Pianist & Composer
J o h n n y R i c h a r d s
Artist Statement
Johnny Richards is a composer, pianist and improviser. His music focuses on the cohesion of intricate composed material and improvisation that can be tightly woven into the framework of a single piece whilst incorporating varying genres, styles, unusual textures and emotions. This thread is prevalent in different forms through his work with a shifting emphasis between composition and improvisation whether it be his composition projects, solo piano improvisations or solo electronic output.
biography
Johnny Richards is a pianist and composer based in the UK. Since graduating from Leeds Conservatoire in 2010 he has played a prominent part in the UK improvised music scene with his main project Shatner’s Bassoon and also through collaborations with artists including Matthew Bourne (Nightport's w/ Matthew Bourne Live), James Mainwaring (Shatner's Bassoon & Roller Trio Collab), Craig Scott Lobotomy / Gastic Band, Radek Rudnicki (Space F!ght), Sean Noonan and the Ligeti Quartet.
As a composer he has been nominated for the BASCA 2018 British Composer Award in the jazz small ensemble category. In 2019 he was awarded the 'Develop Your Creative Practice Fund' from Arts Council England. Shatner's Bassoon have also recieved previous funding from Arts Council England, PRS Foundation & Jazz North. He is currently working on an album of new compositions with drummer/composer Dave King (The Bad Plus) with support from Help Musicians UK's 'Do It Differently' Fund.
Johnny has been featured on BBC Radio with Shatner’s Bassoon, Craig Scott's Lobotomy, a collaboration with members of Roller Trio for the Atlantic Flux Festival and a variety of releases from ATA Records, including The Sorcerers. He has had the opportunity to play at Festivals around the world including Santannarresi Jazz Festival (Italy), Copenhagen Jazz Festival and London Jazz Festival.