Originally from the L.A. area, Rich Severson has been playing professionally and teaching guitar for over thirty years. His education includes years of college and private instruction with a variety teachers including Mitch Holder, Ted Greene, Joe Pass, Charlie Shoemake to name a few. He feels education is a continuing process, there's always more to learn. Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Howard Roberts, Ted Greene and Larry Carleton have all influenced his playing.

Rich wrote three books for a major publisher Dale Zdenek/ Belwin Mills/Columbia providing him the opportunity to work with other great artist/authors like Tommy Tedesco, Joe Diario and Ted Greene. After teaching at GIT/Musicians Institute, in Hollywood, CA, for three years he developed and published his own home study guitar school type curriculum available on his website www.GuitarCollege.com which has helped over ten thousand students improve their playing. Rich has won honorable mentions and awards in songwriting and served as president of the Ventura County Producers and Songwriters Guild. Touring for three years with "Dick Clarks Good Old Rock and Roll Show" he had the opportunity to perform with Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Little Anthony and many other great, old time rock and rollers. When moving his family the Fresno area he taught guitar and directed the jazz band at Fresno Pacific University for two years.

Being a well-rounded player, Rich is comfortable playing a variety of styles including jazz (his favorite), blues, rock, fusion, country and solo fingerstyle. He performs at local venues in a number of different scenarios; as a solo guitarist, with his jazz trio or quartet or smooth jazz quintet and also with an eleven piece little big band. Rich is currently producing a smooth jazz album with Chris (Call Me) Montez that will be released by the end of the year. The Fresno Guitar Titans featuring a hot jazz guitar trio including Rich with guitar buddies Mike Dana and Andre Bush, open for top name jazz artists at local concerts and jazz festivals.

For over fifteen years Rich has been playing guitar in church. Serving as the musical director and guitarist at Northside Christian Church since 2003, Rich is committed to raising the level of musicianship in the Christian church today. He travels throughout the U.S. and Canada instructing and playing at variety of Christian worship conferences, workshops and seminars. Rich is also endorsed by Hofner Guitars which takes him around the country to guitar shows, workshops and clinics. He also hosts an annual Guitar College Jazz Workshop in the Yosemite area.
 

Video Clips  featuring Rich's Guitar and his "Friday Nite Jam" dvd,
"Sugar" High Speed or Dialup
"On Green Dophin Street" High Speed or  Dialup

CD's
 

Rich's newest CD, features a great mixture of originals and covers done in jazz and smooth jazz styles as solo pieces and band tunes with friends Gary Newmark, Roy Carlson, Scott Hunter and Nye Morton. Songs include: *Father To Son * Kickin Back * Do Bee-Daa * When I Fall In Love * Holy Holy Holy * Give Thanks * Reflections * Bridge Over Troubled Waters * When You Wish Upon A Star * Oh How He Loves You & Me * WWJD * The Shadow Of Your Smile * America The Beautiful * Rich's originals	The Gift Audio samples soon!
A collection of favorite praise and worship songs also performed instrumentally, solo fingerstyle. You’ll enjoy Rich’s personal arrangements with a new twist on your old favorites. This soothing music will be a welcome companion whether driving, reading, or just relaxing. This CD will definitely warm your heart, bring peace to your day, and a smile to your face. You’ll want to share it with a friend, it makes a great, unique gift. Songs included: Amazing Grace * As The Deer * We Bow Down * How Great Thou Art * I Sing Praises/Shine Jesus Shine * What A Friend we Have In Jesus * His Name Is Wonderful/There’s Something About That Name/Jesus, Name Above All Names/He’s As Close As The Mention Of His Name (medley) * Oh How He Loves You And Me * Great Is Thy Faithfulness *Victory In Jesus * Open My Eyes Lord	At Peace with My Guitar Audio Samples soon!
"Rich Seversons Guitar College Home Study Courses offer you the instructional "Work Along" audio CDs that thoroughly explain every detail on every page and play each note with you measure by measure in a variety of speeds. There are also "Play Along" rhythm section practice tracks in most courses too. It's like having a teacher there ready whenever you are."	More info here!

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