Richard Sleigh has been exploring the harmonica from the inside out for over 30 years. He has performed with Taj Mahal, Maria Muldaur, Bo Diddley, Susan Werner, Dennis Gruenling, and many others. His studio work includes award winning films, TV, radio, and theatre soundtracks, and other projects. As a soloist, he combines his fluid and highly developed rack playing with soulful vocals, guitar, and intricate solo harp flights. Richard's music is American roots - ranging from rural and urban blues, fiddle tunes, swing, country, gospel, to early rock and roll. He has three solo releases - "Steppin Out", "The Joliet Sessions", and his most recent collection titled "Celtic Instrumentals".
His background includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Printmaking and Drawing, and a number of different occupations including deck hand, graphic designer, and free lance artist and musician. The harmonica kept returning as a focal point in his life. Richard has a mad scientist / adventurer streak that led to building a series of experimental harmonicas, and becoming a student and colleague of Joe Filisko. Richard is now a professional harmonica technician and is teaching and performing here and abroad.
