Rick Vandivier

Vandivier is a guitarist skilled at sparking the intellect, warming the heart, and raising the spirit of listeners. He plays with fire, sometimes smoldering, sometimes raging. He has the subtle sophistication of a premier jazz guitarist, but he plays with the energy of a rocker, the groove of a funkaholic, and the lyricism of a seasoned pro. Watching Vandivier perform, one sees a man that lives to make music, and has spent a lifetime embracing his mission of making life better by sharing music. He is a true sonic expressionist. Alexander Schmitz wrote “His trio with Dan Robbins, bass and electric bass, and Lorca Hart, drums, is called Vandivier, and he's the guitarist Rick Vandivier 63, who's the living soul legend and feels more in the heart and fingers than dozens of other string VIPs together.” (Jazz Podium, Germany, 11/1/17)

Rick Vandivier has been performing and recording in the San Francisco Bay Area for the last 35 years. He is composer and leader of his own dynamic group, Vandivier, a contemporary eclectic trio. Vandivier’s most recent album release “Under One Roof” went public in October 2017 and received robust national airplay over a twelve week period, and was tracked in the top one hundred by JazzWeek. In Andrew Gilbert’s San Jose Mercury piece from September 7th, 2017, he writes “Vandivier has..never sounded better than on his new album “Under One Roof”. His previous recordings are “Vandivier” (2008) and “Spirit of the Room” (2003). In addition, he is co-leader of Primary Colors, along with vocalist extraordinaire, Nate Pruitt. The group specializes in jazz and grooves with adventuresome interplay. Primary Colors has three CD releases to date. Rick has performed with artists that include Carl Saunders, Albert "Tootie" Heath, Bruce Forman, John Handy, Mose Allison, David Grisman, Richie Cole and Dr. Lonnie Smith.

Mr. Vandivier’s performance career has led him to performances at the The North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland, the Berlin Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, the San Francisco Jazz Festival, Summerfest in Boston, and the San Jose Jazz Festival. Other venues include Chicago Opera House, the Wilshire Theatre in Los Angeles, Insaac in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Africa, Napflio in Greece, the Berklee Performance Center in Boston, the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, and Carnegie Hall in New York City.

San Jose Mercury News, 9/7/17, Andrew Gilbert “...Rick Vandivier has been a steady force as a player and a teacher, and he’s never sounded better than on his new album “Under One Roof” (Avatar Productions)...the album focuses on his melodically inventive original compositions.”

Jazz Podium, 11/1/17 Alexander Schmitz (Germany) “...guitarist Rick Vandivier, who's the living soul legend and feels more in the heart and fingers than dozens of other string VIPs together...What he writes and plays in this trio draws its strength from the intensity of the very personal: intimacy, warmth, security and gratitude. A wonderful album.”

Jazz Quad,10/4/17, Leonid Auskern (Russia) “He (Vandivier) plays very naturally, without pretentiousness and affectation, but extremely sincerely. It seems to me that his guitar is pleasant to listen to any person, regardless of his adherence to this or that jazz style or jazz in general. ...the tougher and rhythmic “And So I Said”, where Rick, whose guitar reigns unchallenged in this album, gave the opportunity to play a great solo...I can recommend to almost any fan of music”

Midwest Records, 8/12/17 Chris Specter “Vandivier...here’s a long time acoustic/jazz guitarist that knows what it is to have just the right touch. No matter what tangent he leads you down, it all comes out right in the end. A really tasty set…”

Jazz Weekly, 11/16/17, George W. Harris “Guitarist Rick Vandivier is...intimate and flows gently on “New Man” while doing some nice interplay with Robbins on “Night Walker”...Most clever is a hip and mellow read of the Beatles “Come Together”, while Vandivier is deft and sly on “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To. Mellow madness”