Richie Barshay

Richie Barshay began drumming inside kitchen cabinets at an early age, and continues banging on things worldwide to this day. Noted for his work with the Herbie Hancock Quartet in the 2000s, he's been dubbed "a major rhythm voice on the rise" by Downbeat magazine, and The Guardian (UK) praises "the arrival of a major innovator who also knows how to have fun." Find him on stage and recordings with Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Esperanza Spalding, The Klezmatics, Fred Hersch, Kenny Werner, Lee Konitz, Natalie Merchant, Bobby McFerrin, and Pete Seeger among others. Since 2004 he has led outreach projects across 5 continents as an American Musical Envoy with the U.S. State Department. He can be heard on over 80 recordings as a sideman, and his two self-produced albums: Homework featuring Herbie Hancock (2004), and Sanctuary featuring Chick Corea (2014). Based in New York City and Northampton, MA, he is an AmSAT certified Alexander Technique teacher and maintains a private practice for performing artists and others to regain better mind-body coordination and ease of movement.

Andrew Green: Dime Dancing: The Music Of Steely Dan

Read "Dime Dancing: The Music Of Steely Dan" reviewed by Mark Sullivan

by Mark Sullivan
January 16, 2021

It is not hard to imagine jazz versions of Steely Dan songs, as they are rich in knotty harmonies and dark lyrics that belie their mainstream pop success. But you would probably have to be guitarist Andrew Green to imagine them arranged for chamber ensembles dominated by woodwinds and strings (as well as vocalist Miriam Waks and Green's guitar). Ironically, Green's dramatic departure from the iconic recordings grew out of his love for them: he was convinced that no rock ...

Album Review

Oscar Penas: Music Of Departures And Returns

Read "Music Of Departures And Returns" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
May 3, 2014

In putting together his fourth album, guitarist Oscar Penas looked to composers he connects with, songs that speak to him, and originals that fit comfortably with the rest. That's the concept here, plain and simple, and the end result is a thirty-eight minute beauty that's alluring and completely accessible. Two different rhythm sections and three guests come and go during these eight tracks, but Penas' presence ties everything together. The first three numbers--a cheery choro featuring clarinetist ...

293

Album Review

Oscar Penas: From Now On

Read "From Now On" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
July 21, 2011

The music on From Now On is modern jazz marinated in the seductive flavors of Spain and South America. Guitarist Oscar Peñas' path lead him from Barcelona to Brooklyn, NY, and this geographic duality is ever-present in the intriguing blend of music that's presented on this, his debut for BJU records. While Iberian-influenced guitar lines often set the stage and thread their way through the music, this record goes well-beyond any single style or influence. Peñas' writing ...

189

Album Review

Richie Barshay: Homework

Read "Homework" reviewed by Elliott Simon

by Elliott Simon
May 6, 2008

There is a bit more than a hint of Indian drumming in “Clouds - intro," the somewhat airy invitational cut on Homework, from percussionist Richie Barshay. It doesn't prepare for the sonic onslaught that follows. From the sound of this offering, Barshay has been studying Indian percussive forms and instruments that are the foundation to this truly global session. Although the Indian feel is pronounced throughout--Josh Feinberg's sitar reemphasizes this on a heady “Return Voyage" that includes ...

"Drummer Barshay provided a wealth of energetic support, never losing his nimble way even at the sometimes breakneck paces...He turned the dreaded drum solo segment into an engaging rhythmic call-and-response exercise with the crowd."
—Randy Lewis - Los Angeles Times

"Richie Barshay is one of New York's most sought after jazz drummers."
—The Seattle Times

"He is one of those players who just needs to breathe on his drum kit to set up a rhythm. His light touch, incorporating tablas, electronic percussion and crisp-sounding cymbals, ensured that there was always an interesting pulse."
—The Herald (Edinburgh, Scotland)

“Richie Barshay plays like that.....It’s like a deep fundamental groove that’s always there, no matter how many notes.” —Russ Titelman, three-time Grammy Award-winning producer

"Barshay also struck gold with his drum solo on the second to last song, mixing styles and rhythms with ease."
—DCMetroTheaterArts

“Then he played, and the tapestry of sound he created - from soft snare rattles and delicate cymbal breezes to electronic percussion - announced the arrival of a major innovator who also knows how to have fun.” “A theme based on a Peruvian rhythm, a twisting Indian tabla feature...confirmed what unusual angles the gifted Barshay comes from. This is just the beginning for him.”
—John Fordham, The Guardian (UK)

"This man is a serious percussionist and composer for percussion. Something beneficial has happened to my heartbeat. "
—Robert R Calder, PopMatters Music Review

"A player to watch." “He fervently explores the many instruments and rhythms at his beck and call.”
—Scott Albin, JazzTimes.

"A fascinating musician."
—Chick Corea

“Homework introduces a major rhythm voice on the rise.”
“Some use the word ‘painterly’ to describe piano players engaged in impressionistic flights of fancy. This description also suits the graceful determined phrasings of Richie Barshay.”
—Ken Micallef - Downbeat

"Utterly fabulous and uplifting...this musegician drummer/percussionist is a master with the muse and a true gift to this land." —Nancy Nash - June Award nominee Canadian blues singer

“Playing a hybrid kit incorporating hand drums, percussion, and trap set, Barshay swings his butt off, simultaneously creating a Jazz/Indian world like Tony Williams setting fire to the Ganges.”
—Modern Drummer

"Listening to Richie Barshay's deft drumming is always a treat."
—Time Out New York

“On Homework, his striking debut as a leader, Herbie Hancock’s current drummer, Richie Barshay, effectively incorporated tabla into his drum kit while adding a wide spectrum of Indian and Afro-Cuban instruments to the fabric of his brilliantly original compositions. Tabla has a prominent role throughout.… And we’re not talking overdubbing here. Barshay actually plays the tabla at the kit while simultaneously activating the bass drum and hi-hat with his feet, then alternately picking up sticks to traverse his snare and toms in organic fashion.”
“a showcase of Zen-like cymbal work”"
—Bill Milkowski - Traps: The Art of Drumming

"All the right stuff, so we have hope...continues to impress us all with his swing and musicality. "
—Bob Brookmeyer

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