Bassist and Composer Richard Lloyd Giddens Jr. will talk about his life growing up in Fresno, CA. Becoming a professional musician. Living in NYC, LA, and Montreal. Traveling and touring abroad, and eventually coming back to Fresno, CA to take care of his mother and become the first ever Director of Jazz Studies at Fresno State.
Admission is free! Donations are always appreciated!
Richard Lloyd Giddens Jr. is a product of Fresno's rich jazz heritage. He moved to New York City at the age of 17 after receiving a full scholarship to the Jazz and Contemporary Music Program at The New School for Social Research. It was there where he studied with Reggie Workman, Doug Weiss, Joe Chambers, Hal Galper, and Larry Grenadier. 2 years after arriving in NYC, he put his education on hold to accept national tours with various bands as well as with the Off-Broadway show STOMP. After many years on the road, he decided to again focus on his education, earning his BFA (2007) and MFA (2009) from California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA. It was at CalArts where Giddens studied with and was mentored by the world-renowned bassist and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Charlie Haden.
Giddens has been a headlining act at such international jazz festivals as Jazz em Agosto (Lisbon, Portugal), Saalfelden Jazz Festival (Austria), and the Angel City Jazz Festival (Los Angeles, CA). He has performed in 29 countries, and in 48 states.
Giddens has recorded and performed throughout the world with such artists as Charlie Haden, Wadada Leo Smith, Robert Glasper, Sara Gazarek, Oscar Hernandez, Mary Halvorson, Ravi Coltrane, Larry Goldings, Walter Smith III, Ralph Alessi, Ben Wendel, and many others. Giddens is a Tzadik, and Orenda Records recording artist. You can hear Giddens on Matt Otto’s latest project "Notebook" as well as his debut album "Mimosas" at the Orenda Records website.
https://orendarecords.com/richard-lloyd-giddens-jr/
Richard Lloyd Giddens Jr. is the Director of Jazz Studies at Fresno State and is a 2018 California Arts Grant Recipient. In May of 2025, under Giddens direction, the Fresno State Jazz Orchestra won a prestigious Outstanding Performance Award from DownBeat Magazine.
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