Artist description »The self-titled debut release, "Richie Pratt", represents unique merging of musical sophistication and good taste. Whether cookers, ballads or Latins, there is an ebullient flow of energy that transforms each composition into a dynamic drama. In typical professional fashion, Pratt has assembled a solid organization featuring some of the finest New York City musicians performing his original works. The writing and performances demonstrate great prospects for success online. This recording could help trigger a surge of new optimism that just might bring more fans to this style of jazz!«

Music Style jazz, broadway, contemporary and popular music, studio

Musical Influences Jack DeJohnette, Mel Lewis, Elvin Jones, Louis Bellson, etc...

Similar Artists New York Jazz Quartet, Art Blakey, Out of the Blue, Richie Pratt

Artist History RICHIE PRATT, musician-composer. Born to a musical family and raised at Olathe, Kansas, Mr. Pratt attended the University of Kansas at Lawrence. While at KU, he was a starting Guard on the Jayhawk football team (blocking for NFL Hall of Fame running back, Gayle Sayers)! He was initially drafted by the New York Giants and suffered a career ending knee injury prior to the start of his second season with the team. Pratt never stopped playing music and began his professional tenure as a musician in New York around 1970. As fate would have it's way, when employed as a Host at the famed Village Gate, Richie began sitting in with Jaki Byard. Major Holley also invited Pratt to "jam" on Sundays at Jacques; which resulted in Junior Mance hearing Pratt on drums and offering him his first "paid gig" as a drummer in New York. Described in the New York press as a "bubbling cauldron of musical vitality," RICHIE PRATT has added musical diversity to his cauldron performing with the American Symphony, the Joffrey Ballet, Alvin Ailey; in the Broadway hits: "Ain't Suppose to Die": "Dude"; "Raisin"; and most notably, Pratt was the drum soloist in Broadway's smashing tribute to Duke Ellington - "Sophisticated Ladies"! In the traditional Jazz arena, Pratt spent over three years as a member of the New York Jazz Quartet, which included Sir Roland Hanna, Frank Wess, and George Mraz. Pratt has also accompanied Billy Taylor, Milt Jackson, Milton Hinton, Frank Foster, Monte Alexander, Michel Legrand, Lionel Hampton, Benny Goodman, and Benny Carter among others. The lightness and sensitivity of his drumming has enhanced such legendary vocalists as: Nancy Wilson, Aretha Franklin, Marlena Shaw, Barry White, Melba Moore, the Temptations, Della Reese, Johnny Hartman, Carol Sloane, and Johnny Desmond as well. »Richie Pratt now resides in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Group Members Richie Pratt drum set, percussion, composer, leader; David Dutemple electric bass; Major Holley acoustic bass; Greg Kogan piano; Tom Pierson piano; Billy Butler guitar; Ross Konikoff trumpet, flugelhorn; Bob Carten saxophones, flute; Tony Salvatori bass trombone.

Instruments drums, electric bass, acoustic bass, piano, trumpet, flugelhorn, saxophones, flute, bass trombone.

Albums Debut CD, "Richie Pratt"; performs as sideman on numerous others.

Press Reviews NUMEROUS: »New York Jazz Quartet»American Symphony»Joffrey Ballet»Lionel Hampton»Arethra Franklin»the Temptations»Broadway Musicals...

Location Honolulu, Hawaii - USA

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