122 thoughts on “Ask Richard”
-
Hey Richard,
Once again it was a pleasure to meet you in Los Angeles today at the Grammy event….. would love to connect more and chat more if possible next time I’m in the area. Like I said earlier, I also purchased your book PolyMetrics, and looking forward to checking that stuff out. I’ll also say hello to Paul Anastasio from you when I see him next.
Hope all is well!
Best regards,
-A
Andrew D.B. Joslyn
andrewjoslynmusic@gmail.com -
Hello Richard,
I came across a $1.00 bill from World War II, a “short snorter”, and I think it has your father’s signature on it. I’ll take a picture and send it to you if you are interested. I’m guessing in was signed in England in 1943.
Great work and be well.
-
Hey Richard I recorded on tape one of your broadcasts on radio 2 one with the yellow jackets live and firstly thank you so much for that – sadly I did not capture any others but I note that you did several series for the beeb. Are these available anywhere – I would love to hear them – or do you do podcasts or any other broadcasting please. Kind regards
Stephen-
The only ones available are those I post on YouTube. I have not had time to make videos for them but definitely plan to do so. Watch my YouTube page, for my jazz orchestra BANDZILLA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfZJGGkmdHkY7LQlQm2S-tA and they will be coming up. Thanks for your interest, Richard
-
-
Hi Richard,
Great music, great company and a great evening last night in Laguna
Thanks for something very special-
Thanks for coming. Back next Tuesday, the 8th!
-
-
Hi, I have a portfolio of lyrics, that you can all find on https://thefourelements2015.wordpress.com/ . It would be amazing if you could take a look. Best, Farrah
-
Sorry, I can’t look at any unsolicited manuscripts or material. I do give Skype consultations, so let me know if you’re interested and I can give you prices.
All the best
Richard
-
-
Mr. Niles, I very much enjoyed your book, “The Invisible Artist.” Is there an address to which I can mail a 1-1/2 pg letter?
-
Thanks, Gary. You can email it to me through this site, richard@richardniles.com
Please understand that time does not permit a lengthy reply.
Best
Richard
-
-
Hi Richard
my daughter, Rosa Leeder, entered two songs into the UKSC this year (2016) and obtained scores of 5 and 6 for them and therefore gained two commended entries. She wrote the first song Gunshot when the was 9! and the second Now, when she was 11. She is now 13 and continues to pump them out and these awards have helped her self-confidence no end, so thanks to the UKSC for that! As I am not really a part of the whole songwriting scene I was wondering if you had any advice for her (and me) about what we should do next in order to advance her career in music making and song writing. She is hugely talented I think and I want to help her realise her ambitions.
You can see her singing Gunshot here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3wu1xsKjPo
Yours
Peter and Rosa-
Sorry it has taken so long to reply. Thec probs with my site! I don’t have time to view all the artist’s work who contact me here. But I do give professional Skype consultations, so let me know if you’re interested and I can give you prices.
All the best
Richard
-
-
Hi Richard. I’m Kazuo Suzuki from Japan. I have a question for you. I watched YouTube video that is Bandzilla’s Alligator Stomp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSwQrcl4wQc
I’m not sure that is your arrangement. But it is your arrangement, I would like to play it by my band, and wish you to sell me it. Please let me know.
Thank you for your time. Best regards,
-
It is my composition and arrangement. I don’t usually sell my arrangements. But my band, BANDZILLA, has a ne album coming out in October!
Best
Richard-
Thank you for your reply. I understand your policy for your arrangement but I really want to play it. Also I would like to promote your next album (I am one of importer for Jazz CD) and playing your arrangemnet is one of the promotion for your CD. Could you please consider this matter? Thank you.
-
-
-
Hi Richard Niles, congrats on your website organization and on your writings.
I am a Brazilian pianist, arranger and composer doing a doctoral research on lead sheets and fake books.
Where can I find a recording of your tune Looking Back included on the Real Book?
My research led me to “scan” the 400 pages of the Real Book comparing the transcriptions and the recordings.
Thanks for spending time reading this post!-
I have never recorded it except for a cassette recording of the Berklee Big Band playing my arrangement in 1974 when I was a student there under the great Herb Pomeroy. My other tune in the Real Book is EMPATHY written for Pat Metheny.
I am currently recording a new big band album BANDZILLA RISES !!! This is sounding massive, so watch out for it. My previous Bandzilla album (1987) is available on bandcamp.com
I have 2 other albums of my compositions available there, SANTA RITA and CLUB DERANGED. I’m sure you will enjoy them!
By the way, are you a relative of the great percussionist Nana Vasconcellos?-
No I am not! The Vasconcellos family in Brasil is a huge one. Nana is one of my favorite percussionists of course.
I just found one more of your tunes on the Real Book: “Tame thy pen”. Searching the youtube, I found this performance. I thought you might like it. It’s pretty close to your lead sheet published by the book.
I am amazed how a tune (never recorded) caused interest on Russian (?) young musicians. It is the Real Book effect!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WcJ49uxmeA-
I just realized that you have posted two versions (audio) of Tame Thy Pen here in your website. They are both beautiful (vocal and instrumental, with guitar quartet). Now I know from where the Russian girl and her pianist got a sample and the lyrics.
By the way, on the Real Book, Tame Thy Pen has a unique way of describing the style of the piece: the word “jazz” followed by an eight note. What did you mean with that?-
It just means – swing eighth nots. This is a common way to write a swing feel rather than writing it in triplets or in dotted eighth notes followed by a 16th note, neither of which are accurate or correct. The Russian girl made a brave attempt at the song, which is very difficult to play properly. When most people attempt to play my music they play it too hard, too generically. Musicians who know me well understand that although my music is unusual, it is a mix of genres, and always meant to be played lyrically. On my recording (my album CLUB DERANGED available on BANDCAMP) my favorite pianist Steve Hamilton understands.
-
-
-
-
-
I’m writing a new book, my 9th, and this one focuses upon duets. I know that you’ve worked with Clive Griffin, Michael McDonald, Cher, Tina Turner, etc. All have had duet hits. I’m seeking fun anecdotes, studio memories, stories behind pairings for the book. Wouldn’t take long. Could be done by email or phone. You will have total final say over use of your quotes and may make any changes. I hope we can connect. Thank you. My phone (East Coast) 909 938 4623.
-
Hi Bob, We can do this best by Skype. Let’s fix a time for later next week.
All the best
Richard
-
122 thoughts on “Ask Richard”
Hey Richard,
Once again it was a pleasure to meet you in Los Angeles today at the Grammy event….. would love to connect more and chat more if possible next time I’m in the area. Like I said earlier, I also purchased your book PolyMetrics, and looking forward to checking that stuff out. I’ll also say hello to Paul Anastasio from you when I see him next.
Hope all is well!
Best regards,
-A
Andrew D.B. Joslyn
andrewjoslynmusic@gmail.com
Hello Richard,
I came across a $1.00 bill from World War II, a “short snorter”, and I think it has your father’s signature on it. I’ll take a picture and send it to you if you are interested. I’m guessing in was signed in England in 1943.
Great work and be well.
Hey Richard I recorded on tape one of your broadcasts on radio 2 one with the yellow jackets live and firstly thank you so much for that – sadly I did not capture any others but I note that you did several series for the beeb. Are these available anywhere – I would love to hear them – or do you do podcasts or any other broadcasting please. Kind regards
Stephen
The only ones available are those I post on YouTube. I have not had time to make videos for them but definitely plan to do so. Watch my YouTube page, for my jazz orchestra BANDZILLA https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfZJGGkmdHkY7LQlQm2S-tA and they will be coming up. Thanks for your interest, Richard
Hi Richard,
Great music, great company and a great evening last night in Laguna
Thanks for something very special
Thanks for coming. Back next Tuesday, the 8th!
Hi, I have a portfolio of lyrics, that you can all find on https://thefourelements2015.wordpress.com/ . It would be amazing if you could take a look. Best, Farrah
Sorry, I can’t look at any unsolicited manuscripts or material. I do give Skype consultations, so let me know if you’re interested and I can give you prices.
All the best
Richard
Mr. Niles, I very much enjoyed your book, “The Invisible Artist.” Is there an address to which I can mail a 1-1/2 pg letter?
Thanks, Gary. You can email it to me through this site, richard@richardniles.com
Please understand that time does not permit a lengthy reply.
Best
Richard
Hi Richard
my daughter, Rosa Leeder, entered two songs into the UKSC this year (2016) and obtained scores of 5 and 6 for them and therefore gained two commended entries. She wrote the first song Gunshot when the was 9! and the second Now, when she was 11. She is now 13 and continues to pump them out and these awards have helped her self-confidence no end, so thanks to the UKSC for that! As I am not really a part of the whole songwriting scene I was wondering if you had any advice for her (and me) about what we should do next in order to advance her career in music making and song writing. She is hugely talented I think and I want to help her realise her ambitions.
You can see her singing Gunshot here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3wu1xsKjPo
Yours
Peter and Rosa
Sorry it has taken so long to reply. Thec probs with my site! I don’t have time to view all the artist’s work who contact me here. But I do give professional Skype consultations, so let me know if you’re interested and I can give you prices.
All the best
Richard
Hi Richard. I’m Kazuo Suzuki from Japan. I have a question for you. I watched YouTube video that is Bandzilla’s Alligator Stomp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSwQrcl4wQc
I’m not sure that is your arrangement. But it is your arrangement, I would like to play it by my band, and wish you to sell me it. Please let me know.
Thank you for your time. Best regards,
It is my composition and arrangement. I don’t usually sell my arrangements. But my band, BANDZILLA, has a ne album coming out in October!
Best
Richard
Thank you for your reply. I understand your policy for your arrangement but I really want to play it. Also I would like to promote your next album (I am one of importer for Jazz CD) and playing your arrangemnet is one of the promotion for your CD. Could you please consider this matter? Thank you.
Hi Richard Niles, congrats on your website organization and on your writings.
I am a Brazilian pianist, arranger and composer doing a doctoral research on lead sheets and fake books.
Where can I find a recording of your tune Looking Back included on the Real Book?
My research led me to “scan” the 400 pages of the Real Book comparing the transcriptions and the recordings.
Thanks for spending time reading this post!
I have never recorded it except for a cassette recording of the Berklee Big Band playing my arrangement in 1974 when I was a student there under the great Herb Pomeroy. My other tune in the Real Book is EMPATHY written for Pat Metheny.
I am currently recording a new big band album BANDZILLA RISES !!! This is sounding massive, so watch out for it. My previous Bandzilla album (1987) is available on bandcamp.com
I have 2 other albums of my compositions available there, SANTA RITA and CLUB DERANGED. I’m sure you will enjoy them!
By the way, are you a relative of the great percussionist Nana Vasconcellos?
No I am not! The Vasconcellos family in Brasil is a huge one. Nana is one of my favorite percussionists of course.
I just found one more of your tunes on the Real Book: “Tame thy pen”. Searching the youtube, I found this performance. I thought you might like it. It’s pretty close to your lead sheet published by the book.
I am amazed how a tune (never recorded) caused interest on Russian (?) young musicians. It is the Real Book effect!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WcJ49uxmeA
I just realized that you have posted two versions (audio) of Tame Thy Pen here in your website. They are both beautiful (vocal and instrumental, with guitar quartet). Now I know from where the Russian girl and her pianist got a sample and the lyrics.
By the way, on the Real Book, Tame Thy Pen has a unique way of describing the style of the piece: the word “jazz” followed by an eight note. What did you mean with that?
It just means – swing eighth nots. This is a common way to write a swing feel rather than writing it in triplets or in dotted eighth notes followed by a 16th note, neither of which are accurate or correct. The Russian girl made a brave attempt at the song, which is very difficult to play properly. When most people attempt to play my music they play it too hard, too generically. Musicians who know me well understand that although my music is unusual, it is a mix of genres, and always meant to be played lyrically. On my recording (my album CLUB DERANGED available on BANDCAMP) my favorite pianist Steve Hamilton understands.
I’m writing a new book, my 9th, and this one focuses upon duets. I know that you’ve worked with Clive Griffin, Michael McDonald, Cher, Tina Turner, etc. All have had duet hits. I’m seeking fun anecdotes, studio memories, stories behind pairings for the book. Wouldn’t take long. Could be done by email or phone. You will have total final say over use of your quotes and may make any changes. I hope we can connect. Thank you. My phone (East Coast) 909 938 4623.
Hi Bob, We can do this best by Skype. Let’s fix a time for later next week.
All the best
Richard