Andrew Richards

Bio / CV

Andrew Richards is a professional electric and double bassist situated in London. With nearly a decade of playing experience, Andrew has played some of Londons top studio and performance venues such as: BBC Maida Vale, The Barbican, Angel Studios & Royal Albert Hall. Recent credits include the 50th Anniversary London Cast Recording of Hair (Angel Studios) Sideshow UK premier (Southwark Playhouse) & Salad Days (Bath Theatre Royale). Other shows in the last year include; Hair, Blondel, Annie Get Your Gun, Honk, The MGM Story, Thats Jewish Entertainment, Grand Hotel, Dog Fight & Forever Dusty. Alongside working in theatre, Andrew is the founder of ‘Sweet Toots’ a 10 piece band which features leading West End singers and a variety of up and coming musicians who have performed for the likes of Tom Jones, Will.I.Am & Brian May.

Notable musicians/bands/shows you have played for/with/in?

The majority of freelance work I do both electric bass and upright is working in theatres; so for the last year this includes;

50th Anniversary of ‘Hair’ at The Vaults Theatre, UK premiere of ‘Side Show’ at Southwark Playhouse & ‘Salad Days’ Bath Theatre Royale. Other professional shows i’ve had the chair for in the last year include; The MGM Story, Anything Goes, Thats Jewish Entertainment, Honk, Annie Get Your Gun, Blondel, The Grand Hotel, Dog Fight and Forever Dusty.

Principle Bassist for The BBC Elstree Concert Band 2015 – 2017 playing a variety of contemporary repertoire.

Which model Overwater bass do you play?

Overwater J5

Why do you choose to play Overwater basses?

I used to own a Fender 5 string Jazz bass and we never got on; it was impossible to play as the bass felt so big! (I use to hate having to play 5-string, which is pretty essential in the theatre world) Once I had brought my Overwater that completed changed! It felt amazing to play; (so much that I even sold all my four string basses)

Not only that but the bass sounds amazing, the amount of MDs who comment on how great the bass sounds. I never go anywhere without it.

Also its so easy for me to program in the exact amount of EQ I want even when I’m playing; so its an extremely versatile bass.

How long have you owned an Overwater bass?

Since 2017.