“In addition to his evident skills as a pianist, Whiteman has a knack for composition, crafting bold post-bop tunes and elegant ballads that feel right at home with the group’s versions of standards.”
– Stuart Broomer, Toronto Life
Toronto native Richard Whiteman is an extremely versatile player, fluent in styles ranging from the stride masters of the twenties, through Bud Powell and Bill Evans, to modern giants like Keith Jarrett and Herbie Hancock. As a leader, he has released 10CDs and has received raves from as far away as Japan, where his “GROOVEYARD” disc was rated one of the Top 500 Jazz Piano Trio records of all time.
For over thirty years Richard has performed at major Toronto jazz venues, and has also played with orchestras (The Canada Pops Orchestra) and big bands (including The Dave McMurdo Jazz Orchestra), in new music concerts (Hemispheres Music Projects), musical theatre (“Forever Plaid”), and at countless “casual” engagements with Canada’s finest jazz musicians. He has also toured Canada with the Cookers Quintet and his own his trio and performed in Brazil and Egypt.
Some of the stellar musicians Richard has worked with are Don Thompson, Kenny Wheeler, Harold Danko, Marcus Belgrave, Pat LaBarbera, Ken Peplowski, Nick Brignola, Ed Bickert, Jane Bunnett and Dutch violin star, Tim Kliphuis. As well as leading his own groups, Richard is a member of the The Al Henderson Quintet and is much in demand by vocalists, including John Alcorn, Jackie Richardson, Dee Daniels, Bonnie Brett and Heather Bambrick.
In addition to his busy club, corporate and touring schedule, Richard is also an educator, teaching jazz piano and leading ensembles at York University in Toronto.
