the Ancient-Future worship model.  He is also an active proponent for jazz, live music, and local art in the Tampa Bay area.