Richie Morales is a versatile player whose credits range from the seminal jazz-fusion of the Brecker Brothers, the Latin jazz of Gato Barbieri, Ray Barretto and Dave Valentin, to the experimental jazz of Dave Brubeck and the world music of Herbie Mann.
Richie has performed and recorded with such contemporary artists as Grover Washington Jr., Stevie Wonder, Carly Simon, Dianne Reeves, guitarist Mike Stern, bassist Victor Bailey, George Russell’s Living Time Orchestra, as well as the Al DiMeola Electric Project, and saxophonist Bill Evans. Richie’s performance on saxophonist Gato Barbieri’s release “Shadow of the Cat†helped garner a “Best Latin Jazz Album of The Year†award from Billboard magazine’s 2003 Latin Music Awards, and a Latin Grammy nomination in the same category as well. Other artists Richie has performed with include, Kim Waters, Walter Beasley and Paul Jackson Jr.
Richie has toured in Europe with the George Russell Living Time Orchestra in support of Mr. Russell’s release “The 80th Birthday concertâ€. Most recently he has toured Europe as a member of the Mike Stern Group and the Victor Bailey Group.
For many years, Richie was best known as the percussive force behind the perennial chart topping group Spyro Gyra, composing as well as drumming for the group. Richie also leads his own group, performing a mixture of jazz standards and original compositions reflecting his diverse musical background.
Richie is a member of the jazz faculty at Purchase College Conservatory of Music S.U.N.Y. He has also taught at the Juilliard School’s Music Advancement Program, and is a clinician for Yamaha drums and Zildjian cymbals. Richie also endorses Vic Firth sticks and Aquarian drumheads.
Tours With Major Artists:
Victor Bailey Group: Russia and Eastern Europe tour Nov. ‘07
Mike Stern Group: European tour Aug. ’07, J&R Music Festival NYC Aug. ‘06, Israel tour June 04. Beijing China. Jan. ‘03. Extensive European, Asian U.S and Latin American touring 1994 to the present.
George Russell’s Living Time Orchestra: Denmark Tour, fall ’05, Germany and U.K. Tour June ‘03.
Grover Washington Jr.: 1995-96, 1998- 99. Extensive U.S. touring including all major U.S. jazz festivals. (Newport, JVC, Playboy)
Dianne Reeves: Jazz vocalist, 1996-98, U.S. and European concert dates.
Al DiMeola: 1991-93. North and South American tours with “The Electric Projectâ€.
Bill Evans: Saxophonist.1990-92.European and Japanese tours.
Spyro Gyra: 1984- 90, Extensive national and international touring.
The Brecker Brothers Band: 1978-81 U.S, European and Japanese tours.
Selected clinics and master classes
Faculty member Purchase Summer Jazz Institute, Purchase College SUNY. 7/9/07, 7/13/08
Clinic tour Athens, Thessaloniki, Greece. Istanbul Turkey. Sponsored by Nakas Music House, Yamaha Drums and Vic Firth Sticks. Jan.13-20, 2007
Concert/Clinic at Louis Armstrong House, Corona NY, performing with The Ray Vega Latin Jazz Sextet May 23-25 '06
Performance and artist residency, Carl Anderson Conservatory of Music Odense Denmark, with The George Russell Living Time Orchestra. Oct.’05
Faculty member Purchase Summer Jazz Institute, Purchase College Conservatory of Music SUNY. July ’06. '05, '01
Performance at Yamaha Legendary Groove Night 5, Winter NAMM Los Angeles Ca. Jan. ‘04
Artists Residency, Royal Northern Conservatory of Music, Manchester England, With George Russell’s Living Time Orchestra. June ‘03
Concert and Master class at Purchase College Conservatory of Music SUNY, Featuring Michael Brecker and Harvie S. April '01
Creative Music Workshop, Music Advancement Program Juilliard School of Music. Feb.'00, April '01.
Master class at Music Advancement Program Juilliard School of Music, March 2000. Sponsored by Zildjian Cymbal Co.
Selected Discography :
The Brecker Brothers “Sneakin’ Up Behind You†Arista Records 2006
George Russell’s Living Time Orchestra “The 80th Birthday Concert†recorded live in Europe. Concept Records. Spring ‘05
Gato Barbieri, “The Shadow of The Cat†Peak Records. Fall’02 Billboard Latin Music Awards winner Best Latin Jazz Album. Latin Grammy Awards Nominee. ‘03
Jason Miles, “To Grover With Love†All Star tribute to Grover Washington Jr. Cue Records. Spring ‘01. Grammy Nominee Best Contemporary Jazz Album.
Prefab Sprout “Cowboy Dreams†Sony EMI Records Spring ‘01
Grover Washington Jr.: “Soulful Strut†Sony Records. (Grammy Nominee)
Guy Davis: “Call Down The Thunder†Red House Records ‘96. (Grammy Nominee)
“A Jazz Lullaby†featuring Dianne Reeves. Hokanzee records ‘96
Bill Evans “The Gambler, Live at The Tokyo Blue Note Vol. Two†Jazz City Records ‘91
The Brecker Brothers Band, “Collection/ Volumes 1&2†‘91. “Straphangin†‘80 RCA Novus.
Dave Samuels: “Del Sol†GRP Records.’91
Dave Valentin: “Red Sunâ€, “Musical Portraits†GRP Records. ‘92, ‘91.
Spyro Gyra: “The Very Best Of†02, “Retrospectiveâ€96, “Fast Forward†90, “Point of Viewâ€89, “Rites of Summer†88, “Stories without Wordsâ€87, “Breakout†86, Alternating Currentsâ€, 85. MCA, GRP Records
Instructional Books, Videos, Articles:
Contributing writer Modern Drummer Magazine, ‘04 to the present.
“Killer Grooves†Carl Fischer Publishing ‘01
“Modern Funk, Latin, and Jazz Techniques for Drum set. MVP Productions.
Mike Stern Guitar Instructional Video. Rittor Music ‘01
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