Richie Barshay began drumming inside kitchen cabinets at an early age, and continues banging on things worldwide to this day. Noted for his work with the Herbie Hancock Quartet (2003-2007), he’s been dubbed “a major rhythm voice on the rise” by Downbeat magazine, and The Guardian (UK) praises “the arrival of a major innovator who also knows how to have fun.” On tour and recordings his diverse résumé includes Hancock, Chick Corea, Esperanza Spalding, The Klezmatics, Fred Hersch, Kenny Werner, Lee Konitz, Natalie Merchant, Bobby McFerrin, and Pete Seeger among others. Since 2004 he has led outreach projects across 5 continents as an American Musical Envoy with the U.S. State Department. Based in New York City, he can be heard on over 75 recordings including his latest release as leader, Sanctuary (2014), featuring Chick Corea.

Richie is also an AmSat certified teacher of the Alexander Technique – teaching body coordination and movement awareness training to musicians and non-musicians.