Rich Batsford – Biography
Rich Batsford is a pianist, composer (and sometime singer-songwriter) originally from Birmingham UK, and now living in Adelaide, Australia.
Currently, Rich is performing under the banner of ‘Classically Chilled Piano’ featuring highlights from his 2009 debut album Valentine Court “a reflective, intelligent record” Music Week alongside new work and selections from Europe’s most famous piano composer, Ludovico Einaudi. Tracks have been broadcast several times on national station ABC Classic FM.
Rich’s relaxing piano music is an enchanting blend of Debussy and Vaughan Williams mixed thru the lens of Philip Glass minimalism and woven into organic, yet purposeful structures inspired by breakbeat, post-rock and downtempo electronica. “flowing melodic soundtrack, it’s very easy to feel the joy” Igloo Magazine
Recently one of Rich’s tracks was featured in a mix by Fluidnation’s Ben Mynott and a reworking of another by electronica master Tom Middleton is getting a lot of love on soundcloud. His third album, a collection of piano improvisations called “In the Moment” is out now ““rich” and very pleasant to listen to, revealing new things each time you listen” Mainly Piano
“Mindfulmess”, Rich’s first album of songs released in June 2012 in the UK and in Australia in August, creates a compelling and delightful blend of Ben Folds, Leonard Cohen and Brian Wilson “rich, inward, passionate, personal and thoughtful music” Get Shot Magazine. It combines a natural ear for melody with exquisite vocal harmonies and reflective, insightful lyrics ranging from the inspirational to the painfully honest; all accompanied by his delicate trademark piano patterns.
Key performances to date include: The Big Chill Festival, ArtsFest (main stage), Gigbeth Festival, Edinburgh and Adelaide Fringes (rated “Outstanding Show” by Fringe Review 2014).
Rich is a also training for Ordination into the Triratna Buddhist Order. His commitment to meditation, study and reflection is increasingly informing his music and lyric writing.
Rich began his musical training in the local Church Choir before exploring his love for vocal harmony further with the National Youth Choir and later in the Chorus of a world class Symphony Orchestra, the CBSO. Then, in the 1990’s Rich was lead singer and main songwriter with guitar outfits Serene Machine and Maroon and later, performed some favourite songs to huge crowds in ex-chart Beach Boys & Four Seasons tribute band, Gidea Park.
Short stories by Rich have been published in the UK and the US and several of his poems were recently included in a collection of writing by the Buddhist community in Birmingham.
In 2006, Rich co-founded the experimental creative network Project X Presents and acted as musical director for five of their unique and large scale “omnimedia experiences”. Also, working alongside Muslim and Christian musicians Rich has organised a series of concerts under the banner of “Musituality” – in which Musicians of various Faiths (or none) came together to share a platform to perform and enjoy their music.
In November 2014 Rich composed and performed live a score for a silent feature film as part of the Silent Remasters series and in 2016, in collaboration with visual artist Zero Shaw, he performed a show entitled “Piano Illuminato” at Adelaide Town Hall.