Terrence Richburg
A native Washingtonian talent renowned for his God given
musicianship, from an early age Terrence Richburg has amazed
audiences with his adaptable, authenticated style and "smooth"
delivery. He has performed throughout the country and is
characterized by his peers as "The Quincy Jones of gospel," "a
musician's musician," and "a producer's producer." Although he's
played with such artists as Richard Smallwood & Vision , Maurette
Brown Clark , Vanessa R. Williams , Marcus Johnson, Alyson Williams,
Cee Cee Michaela, Yolanda Adams, Aretha Franklin, The Winans,
Jennifer Holliday, Tramaine Hawkins, Walter Hawkins, Isaiah Thomas,
James Cleveland, Shirley Caesar , and many others, he proclaims
accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior is his most
significant life accomplishment.
Son of former Atlantic recording artist Wilhelmina and John Richburg,
known as The Richburg Singers, and nephew of the late jazz singer
Ronnie Wells, Terrence Richburg is a prolific composer, lyricist, writer,
poet, vocalist, arranger, orchestrator, producer, director, pianist,
keyboardist, electric and acoustic guitarist, percussionist, 4/5/6/7-
string bassist, recording engineer and the list goes on. He's written,
produced, and performed music soundtracks for several aerobics
videos, theme songs and music beds for local radio stations and
jingles for major corporations, including D.C.'s WYCB and Heaven
1580, as well as Marriott. He's also been called on as a
Musician/Musical Director for theater and musical productions
including "Lord I'm Coming Home," "Dream Girls," "The Wiz," "Ain't
Misbehavin!" "Wait 'Til the Fat Lady Sings," "God's Trombones," and
"City at Peace," along with other events such as the Washington
Performing Arts, music award shows, AIDS and Cancer fundraisers,
benefits for "Katrina" and "Tsunami" victims, and many other
prestigious events.
On the horizon, Richburg has much to look forward to. He is the
Executive Producer, Production Team Supervisor, Producer,
Lead/Rhythm/Acoustic Guitarist, Percussionist, and Vocal
Arranger/Arrangements Consultant on the new Praise and Worship
CD by Minister Terrell Hunt entitled "Awesome", which released on
the RichEscape Music label in summer 2007. Fans will also be able to
catch Richburg as piano soloist and 7-string bassist on the double-CD
entitled "My All" planned for release on the RichEscape Music label
also in 2008. Inspirational duo R&R , consisting of Terrence and
musical partner Howard Riley, Jr. , are planning their sophomore CD
release entitled "Completion" also on the RichEscape Music label in
2008. A new R&R Christmas CD is planned to hit store shelves in late
fall of 2008. Also, in 2008, Richburg will be starting a new e-zine called
"Jazz Gospel Central" which will be a resource for Christian musicians
with expertise in jazz as well as gospel jazz musicians. In addition, he
serves as Minister/Director of Music and musician at the Bethesda
Baptist Church of Washington, D.C.
For more info:
www.rnrband.com
How did you find out about Conklin Basses?
I first saw a Conklin bass when I viewed a clip from a video of Bill Dickens
playing one. But as good as it was, I still considered that somewhat
second-hand knowledge. I found out more about Conklin basses from a
personal, hands-on perspective when I was invited to a show at Blues Alley
in Washington DC in which a drummer friend of mine Eric Valentine was
playing for Jean Carne. When I walked in, to my amazement, another
friend of mine, Avon Lucas was playing bass. I knew Avon from way back
when we played together in a jazz fusion trio “Riches” with me on drums
and my brother, Dehrric on keys. Avon was already a monster bass player
then so I could only imagine how much more he had developed over the
years. When I saw Avon’s bass rig, it was full of lights, lit up like a
Christmas tree—a whole other show in and of itself, but when I saw the
bass he was playing, I knew it was something I had never experienced
before. The bass shined like a brand new piece of fine furniture created by
a master builder. It had a deep, rich golden honey-orange brown wooden
finish, beautifully crafted and was only accentuated with the gold
hardware—and only eclipsed by the sound which was purely incredible. I
started counting and noticed that he had a seventh string, where I was
only playing a 6-String at the time. From that point, I couldn’t wait until
the end of the first show to catch Avon on break and find out what in the
world he was playing. When I approached the stage, it was like old times
seeing Avon again, who had not changed a bit. But what was really
surprising was that he immediately wanted me to try out his Conklin 7-
String; so I did. It was a little strange at first, but the action and sound
and tone completely floored me. Then as if that wasn’t enough, Avon told
me that he was going to be selling it soon and offered me first crack at
buying it. You have to understand the gravity of this situation in that this
was all totally unexpected, for me seeing him, and for me being in that
place at that time to be offered this bass. Well, needless to say I jumped
at the chance to buy it. Over time I got really comfortable with it and
have been playing my Conklin ever since. Looking back at that experience
now, I would have to say that it was both God-ordained destiny and a
career defining moment for me—since now playing a Conklin 7-String is
what I’ve become most known for.
Your experience while working with Conklin:
I believe Conklin is one of the finest and most amazing bass instrument
producing companies on the planet in terms of how they craft their
instruments to specs and in the way their basses consistently perform
without problems. Their basses also wear well with age and sound even
better the older they get—probably a “wood” aging thing. I also especially
like the fact that Bill Conklin is not only reachable and approachable, but
he proactively takes the time to personally correspond and talk with me
not only as an artist but also as a client to ensure I’m happy as a Conklin
owner and performer. Conklin really works hard to form partnerships to
provide other opportunities for mutual success with players like me that
enjoy the products they make. This has been great for me and I expect
great for them each time someone sees me playing my Conklin and then
goes seeking to purchase one of their own.
How you have enjoyed the bass since you got it:
Besides being a great looking and sounding bass, my 7-String has the most
clarity and flexibility of any bass I’ve ever owned in terms of facilitating
my ability to play any style of music comfortably. It allows me to dial up
any of its crystal clear tones and pump them out at the right time with
quality sound legitimacy for the appropriate musical style. I also believe
that the model I have is a totally unique instrument—even different from
all the others made before and after and one I would never sell nor trade,
ever. Conklin goes a long way in defining my personal sound as a bass
player, musician and an artist.
-Terrence Richburg