Richard Gloade, Esq.

Deeply inspired by the smooth sounds of the blues, soul, jazz, and reggae, Richard Gloade takes pride in performing a wide variety of music that is both emotionally significant and innately positive.

Richard's musical journey began in Truro, Nova Scotia, at the age of 15 under the tutelage of Gordon Tucker. After a stint as the bass player in the grunge rock band The Moshmellows, Richard moved to Fredericton, New Brunswick, where he continued to study and featured in the blues group "Kingsnake" and the folk rock group "Harris".

In 2004 he recorded a three song demo with James Tanner of 11 Afternoons Early, and in early 2005 he was selected to represent New Brunswick in the "Dig Your Roots" concert in Antigonish, which saw his track "The Mean Song" released on the Aboriginal compilation album of that series.

Richard has been hosting the weekly Tuesday Night Open Mic at the Capital Complex in Fredericton since 2007, continuing a tradition of networking and socializing that has lasted for 10 years, possibly the longest running open format jam in the East Coast.

With the help of James Boyle and Brad Perry of Forward Music Group, Richard was able to record his first studio album in 2008 and gain some professional experience. Around this time he also became allies with percussionist Juan Morales and guitarist Camilo Villamizar, and Richard Gloade, Esq. was born.

Their live debut was at the inaugural Feels Good Folly Fest, held at Crabbe Mountain, New Brunswick, in August 2009, and a month later they performed at the Wilser's Room during Fredericton's Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival.

Since then the group has performed regularly at various places and events. Both Richard and Camilo have made appearances with local reggae troupe Dub Antenna, and together with Juan and other guest artists performed twice as a Sublime cover band, including at the Appleton Estate Reggae Festival.

Richard has also been at hand for his good friends Andy Cotter & Scott Sampson, who ventured out in March 2010 on a month and a half cross Canada tour to help promote Cotter's solo album "Time for Everything", while also introducing his own solo album.

The Esq. trio recently performed at the 2nd annual Folly Fest in Gagetown, and are looking forward to appearing at the 2010 Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival.

Look for the official release of the solo album, "Gotta Start Somewhere", set for August 2010.