Rachel Cohen

After winning a scholarship to study at the renowned New School University in New York, pianist Richard returned to the UK to form The Hungry Ants. Winner of the Daily Telegraph Young Jazz Musician of the Year and the Pat Smythe Award, he issued 3 critically acclaimed albums and performed with the “Ants” all over the World, including festivals in Jerusalem, Copenhagen, Cologne, Vienna and Senegal as well as regular appearances at UK festivals such as Bath, Cheltenham and Glasgow. A Steinway International artist since 1998, he was a finalist in the 2000 Montreux Jazz Festival’s Solo piano competition and in 2004 he was commissioned to write a work for the Cheltenham Jazz Festival which resulted in his winning the BBC Jazz Award for Best New Work in that year. Currently a visiting professor at the Royal Academy of Music, Richard continues to develop as a composer, writing both contemporary classical and jazz works. Tonight his trio also features bassist Riaan Vosloo and drummer Tim Giles. A former Sunday Times “rising star” Richard is without question one of the most interesting and talented players around.

“…he unselfconsciously improvises, making chord sequences sound fun!” Time Out;
“…a powerful keyboard virtuoso capable of both meditation and funkiness…one of the UK’s most innovative pianists” Guardian;
“…luminous and lyrical” The Times