At the age of eleven Richard Elliot discovered his calling in his junior high school jazz band led by baritone saxophonist John McGruder, a studio musician and Don Ellis’ band alumnus. Around this time he also heard two tenormen who would turn his world upside down, Grover Washington Jr. and Dexter Gordon. He recalls a pivotal moment at 16 going to see Dexter at Concerts By the Sea in Redondo Beach, CA.

“I watched this big man come out on stage with an enormous presence before he had even blown a note. I was mesmerized. He blew the first note and it was this huge sound that blew me away.”

In the 80s Elliot became a touring member of the soul-funk outfit Tower of Power. He released debut solo album, Trolltown, in 1986 and shortly thereafter he began a fruitful relationship with Bruce Lundvall and was signed to Blue Note Records. Elliot has released more than 20 albums as a leader, his most recent being 2016’s Summer Madness and has scored more than 20 Top 10 Smooth Jazz singles and #1 Contemporary Jazz albums including On The Town, Soul Embrace, After Dark, and Jumpin’ Off.

His 2013 collaboration with saxophonists Dave Koz Gerald Albright and Mindi Abair, Summer Horns, was Grammy-nominated. A crowd-pleasing favorite on the festival circuit, Elliot has also garnered wide praise for his all-star touring attraction West Coast Jam that includes longtime collaborators.