Award winning pianist and educator Richard Michael BEM returns to his native Stonehaven to give a concert in Dunnottar Church on Friday 30th September.
Richard is recognized as one of the UK’s leading jazz pianists and educators.
Julian Joseph Jazz Pianist says Richard is quite simply the UK’s greatest Jazz Ambassador and from Ian Rankin author “he is a passionate advocate of jazz in its myriad forms”.
And then there is an unnamed teacher from Mackie Academy who taught him many years ago When Richard said he was going to become a composer and pianist the teacher said – “Schubert starved in a garret lad! You’ll end up in some joint on the San Francisco waterfront”.
Born and brought up in Stonehaven, since graduating from what is now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 1971, Richard is recognized as one of the UK’s leading jazz pianists and educators, having taught thousands of youngsters the art of improvisation through his pioneering work in leading the Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra since 1972.
Richard began his professional career through gigs in hotels in Stonehaven and Aberdeen (where he played with the Alec Sutherland Band) and with his dad’s concert party.
“I never realised it at the time, but the amount of performing I did as a youngster in the John Michael Concert Party, prepared me for the life I lead now, giving concerts and leading workshops around the country and abroad. From my Dad I learned that it doesn’t matter whether you are playing in a village hall or the Albert Hall, its your duty to always give of your best – and that lesson I drill into my students!”
Richard is featured every Sunday night on Radio Scotland’s “Jazz Nights”, is Honorary Professor of Jazz Piano at St Andrews University and has a new best-selling book published by Hal Leonard Inc. called “Jazz Piano for Kids”.
“In my concert I’ll be playing a wide range of music – Scots, jazz, folk, classical and anything requested by the audience. I’ll also have a blast on the church organ and improvise on any themes suggested by the audience. In fact, I never play anything the same way twice!”
venue: Dunnottar Church, Stonehaven
date/time: Friday 30th September at 7.30.
all tickets £10 – pay at the door- admission free for all uner 16’s