photo by: Kasia Idzkowska
Richie Goods is someone who comes to mind when I think of an artist who excels in the techniques of musicianship. Possessing an extremely professional and buoyant approach to his art, Richie Goods is a celebrated bassist, bandleader, and producer, who has worked with a plethora of universally recognized acts including Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, and Alicia Keys.
His new album entitled ‘My Left Hand Man’ celebrates the legacy and compositional talents of his late mentor, Mulgrew Miller. It is an intoxicating collection of tracks that respectfully pay homage to Miller. Confidently fusing elements of jazz, blues, and funk, the album successfully delivers a broad-stroke of psychedelic sounds, solos, and memorable renditions delivered meticulously by a cohort of some of the finest musicians on the circuit. Featured artists include pianists Shedrick Mitchell and Mike King, guitarists Tariqh Akoni and David Rosenthal, Lil John Roberts on drums, vocalist Jean Baylor, vibraphonist Chien Chien Lu, and percussionist Danny Sadownick. The composition and musical arrangements are what we expect from an artist of Good’s standing, leaving it easy for me to recommend this to your record list. It was great catching up with Richie to discuss the album and his career in general.
Congratulations on the release of the new CD ‘My Left Hand Man’. This is a tribute to the late Mulgrew Miller. Can you tell us more about the album and what to expect?
My mother gave me the idea of doing a record of Mulgrew songs. I was hesitant because Mulgrew’s music had a reputation for being pretty straight ahead and my music is a little more in the funky side of jazz. After going back and listening to a lot of Mulgrew’s music, I realized that there was already a funky essence about his music and a lot of his tunes were groove-based. I chose the tunes that had I decided to change a few of the grooves and adapt his songs to fit what I do. It worked! This record is jazz with a funk feel. It’s a more modernized version of some of Mulgrew’s tunes, not that his versions are not modern. I feel it makes his music a little more accessible to a younger generation.
You’ve credited Mulgrew Miller as a mentor, particularly in the early stages of your career. What was it like working with him and what did it instill in you?
When Mulgrew called me I was 22 yrs old and in the middle of an R&B tour with Brian McKnight. I left that tour right in the middle just to do two shows with Mulgrew and hope that he would call me for more. The gamble paid off because that started a nine-year working relationship. Mulgrew really would let me be myself and at the same time but give me comments to help me grow but not just for his gig. He would talk to me about things that would help me to work with anyone. I appreciated that. He wanted to see me do well in the business. Just being around Mulgrew so much was a huge impact on the way I lived my life. He was one of the most non-judge mental people you ever want to meet. I do my best to model the way I live my life after him. He was a very spiritual person. Always just driving for the next level, whether it was music or just being a human being.
You have some of the most talented musicians joining you on this special CD. Was there any difficulty pulling them together?
Yes! It took me a while to find a time when we were all available to record together. I felt it was worth waiting though because the vibe that we have together is something special. All of these musicians inspire me so much and I had to have them on this project. I wanted musicians that could play gospel, jazz, and R&B and fuse that all into these Mulgrew tunes. It’s very difficult to find musicians like that so I feel very honored that not only did I find them but they happen to be my long-time friends and are down to do anything with me. These guys happen to be some of the top names in the music business but their names did not influence me choosing down. It was strictly about the music for me and what they could bring to the project.
The CD is released this November. Will there be any events associated with its official release?
Yes, the official release date was November 7. I’ve been doing a record release tour with dates and France the Midwest and also the East Coast including New York City at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. At the end of the month, we will go to Switzerland for almost 2 weeks and that will be it for this year but we are planning spring tours for the West Coast and Europe.
Looking further at your career, after Berklee College of Music, you moved to New York and studied under jazz legends Ron Carter and Ray Brown. What do you remember most fondly of that experience?
As soon as I got to New York I wanted to keep studying and growing. Even though I was working with Mulgrew I felt like my plane was not on a high enough level. I asked Mulgrew if he could talk to Sir Ron Carter about giving me lessons. Even though Sir Carter told Mulgrew he would be happy to give me lessons he still would not return my calls. I called him for six months and could not reach him. Finally, I found out that he was teaching at City College and went there to find his office. I waited for hours until he showed up and I finally got to speak with him. He was very nice but his response was to come back in four hours. So I waited again and finally secured lessons with him. I remember our first lesson when he heard me play 3 notes told me ” I don’t want to hurt your feelings but, that’s an awful sound!” Lol. But it was not mean-spirited at all. He helped me more than any bass teacher ever did. Carter was very direct but it was always in a constructive manner. That’s just what I needed. I used to think the bass was so difficult to play. He made the bass seem very easy to play. I think he is the most amazing bass teacher out there.
I had maybe four or five lessons with Ray Brown. That developed from meeting him while I was touring in Spain and I got to have dinner with him. I asked him if he could give me a bass lesson. He said “yes meet me in my room tomorrow afternoon” After giving me a 2 1/2 hour bass lesson I asked him how much did I owe him. He said that he wouldn’t take money from me he just wanted me to ask him for lessons whenever I see him which I did. He had a very different approach to the bass than Ron Carter did and I needed both. I feel blessed to have had such greatness looking out for me.
You’ve performed with the likes of Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Common, Chris Botti, Vincent Herring, and the Headhunters. I’m sure you have many memories. What are your favorite memories and why?
Wow! Over the years I’ve had the fortune to play with so many amazing musicians and meet so many amazing people around the world. There have been so many hangs and experiences, too many to point out. Each artist I got to work with was a learning experience. Some of the experiences were not pleasant but I am still grateful for them because those were the ones that help me to grow the most. The things that stick out in my mind the most is the hard work that I put in over the years. I didn’t do it for the sake of being a hard worker but I did it because I wanted to be great and I felt that was the only way. I feel that I am still a very hard worker but the hours that I put in when I was younger where insane! Someone asked me if I wish I could be in my 20s again and I replied “hell no!” I have no desire to go through all of that work again. I’ve learned and accomplished so much in my life and I just want to continue learning and growing. I would not want to go through the process again. I’ve had a lotta success but I’ve also had a lot of failures. I am happy that I had both.
When not on tour, you can be found at your Westchester, NY studio, producing records for your company, RichMan Music, Inc. Please tell us more about the projects we should expect from it?
My production company is Richman Music inc. I’ve been producing records for a long time. I used to do a lot of R&B/hip-hop/pop. Now I am mostly producing different forms of jazz music. Producing and the studio is a different musical outlet for me other than performing. It’s just as creative and also another way to generate income. I feel there are so many talented artists that I would love to work with and the studio can sometimes afford those opportunities. In the future, I want to focus on my band touring the world and making lots of records. I want to help provide a positive image of Jazz music for a younger generation without alienating the older generation. Is this possible? All I can do is my best and keep working hard.
How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?
We wish Richie all the best with the album and tour! Check out his website for further information. A special shout out to Nancy G for arranging the meet!
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