Tim Richards Composition Commissions 2008 - For big band
Shamanism Suite 20 mins
Commissioned by Gloucester Music 'Jazz Live'
To be performed by Gloucester Youth Jazz Orchestra at Cheltenham Jazz Festival, May 2009
2007 - For piano
Southern Comfort 4 mins, through composed
Commissioned and published by Schott Music Ltd for the opening of Bauer & Hieber
music shop, Great Marlborough St, London, 21 September 2007. Performed by Tim Richards1998 - For 9-piece jazz ensemble (Great Spirit)
Suite for the Shed 60-minute piece in seven sections
Commissioned in 1998 by THE SHED with funds from Yorkshire Arts
First performance 22 October 1999, Sir Jack Lyons Hall, York University
Broadcast by BBC RADIO 3, live at Warwick University Arts Centre, 2 Nov 1999
CD release: GREAT SPIRIT, 33Jazz051, 19991997 - For classical piano trio (piano, violin, cello)
Timetrap 11-minute piece in three movements, through-composed
Commissioned 1997 by Triptych Piano Trio, with funds from the National Lottery
First performance 10 March 1998, Trinity Arts Centre, Tunbridge Wells1996 - For piano and saxophone
Fish Wish - Back Street Blues - Your Heart - Make Some Space - Tollbridge
Broadcast on BBC RADIO 3 "Impressions", 30 March 1996
Broadcast on ORF RADIO (Vienna), December 1996
CD release: SIGI FINKEL & TIM RICHARDS, ORF Edition Jazz Austria CD155, 19961987 - For jazz quintet (piano, trumpet, saxophone, bass, drums)
In Search of the Sixth Sense 35-minute suite in four parts
Commissioned in 1987 by Exeter Jazz Club with funds from South West Arts
Broadcast 1987 on BBC RADIO "Sounds of Jazz" from the Bass Clef, London
CD Release: SPIRIT LEVEL New Year, FMR CD03-1290, 1990
Also included on BEST OF SPIRIT LEVEL compilation, 33Jazz051, 1999
Many other compositions broadcast and released on recordings by
SPIRIT LEVEL, GREAT SPIRIT, TIM RICHARDS TRIO,
and in publications 1980 - present.
Please see Discography/ Publications
Selected Quotes
"A very fine example of British writing by a veteran of the modern UK scene."
Mark Gilbert JAZZ REVIEW 2000
"Richards has endured and matured into a gifted composer and arranger; Great Spirit proved to be the best little big band I've heard since Andy Sheppard's... The compositional dexterity was matched by some superb soloing...
Paul Kelly TEIGNMOUTH JAZZ FESTIVAL Review 1999
"What makes this CD so refreshing is the individualism and inherent depth of the writing. Richards sustains an elegance of invention from the catchy post-bop riff of Tollbridge to the relaxed groove of Back Street Blues."
CADENCE Magazine (USA) 1997"As assured as ever and pianist Tim Richards' compositions even more attractive."
The OBSERVER 1995
"Richards' great strength as a composer lies in his ability to provide pieces that are unfussy enough to be blowing vehicles, but at the same time reward repeated listening... providing perfect platforms for his own sparkling soloing..."
Chris Parker The TIMES 1994
"A composer of distinction who has yet to garner the accolades he deserves."
CITY LIMITS 1987
"Spirit Level have evolved a distinctive collective voice and attack. One of their greatest assets... the unusually gifted pianist-composer Tim Richards."
The ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF JAZZ 1986
"A composer of unsung individuality."
WIRE Magazine 1984Email: