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| Richard
Reiter is a nationally acclaimed jazz performer and composer
whose music has also reached international audiences. Reiter
performs ten woodwinds: saxophones (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone),
flutes (C-flute, alto flute, bass flute), clarinets (Bb soprano,
Bb bass clarinet), and piccolo. He improvises exciting solos
that are emotional, adventuresome and thoughtfully structured.
The four CDs by his contemporary jazz group (originally called
Crossing Point, now called The Richard Reiter Afro-Jazz Project)
received rave reviews and steady national airplay. The
fourth CD "I Hear Africa" and the recording "Swing
This!" by The Richard Reiter Swing Band are both on Reiter's
label City Pigeon Records, as is his latest CD "Live at
China Gourmet." Of Reiter's playing, Bill Milkowski
wrote in Downbeat: "Richard Reiter has forged an
expressive and personal sound." George Kanzler wrote in
the Newark Star Ledger: "Reiter is a resourceful
soloist who composes exceptionally melodic compositions." Reiter has appeared as guest soloist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (performing David Amram's "Triple Concerto") and featured artist on both national television (CROSSING POINT's half hour PBS show "Live & Listener Friendly") and worldwide television (their three "Arts America" half hour shows produced by the United States Information Agency). He was on-stage soloist in Bob Fosse's Broadway musical "Dancin'" (performing Benny Goodman's clarinet solo from "Sing Sing Sing") and backup for such notables as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett (playing the "jazz tenor sax" chair), Nancy Wilson, Johnny Mathis, Linda Hopkins, Temptations and Supremes. Reiter has recorded with such artists as Marshall Hawkins, Buck Hill, Jimmy Hopps, Stan Rubin, Joe Carson and Mother Scott. In 1979 Reiter received an EMMY Award for Best Musical Score for an Independent Production for his music to "Generation on the Wind," an Academy Award nominated feature documentary. Piano star Michel Camilo performed Reiter's chart "Fast Feet" with Camilo's big band and Diane Moser's Composers Big Band has featured Reiter's "Bumpy Road." Reiter recently traveled to Dakar, Senegal (west Africa) where he performed with many "Afro-Pop" bands. Senegal's national radio station "Dakar FM" featured Crossing Point CDs and an interview with Reiter, who played his sax live on the air. In recognition of his talent, and with a support letter from legendary jazz artist Sonny Rollins, he has been awarded three grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Reiter is listed in the Marquis "Who's Who in Entertainment." |
