'The Art of Jazz Improvisation'

Kim Richmond at AJA workshop
Kim Richmond resources: Kim's list of famous jazz musicians of which you should be aware (PDF file). Web site: http://www.kimrichmond.com His ideal individual jazz practice session	Kim Richmond at AJA Doug Tidaback, Kim Richmond and Pete Swan AJA photos

AJA students (and a few parents) packed a practice room at the Arizona Jazz Academy on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006, to learn about "The Art of Jazz Improvisation" from LA recording artist/composer Kim Richmond.

Mr. Richmond, one of the top recording studio musicians on the West Coast, spiced the workshop with some stunning alto sax riffs, accompanied by local drummer/band leader Pete Swan, AJA faculty member Scott Black on bass and the Ellington Band's Ben Rachbach on piano.

In question-and-answer time with the students, he gave a wide range of advice on everything from technique and instrument pro's and cons to musical influences and improvisational strategies.

The free workshop, attended by some community musicians as well as AJA students, was sponsored by the Arizona Jazz Academy and the Arizona Community School of Music.

Mr. Richmond's first love is jazz, and his primary jazz voice is the alto saxophone. He has, however, been involved in nearly every facet of the professional music industry, both as a player and as a composer/arranger. His instruments are alto, soprano, tenor and baritone saxes, clarinet, bass clarinet, and flutes. Kim has been a member of the orchestras of Stan Kenton, Louis Bellson, Bob Florence, Bill Holman, and Vinny Golia among others.

He is an adjunct professor in the Jazz Studies department of USC (teaching combos, composition and saxophone), and does numerous jazz camps and clinics in the Spring and summer of each year. He is on staff at many of the Jim Widner Summer Jazz Camps, the Centrum Workshop camps (Port Townsend, WA), and the CSU Fresno Summer Jazz Workshop. He is involved the running of the Northwoods Jazz Camp/Jazz Party for grown-ups.

Kim Richmond is a Selmer artist and endorses all Selmer saxophones and other woodwinds. In spite of his busy schedule in the professional music world, he enjoys keeping in touch with the educational music field by serving as guest lecturer, conductor and guest soloist at college music festivals and workshops around the country. If you are interested in contacting Kim for any of these reasons, please send e-mail him at jazzkim@kimrichmond.com.

AJA jam with Kim Richmond, 'Ella' musicians and Pete Swan Trio

At right are Pete Swan (on drums) with AJA guest artist Kim Richmond.

The Pete Swan Trio, with featured guest artists, performs Sunday evenings 7PM-10PM, at the Old Pueblo Grille, 60 North Alvernon Way (At Broadway) . AJA musicians often join in.

AJA photos

Kim Richmond with Teddy Raven, an award-winning former Arizona Jazz Academy student, who won 2nd Place Jazz Soloist, and an International Association of Jazz Educators Outstanding Ensemble Soloist Award.

AJA faculty members James Williams, trumpet, and Scott Black, bass, are joined by pianist George Caldwell of the Arizona Theatre Company production of "Ella." Mr. Caldwell is a veteran of both the Count Basie and Duke Ellington orchestras.

Clifton Kellem, on bass at left, from the ATC's "Ella" production, has performed with a variety of artists, including Uhmar Rhameen and George Benson. Here he jams with AJA's Scott Black on trumpet and pianist George Caldwell, also from "Ella."

Others (not pictured here) from "Ella" who joined the jam were Rodney Harper (drums), and Inga Ballard, (vocalist and actress, understudy for the Ella Fitzgerald role).

Unfortunately, the critically acclaimed and incredibly talented vocalist and actress, Tina Fabrique, who plays the title role in "Ella," couldn't join the party. Ms. Fabrique was a featured soloist for several years with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, touring throughout Europe and the United States.

The ATC's last performance of the show is Dec. 22 — call Arizona Theatre Company at (520) 622-2823 for tickets or information. Phoenix is the next stop for the show, which also featured actors Brian "Lord" Sledge and Harold Dixon, a University of Arizona drama professor.