I play (and sing) a wide variety of styles of music from jazz standards and pop and rock, to Latin, reggae, ragtime, and some classical. I can work as a solo player, but also put together trios and quartets, etc., as required. I also can do some announcing during events as needed.
I've also included a brief demo of music I created for the website back in the late '90s. I own all of the compositions.
3 reviews
Jojo B.
July 17, 2022He plays the piano so beautifully! My residents loved him and immediately asked that I bring him back for happy hour again!
Hired as: Singing Pianist
Bill C.
December 29, 2020Richard was great. Super talented and took many requests. Highly recommended.
Hired as: Singing Pianist
One's Company
I enjoyed playing for them this past Sunday. Everyone was friendly and the party was just great to be a part of. I absolutely loved the piano and the requests kept coming, which is always a good sign. Again, it was a real joy!
Joanne B.
November 2, 2020Richard James (One’s Company) is such a talented musician and great human. He not only rehearsed twice with us for our event, he went the extra mile and checked out the venue and piano ahead of time. Our family highly recommends him for any occasion you need a qualified musician.
Hired as: Pianist
One's Company
I enjoyed working with them on this important, but also sad, occasion. I'm so glad that things worked out so well. It was my pleasure to play for them.
Price range: $250 and up
Richard A. James performer and composer
styles: jazz, classical, contemporary, blues,
latin, pop/rock reggae, etc…….
INSTRUMENTS OF CHOICE: piano, keyboards,
electric and acoustic bass and drums & vocals
Richard James is an innovative and talented artist who has far-ranging
interests. For example, he was lead music contributor from 1996 through
2001 for the amazingly popular (link hidden) website (over a
hundred million hits a month). He was constantly called upon to create
short pieces to accompany the greeting cards which were abundantly
available on the site. It was challenging and exhilarating, to be sure.
Richard has a background in classical and jazz piano, studying privately in
New York, beginning at age 6. He studied string bass in San Diego for
several years with Bert Turetzky and played in many local orchestras. “It
was great exposure to the classics….
He has performed extensively in nightclubs and worked countless private
engagements, and concert situations, mostly in San Diego but in New
York, and L.A. as well. Richard has played in virtually all the major spots
around San Diego, including the Civic Theatre and Symphony Hall as well
as the major hotels and casinos all throughout the greater San Diego area.
Some of the shows he has worked are Grease, Meet Me in St. Louis, Pia
Zadora, South Pacific, Sugar Babies as well as numerous productions for
Starlight and the Old Globe. He has played with such jazz and blues greats
as Terry Gibbs, Charles McPherson, Illinois Jacquett, Big Mama Thornton,
Barbara Morrison. In the late seventies and early eighties he played
acoustic bass with the Jimmy and Jeanie Cheatham ensemble at the
Sheraton Harbor Island Hotel. “The jam session every Sunday evening
was definitely a “happening thing.” He is currently Musical Director at the
One Heart – One Mind Center for Spiritual Living in Sorrento Valley. He
also has performed in some of the best spots around town, either solo, or
with his trio (pno, bs, drs), including the La Valencia Hotel and Eddie V’s in
La Jolla, the US Grant, Sheraton, Croce’s to name a few……And, in
addition to composition and performance activities, Richard has been
taking on various recording projects at his studio, which has been graced
with the purchase of a lovely, brand-new Steinway "B", which, “records
beautifully. Piano players love it.” To sum things up, “keep it fun and
creative. Follow your dream.”
Thursday
Retirement Community Event
2:00pm - 3:00pm
•
San Diego, CA
Thursday
Retirement Community Event
3:30pm - 4:30pm
•
San Marcos, CA
Sunday
House Party
10:00am - 1:00pm
•
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Sunday
Funeral/Memorial Service
1:00pm - 4:00pm
•
San Diego, CA
Singing Pianist
