Richard Julian
 | This article contains promotional content. (October 2024) |
Richard Julian | |
|---|---|
 Richard Julian at the Rockwood Music Hall in New York City | |
| Born | June 13, 1967 |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Labels | Blue Note Records, Manhattan Records, Compass Records, My Good Man |
| Website | richardjulian |
Richard Julian (born June 13, 1967) is an American composer, lyricist, and singer based in Brooklyn, New York. His music has been praised by distinguished musicians from Randy Newman.[1] to Bonnie Raitt[2] for its singular songcraft, which combines elements of folk and jazz to paint wry existential portraits of life. He is also known for his collaborations with Norah Jones[3] and as the co-founder and curator of the popular Brooklyn music venue Bar LunÁtico[4]
Early life and education
[edit]Julian was raised in Arden, Delaware and attended Mount Pleasant High School. Upon graduation, Julian lived briefly in Las Vegas, playing keyboards in a casino band before relocating to New York City to pursue a music career with his original songs.
Career
[edit]After moving to New York City, Julian’s music remained a well-kept secret for over a decade before seeing the critical success of his independent 2002 release, Good Life.[5][6] Julian’s music gained further prominence that year as the opener for Norah Jones' Come Away With Me tour[7] — and subsequently, Julian and Jones teamed up to front The Little Willies, an urban country group which featured telecaster wizard Jim Campilongo. The group recorded two albums for Blue Note Records. During this fruitful period, Julian released two notable albums of his own on Manhattan Records — Slow New York (2006) and Sunday Morning In Saturday’s Shoes (2009) — which garnered critical acclaim[8][9] and brought headline appearances in the United States, Japan, and Europe. A brief move thereafter to New Orleans inspired Julian to hone his piano skills, integrating them alongside his trademark finger-style guitar. The result was Fleur De Lis, recorded at Algiers Point and featuring legendary New Orleans musicians Jon Cleary, Johnny Vidacovich, and Terence Higgins.[10] Upon returning to New York City, Julian had a son and co-founded Bar LunÁtico,[11] the popular Brooklyn venue he co-owns and curates. Julian’s latest album, Hit & Run, marks his first outing in ten years and features him mostly on electric keyboard and piano. Its ten original songs retain Julian’s evocative narratives while framing them with punchy vocal and brass arrangements. He is joined by a noteworthy array of musicians on the New York scene — a scene in which he plays an integral role through his curation at Bar LunÀtico. Hit & Run is set for release on streaming platforms and vinyl in 2025.
Discography
[edit]As leader
[edit]- Richard Julian (Blackbird, Sire, 1997)
- Smash Palace (Blackbird, Sire, 1999)
- Good Life (My Good Man, 2002)
- Slow New York (Manhattan Records, 2006)
- Sunday Morning In Saturday’s Shoes (Manhattan Records, 2008)
- Girls Need Attention (Compass Records, 2010)
- Fleur De Lis (My Good Man, 2012)
- Hit And Run (To Be Released, 2025)
with The Little Willies
[edit]- The Little Willies (Blue Note Records, 2006)
- For The Good Times (Blue Note Records, 2011)
with John Chin Quartet
[edit]- Anything Mose (Independent Release, 2021)[12]
References
[edit]- ^ "Drinks With Richard Julian". American Songwriter. January 31, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ "Bonnie Raitt returns to Savannah with new 'Slipstream' album". Savannah Morning News. October 9, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ "The Little Willies: For The Wrenching 'Good Times'". NPR. January 17, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ "LunÀtico — Bar Review". Conde Nast Traveler. April 19, 2022. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ "WORDS AND THE MAN Two new singer-songwriters who know how to turn a phrase". New York Daily News. January 20, 2002. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ "LIVING FOR THE CITY. Richard Julian sings songs of yearning in a New York state of mind". New York Daily News. January 22, 2006. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ "The new norah". Los Angeles Times. July 3, 2003. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ "'Slow New York' with Richard Julian". NPR. February 7, 2007. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ "Richard Julian: Sunday Morning in Saturday's Shoes". Pop Matters. April 16, 2008. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ "Richard Julian - "Play It Like It's Music" by Trevor Exter". Play It Like It’s Music. December 17, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ "Richard Julian - The Absolute Best Bar In Bed Stuy". Grub Street. April 4, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
- ^ "Jazz Night in America". NPR. June 3, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
- 1967 births
- Living people
- 21st-century American keyboardists
- 21st-century American singer-songwriters
- American country singer-songwriters
- Country musicians from New York (state)
- American folk singers
- American jazz pianists
- American jazz singers
- American pop keyboardists
- American pop pianists
- American ballad musicians
- Jazz musicians from New York (state)
- Jazz-pop pianists
- Jazz-pop singers
- Singers from New York City
- Singer-songwriters from New York (state)
- Writers from Manhattan