Rick has been playing drums since the age of 5 1/2 & keyboards since his teens. He studied both at the Julliard School as well as with jazz great Chick Corea.
He has performed in many Broadway shows including Hair, The Wiz, Candide, Theyre Playing Our Song, Woman of the Year & Seesaw.
He has written much music for TV, Film & Radio. Some of his work in this field include the Emmy-nominated theme for Dateline NBC, Later Today on NBC, the theme for the New York Yankees on MSG Cable & the Outlaws & Lawmen mini-series on the Discovery chanel.
For 18 years, he served as keyboardist & musical director for tap dance legend Gregory Hines. His composition, "Boom" was choreographed by Mr. Hines & performed at the nationally televised Gala For The President with President & Mrs. Clinton in attendance. He was also the composer of all of the original music for The Gregory Hines Show on CBS.
He was one of the original percussionists for Leonard Bernstein's "Mass" which was written & performed for the opening of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He performs on the original recording of that piece with Mr. Bernstein conducting.
He has also played on countless TV & Radio commercials & themes. Some of the artists he has performed & recorded with include Liza Minnelli, Leonard Bernstein, Michael Franks, Noel Pointer, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, Don Rickles, Billy Eckstine, Gloria Gaynor, Rodney Dangerfield, Regis Philbin, Donna Summer, Larry Coryell, Jon Lucien, Johnny Hartman, Savion Glover, Perry Farrell (of Jane's Addiction), Richie Stotts (of the Plasmatics) & Charles Aznavour.
He currently tours as keyboardist for Liza Minnelli. Sanctuaries is his 1st CD release.
On it, he's chosen 20 original compositions & put them in a solo piano environment. The meditative aspects of the music should appeal to New Age & Smooth Jazz lovers while the depth of the compositions & improvisational elements should resonate with fans of more traditional jazz, folk & even classical music.
Here's what Mike Garson, keyboardist for David Bowie, has to say about Sanctuaries:
"Well Rick, I would say you not only achieved your purpose with this CD but surpassed it!
Well recorded..the piano sounds beautiful...your touch is excellent...the pieces as compostions are great & your interpretations of them are wonderful. The mood of the whole CD is very consistent. The only other thing I could say is what took so long & when's the next one?"
Sanctuaires is currently available at CD Baby.com & iTunes & will soon be available at select locations. Visit www.humanrick.com for more on Rick & Sanctuaries.
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