Ric Denis | Guitarist - Teacher - Composer
Ric's Performance Bio | Story Be Told
The Set Up...
I have been a professional guitarist, singer/songwriter, performer and teacher for over thirty years. I have released three solo CD’s; 'Lush', 'Tadoussac' and 'Kiss of 32'; and two CD’s with The Ragged Flowers; 'Love To Burn' and 'Story Be Told'. I have also performed in a bunch of summer festivals - Blue Skies, The Ottawa Folk Festival, Stuart Park - plus a wide array of styles in cover bands.
And Now...
I'm currently performing lively atmospheric, smooth and classic jazz music with Tony Stuart on clarinet/saxophone in The Somerset Combo.
Then there is Z Sun Records, my indie Canadian label. I record and release rock, pop, blues, folk, alt country (actually I'll 'Alt' anything), solo acoustic guitar, dramatic theme music for film and TV.
Ahh, but the plot thickens...
In 2004 I underwent surgery to remove a tumour from the back of my head, right side, just above my cerebellum. Medically, it would be considered brain surgery. When the community discovered my state and the financial situation of my family the response and support was immediate and incredibly warm.
Since then I have worked very hard to recover as much of my previous playing ability as I can. I’ve not needed hospitals or physiotherapy for a long time now, but I’ve never stopped doing rehab on the guitar and I never will. I’ve worked on my playing to the point where now I can say ‘If you didn’t know, you wouldn’t know’. Although I can’t perform the high octane guitar work featured on Tadoussac, my playing has improved substantially, and continues to improve regularly.
So...
And so I continue on.