R ‘n R featuring Jens Bunge

Rick Smith is a guitarist, educator and composer with over 40 years of professional experience. Based in Singapore for since 1991, he has made significant contributions to the local arts and music scene as both a teacher and performer. During this time, he directed the NUS Jazz Band for more than 10 years and served as the bandleader and guitarist at the iconic jazz venue Harry’s Bar at Boat Quay for 17 years.

Fluent in Mandarin, Rick has arranged, performed and composed for Chinese artists such as Cai Qin and Harlem Yu, and has also appeared in local Mandarin TV programmes. In 2006 his composition Something’s Wrong was in the top 10 for MTV Indonesia’s Newcomer of the Year award, while his 2007 release Liminal Man garnered international critical acclaim. He performs regularly with multi-talented vocalist Richard Jackson in the region.

Rick holds a BA in Music Composition and an MA in Master of Arts in Arts Pedagogy and Practice. He taught Music at the LFS Singapore from 2016 to 2020 and is teaching at SOTA and Lasalle school of the Arts.

Richard Jackson grew up immersed in music, with his voice quickly becoming synonymous with vocal legends such as Luther Vandross, Barry White, Marvin Gaye and Ronald Isley. He has opened for iconic acts like The Stylistics, Regina Belle, Tuck & Patti, Peabo Bryson, Will Downing, Jennifer Holiday, George Clinton, Incognito and Bob James. Richard has also performed with jazz legends Ernie Watts and Randy Brecker as well as Kenny Drew Jr, Al Di Meola and Ricky Lawson, among others.

Now based in Singapore, Richard has performed internationally at jazz festivals in Australia, France and Russia, as well as across Asia, and is in high demand. With an extraordinary tone, intelligent phrasing and heartfelt intensity, his voice—complemented by a remarkable vocal trombone—feels like being enveloped in the warmed of a blanket on a cold winter's day.

Inspired by jazz great Toots Thielemans, Jens Bunge began playing the chromatic harmonica at the age of 18. By mid-1980s, he was performing with German jazz ensembles and big bands. His distinctive melodic style led to collaborations with leading artists and international tours. He performed with the German Jazz Youth Orchestra and has shared the stage with renowned jazz figures worldwide. As a "Hohner Master of the Harmonica," he leads workshops at major global festivals. Bunge remains an active presence in the international jazz scene, especially across Asia.