Richard

Richard Ormrod

After an early and self-taught musical career in his father’s band, Richard Ormrod studied at Leeds College of Music, graduating in 1998 with a First in Jazz. Since graduation he has led bands of varying size (3-40 pieces) playing in styles covering the whole of jazz history and free improvisation, and from around the world (Caribbean, Latin, African, Jewish, Indian, Japanese and mainland European music). A noted multi-instrumentalist, he has performed throughout the UK, Europe, America and Asia, playing mainly reed instruments (but we haven't yet found an instrument he can't play).
As well as giving private tuition and working extensively in primary schools on a programme of facilitating creativity, he has worked in the wider musical community for more than a decade, firstly with the Darwen-based Jam Factory, and then with us here at Dales Jam. He arranges for, educates and conducts amateur musicians of all ages and abilities, in both musicianship and improvisation. He complements his Jazz soul with contrasting Jamaican and Indian classical influences. As he is easily influenced there are hints of South Africa, Klezmer, Funk, Pop, Calypso, Cuban, Brazilian thrown in as well. It's a heady mix!	Photo by Mark Wilson of SkiptonWeb

For more, visit his site at Myspace (or come and join in at Dales Jam!)