Richie Beirach

Richard Alan Beirach (born 23 May 1947) is an American jazz pianist and composer.

Early life
Beirach was born in New York City. He initially studied both classical music and jazz. While still attending high school, he took lessons from pianist Lennie Tristano. Beirach later entered the Berklee College of Music. After one year, he left Berklee and began attending the Manhattan School of Music. While there, he studied with Ludmila Ulehla. In 1972, he graduated with a master's degree in Music Theory and Composition.

Career
In 1972, Beirach began working with Stan Getz. He also worked with Chet Baker. Beirach has maintained an ongoing musical partnership with David Liebman from the late-1960s to the present in the groups Lookout Farm and Quest. In addition, Liebman and Beirach have frequently performed and recorded as a duo.

Several of Beirach's compositions – "Leaving" and "Elm", for instance – have found their way into the jazz standard repertoire.

Playing style
Beirach's style is influenced by Art Tatum, Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, and his earlier classical training.

As a member
Quest
 * Quest (Trio, 1982) – recorded in 1981
 * Quest II (Storyville, 1986) – Live
 * Midpoint: Quest III (Storyille, 1988)
 * N.Y. Nites: Standards (PAN Music/NEC Avenue, 1988)
 * Natural Selection (Pathfinder/NEC Avenue, 1988)
 * Of One Mind (CMP, 1990)
 * Redemption; Quest Live in Europe (Hatology, 2007) – Live
 * Re-Dial – Live in Hamburg (Outnote, 2007) – Live
 * Circular Dreaming (enja, 2012) – recorded in 2011

As sideman
With George Adams With John Abercrombie With John Scofield With Chet Baker With Frank Tusa With Dave Liebman With Jeremy Steig With Steve Davis With Laurie Antonioli With Ron McClure Trio With George Mraz
 * Sound Suggestions (ECM, 1979)
 * Arcade (ECM, 1978)
 * Abercrombie Quartet (ECM, 1979)
 * M (ECM, 1980)
 * John Scofield Live (Enja, 1978)
 * You Can't Go Home Again (Horizon, 1977)
 * The Best Thing for You (A&M, 1977 [1989])
 * Father Time (Enja, 1975)
 * First Visit (album) (Philips, 1973)
 * Lookout Farm (ECM, 1973)
 * Sweet Hands (Horizon, 1975)
 * Light'n Up, Please! (Horizon, 1976)
 * Pendulum (Artists House, 1978)
 * Eternal Voices (Jazzline, 2019)
 * Temple of Birth (Columbia, 1975)
 * Firefly (CTI, 1977)
 * Explorations and Impressions (Double-Time, 1997)
 * The Duo Session (Nabel, 2005)
 * Inspiration (Ken, 1991)
 * Catching Up (1991)
 * My Foolish Heart (1995)
 * Jazz (1995)