Radio Richard | Richard Niles Podcast

Guitar players, you’re in for a special treat! I first met Grammy Winning guitarist, arranger & composer LAURENCE JUBER in 1975. He was a top London studio even then and we did sessions, jingles and TV shows together over the years. Over the years he’s published many guitar books, played in James Bond movies and rocked around the world as a member of Paul McCartney’s Wings. He can play literally a...

GREG PHILLINGANES is a singer, songwriter and studio ace keyboard player known for his work with Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson and Toto. I interviewed him for my “What Is Melody?” BBC radio series and he demonstrates his work with Herbie Hancock. As a bonus, you can hear “Jump Back”, an unreleased track I wrote with British singer Clive Griffin. The London session was as brilliant a...

I interviewed the great composer & pianist Bob James in my London studio in 2003 for my BBC series “The New Jazz Standards” Here is the 2003 interview with two live tracks I produced in my studio. While Bob was in the studio, he said, “Hey Richard, I just got an idea for a head for a new tune. Would you mind giving me a minute while I write it out so I can try it out with the guys?” I said, “Not o...

I interviewed the great composer & pianist Bob James in my London studio in 2003 for my BBC series “The New Jazz Standards” and again in 2007 for my series “What Is Melody”. Here is the 2007 interview with a live track I produced in my studio from the first session with Bob’s wonderful band: Billy Kilson (drums), James Genus (bass) and Dave McMurray on tenor sax playing his tune “My Brother & Me”....

Between 1998 and 2003 I wrote and hosted a series on BBC Radio 2, New Jazz Standards. I played contemporary releases, but I also interviewed artists and recorded them playing live in my little studio in Chiswick, London. This show featured acclaimed group the YELLOWJACKETS. Originally broadcast in 2003, I interviewed Bob Mintzer who had just joined the group. A wonderful chance to hear that band o...

How about listening to WAYNE SHORTER talking about composition? You can have that rare opportunity right here in my 2003 interview for my series “The New Jazz Standards”. This is an excerpt from the show where Wayne also talks to me about Miles Davis and working with Herbie Hancock on their duo record “One On One”, so I suggest you click PLAY, and SUBSCRIBE – in that order!   “The New Jazz Standar...

Guitarists and jazzbos will love this masterclass in improvisation from award-winning guitarist and composer MIKE STERN. Recorded in 2007 at his NY apartment, the floors covered in music, he talks working with Miles Davis and Michael Brecker, and demonstrates his concepts on his Telecaster, aided by the superb Janek Gwizdala on bass. I went to the Berklee College of Music with Mike 1971-1975 and h...

He may not be a household name, but Charles Calello has arranged hits for The Four Seasons, Frankie Valli, Laura Nyro, Shirley Ellis, Streisand, Springsteen, Engelbert Humperdink, Gloria Estefan, Barry Manilow, Dr. Buzzard, Kid Creole, Kenny Rogers, Glen Campbell and Frank Sinatra. In fact this interview contains what I think is the BEST SINATRA STORY of all time! A rare insider’s view of the hist...

I interviewed award winning bass virtuoso & composer John Patitucci in 2007 for my BBC radio series “What Is Melody” in his basement studio in his home, after having a fabulous cup of espresso! I was assisted by my friend, bassist and pianist Janek Gwizdala. This is a masterclass from a true master of both upright and electric bass as John demonstrates his approach to melody on his two instruments...

I first worked with British jazz saxophonist CHRIS HUNTER when he was a London studio ace at 18. He then became one of the only British jazz musicians to conquer the New York jazz and studio scene when he was asked to join Gil Evans. In this interview, he demonstrates how he achieved his mastery on the horn and the concepts that have made him one of the most brilliant artists in music. At the end...

In 2004 I did a series for BBC Radio 2 “Inside Improvisation”. Eliane Elias is an award-winning Brazilian pianist, composer and singer with many Grammy nominated albums. Her husband Marc Johnson was the bassist for Bill Evans’ last trio and has many albums as a leader. I asked Elias and Johnson to demonstrate the differences between mainstream jazz and Brazilian rhythms and their remarkable musica...

I interviewed Lyle in Los Angeles for my BBC Radio 2 series “WHAT IS MELODY?” in 2007. He talks about his first meeting with Pat Metheny and discusses the composition of their then recent CD, “The Way Up”. I first met Lyle when he joined the Pat Metheny Group and had the pleasure of working with him on the American Garage album in 1979. I remember being in the studio recording a tune called “The S...

I interviewed Nile Rodgers in his tasteful apartment in New York City for my 2003 BBC Radio series, “Manhattan – The most musical island on Earth”. CHIC was the galloping guitar of Nile Rodgers and the bubbling bass of Bernard Edwards. Their hits, including Dance Dance Dance, Everybody Dance, Le Freak, The Greatest Dancer,I Want Your Love and Good Times created a sophisticated, classy funk elevate...

“I believe in the future”, says David Chesky, an internationally renowned composer/pianist respected in the Jazz and Classical worlds. He has written orchestral works, operas, ballets, chamber works many combining sophisticated compositional techniques with the urban sounds of New York City. He also runs Chesky Records producing audiophile recordings in classical, jazz and World music. This is one...

The Carpenters are one of the best-selling music artists of all time with three number-one singles, five number-two singles, 15 number-one hits (Adult Contemporary) and 12 top-10 singles. They have sold more than 90 million records worldwide. Karen Carpenter is justly considered the greatest pop vocalists to grace a microphone, and perhaps less known as a superb drummer. In 2003, I interviewed pro...

This short interview is a masterclass in drum technique and improvisation from a unique drummer. In 1998 I wrote and hosted a music series INSIDE IMPROVISATION for BBC Radio 2. I interviewed Grammy winning drummer Danny Gottlieb (the original Pat Metheny Group, Gary Burton, Mahavishnu/John McLaughlin, Blues Brothers, Randy Brecker, Stan Getz, Eliane Elias, Gary Sinese). This short interview is fol...

In 2005, I wrote and hosted a series for BBC Radio 2, “Inside Improvisation”. The purpose was to explain the many facets of improvisation. I interviewed one of my biggest musical heroes, multi Grammy winning composer and trumpet virtuoso, Randy Brecker. This is one of the best possible demonstrations of how a jazz musician develops their skills, a unique masterclass by a masterful artist. In 2016,...

Trevor Horn is arguably the greatest record producer in the history of pop. I interviewed him when I was teaching at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford in 2009. This is an invaluable masterclass in record production, artist development and creativity. Trevor talks about making many of his hit records such as Video Killed The Radio Star, Slave to the Rhythm, Seal, The Pet Shop Boys, Fra...

In May of 2003 I was asked to become Musical Director, Conductor, Arranger & Guitarist for Michael’s concert, broadcast by Radio 2 June 16, 2003. I was writing some songs with Hamish at the time and asked if he would like to come along. I will post more of the concert later.  

This was probably my favorite interview, only because I was sitting on a piano stool next to Michael while he was singing in my ear, possibly the most beautiful sound on earth.    

This interview was done when Chick was on his way to a gig with his new group ORIGIN.