 |
Richard |
Richard found a passion for playing the piano at an early age. After winning 'The Most Promising Musician' award in his school, he went on to study a degree in Popular Music and Recording at Salford University. Whilst at University Richard was the pianist with the Salford University Big Band for 3 years and performed in concerts with Bobby Shew, James Morrison and Tommy Smith. It was here that despite his classical training he developed a keen interest in the Hammond organ and discovered his true passion was for Jazz piano. Returning to his home county of Cornwall he began playing full-time with five residencies a week, free lancing and teaching Jazz, Rock and Classical piano in the local colleges.
Richard's career has been varied and challenging. He has gained a wealth of experience playing the piano and scoring arrangements for many different performers, from soloists to choirs and Big Bands.
Over the years he has supported Courtney Pine, Jan Ackerman, Katrina and the Waves and The Snake Davis Band. He's played with numerous visiting international Jazz artists such as Alan Barnes, Jim Mullen, Tim Whitehead, Andy Macintosh, Olaf Vas, Sheila Collier and Paul Eshelby. Richard has played at the Geneva Jazz Festival, St James' Palace, Leeds Jazz Festival, Royal Northern College of Music, Daphne Du-Maurier Festival, St. Ives Festival and private events for Sir Tim Rice and record producer Andy Morris. Richard has played for comedy duo Cannon & Ball and was also a judge for BBC Radio Cornwall's 'Singing Sensation'!
Richard has been part of many bands including 'The Al Hodge Band' the award winning 'Rachel and Common Ground' and BBC Radio Cornwall's 'David White Band'. He currently plays with the Jazz Funk quartet 'A Beach Supreme'.
Richard has considerable studio experience, recording in Cornwall and London with both Pop and Jazz artists. In an 'Oxford Info' review of the album Afro Cortex (JazzMonk) with many notable London session musicians including 'The Kick Horns' the reviewer mentioned 'In particular, Richard Penrose's keyboard contributions are outstanding, adding a real sense of drive to the proceedings, and complementing Diggle's sharp percussion lines perfectly'. He's equally at home in the studio as on the stage and is often found as much behind the mixing desk as behind the keys.
Alongside Jazz, Richard has a great love for Gospel music. He's accompanied Nicky Brown and Scott Stroman in Gospel clinics at the Hall for Cornwall and is currently the Musical Director of the 'Light and Life Gospel Choir'. The choir have recently supported the London Community Gospel Choir at the Carnglaze Caverns and performed at the Truro Cathedral Carol Service with guest speaker J John to a sell out audience of 1000 people.
Richard now works with Ley Adewole who is an inspirational singer. Their collaboration brings together both the Jazz and Gospel music that he loves.
For more info on Richard visit his WEBSITE CLICK HERE
