CURRENT PROJECTS:
Niles recently wrote orchestral arrangements for a new album by MARTI PELLOW. He also produced the music for the TV series HAIRSPRAY - the School Musical. Recent radio series include:
1. “PAT METHENY – Bright Size Life” 3-part documentary written & produced by Richard Niles for BBC Radio2. Friend & colleague Niles interviews Pat Metheny about his concepts & methodology with contributions from Gary Burton, Lyle Mays & Jack DeJohnette.
2. “WHAT IS MELODY?” 3-part documentary written & produced by Richard Niles for BBC Radio2.
Niles answers the question with the help of over 40 contributors including The Bee Gees, Nickleback, Gary Burton, Lyle Mays, Jeremy Lubbock, Martin Taylor, The Cheetah Girls, Bob James...
3. FAITH In An Elevator - Niles presents a 3-part documentary of composer/arranger Percy Faith, in conversation with hit pop arrangers John Altman and Nick Ingman "The Top Gear Of Arranging"). Joining them, Richard Jones, the bassist of brilliant contemporary band The Feeling, and Richard Hawley, Amy McDonald, KT Tunstall.
Listen online: www.bbc.co.uk/radio2
Alexander Shulgin has been one of the most successful pop/rock songwriters in Russia since the 1980s when he sold over 20million records with his band Cruise. Since then he has written over 50 1s in Russia for many artists. He is also the producer and judge of Russian TV shows Pop Idol and Star Academy.
Shulgin has commissioned Niles to produce & arrange two albums. For the first Niles has arranged jazz versions of Shulgin’s songs with a band including drummer Gary Husband (John McLaughlin, Level 42), bassist Janek Gwizdala (Mike Stern, Aierto, Jem), keyboardist Richard Cottle (Seal, Alan Parsons, David Bowie) Snake Davis (M People, Ray Charles, Tom Jones) and Niles on guitar. Niles has also arranged tacks on the album featuring special guests Bob James, Bill Cobham, John Patitucci, Bob Mintzer and harmonica player Gregoire Maret (Pat Metheny).
The second “songbook” album features the solo piano of Gary Husband. Multi instrumentalist Husband is currently on tour as a pianist for John McLaughlin and has also played piano for Billy Cobham. He has also worked with McLaughlin as a drummer and was the drummer in the successful British ‘jazz-funk’ band Level 42. Gary’s piano arrangements of Shulgin’s songs includes a duet with guitar virtuoso Martin Taylor. The album is available from www.familia.ru
YOUNEE, from Seoul, Korea is ‘beyond category’ as a singer, songwriter and pianist. Her exquisitely vulnerable voice can also express raw power. An accomplished and virtuosic classical pianist, she plays rock as well as Rachmaninoff. She has performed piano concertos with symphony orchestras and jazz with Grammy-winning pianist Bob James.
When BOB JAMES heard her music he invited her to perform with him in Seoul – his brilliant composition for piano ‘four hands’. Knowing Younee wanted to break free of the creative restrictions of the Korean music business, James suggested she contact American producer/composer/arranger RICHARD NILES.
Younee and Niles began to write songs using Skype – Younee in her bedroom studio in Seoul and Niles in his studio in London. Niles’ lyrics bring a powerful message to Younee’s emotional melodies. His arrangements and production inspire Younee to express both her virtuosity and her passion. Together they have been able to integrate contrasting elements of popular music into a unified whole, balancing tradition with innovation - a dynamic and truly unique blend of genres.
The CD is available through CD BABY!
LISTEN to the music, BUY the CD, "TRUE TO YOU", WATCH the videos, READ the blogs and CONTACT us through our stylish website - www.youneeversal.com
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Influences
INFLUENCES INCLUDE Harpo Marx, Wes Montgomery, Chick Corea, Nelson Riddle, Bill Evans, Gil Evans, Miles Davis, Don Sebesky, Shorty Rogers, Maria Schnieder, Neal Hefti, Pat Metheny, Ravel, Weather Report, Michael Gibbs, Les Dawson, Debussy, Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Joe Venuti, Tony Romano, Nick Romano, Claus Ogerman, Kieth Jarrett, Jim Hall, Dave Brubeck, Paul Desmond, Randy Brecker, Gary Husband, Nigel Hitchcock, Dave Grusin, Dori Caymmi, Bob James, Ivan Lins, Janek Gwizdala, Harvey Mason, all Stan Kentons arrangers, Herb Pomeroy, Ken Dodd, Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Singers Unlimited, Cat Stevens, Itiberi, Silverchair, Cole Porter, Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, The Hi-Los, David Crosby, Jack Nitzsche, Ray Charles, Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorius, The Yellowjackets, Booker T & The MGs, Woody Allen, Tower of Power, Steely Dan, Wayne Shorter, The Monkees, The Beach Boys, Take 6, James Brown, Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley, Burt Bacharach, Hal David, Kid Creole, James Jamerson, David Van De Pitte, Paul Riser, Milton Nascimento, A.C. Jobim, The Beatles, Paul McCartney, George Martin, Sammy Lowe, Arif Mardin, Richard Carpenter, Jeremy Lubbock, Groucho Marx
RICHARD NILES has been called "one of the most versatile men in modern music". His career spans pop, rock and jazz as a recording artist, composer for film, commercials and TV, producer, songwriter, arranger, guitarist, conductor and musical director. His credits include some of the worlds most successful POP artists in including Paul McCartney, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Cher, Dusty Springfield, Grace Jones, James Brown, Michael McDonald, Pet Shop Boys, Westlife, Boyzone, Take That, Ronan Keating, THE FEELING and Kylie Minogue.
He has maintained a parallel career in JAZZ. A composition graduate of the Berklee College of Music, he studied with Gary Burton, Pat Metheny, Herb Pomeroy and Michael Gibbs. His professional credits include work with Pat Metheny, The Yellowjackets, Bob James, John Patitucci, Bob Mintzer, Billy Cobham, Michel Legrand, Ray Charles, Jane Monheit, Guy Barker, Chris Hunter, Silje Nergaard, Nnenna Frelon, Hiromi, Michael Ruff, Morrissey-Mullen, Jim Mullen (4 albums), Nils Landgren, Hamish Stuart, Janek Gwizdala, Nelson Rangell, Gwylim Simcock and Gary Husband.
PERFORMER
He has led his own groups performing in London, Paris, Tokyo, Los Angeles and New York since 1980 recording with Danny Gottlieb, Gary Husband. Nelson Rangell, Nigel Hitchcock, Chris Hunter, Steve Hamilton, Martin Shaw and Kid Creole. For many years he led his jazz orchestra BABDZILLA, featured as the resident band on the Channel 4 series presented by Ruby Wax, Dont Miss Wax. He has also conducted the BBC Big Band on numerous occasions. Niles has released three CDs as a leader, Bandzilla Blue Movies (1990) Santa Rita (1998) and Club Deranged (1999).
Niles' music is "a glorious mix of the unexpected" Daily Telegraph, performing both Niles originals and his unique arrangements of standards.
QUOTES:
"Richard Niles is one of the best composer/arrangers around and a truly exciting musical force." Pat Metheny
"The eclectic music runs the gamut from harmonic density to eccentric groove, dreamy guitar and synth textures." Berklee Today
"His prodigious talent as composer/arranger/performer have served him well in his multi-faceted pursuits." Michael Gibbs
"Clever smooth jazz." Time Out, London
BROADCASTER
Niles has been a BBC broadcaster and producer for many years. His critically acclaimed documentary series include NEW JAZZ STANDARDS, THE ARRANGERS, Richard Niles HISTORY OF POP ARRANGING, UPFRONT with Richard Niles, MANHATTAN The Most Musical Island On Earth, INSIDE IMPROVISATION, PAT METHENY - Bright Size Life and WHAT IS MELODY. He has been twice nominated for the Sony Award in broadcasting.
"Niles has changed the tenor of jazz broadcasting." Guardian
"When you are talking musical pedagogy, Richard Niles is the daddy." The Times
"Richard Niles is one of those people whose projects can be recommended without hesitation pushes the ear and imagination to encompass the workings of other peoples minds." The Sunday Telegraph
"The American musician Richard Niles is one of those people from whom, to approximately quote Wodehouse, one would buy shares without a tremor." The Times
Buy THE PAT METHENY INTERVIEWS from
AMAZON UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pat-Metheny-Interviews-Richard-Niles/dp/1423474694
AMAZON USA
http://www.amazon.com/Pat-Metheny-Interviews-Richard-Niles/dp/1423474694/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256107178&sr=1-1
TEACHING
Dr. Richard Niles received his PhD from Brunel University (January 2008), and has lectured at the University of Southern California, CalState, Brunel University and the Academy of Contemporary Music. He is available for Clinics and Guest Lectures and also takes private students in Composition, Songwriting, Arranging and Improvisation.
PRIVATE LESSONS anywhere in the world by SKYPE
Contact: richard@richardniles.com
Dr. RICHARD NILES’ PROFESSIONAL MUSIC WORKSHOPS
An opportunity to meet and interact with one of the most respected writers and producers in the music business. Have your work evaluated and your questions answered. This four-day event gives you unparalleled access to a consistently successful music-maker sharing his knowledge and experience. Any institution or venue wishing to host the workshops contact:richard@richardniles.com
Thank you very much for the Link Up & Sharing your music Nice to meet you through cyberlink! Keep up da Great Work! Wishes you All the Best in 2009! Enjoy your Week!
Dear Friend, finally it is out! The LONG expected release of our EP "Interrupted (Triptych I)" !!!
"you wonder why get interrupted / was life too fast / the nights too long / you give a fuck / get interrupted / you want no break / keep speeding on..."
Watch the music video, created by the young & wild Japanese video artist Yukihiro Taguchi. Be Surprised! You will also find some wicked REMIXES on Youtube and iTunes ;-)
Learn more about our current project "Triptych I-III" on our MySpace site...
Richard, thanks for the friendship on myspace. Excellent work! "Tame thy Pen" is brilliant. The way the sounds and vibrational melodies all interplay together in a unique way is quite incredible.....have a great day my friend.
I don't know if you remember but I was lucky enough to sit for an afternoon's lecture in Leeds College of Music around a couple of months ago (roughly) about performing.
You said a lot of interesting and important things and I just wanted to say that it was a pleasure to hear what a true professional has to say about things in the industry. I took a lot of information on board and hopefully a better musician for it.
Hi! Thank you very much for your friendship! and congratulations for your arrangements and compositions. Very nice to meet you, Kisses and PAZZ from Spain!!
Hey, Thanks for adding us! It means the world to us. Our new record "AMBTIONS" is now available at Hot topic, Newbury Comics and online on ITUNES, NAPSTER, RHAPSODY. Stay in touch Drop by the page and let us know what you think!
Salut from Hamburg, Amigo! I was listening your music, you have totally cool songs on your player! Wish you a wonderful rest of the sunday. Keep Rockin, Silva
