3 minute read
RICHARD SHAW JR
from November 2022 Issue
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"We will positively impact the lives of over 1 Billion people through music and Believing Again! We provide excellence in it's finest musical form"!
Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do.
A. I am a Black gifted and purpose driven male born and reared in Atlanta, Ga. I am a professional musician who uses the saxophone as a tool to inspire others through music and Believing Again.
Q. What made you want to play the saxophone?
A. I was inspired to play the saxophone at the age of 10 while on a Boy Scouts camping trip. My scout leader had the radio on the adult contemporary station. I asked him, who is that playing? He said Kenny G is playing the saxophone. I immediately fell in love with the saxophone at that point.
Q. Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
A. In the next five years I see me positively Impacting the lives of over 500 million people through music and believing again. This year alone we have impacted over 6.5 million people. Our vision and goal are to positively impact the lives of over 1 billion people through music and believing again!
Q. Let’s talk about your album “Believe Again” and the motivation behind it?
A. The motivation behind Believe Again was initiated during my 7-year hiatus. I literally stop pursuing music because of failure, fear, comparison, and most of all lack of belief. During this period, I fell into a deep depression and suffered from symptoms of mental illness. I not only thought about suicide, but I attempted it by swallowing 25 500mg pills. God spared my life and gave me another chance to use the gift he placed in me. Fast forward to January 1, 2018, I was back on track Believing and then March 18, 2018, marked a life changing experience. This was the day my family and I encountered a live EF-3 tornado that damaged 65% of my home while we were in the bathtub in the lower level. This incident strengthened my Faith and Belief in God and myself. Almost losing my life gave me my life. I often say who survives an EF-3 tornado and not have purpose? Nobody! After 7 months of living in a hotel God gave me the title of my most recent album Believe Again. As I share my story with people all over the world it inspires me to know that Believe Again is a Universal message because we all go through points in our lives where we need to continue this journey of Believing Again.
Q. How do you describe the music you typically create?
A. I used to describe my music as smooth jazz. I no longer identify with that because I never want to be “labeled” or put in a “box” as an artist. I now describe my music as a BRIDGE. My music is a bridge to carry a person from despair to hope, my music is a bridge from one style of music to people’s soul, and my music is a bridge from Heaven to Earth. I am the Bridge!
Q. Who has been one of your biggest influences in the music industry?
A. Wow! So many people have influence me from the music industry. Just to name a few Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson, Lalah Hathaway, Kim Burrell, Kirk Whalum, Gerald Albright, Kenny G, Whitney Houston, and many more.
Q. What has been your greatest accomplishment that you’ve received in your career?
A. Leaving Corporate America in 2019 and being able to pursue music fulltime.
Q. If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be?
A. I would love to perform in Nigeria and United Arab Emirates! I’m 70 % Nigerian so I want to perform where my roots are and Dubai because it is one of the wealthiest and cleanliest places in the world.
Q. Are you working on any projects or upcoming events?
A. Yes, I am currently preparing for my big Christmas Concert coming up on Sunday, December 11th, 2022 located in 120 Ralph McGill Blvd NE Atlanta Ga in Downtown Atlanta. Doors open at 6pm. Tickets are now on sale and available at https://RichardChristmasConcertGala. eventbrite.com or my website www. richardshawjr.com.
Q. Where can the readers follow you?
A. You can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube under my name Richard Shaw Jr. For Inquiries & to secure your date you can visit my website at www. richardshawjr.com.
