Guest Guitarist
Guest Guitarist
East Coast guitarist Rich Goldstein, at his core, is focused on soulful grooving, the blues, and hardbop but is not defined by these labels. After years of study Rich employs an extensive knowledge of American music, which he draws upon during live performance.
He has performed in a range of musical scenarios with musicians as diverse as, Andy Laverne, Charles Flores, Steve Davis, Houston Person, Reverend Hubert Powell, Javon Jackson, Jaimoe, Randy Johnston and many others. He has performed at venues including Birdland, the Berklee Performance Center, The Jazz Gallery, and Smalls. He has appeared at festivals such as The Atlanta jazz Fest, The Cancun Jazz Fest, and The Festival of Arts and Ideas. He has recorded as a sideman with Charles Flores, Rob Zappulla, Ed Fast and Conga Bop, and Jim Argiro, as well as a number of other studio dates.
As a leader Rich self -produced the recording “Comin’ from Montgomery”, (2008) a tribute to the Montgomery brothers, and “Effervescent” (2011) featuring Andy LaVerne (piano), Steve LaSpina (bass), Anthony Pinciotti (drums), and Billy Drewes (Sax). Co-produced a project (2014) with Jesse Hameen II (drums), Kris Jensen (Sax), and Brian Charette (organ) and has a new recording in production (2018) featuring Yahn Frenkel (organ), Ben Bilello (drums), and Behn Gillece (vibraphone).
Rich is in demand as an educator and holds positions as professor of jazz guitar at the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music, (Jackie McLean Institute), Central Connecticut State University, and teaches music at The Greater Hartford Academy for the Arts.
Rich keeps a busy schedule as a jazz educator, freelance guitarist, composer and recording artist, group leader and organizer, member of the CT Guitar Society, the Jazz Society, the Jazz Ed Network (JEN) and AAUP.
Rich received his initial training at the Hartt school’s Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz and completed his masters in jazz studies at Purchase College in New York.
