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Richard Niles

“Richard Niles is one of the best composer/arrangers around and a truly exciting musical force.” 20x Grammy winner PAT METHENY

Internationally acclaimed composer, arranger, and producer Dr. Richard Niles is known for his work in pop (Paul McCartney, Pet Shop Boys, Cher, Tears for Fears, Grace Jones), jazz (Pat Metheny, Randy Brecker, Bob James, John Pattitucci, Gary Husband, Bob Mintzer), soul (Ray Charles, Tina Turner, James Brown, Michael McDonald). He has worked with actors Oliver Reed, Robert Powell, and Jessie Buckley.

His arrangements helped “define the sound of pop” (Making Music Magazine), while his work in jazz is “accessible, yet thought provoking” (Randy Brecker). Pop hits include Left to My Own Devices (Pet Shop Boys), Breakout (Swing Out Sister), and Sowing the Seeds of Love (Tears for Fears).

A composer for film, TV and over 100 TV commercials, in 2019 he recorded orchestral music for Tomb Raider (video game).

He has led his infamous jazz orchestra BANDZILLA since 1987 performing and recording with such artists as Paul McCartney, Randy Brecker, Leo Sayer, Meat Loaf, Joe Cocker, Pee Wee Herman, and the Pet Shop Boys.

His acclaimed solo albums as guitarist/leader, inclue Santa Rita and Club Deranged featuring Chris Hunter, Nelson Rangell, Danny Gottlieb, and Mark Egan. , His latest, Niles Smiles (2023), is “replete with jazz chops and a pop sensibility” (JAZZIZ Magazine). In 2024 he released his classical/jazz/crossover compositions, Adventures for Cello and Piano featuring classical cellist Dennis Karmazyn and jazz pianist Clive Dunstall. His label Niles Smiles Music has recently released Joe Venuti and Tony Romano Live at Gold Star Studios, and Michel Legrand and Tony Walters In This Quiet Room.

His acclaimed books include The Pat Metheny Interviews, The Invisible Artist, Songwriting – The 11-Point Plan, Polymetrics, From Dreaming to Gigging, Adventures in Arranging, and Adventures in Jazz Composition, Arrange Like a Pro, and Adventures in Creativity.

For 20 years Niles wrote and hosted music documentaries for the BBC. His YouTube channel has been called “a unique resource”. He is currently releasing video courses and books for The ProMix Academy - Arrange Like a Pro (2023), Masterclass with Leo Sayer (2024), and Adventures in Creativity (2025).

He has taught at Berklee College of Music, USC, UCLA, CalState (Northridge), Brunel, Academy of Contemporary Music, Leeds College of Music, The Royal Northern College of Music, The California Jazz Conservatory, SRH Berlin, The UK Songwriting Contest, and The Musician’s Institute.

Awards

UK Songwriting Contest 2009, Golden Rose of Montreux (1988 The Strike)

Gear

Sire LC Guitar

Spark 40 amp

Richard Niles' Bandzilla To Release Two New Videos In Support Of Critically Acclaimed New Album

Source: Glass Onyon PR - Keith James
February 9, 2017

Composer Richard Niles has released the highly acclaimed album BANDZILLA RISES!!! Jazz Weekly says “BANDZILLA is hip to the bone!” while Music Street Journal says BANDZILLA “is killer jazz fusion that just plain rocks!… incredibly strange but also very cool.” Cherry Pop calls it “one of the most adventurous albums I have ever heard,” while Midwest Record says, “thinking man’s pop that also provides heat for the feet… killer stuff throughout!” Now Niles has released two new videos from the ...
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“Richard Niles is one of the best composer/arrangers around and a truly exciting musical force.” 20x Grammy winner PAT METHENY

"Richard Niles is a great arranger & orchestrator and was a great pleasure to work with” PAUL MCCARTNEY "BANDZILLA RISES!!! is a really well-crafted work...great production, conception and playing from all concerned!” RANDY BRECKER

“A must for every aspiring arranger and a very useful resource for anyone already advanced in this field.” CHRIS WALDEN (5x Grammy Nominated composer/arranger)

“This is a text book that should be in the libraries of every college music department in the world!” TONY VISCONTI