Rick Cutler

This page is for the east-coast drummer, keyboardist, and composer. For the west-coast drummer, see Rick Cutler (2). Rick has been playing drums since the age of 5 1/2 & keyboards since his teens. He studied both at the Julliard School as well as with jazz musician Chick Corea. He has performed in Broadway shows including Hair, The Wiz, Candide, Theyre Playing Our Song, Woman of the Year & Seesaw. He has written music for TV, Film & Radio. Some of his work in this field include the Emmy-nominated theme for Dateline NBC, Later Today on NBC, the theme for the New York Yankees on MSG Cable & the Outlaws & Lawmen mini-series on the Discovery chanel. For 18 years, he served as keyboardist & musical director for the late tap dancer Gregory Hines. His composition, "Boom" was choreographed by Mr. Hines & performed at the nationally televised Gala For The President with President & Mrs. Clinton in attendance. He was also the composer of all of the original music for The Gregory Hines Show on CBS. He was one of the original percussionists for Leonard Bernstein's "Mass" which was written & performed for the opening of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He performs on the original recording of that piece with Mr. Bernstein conducting. He has also played on TV & Radio commercials & themes. Some of the artists he has performed & recorded with include Liza Minnelli, Leonard Bernstein, Michael Franks, Noel Pointer, Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, Don Rickles, Billy Eckstine, Gloria Gaynor, Rodney Dangerfield, Regis Philbin, Donna Summer, Larry Coryell, Jon Lucien, Johnny Hartman, Savion Glover, Perry Farrell (of Jane's Addiction), Richie Stotts (of the Plasmatics) & Charles Aznavour. He currently tours as keyboardist for Liza Minnelli. Sanctuaries is his 1st CD release. On it, he's chosen 20 original compositions & put them in a solo piano environment.