Pianist & Composer
J o h n n y R i c h a r d s
ABOUT
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 composer, pianist and improviser. He has been nominated for the BASCA British Composer Award with his anarchic experimental band Shatner’s Bassoon, who have been celebrated by The Guardian, Jazzwise and numerous other publications, as well as receiving Jazz North’s ‘Jazz Ambassadors of the North’ award.
Richards has collaborated with drummer Dave King (The Bad Plus) on The New Awkward, an album of his own compositions for prepared piano and drums, released on False Door Records. The New Awkward has received critical acclaim, including a '★★★★' review in MOJO Magazine. The album was supported by Help Musicians UK and Arts Council England.
Alongside his solo projects on Wasp Millionaire Records and New Jazz and Improvised Music, Johnny can be heard as a sideman, collaborator and composer on several ATA Records projects, including The Sorcerers.