Saxophonist Richard Underhill is one of Canada's most interesting jazz composers and performers. Co-founder of Toronto's audacious Shuffle Demons, he took this ground breaking Bop Rap ensemble from the streets of Toronto across Canada and Europe playing jazz and rock festivals from Halifax to Vancouver and from Italy to Estonia from 1986 - 1997.

His jazz debut 'Tales from the Blue Lounge' won a Juno award for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year in 2003. The record features 10 Underhill originals brought to life by some of Canada's top jazz musicians. A finalist in the Montreal Jazz Festival's 2003 'Prix du Jazz', his debut video 'The Old Guys' climbed to number 1 on the Bravo! video chart. Besides performing at the Ottawa, Montreal, Beaches, Downtown Toronto and Distillery Jazz Festivals in 2003, Richard also toured the country as the leader of Blue Rodeo's Bushwhack Horns, playing for over 400,000 fans at Toronto's SARStock festival with the Rolling Stones. Richard's music captivates audiences with singable melodies, engaging rhythms, radiant harmony, and wide range of stylistic influences. His music excites both listeners who haven't heard a note of jazz in their lives, and established jazz aficionados looking for something fresh and original.

In demand as a session player and sideman, he has written horn and string arrangements for and performed with Hawksley Workman, Wide Mouth Mason, Dr. John, Taj Mahal, Maria Muldar, Molly Johnson, Amos Garrett, Bobby Wiseman, Oh Susanna, Big Rude Jake, Stephen Frearing, Tory Cassis, Lorraine Segato, Neil Sedaka, Julius Hemphil, Norman Marshall Villeneuve and George Koller to name a few.

Richard is a cycling advocate and has been actively organizing 'Car Free' Sundays in his Kensington market neighbourhood. He always has time to do benefits for worthy causes, and often brings his saxophone to anti war rallies and peace marches. He has recently been actively supporting Canada's NDP leader Jack Layton, and has co-written and recorded a song for Mr. Layton's election campaign.

To hear more of Richards music go to www.richardunderhill.com.