Neal Richardson - The Maximalist [CD]

"An album about false riches, belief, folly, greed, love, connection and hope" British pianist/singer/songwriter Neal Richardson's new project 'The Maximalist', features blues-tinged, gutsy originals plus modern twists on well-known standards & big swingers.

There are shades of Ray Charles, Georgie Fame & Harry Connick Jr in Neal's style. The music tells a story, through new arrangements of well-known standards like Comes Love, This Masquerade, Come Rain or Come Shine... plus some left-field ones. Gutsy originals tackling themes from the sea, the environment, existential crises, love, loss and... plenty of blues. Presented in Neal's infamous pithy raconteur style, and backed by a first class 7-piece band, the music takes you on a journey that everyone can relate to.

Neal Richardson is a powerful and rhythmic pianist/vocalist, playing jazz, blues and originals, and an award-winning producer, who has played in over 50 countries. Neal's musical arrangements and original compositions display his wide-ranging tastes and influences, and he and his band have a great swinging style influenced by Oscar Peterson, Nat King Cole and Gene Harris. He has played in the London Jazz Festival 8 years running, including launching his debut album "Better Than The Blues", and selling-out Ronnie Scott's. His "Not" King Cole show sold out performances in the London Jazz Festival 2019, and 2021, garnering excellent reviews in the jazz press. In 2022 and 2023 the show headlined two Festivals in Germany.

Press Quotes:
"Jazz of the purest...a mere two numbers in and [the audience] were screaming and yelling. It was a gas and every one of the punters lapped it up." - Jazz Journal

"Neal Richardson has a great understanding of how to reel in the audience... one could sense them getting more involved and on his side." - London Jazz News

"Neal Richardson is a pianist, singer and songwriter and all round entertainer who presents his shows with a ready and sometimes gently barbed wit...An accomplished singer and piano player and [who] fronts a highly competent band." - The Jazz Mann