Dr. Richard Niles

Dr. Richard Niles is a prolific composer, producer, songwriter, arranger, and musical director whose career spans pop, R&B, rock, and jazz. Credits include work with such pop icons as Paul McCartney, Ray Charles, James Brown, Tina Turner, Cher, and jazz stars Pat Metheny, Randy Brecker, and Bob James. Niles’ work is featured on 20 Gold and 28 Platinum records. Since 1987 he has led his jazz orchestra, BANDZILLA, releasing two albums (Blue Movies, and Bandzilla Rises!!!) and performing and recording with such artists as Ray Charles, James Brown, Joe Cocker, Michael Ball, Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys, Richard Darbyshire (Living in a Box), and Pat Kane (Hue & Cry). Niles has released two albums as a guitarist/leader (Santa Rita, and Club Deranged) and in 2023 The Richard Niles Octet releases Niles Smiles. Niles has also worked in film, theatre, and television, and was a regular columnist for Making Music Magazine. Between 1992 and 2012, he wrote, produced, and presented music documentaries for the BBC, interviewing legends such as Barry Manilow, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, and Richard Carpenter (The Carpenters). As a music educator he has lectured at the Berklee College of Music, USC, CalState, The California Jazz Conservatory, The Jazz and the Musician’s Institute. His books are part of the curriculum of many colleges. Niles was awarded a PhD from Brunel University for his thesis The Invisible Artist, now an established textbook. His many other acclaimed books include The Pat Metheny Interviews, Adventures in Arranging, From Dreaming to Gigging: Jazz Guitar in 6 Months, Songwriting: The 11-Point Plan, Piano Grooves, What is Melody?, The Bandzilla Songbook, Polymetrics, and Whatever Happened to Hollywood. His YouTube channel and Blog Radio Richard features interviews with some of the greatest music artists and producers. His new course, Arrange Like a Pro is available from The Pro Mix Academy.