“Richard Sears is a highly inventive pianist, possessing a bold and lyrical approach to improvisation and composition. Whether leading performances of his own music or acting as an accompanist in a more traditional jazz context, Sears performs with a captivating sense of grace and adventure. Certainly someone to keep and ear on!”
-Drew Tewksbury, NPR
“Richard Sears is a fierce young pianist – exploding with technique, energy, and art”
- Brick Wahl, LA Weekly
Pianist and composer Richard Sears grew up in the Santa Cruz Mountains of Northern California. An eager improviser from an early age, he immersed himself in the Bay Area’s vibrant music scene, and was composing and performing professionally by his junior year of high school. In 2005, Richard received a scholarship to attend the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, where he studied with Shelly Berg, John Clayton, and Alan Pasqua.
Today, Richard is at the forefront of a growing community of creative young musicians in Los Angeles. He has played concerts in New York and Peru, and recorded and performed with a diverse array of artists including Joshua Redman, Dave Binney, Robben Ford, Ambrose Akinmusire, and Azar Lawrence.
In August of 2012, Richard will be recording his debut trio record featuring bassist Martin Nevin and drummer Kevin Yokota.