Acclaimed Jazz Pianist and Composer: Richard Sears

Richard Sears is a jazz pianist and composer, living in Brooklyn, New York. Richard has performed/recorded with Chick Corea, Mark Turner, Joshua Redman, Tootie Heath, Billy Hart, Ben Street, Chuck Israels, Roy McCurdy, Ambrose Akinmusire, John Ellis, Putter Smith, and Azar Lawrence. In 2013 he was commissioned by the Los Angeles Jazz Society to compose a suite of music to honor and feature legendary jazz drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath, which premiered at the Angel City Jazz Festival in October of 2013. Richard competed as one of five finalists in the both the 2012 and 2013 International Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competitions. In 2010 he was featured at the inaugural “Direct to Disc”  performance series presented by Stones Throw Records – later released on vinyl by Stones Throw.  In fall 2015, Richard released his latest trio recording, “Skyline”, on Fresh Sound Records.

“In Los Angeles, he was one of countless promising young jazz musicians, finding their unique voices and finding each other, forming groups and playing for little at bars, restaurants and coffeeshops. It’s a rough slog, but out of that murky pool of developing talent there are always a few that begin to emerge, chrysalides flying free from the cocoon of potential. Sears’ pianistic concept is now fully realized, with an austere, Brahms-ian chordal sense and clarity of purpose in his improvised melodies. His confidence boosted by the implicit affirmation of inclusion in bands by Billy Hart, Mark Turner, Ben Street, Tootie Heath, and Roy McCurdy, Sears has successfully migrated to Brooklyn and recorded his debut, Skyline, on the well-respected label Fresh Sound Records.”

– Gary Fukushima | LA Weekly

“Richard Sears is a fierce young pianist – exploding with technique, energy, and art”– Brick Wahl | LA Weekly

“A man of mood, color, and originality…pianist Richard Sears stands out as a composer”– Greg Burk | MetalJazz.com, LA Weekly, LA Times

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