BInnovator. Pioneer. Ethnomusicologist.

Richard is a pioneer in the music he calls “jazz in the spirit,” a completely new style of music that is a direct musical hybrid, or “child” of its parents, gospel and jazz. Skilled on both saxophone and piano, Richard frequently uses both instruments in performances, sometimes even at the same time.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, he defied the negative stereotypes often portrayed in the media by growing up in church, The Concord Baptist Church of Christ, and entering an Ivy League school, Brown University, at the age of 16. Always blazing his own trail, he was the only music major in his entire graduating class to specialize in ethnomusicology, the study of music through culture. He furthered his education at the world-renowned Berklee College of Music.

Though he prefers to lead his own group most of the time, he has performed with several well-known performers in both gospel and jazz circles, including the late Max Roach, Patti LaBelle, Barry Harris, Natalie Cole, James Taylor, Bishop T.D. Jakes, the Boston Pops Orchestra, Dr. Bobby Jones, and others.

Feeding his interest in world cultures, he has toured Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Thailand, Germany, France and Italy as a performer and musical director. He has also done concerts in libraries, nursing homes, neighborhood festivals, and senior citizen centers. Richard has performed several times for Habitat for Humanity volunteers working to build homes in Bedford-Stuyvesant.

Richard has written or arranged over 400 pieces of music. Many of these songs have received airplay on stations around the US and on the internet, including CD101.9FM (NYC), formerly the top smooth jazz station in the country. In April 2007, he produced a CD for psalmist Sonya D. Johnson. One of his original songs on the album, “In Praise to You,” also features the vocal talents of, Verity Records recording artist and 2007 Stellar Award Winner Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson.

Richard served as Director of Creative Worship and Youth Music Director at the historic Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brooklyn, NY. His soul-stirring saxophone and piano playing on Sunday mornings was a highlight of the worship service. Richard has a heart for young people, and has been a role model for many, using music to help them realize their potential. He believes that sharing love and hope through music is a way to impact the “soul” of a community, which can then impact the world. In 2005 and 2006, Richard’s “Jazz in the Spirit” concert was the featured closing event for the annual Riverside Family Arts Festival, sponsored by the Theatre of the Riverside Church, another one of New York City’s most prestigious and historic houses of faith.

Richard D'Abreu Jr., a great musician that believes that sharing love and hope through music is a way to impact the “soul” of a community, which can then impact the world is truly a Brother Of Noble Excellence.