Richard Underhill
Bio
Richard Underhill is a founding member and leader of Toronto's legendary Shuffle Demons - a group most well-known for their independent version of the Hockey Night in Canada theme song. Their version of the song was first used at Maple Leaf Gardens during Leafs games, and was eventually embraced by the NHL for play on Canadian television.
The Shuffle Demons began their career busking on Toronto street corners, gathering large crowds at various Toronto intersections. After paying their dues on the streets and in small clubs, the Shuffle Demons began to gain more success and were nominated for a Juno in 1987. From 1986-97, the band performed at jazz and rock festivals from Halifax to Vancouver and from Italy to Estonia.
Since 1997, Richard has been in demand as a session player and sideman, and has written horn and string arrangements for and performed with Taj Mahal, Hawksley Workman, Wide Mouth Mason, Neil Sedaka, Dr. John, Maria Muldar, Molly Johnson, Amos Garrett, Bobby Wiseman, Lorraine Segato, Julius Hemphil, Mike Murley and George Koller to name a few. Richard is also the leader and arranger for Blue Rodeo's Bushwhack Horns.
In 2002, Richard released his debut instrumental jazz album, Tales from the Blue Lounge, which won the Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year at the 2003 Juno Awards.
Source: Richard Underhill's Website
Relationship to Blue Rodeo
- Richard wrote the horn arrangements for Blue
Rodeo's Palace of
Gold record, and also played the alto and baritone sax.
- Richard led the Bushwhack Horns
for Blue Rodeo's Greatest Hits and Palace of Gold tour.
- Both Richard Underhill and Blue Rodeo were
nominated for Juno Awards in 2003. Richard for Contemporary Jazz
Album and Blue Rodeo for Single of the Year and Group of the Year.
- Richard plays the saxophone on To Love Somebody and the reworked
version of After the Rain on Blue
Rodeo's Greatest Hits CD.
- Both Colin Cripps (of the Jim Cuddy Band) and
Richard Underhill played on Stephen Fearing's That's How I Walk CD.
- Richard Underhill, Colin Cripps, Richard Bell
(who played on Bob Egan's The
Promise), and Sarah Harmer all
appear on Colin Linden's Rhythm of Love CD.
- Richard wrote the horn arrangements for Blue
Rodeo's Palace of
Gold record, and also played the alto and baritone sax.
- Richard led the Bushwhack Horns
for Blue Rodeo's Greatest Hits and Palace of Gold tour.
- Both Richard Underhill and Blue Rodeo were
nominated for Juno Awards in 2003. Richard for Contemporary Jazz
Album and Blue Rodeo for Single of the Year and Group of the Year.
- Richard plays the saxophone on
To Love Somebody and the reworked
version of After the Rain on Blue
Rodeo's Greatest Hits CD.
- Both Colin Cripps (of the Jim Cuddy Band) and
Richard Underhill played on Stephen Fearing's That's How I Walk CD.
- Richard Underhill, Colin Cripps, Richard Bell
(who played on Bob Egan's The
Promise), and Sarah Harmer all
appear on Colin Linden's Rhythm of Love CD.
Quotes
"The horns have taken over ... I play half as much. I can just move into my Elvis mode, sit and sing and not worry about playing much guitar - I listen to the band and just float away. I love it."
– Greg Keelor in the Daily Press on the Bushwack Horns' contribution to the Palace of Gold tour.
Related Links
The Official Richard Underhill Website