ABOUT
Richie was born in 1952 in Nyack, NY.
In 1960, at the age of 8, Richie started studying guitar privately.
In 1970, Richie began his studies at Berklee College of Music.
From 1970-74, Richie studied with Phil Wilson and performed in his Dues Band as well as Herb Pomeroy's Concert Jazz Orchestra and graduated as the *recipient of the prestigious Harris Stanton award.
From 1974-75, Richie studied with George Benson.
In 1975, Richie created a trio with bassist Gary Mazzaroppi to bring a more funky style to his original compositions.
1976, Hart had met Dr. Lonnie Smith. A year later, his compositions "It's Changed" and "When The Night Is Right" were featured on Smith’s masterpiece "Funk Reaction". Richie is featured as guitarist on both songs.
1988 Bermuda Jazz Festival with Dr. Lonnie Smith.
1997 Jamaica Jazz Festival with Dr. Lonnie Smith.
By 1991, Hart had reached the pinnacle of his recording career releasing "Remembering Wes", an homage to his hero.
1992 Spain Murcia, Castellón Valencia Jazz Festival with Dr. Lonnie Smith.
2001, 2002, 2003 Berkshire Jazz Festivals.
2001, 2002, 2003 Tarrytown, Sunnyside, Ossining, Dobbs Ferry, Yonkers & Mt. Vernon Jazz Festivals.
2013, 2014, 2015 New Hampshire Bass Festivals.
In 1981, greater success was achieved when Hart released his first album "Just a Matter of Time". A natural evolution to the work he was doing with Dr. Smith, it remained funky to the core while exploring more of his Jazz roots.
Over the last 30 years Richie focused his energy as both the head of the Jazz department at Westen Conneticut State University and Professor of Jazz Guitar at Berklee College Of Music in Boston.
Hart has performed in Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, The Blue Note, The Village Vanguard, Birdland, Brooklyn Bowl, Smalls Paradise, and The Red Rooster just to name a few NY institutions. He has performed with Ron Carter, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Freddie Hubbard, Hubert Laws, Don Patterson, Tal Farlow, Jimmy Cobb, Eddie Gomez, Stanley Cowell, Etta Jones, Houston Person, Gary Mazzaroppi, Joe Dukes, Jimmy Lovelace, Eddie Gladden, Marvin Smitty Smith, and Linc Milliman among others.
In 1981, greater success was achieved when Hart released his first album "Just a Matter of Time". A natural evolution to the work he was doing with Dr. Smith, it remained funky to the core while exploring more of his Jazz roots.
In 1981, greater success was achieved when Hart released his first album "Just a Matter of Time". A natural evolution to the work he was doing with Dr. Smith, it remained funky to the core while exploring more of his Jazz roots.
