Beirach, Richie
Beirach was born in New York City. He initially studied both classical music and jazz. While still attending high school, he took lessons from pianist Lennie Tristano.[1] Beirach later entered the Berklee College of Music. After one year, he left Berklee and began attending the Manhattan School of Music. While there, he studied with Ludmila Ulehla. In 1972, he graduated with a master’s degree in Music Theory and Composition.
Career
In 1972, Beirach began working with Stan Getz. He also worked with Chet Baker. Beirach has maintained an ongoing musical partnership with David Liebman from the late-1960s to the present in the groups Lookout Farm and Quest. In addition, Liebman and Beirach have frequently performed and recorded as a duo.
Several of Beirach’s compositions – “Leaving” and “Elm”, for instance – have found their way into the jazz standard repertoire.[citation needed] Since 2000 Richie Beirach lives in Leipzig (Germany) and is teaching jazz piano at the Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy Highschool.
Playing style
Beirach’s style is influenced by Art Tatum, Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, and his earlier classical training.[citation needed]
