Queens College New Music Group

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Born in New York City and a lifelong native of Queens, he is a distinctive performing artist, composer, educator, author and journalist. Leading cutting–edge contemporary music ensembles for over thirty years, he is a major exponent and advocate for Brazilian music.

Boukas' works merge traditional Brazilian genres samba, choro, baião, guarânia with Jazz and Classical idioms. A virtuoso guitarist and vocalist, his collaborations with top Brazilian musicians include a twelve–year duo with pianist Jovino Santos, Neto (formerly of Hermeto Pascoal's group) and his current Brazilian Jazz ensemble, Quarteto Moderno. Richard's recordings as leader include Balaio, Tudo de Bom, Amazôna, Embarcadero, and Commitment.

His chamber commissions include the Modern Mandolin Quartet, Atlantic Brass Quintet, Lamont Saxophone Quartet (Denver) and classical guitarist Ricardo Iznaola. He has written an extensive body of solo guitar works including Guinga Suite and choral motets based on Beatles compositions.

Chosen Best Brazilian Jazz Guitarist in the US by GuitarOne Magazine, he is an itinerant artist–in–residence in the States and Brazil, including Campos do Jordão (São Paulo), Harvard, Cornell, Univ. Louisville, Cincinatti Conservatory and Univ. of Toronto. Core faculty at New York City's New School Jazz & Contemporary Music Program since 1989, in September 2010 he received the prestigious New School Distinguished Teaching Award.

A four–time NEA Jazz Performance grantee and recipient of NY Foundation on the Arts Composer Fellowship, Boukas has written technical and scholarly articles on Brazilian music including Just Jazz Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, and is currently working on a comprehensive Brazilian guitar method and Ear Training software application. He will also be publishing an edition of his original Brazilian Choros for performing and didactic use in university jazz and conservatory programs.

Richard has also performed in numerous Broadway pits, recording studios and early music choirs, and prepared transcriptions and orchestrations for several international tours led by composer–pianist Yanni.