Richard Cortez: Jazz Musician in New York

About Richard Cortez

Richard Cortez is a New York City–based jazz vocalist working at the intersection of vocal jazz and freer forms. At Arthur’s Tavern, he tends to treat standards as raw material, loosening phrasing and harmony without abandoning the song’s core. His background shows in a disciplined sense of time and an ear for ensemble dialogue. The performances favor clarity over spectacle, with improvisation used to extend the narrative rather than decorate it.