About Richard

Richard Bower is a concert musician and demonstrator with over 25 years of experience of the organ society circuit. His brand of easy-listening music has made him a favourite on the concert scene. Along with his appearances around the UK as a freelance demonstrator for Yamaha Music Europe GmbH (UK), he endeavours to play for as many organ societies as possible.  Richard is always willing to accept short notice bookings, along with dates well into the future.

In concert, Richard uses the latest Yamaha Tyros4 as Upper Manual, a Yamaha P85 as Lower Manual and a Hammond XPK-200 20-note midi pedalboard. This combination of instruments allows him to play in organ configuration, along with the occasional piano solo. A photograph of his concert instrument can be seen above. If your club is looking for an evening of tasteful music, and a few tunes you've not heard for a while, he is well worth a phone call!

Richard was born on 21st March 1966 and started playing the electronic organ ten years later, performing his first local concert in 1979. The following year saw him perform his first session backing a cabaret artist and his first concert for an organ society.

In 1982 Richard appeared on BBC1 Television and local radio after winning the Home Organist of the Year Award. Leaving school the same year to pursue a career in music, he played at his first keyboard festival. Two years later he turned professional and toured the UK with a major Japanese manufacturer. The following year he played at the first Festival organised by Keyboard Cavalcade and has had the pleasure of appearing at all their festivals since then.

1986 saw his first appearance with another young organist, Ian Griffin, and they joined forces to form the very popular duo called Keyklix. A couple of years later they were recorded live by BBC Radio2 on stage at the Morecambe Festival. This same year (1989) Richard produced his first solo cassette entitled "Two Sides of Richard Bower", foll owing this with his first solo broadcast on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio WM, and then commenced a series of shows backing local and national celebrities. He also performed at an open air concert backing national TV stars. In 1993 Richard moved to Cumbria and started another phase of his musical career by establishing a Yamaha Music School. However, he still found time to be recorded live on stage for BBC Radio Bristol in 1994. In 1995 he released his second cassette, this time entitled "On the Road", tracks from which were broadcast on BBC Radio 2.

He also recorded a talking book with Penny Weedon, called "Make Friends with MIDI". The following year Richard founded Harmony Cottage Audio, a fully digital recording service dedicated to helping young organists produce professional quality CDs at affordable prices. At the same time he purchased a Yamaha Electone EL90, which he used for some years as his concert instrument. The next year saw Harmony Cottage Software formed, releasing new software disks for Yamaha EL and HS series Electones. A new album was recorded - "In a Mellow Mood" - from which tracks were featured on BBC Radio 2.

Since his appointment in 1998 as a Yamaha-Kemble Music (UK) freelance demonstrator, his reputation has continued to spread to a nationwide audience, and he can now be seen working around the country on the latest Clavinova digital pianos, Tyros and PSR digital keyboards. He has also become actively involved with the development of new Yamaha instruments, including Clavinova CVP 200, 300 and 500 series, PSR1000/2000, PSR1500/3000, S710/910, and Tyros1, 2 & 4. Using this experience as a programmer and music consultant, Richard has produced new registration software for S900, Tyros2, 3 & 4, and PSR1500/3000, which is available through Yamaha Club. The Tyros2 Regi-Stick Classic and Regi-Stick+ were produced by James Sargeant and Richard Bower.

A new CD featuring Richard in relaxed mood with the Yamaha CVP Clavinova is now available.

STOP PRESS: Some concert dates for 2012 are still available - call or e-mail now.....

REGI-STICK4 for Tyros4 is now available from Yamaha Club. Order now, as it's selling FAST!!!

NEW RELEASE: Richard has produced a tuitional DVD! It explores the way real bands and orchestras arrange their music, and relates that to keyboard, digital piano and organ playing. If you want to add a more professional touch to your playing, this is the DVD you've been waiting for! The DVD is available through the Yamaha Club website, and at Richard's live shows.

Richard's Photo Gallery

Richard's Concert Diary