Richard Souther

Who is Richard Souther?

Richard Douglas Trowbridge Souther is a composer, producer, arranger, sound designer and multi-keyboardist who has built a strong reputation as a top contemporary solo instrumentalist for over twenty years. He has created numerous best-selling albums in the New Age, Smooth Jazz and the Classical/Crossover markets as well as recordings of Contemporary Christian music.

Richard was a child prodigy who began studying classical piano at three with then retired Professor Thomas Giles until he was twelve. He went on to study with the Russian piano teacher Max Willerson and concert pianist Reid Nibley. "During that time, I realized I didn't really enjoy playing other people's music exactly as written and wanted to explore the world of jazz improvisation... and Surf Music!"

While attending middle school during the Sixties in Los Angeles, Souther began playing keyboards in LA rock bands on the Sunset Strip and developed a love for a wide variety of different types of music. By the early Seventies he was becoming an in-demand session musician who played with numerous artists like Geronimo Black, Feather, Barry McGuire, Richie Furay, Pat and Debbie Boone, and Denice Williams. Souther also began developing his talents as a touring performer playing multi-keyboards as a member of a band called David supporting the 2nd Chapter of Acts and guitarist Phil Keaggy.