Tony Richards is a Chicago based guitarist, writer and arranger born in New York City. Tony, having been raised by opera singers, began teaching himself guitar at the age of 11. Early on, he listened to classical music, jazz and the pop music of the sixties. Later on, he started to be influenced by progressive artists of the early seventies. As a teen he was fortunate to see live performances by Thelonius Monk, Vladimir Horowitz and Andrés Segovia.

In 2021, Tony released a 14-track guitar album called Solo Journey. The album consists of many of his favorite composers along with two of his originals. Tony is an accomplished solo jazz guitarist and has been arranging music for the instrument over the last 15 years. He is inspired by Lenny Breau, Ted Greene, Joe Pass, George Van Eps and his good friend Andy Brown.

Currently, Tony is playing in various projects with bassist Joe Policastro, drummer Larry Beers and jazz pianist Patrick Noland. Tony also loves hanging out and recording with Music Producer and Recording Engineer Ken Christianson at Pro Musica in Chicago.

Other musicians that Tony has worked with are bassists - John Tate, Rafe Bradford, Dan Thatcher, Kitt Lyles, singers - Phil Angotti, Anna Fermin, Rachel Drew and Patrick Gemkow, jazz guitarists - Andy Brown, Steve Knight, Roddy Ellias and Matt Warnock, and, guitarist/record producer Jay O’Rourke.

Tony has a melodic approach to jazz which utilizes his finger-style technique.  His original compositions encompass a wide variety of styles across the jazz spectrum.  In addition to his own music, his repertoire includes the great composers: Thelonius Monk, Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Jerome Kern and Johnny Mandel, and others. Tony has many musical influences and is greatly inspired by Lenny Breau, Wes Montgomery, Bill Evans, Johnny Smith, Ben Webster, and many others!