Richard Clarke Colorado

I am a composer, musician, and teacher based in Denver, Colorado.  I'm originally from the United Kingdom, where I studied music at the University of Huddersfield and the Royal Northern College of Music and music education at the University of Bristol.  After specializing in saxophone performance at college, working as a gigging jazz saxophonist, then teaching in public schools in the UK and USA, I have returned to my first love of composing music.  

While working as a performer and teacher, I became an experienced arranger of music for many different ensembles, both in classical and jazz disciplines.  While teaching in the US, I became more interested in singing, playing guitar and jazz piano and in developing music technology expertise.   I now play saxophones, piano, guitar and sing, compose instrumental music and songs, arrange a lot of other people's music, and use Sibelius and Ableton Live applications regularly.  My real passion is for teaching real-world music skills to students, informed by fifteen years of classroom teaching experience, as well as working with professional musicians and integrating music technology into my teaching practice.

As I refine my composing practice, I bring a wealth of musical expertise that informs an eclectic style and a methodical approach to music-making and teaching.  My most successful compositions and arrangements have been written for big bands, Latin jazz bands, mixed chamber ensembles, solo instruments and, of course, saxophone ensembles.  Now I'm looking to develop my writing for strings, voices and electro-acoustic applications. 

I am a keen supporter of music education programs that foster collaboration, problem solving and real creativity skills in their students.  Alongside designing my own music curriculum based on the music fundamentals that all jazz musicians learn, I've recently written a stage musical to teach jazz concepts and conventions to a younger audience.

Currently, I am pursuing a Doctorate of Arts in Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Colorado, focusing on jazz composition, jazz piano, and music education.