STRING BASSIST, ELECTRIC BASSIST, COMPOSER

 

Rich Syracuse has been a mainstay on the New York area scene for more than four decades. While Performing at an early age in New York City He was the winner of the prestigious Congress Of Strings Award. Going on to receive Bachelor of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music in New York City. Rich performed with The Group For Contemporary Music under the Conductors Charles Wournin and Harvey Solberger, The Hartford Ballet and the New Jersey Lyric Opera co. Early Jazz groups include Pianist’s John Mehegan, Joey Calderazzo, Ted Rosenthal, and Bruce Barth. After Moving to New York State’s Hudson Valley in the mid 1980’s he began a long-standing position in the Nick Brignola Quartet playing clubs, festivals, and recording sessions.  Besides his years with Brignola, he has performed with Mose Allison, Kurt Elling, Brubeck Brothers, Michael and Randy Brecker, Dave Liebman, Warren Bernhardt, Vinnie Martucci, Sumi Tonoka, David Torn, Mike DeMicco, Mark Djuzba, Peter Levin, Sam Morrison, John Esposito, Steve Raleigh, Jimmy Cobb, Bernard Purdy, Adam Nussbaum, Jeff “siege” Siegel, Eddie Henderson, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Dena DeRose, John Medeski, Michael Musilliami and Ali Demogli.

 

Rich had been the Bassist for Pianist Lee Shaw for over 22 years.

He is the Professor for String and Electric Bass Studies at Skidmore College in Saratoga, New York; Hotchkiss School in Lakeville Connecticut, Bard College in New York and SUNY New Paltz college in New Paltz New York.

Rich is an Individual member of the International Association Schools of Jazz.

Rich has toured throughout Europe, South America and Southern Africa.  As well as touring, Rich is an in demand Bassist throughout the northeast region of the USA.