Matt Richards

Matt Richards
"A musician who's always going to be pushing the boundaries."
Acoustic magazine
Guitarist Matt Richards is a
contemporary musical artist who
effortlessly bridges musical styles
while maintaining his own identity.
While many listeners are familiar
with his genre-stretching acoustic
solo and duo work, others associate
him with straight-ahead jazz or
energized fusion, employing both
standard electric and fretless
guitars. Though both identities may
seem distinct, they ultimately
belong quite comfortably to the
same musician.
While the term acoustic fingerstyle guitar easily fits Matt's solo and duo work, he
actually draws upon an array of stylistic influences and wraps them in the spontaneity
associated with jazz. His Power Jazz Trio is adventuresome and highly interactive, with
an energized take on standard jazz and original compositions.
“Matt’s rendition of Manha de Carnaval is a masterpiece.”
Larry Coryell
It was in the culturally fertile cross-currents of the late 60s that Matt’s musical pathway
opened in a mix of folk, rock and psychedelic music. With the advent of 1970s’
electronic-laden jazz-rock Matt was inspired to develop and apply the technically
advanced skill that defined fusion. As his talent matured, Matt was drawn into straightahead jazz, classical and world music, and began concentrating on acoustic guitar.
Matt has performed as a solo artist at a broad range of venues and festivals, both
regionally and nationally. He has been a frequent duet partner with guitarists Larry
Coryell, Emiliano Pardo and Tony Hughes, flutist Katherine Barbato and bassist Bill
Zola and has worked with a stylistically diverse range of artists, including Joey
DeFrancesco, Mike Clark, Kenwood Dennard, Essra Mohawk, Marlon Simon, Elio
Villafranca, and Bobby Zankel. Matt has played in support for Dave Mason, Paco
Pena, Peppino D'Agostino and Richie Havens and has been featured on the televised
programs Miles of Music and Puerto Rican Panorama and in the film Smoke And
Mirrors.
www.YouTube.com/MattRichardsMusic
Matt Richards p.2
“The Matt Richards Group embodies the energy, sound and
musicianship that should define modern jazz.”
Events magazine
Matt is currently on the faculties of Cheltenham Music & Art Center and the Ambler
Music Academy. He served as Head of Faculty at the FrankfordStyle School
for Creative Arts and as Music Program Director for Zanaras Music Stores. With his
continued commitment to music education Matt frequently conducts workshops and
master classes in conjunction with his performances.
Matt has endorsements with Godin Guitars and John Pearse Strings and accessories.
“Matt's performance provides musical hopefuls with inspiration
and rewards the simple listener with wonderful music.”
Out & About
Matt explored acoustic jazz and world music on his 2008 album One In Mind and
followed with a straight-ahead jazz release, Trio, in 2010. In late 2012, by popular
demand, Matt compiled a retrospective of solo recordings, both previously-released and
unreleased, titled As You Are. His upcoming solo guitar recording, Balance, will be
released at the end of this year. Additional recording projects with his varied musical
projects and other artists are in the works.
In addition to his solo work, Matt's current range of musical projects include the Matt
Richards Power Jazz Trio (with Kenwood Dennard on drums and Steve Beskrone on
bass) and his duos with flutist Katherine Barbato, guitarist Tony Hughes and vocalist
JayKatz.
“I always maintain
a sense of spontaneity
which keeps each
performance unique,
both for the audience
and for myself.”
Matt Richards
MattRichardsMusic.net
Matt Richards Guitarist
Guitarist Matt Richards has caused his share of 'reverse identity crises' when listeners
attempt to explain his music in a sound byte. He effortlessly bridges musical styles with
his genre-stretching solo acoustic work, his not-so-traditional straight-ahead jazz group
and his uniquely focused instrumental duos. In his words: “It's always about the music.”
Born and raised in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Matt grew up in the culturally fertile crosscurrents of the late 1960s. His musical pathway opens in the mix of folk, rock and
psychedelic music that defined that decade and eventually guides him into the
hyperactive jazz-fusion of the 1970s. Initially a self-taught player, Matt began earnestly
developing the technically advanced musical abilities necessary to be part of that highlyenergized genre. As his musicianship developed, he discovered straight-ahead jazz and
classical music and began relying more on the acoustic guitar. He assimilated Spanish,
Latin American and various world influences while developing his unique fingerstyle
approach to solo guitar.
He has been featured as a solo artist on a variety of televised programs, including Miles
of Music and Puerto Rican Panorama and performed on-screen in the independent
film Smoke And Mirrors. He has performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival, the
Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival, the Frankford Arts Festival, the NAMM Winter and
Summer Shows, the Montreal Guitar Show, Daniel Pearl Music Days and SUNOCO
Welcome America celebrations.
Matt has performed in duets with guitarists Larry Coryell, Tony Hughes, Jim Goodin
and Emiliano Pardo, flutist Katherine Barbato, vocalist JayKatz and bassist Bill Zola.
He was a founding member of the acoustic guitar trio Language of 3.
Matt has worked with a range of established artists, including Mike Clark, Starr
Cullars, Joey DeFrancesco, Café del Silva, Kenwood Dennard, Essra Mohawk,
Herbie Nix, Marlon Simon, Adrian Valosin, Elio Villafranca, and Bobby Zankel. He
has played in support for artists such as Paco Pena, Peppino D'Agostino, Richie
Havens and Dave Mason. Vocalist Paul Middleton and songwriter/vocalist Nate
Hawk feature Matt’s electric playing on their commercial releases.
A current faculty member at the Ambler Music Academy, Matt has served as Head of
Faculty at the FrankfordStyle School for Creative Arts and Music Program Director for
Zanaras Music Stores. In addition to private instruction, Matt conducts clinics and
master classes and has published instructional articles detailing playing techniques,
arranging and performing.
In 2012, Matt released his fifth CD, As You Are, on his FingerMusic label. An all-sologuitar release, Balance, is planned for late 2014. Along with his solo work and the
Power-Jazz Trio Matt's current musical projects include duos with flutist Katherine
Barabato, guitarist Tony Hughes and vocalist JayKatz.
The
Matt Richards Power Jazz Trio
_________________
Guitarist Matt Richards found his initial musical inspiration in the cultural cross-currents of the 1960s as a self-taught folk
musician. Gravitating to the electric guitar and falling under the energized spell of jazz-fusion, Matt was ultimately drawn
into other musical styles and concepts of improvisation. In addition to his work as a solo acoustic artist and band leader,
Matt has performed with a broad range of artists, including Georgie Bonds, Larry Coryell, Mike Clark, Joey DeFrancesco,
Café, Kenwood Dennard, Essra Mohawk, Herbie Nix, Elio Villafranca, Bobby Zankel and Bill Zola. He has been a
featured opener for Richie Havens, Dave Mason, Paco Pena, Peppino D'Agostino and National Health.
An experiences educator, Matt frequently conducts workshops and clinics in conjunction with his performances. He is on
the faculty at Ambler Music Academy, teaching guitar and music theory.
_________________
In fact, it may be easier to compile a list of the artists who haven't worked with drummer Kenwood Dennard. While his
affinity for music began with piano at age 3, at age 8 he moved on to drums and has since developed the abilities that
make him one of the most sought-after artists on the modern music scene. Kenwood's performance resume includes
work with Chick Corea, Larry Coryell, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Allan Holdsworth, Stanley Jordan,
Pat Martino, Jaco Pastorius, Sting, Toots Thielmans, Luther Vandross, Miroslav Vitous and Cedar Walton. He has also
earned a reputation as a band leader, fronting his modern jazz group Just Advance, and as a solo artist who incorporates
drums, keyboards and vocals simultaneously in live performance.
Since 1997 Kenwood has held the position of professor of music at Berklee College in Boston while continuing to record
and perform both as a band leader and a sideman.
________________
A native of Philadelphia (like Matt), Steve Beskrone grew up with the melting pot of musical influences that the city had
to offer. He has worked and recorded with Ray Charles, jazz luminaries Horace Silver, Pat Martino and Philly Joe Jones.
His performance resume also includes a variety of artists such as Tuck Andress, Jimmy Bruno, Frank Gambale, Melody
Gardot, Charlie Hunter, Essra Mohawk, Michael Sembello, Dave Stryker, Elio Villafranca and Bobby Watson. Steve
has established himself as the first-call bassist in the region and is currently the house bassist at the Prince Music Theater
and the Philadelphia Theater Company.
Currently, Steve is a faculty member at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, teaching bass guitar and double bass,
conducting clinics and coaching ensembles. He has also been an instructor at Gerald Veasley's Bass Bootcamp where he
shared teaching duties with a world class faculty, including Victor Wooten, Bakithi Kumalo, Gary Willis and Michael
Manring.
________________
Matt Richards
At A Glance
Impossible to define and largely improvisational.... One In Mind suggests a
musician who’s always going to be pushing the boundaries.
Acoustic
The Matt Richards Group has the highly energized, interactive approach to
music that essentially defines modern jazz.
Events
Removed from the usual New Age simplicity, his overall style integrates
extended harmonies with seamless improvisations....
Dayside provides acoustic guitar fans with a healthy dose of technical
accomplishments to aspire to, but it also delivers rich musicality to delight
contemporary music aficionados everywhere.
Offbeat
Matt’s rendition of Manha de Carnaval is a masterpiece. I've never heard better.
Larry Coryell
The Matt Richards Group does not play your grandfather's brand of jazz, unless
that patriarch happens to be John McLaughlin. The energized sound this trio
produces is most definitely 21st century and their collective interaction borders
on psychic. Whether on six-string guitar or a fretless 11-string hybrid,
Richards is truly a guitarist's guitarist.
Jazztimes.com
(Matt) Richards and (Bill) Zola display an impressive musical rapport, allowing
spontaneity to guide their duo performance.... especially notable was their
rendition of Rue Gregoire du Tours which began with a simple melody
and gradually took on near-symphonic proportions.
Out & About
One In Mind offers evidence of Matt's versatility. Most of the tracks were
recorded live, including jazz standards recorded with Bill Zola in the early 1990s
that may owe as much to the influence of Bill Evans as to Django Reinhardt.
Jazztimes.com
Venues / Festivals / Events
Abington Arts Center (PA)
Academy of Natural Science (PA)
Alex's Jazz Underground (PA)
American Heart Association Festival (NJ)
An die Musik Live (MD)
Arts In The Park (NJ)
Asociacion de Musicos Latino
Americanos (PA)
Audubon Center (PA)
Augie's Café (NY)
Barnes & Noble (NJ / NY / PA)
Berklee College of Music (MA)
Bijou Café (PA)
Birdland (NY)
Blue Moon (PA)
Blue Note (PA)
Borders (NJ / NY / PA)
Cafe Habana (PA)
Casey's Jazz Café (PA)
Chestnut Cabaret (PA)
Chris' Jazz Café (PA)
Cleopatra's Needle (NY)
CoreStates Jazz Festival (PA)
Daily Grind (PA)
Daniel Pearl Day (various locations) (PA)
Delaware Art Museum (DE)
Elkins Estate (PA)
Frankford Arts Festival (PA)
Free Library Latin Arts Festival (PA)
Glen Foerd on the Delaware (PA)
Grand Opera House (DE)
Grendel's Lair (PA)
Havana (PA)
Harvest Music & Arts Festival (NJ)
Historic Lewiston Jazz Festival (NY)
Jamie's House of Music (PA)
Jazz By Night in Media (PA)
Jersey City Museum (NJ)
Jewish Museum (NY)
J.J. Bitting’s (NJ)
JJ's Grotto (PA)
Just Jazz (PA)
Kramer Books / Afterwards Café (DC)
Kavehaz (NY)
Kimmel Regional Performing Arts Center (PA)
Lehigh University (PA)
Manayunk Arts Festival (PA)
Main Point (PA)
Melon Jazz Festival (PA)
Montréal Guitar Show (Canada)
Montréal Jazz Festival (Canada)
NAMM Summer Show (TN)
NAMM Winter Show (CA)
SGI-USA Community Center (PA)
National AIDS Awareness Day (PA)
Naturist Society Eastern Gathering (MD)
Naturist Society Midwestern Gathering (MI)
Night Music at Temple University (PA)
Paris Wine Bar (PA)
Paul Robeson Center for the Arts (NJ)
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PA)
Philadelphia Art Museum (PA)
Philadelphia International Airport (PA)
Piccolo Trattoria (NJ)
PSFS Jazz Festival (PA)
Puerto Rican Panorama (PA)
Ridley Creek State Park (PA)
Ripley Music Hall (PA)
Sidewalk Café (NY)
Small's (NY)
Smoke (NY)
Snyderama Summer Festival (PA)
Starr's (PA)
Steel City (PA)
SUNOCO Welcome America (PA)
Taller Puertoricano (PA)
The Four-Two Club (PA)
The Point (PA)
The Priory (NJ)
Tin Angel (PA)
Tyler Arboretum (PA)
Underground Club (PA)
Village Gate (NY)
Visiones (NY)
Witherspoon Grill (NJ)
World Cafe Live (PA)
WDIY Acoustic Eclectic (PA)
WXPN Spring Fest (PA)
WYSP Holiday Festival (PA)
Zanzibar Blue (PA)
http://MattRichardsMusic.net
Workshops / Masterclasses / Education
Drawing upon more than 40 years of playing music and 20 years of teaching
guitar, Matt Richards conducts both workshops and masterclasses for groups
and provides personal musical instruction for individuals at all levels of musical
ability.
In his workshops, Matt provides insight into the mechanics of playing the guitar
and the factors utilized to create music. The focus of his workshops are adjusted
to suit the attendees and will vary from more generalized (how a guitar produces
sound, playing styles, components of music) to player-specific (technical aspects
of the guitar, playing techniques, musical components, equipment). Regardless
of the audience, Matt plays both technical demonstrations and complete
performances during every workshop.
Matt’s masterclasses are intended for individuals with an intermediate level of
musical experience. Conducted in small groups (two to six players with their
instruments), Matt focuses on specifics of technique, sound, style and music
theory with each participant playing and interacting with the group and directly
with Matt.
In collaborative workshops Matt has co-led improvisatory workshops at Berklee
College with drummer Kenwood Dennard and at FrankfordStyle with
dancer/choreographer Patricia Graham.
Through personal musical instruction Matt has worked with a sizable number of
individuals ranging in ages from 6 to 75 years of age, from complete beginners to
seasoned players. As most programs held in conjunction with concerts are
limited in time to one or two days, a player with at least a moderate level of ability
will benefit the most from an individual lesson. Matt provides specifics regarding
playing techniques, rhythm, scales and performance suggestions for
contemporary electric, jazz, classical and modern fingerstyle players.
Matt is currently a faculty member of Cheltenham Music & Art Center and the
Ambler Music Academy (both located in suburban Philadelphia PA). He also
maintains a select roster of private students.
http://MattRichardsMusic.net
Matt Richards Group
Technical Requirements*
House system
A professional quality full-range sound system in good working order with
appropriate service for venue/performance area
A qualified sound technician to configure mic'ing and operate the sound system
Professional quality microphones and DI into sound system
Three to four monitors in performance area facing the performers
Access in the performance area to at least two grounded standard electrical outlets
One chair of standard height without arms (piano bench, folding chair, etc.)
Two microphones on adjustable boom stands:
– one condenser mic for acoustic guitar use
– one mic for announcements
Backline
(Required for fly dates)
Professional quality guitar amplifier in good working order
– Roland Jazz Chorus JC120 (or similar twin-speaker JC model) or
– Lab Series L5 (or similar model)
Professional quality bass amplifier in good working order
– Hartke HyDrive or Kickback Combo or
– SWR Black Beauty or similar
Professional quality drum set in good working order
– Any major brand in standard bebop configuration
1 18" bass drum
1 12" mounted tom
1 14" floor tom
1 5"x14" or 6"x14" snare drum (wood or metal) w/ stand
3 lightweight cymbal stands
1 hi-hat stand w/ clutch
1 single bass drum pedal
1 adjustable drum throne
*Please note: A venue's size and capacity may dictate different technical requirements.
Flexibility is possible and should be discussed prior to finalizing the contract.