Richard Kimball (musician)

Richard Kimball (b. Washington, D.C., March 31, 1941 - December 2, 2025), also known as Rick Kimball, was an American composer and pianist.

He was educated at the Juilliard School and received the Alexandre Gretchanninov Memorial Prize in Composition for his String Quartet. He worked with musicians such as Luciano Berio, and jazz arranger Hall Overton. He composed works for the Tree of Life musical event, held at the Lycian Centre in Sugarloaf, New York. He had taught on the faculties of The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music. He lived in New York He was formerly married to Cynthia Hoffmann, Voice Faculty Member of The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, and The Curtis Institute of Music.

Born on March 31, 1941 in Washington, D.C., Richard spent his youth in Arlington, VA. At an early age, he took an interest in piano and excelled to the delight of family and community. At Washington Lee High School, he played bass and was often featured as a solo pianist in their celebrated orchestra. After graduation he studied premed at the University of Utah, but music called and he moved to New York City, residing at International House and earning Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in composition from The Juilliard School. In those years he befriended and collaborated with musicians Thiago de Mello, Dom Salvador, Lloyd McNeill, Scott Lee and Claudio Roditi, Ali Ryerson and Vivian Lord, to name only a few, who became life-long friends. Richard played all sorts of music in varied venues but found his unique voice in jazz. Classically trained, his music was highly refined yet intensely spontaneous and emotive. His jazz sound was known for its rich harmonic complexity and a lyrical touch.    

In 1978 Richard landed a spot at Buzzy O’Keeffe’s beautiful River Café playing the Steinway in full view of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline. It would become a 42 year gig.

Richard’s passion for the outdoors included hiking, biking and kayaking. Coupled with his love of adventure, he paddled and portaged his folding Klepper kayak throughout New York, Minnesota, the Pacific Northwest, Canada, Baja California, the Florida Keys, Japan and South America. In 1980, drawn by Greenwood Lake and its surrounding trails, Richard built a house in Warwick. That home became a beloved gathering place for musicians and friends. It also served as a recording venue for his own albums and those of many local artists.

After meeting in 1985, Richard and Andrea set out on a three month long voyage through Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. Witnessing the difficulties of life in these remote areas prompted Richard to establish the Amazonia Project, a small but effective nonprofit organization that provided medical and dental service to people in these areas.

And then there was the sky. Having earned a pilot’s license with instrument rating, Richard made the most of his fifteen years in the air. He discovered remote airstrips and delighted in sharing these places with family and friends. Crossing the country more than once, he lent his aviation skills to mission services for Angel Flight and for environmental organizations. For several summers he packed the kayak and folding bike into his plane along with a friend or two and flew to Killarney in Northern Ontario to paddle, camp and explore Georgian Bay, in Lake Huron.

Richard lived a full, rich life and lived it on his own terms.  To the very end, he challenged any limitations he faced.

He was deeply grateful for A.A. which brought him freedom and intentionality.

Richard is survived by his wife, Andrea Carr Kimball, their son Sam Kimball and his partner Amel Ouederni, son Quinn Kimball, Richard’s sister, Dee Bevan, her children and grandchildren, and very many friends around the world.

Music

• X-Tem-Por-E: Richard Kimball / Lloyd McNeill Primary Artist, Piano, Composer
• The Art of Aging: Richard Kimball Primary Artist Composer
• Tree of Life Music Event: Richard Kimball Primary Artist Composer

Books

• Flute Music by Women Composers,

References

Category:21st-century American composers Category:Juilliard School alumni Category:1941 births Category:Living people