I was born in 1953 in Alnwick, a small market town in Northumberland, about thirty miles both from the Scottish border to the north and the city of Newcastle upon Tyne to the south. After leaving school I spent one year at the City of Leeds College of Music and then went on to Durham University where I studied Music (along with Biblical Studies and Indian Civilisation - a General B. A. ) and finally did a diploma course in Jazz and Light music at the Newcastle College of Arts and Technology. Shortly after ending my studies I moved to London where I found that the experience, that I had gathered in the clubs and pubs of the north east was enough to get my career in the capital started. Within a short time I had work with dance orchestras, in recording studios, in theatres and pubs, in TV and radio and was freelancing on the London jazz scene. From 1980 -1991 I played many international jazz festivals, radio and television shows as well as touring from Africa to Sweden with the Afro jazz band Dudu Pukwana's Zila (south Africa / Great Britain). In 1984 I played a British tour with Gloria Gaynor.
Since 1990 I have been living in Germany and have played some musicals e. g. Oklahoma! (original Broadway version), Jesus Christian Superstar (New York production) and Starlight Express (Bochum). I have backed numerous artists e. g. Ute Lemper, Max Greger, Roberto Blanco, Drafi Deutscher. In 1993 I was engaged at Le Cabaret au Casino in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
I have also written an educational book - The Music Factory (Faber Music, London 1993) and taught at colleges and workshops (e. g. Goldsmith's College, University of London (1980-1985) Brighton Rock (1988 to 1991).
Since 1990 I have been living in Dortmund and have played here with e. g. the Hammer Big Band, Hans Steinmeier's Stick Jam, Klaudia Hebbelmann's rocksiechor!, der Andreas Schneeweiß Trio, Inez Timmer ("Nichts haut mich um" - Cole Porter a unique blend of theater and jazz), der David DeGroat Trio, Jan Bierther, Blechwerk und Isaac Molia's Triple B. I now also play piano.
Internet: http: //www. pianoandbass. de und myspace. com/eric. richards
Discographie:
1981 Dudu Pukwana: Sounds Zila
1983 Zila: Life in Bracknell and Willisau
1986 Dudu Pukwana: Zila 86
1989 Lloyd Ryan: Circular Storm
1989 Dudu Pukwana's Zila: Harambe Africa - War on Want
1990 Dudu Pukwana: Cosmics Chapter 90
1991 Stick Jam: Stick Jam
1995 Die Big-Band der Stadt Hamm: Die "Hammer" Big-Band
1998 Selma Garcia: Smilin' Samba
1999 rocksiechor!: She's got it
2001 "Crazy" Chris Kramer and friends Vol. 1 - Guarantee for the Blues
2003 "Crazy" Chris Kramer and friends Vol. 3 - Guarantee for the Blues - second set
2003 rocksiechor!: splash!
2004 IGEL-RECORDS: Der Bär auf dem Seil
2004 Soulful Swinging Singers: Praise The Lord!
2004 Jan Bierther Team: Der Will nur spielen
2005 IGEL-RECORDS: Kindergarten Geschichten
2005 Inez Timmer: nichts haut mich um... Inez Timmer singt Cole Porter
2005 jan bierther trio & gäste: jazz in der fabrik
2007 Pott Pack: Kowalski Drive
