TOM RICHARDS

Multi-instumentalist, composer and arranger Tom Richards is a very sought after musician. After graduating from the Royal Academy's coveted Jazz course with first class honours Tom played alongside musical greats such as Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney, Queen and Eric Clapton. Following an 18-month stint touring with worldwide best-selling jazz artist Jamie Cullum, Tom decided to experiment further with his first love - the big band format. The Tom Richards Jazz Orchestra (or TRJO) is a unique 19 piece jazz orchestra comprised of London's most sought after young musicians including Gareth Lockrane (flutes), conductor Jules Buckley and BBC Jazz Awards winners Gwilym Simcock (piano) and Jim Hart (vibes). This orchestra is truly an ensemble of international stature and a who's who of the UK's current vanguard, as many of the TRJO alumni are leaders of successful projects in their own right. The result is one of the few contemporary big bands to focus on longer, through composed, more orchestral structures as well as shorter more conventional forms with an enviable original repertoire. At only 26 years, Tom Richards, has developed a characteristic style of composing many never achieve.

www.tomrichards.org
www.myspace.com/tomrichardsjazzorchestra