Richard Niles

In this video we talk with prolific composer, arranger, and producer Richard Niles. Recordings featuring his work have sold over 250 million copies worldwide. Richard produced, arranged, and composed music for some of the world’s most acclaimed artists including Paul McCartney, Ray Charles, Cher, James Brown, Tina Turner, Mariah Carey, Joe Cocker, Michael McDonald, Dusty Springfield, Pet Shop Boys, Cat Stevens, Grace Jones, Tears For Fears, Pat Metheny, and Bob James. He has also arranged and conducted for classical artists Kiri Te Kanawa, Placido Domingo and Montserrat Caballe.

Visit Richard Niles’s web site here.

“Niles is one of the best composer/arrangers around and a truly exciting musical force.”
-20 x Grammy winning artist Pat Metheny

RICHARD NILES’ career spans TV & film, pop, R&B, rock and jazz as a composer, producer, songwriter/lyricist, arranger, conductor, broadcaster, recording artist, author and educator. He has contributed to over 40 hits. Records featuring his work have sold over 250 million copies worldwide. Credits include: Paul McCartney, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, James Brown, Cher, Michael McDonald, Mariah Carey, Dusty Springfield, Deniece Williams, Cat Stevens, Roger Daltrey, Joe Cocker, Pat Metheny, Tears for Fears, Pet Shop Boys, Lulu, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Was Not Was, Bob James, The Troggs, Paul Carrack, Jane Monheit, Sarah Brightman, Kylie Minogue, Grace Jones, Take That, Michel Legrand.Niles’ songs have been recorded by Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Deniece Williams. Niles has arranged & conducted for classical stars Kiri Te Kanawa, Placido Domingo & Montserrat Caballe, The London Philharmonic and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Niles has composed & arranged music for several films (The Strike, Christmas Carol, Do the Right Thing, Boys & Girls, Billy Eliot, Alice In Russialand) and written and produced music for over 100 TV commercials (Max Factor, McDonalds, Disneyland, Toshiba). He has been musical director and composed music for several musical TV series (Don’t Miss Wax, Leo Sayer Show, David Essex Show, Michael Ball Show, The Pranker 2012). Niles hosted, wrote and produced many acclaimed music documentaries for the BBC (1994-2012). He is a published journalist, author (The Pat Metheny Interviews – 2009, Polymetrics – 2011, The Invisible Artist – 2014, From Dreaming To Gigging – 2015) and lecturer (Berklee, USC, UCLA, CalState, Musician’s Institute). He holds a PhD from Brunel University. Niles has released 4 albums as leader and guitarist (BANDZILLA, Santa Rita, Club Deranged, Katalyst) and has performed internationally. His current project is BANDZILLA RISES – contemporary big band jazz featuring Niles’ quirky compositions – album release Spring 2016.