Time: 58:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2003
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz
Art: Front
01. Forward Motion (5:25)
02. Up All Night (6:19)
03. Embrace (6:54)
04. The Way I See It (5:30)
05. Still Standing (5:24)
06. Just So You Know (6:05)
07. Dogs In The Neighborhood (4:44)
08. Changes (6:40)
09. Slow Roller (5:52)
10. And Then Peace (5:50)
Keyboardist, composer, Mike Ricchiuti is an emerging artist with a refreshing and contemporary approach to his playing and writing. Mike’s playing, while grounded in the jazz piano tradition, draws upon a wide variety of influences from pop to soul and funk, giving him a unique voice as an artist. His influences include Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Stevie Wonder, and many others.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Mike grew up on Long Island, and began taking piano lessons by the age of 7. As a young boy he studied classical music but Billy Joel was his musical hero. In his late teens Mike discovered jazz piano and decided to enroll at Berklee College of Music. In the fall of 1986, Mike left for Boston and discovered a whole new world of music. There he studied with Jeff Covell, Ray Santisi, and Herb Pomeroy, among others. In 1991 he returned to NY to embark on his career, while continuing to study with Fred Hersch and Kenny Werner.
Most recently Mike has been touring with singer Patti Austin as her pianist/keyboardist and musical director, supporting her latest CD, “Avant Gershwin”. This has provided Mike with the opportunity to work with various symphonies around the world, legendary big bands like Count Basie and Duke Ellington, as well as leading his own trio. He is currently in the studio with Patti, arranging and producing tracks for her new pop/r+b record. In addition Mike has performed and recorded with guitarist Chuck Loeb. On Chuck’s latest Cd, “When I’m With You”, Mike is featured as a pianist, writer, as well as co-producer on several of the tracks. Other recent recording credits include “A New Kind of Blue” featuring Randy Brecker, and work with pianist, Bob James, saxophonist, Eric Marienthal, Gato Barbieri, Michael Franks, Spyro Gyra, David Mann, Kim Waters, and the soundtrack to “State and Main”.
Mike’s talents have also been sought out by a variety of other artists. He toured in the US and Europe with legendary funk saxophonist Maceo Parker, playing organ. Mike was hired to play in the house band for the “I Love NY” benefit concert held at the Beacon Theater in NYC for victims of the World Trade Center tragedy. On this special night, he backed up artists such as Al Jarreau, Natalie Cole, Phoebe Snow, Jeff Golub, Russ Freeman, and many others. In addition, Mike has worked with Michael Brecker, Chris Botti, Peabo Bryson, Bill Evans, Will Lee, Steve Gadd, John Patitucci, Omar Hakim, Stephanie Mills, David Foster, Jeff Kashiwa, Chieli Minucci, and Nelson Rangell.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Mike grew up on Long Island, and began taking piano lessons by the age of 7. As a young boy he studied classical music but Billy Joel was his musical hero. In his late teens Mike discovered jazz piano and decided to enroll at Berklee College of Music. In the fall of 1986, Mike left for Boston and discovered a whole new world of music. There he studied with Jeff Covell, Ray Santisi, and Herb Pomeroy, among others. In 1991 he returned to NY to embark on his career, while continuing to study with Fred Hersch and Kenny Werner.
Most recently Mike has been touring with singer Patti Austin as her pianist/keyboardist and musical director, supporting her latest CD, “Avant Gershwin”. This has provided Mike with the opportunity to work with various symphonies around the world, legendary big bands like Count Basie and Duke Ellington, as well as leading his own trio. He is currently in the studio with Patti, arranging and producing tracks for her new pop/r+b record. In addition Mike has performed and recorded with guitarist Chuck Loeb. On Chuck’s latest Cd, “When I’m With You”, Mike is featured as a pianist, writer, as well as co-producer on several of the tracks. Other recent recording credits include “A New Kind of Blue” featuring Randy Brecker, and work with pianist, Bob James, saxophonist, Eric Marienthal, Gato Barbieri, Michael Franks, Spyro Gyra, David Mann, Kim Waters, and the soundtrack to “State and Main”.
Mike’s talents have also been sought out by a variety of other artists. He toured in the US and Europe with legendary funk saxophonist Maceo Parker, playing organ. Mike was hired to play in the house band for the “I Love NY” benefit concert held at the Beacon Theater in NYC for victims of the World Trade Center tragedy. On this special night, he backed up artists such as Al Jarreau, Natalie Cole, Phoebe Snow, Jeff Golub, Russ Freeman, and many others. In addition, Mike has worked with Michael Brecker, Chris Botti, Peabo Bryson, Bill Evans, Will Lee, Steve Gadd, John Patitucci, Omar Hakim, Stephanie Mills, David Foster, Jeff Kashiwa, Chieli Minucci, and Nelson Rangell.
The Way I See It
