A man with the genius and vivacity of Ricardo Scales was born to be noticed. It wasn't long after he began playing piano at San Francisco's historic Redwood Room at the Clift Hotel that Ricardo attracted the attention of critics, musicians, and concert-goers alike. Artists such as Billy Joel, Harry Connick, Jr., Liza Minelli, and Joe Cocker are among the many who visited Ricardo at the Redwood Room to join him on a number or two.
Ricardo has performed for five United States presidents, as well as our current Vice-President, Kamala Harris, and countless diplomats, heads of state, and foreign dignitaries (including a private concert requested by former British PM Tony Blair). He has shared concert billing with such notables as Debbie Reynolds, the Commodores, Nancy Wilson, Jerry Vale, Nelson Rangell, Jeff Linsky, SpyroGyra, the Temptations, and Kenny Lattimore, just to name a few. He is the preferred pianist of former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, who raves that Ricardo's dynamic performance will surely "cement him and his orchestra into classical/smooth jazz history."
Ricardo has also recorded thirty-one CDs to International critical acclaim including his latest 2022 release “My Piano Dances With Me”. In 2008 his CD "I'm Here" brought him a nomination from Billboard Magazine's Music Awards for "Album of the Year" in the Latin Jazz category, a testament to his versatility as an artist. His CDs contain his arrangements of highly recognizable favorites and his own original compositions, many of which are in regular rotation on national & International radio stations. Also accomplished as a producer and arranger, he owns and operates his own studio and has produced many of his own recordings, as well as those of other artists.
Perhaps Ricardo's versatility is connected with his popular success. Able to deliver smooth background jazz for museum openings, party-starting funk for fund-raisers, elegant classical for political forums, or danceable favorites for weddings, wine festivals or night clubs, Ricardo instinctively knows just the note to hit for different audiences. This impressive repertoire, in combination with talent and tenacity, cinches Ricardo as one of today's most exciting performers and will surely earn him a seat among San Francisco's very finest musicians of all time. Conservatory trained, Ricardo has mastered practically every genre of music, including classical, jazz, gospel, funk, and R&B. He is a tireless and riveting performer and never lets his audience down..
Ricardo's musical education began at the age of 5, with his mother, renowned music teacher Patience Scales (California Who's Who, & founder of the “Parade of Youth”) as his first teacher. He continued his musical studies through the public school system from the 4th to the 12th grades, performing in the concert band & orchestra, playing piano, trombone (1st chair) and baritone horn. During that time, he also marched in the Boys Club of America Band. Ricardo also attended the San Francisco Conservatory on scholarship for 8 years, (4 of those years under the tutelage of one of the founders, Mrs Lillian Hodgehead). He studied Jazz under John Handy at San Francisco State and was music accompanist for the Modern Jazz Dance, Ballet, and Gymnastics departments.
For booking engagements and interviews contact:
Joanna Bozemore @: Jodiannajones1@gmail.com