Rich mangicaro
Live/recording percussionist and drummer; composer; content creator/editor; artist relations specialist.
Photo: Kristina Sado
Rich Mangicaro has performed and/or recorded with many of music’s most influential artists including 15 years as a band member of Eagles founder, the late Glenn Frey. Rich has also worked with Joe Walsh, Jeff Bridges, Aaron Neville, The Tubes, James Morrison, Venice, Michael McDonald, David Crosby, Jackson Browne and many more. (See Media page for samples of his work)
As a music journalist, Rich has written for all the top drum industry trades, enjoying both national and international recognition. (See Press page for links to articles). Rich has also created and edited video content for many artists and product promotions. (See RAM57 Productions page)
for over 30 years, rich mangicaro is Recognized as one of the music instrument industry’s foremost authorities in the field of Artist Relations. (See Artist Relations page) rich is currently the Artist Relations manager & product specialist for Gon Bops, Inc.
Rich Mangicaro is currently composing underscore music along with his writing partner Jonathan Clark for Atomica Music, currently featuring 4 collections, “destinations”, “Tension & trouble”, lofty pursuits and The Good life. More Examples of their compositions, under the name “At Noon”, can be found on their soundcloud page. Rich HAS RELEASEd 3 SOLO ALBUMS UNDER HIS OWN NAME: “TRAVELS”, released in 2018, “DIALOGUES”, released in 2022 and his latest album “A Dream I Had”, now available in 2024, CDs via his bandcamp page and also on streaming and download services.
A Dream I Had- Rich Mangicaro’s THIRD ALBUM
This, my 3rd album is a sonic journey…meditative, ethereal, visual…dream-inducing. Eyes closed, it transports the listener to places both familiar and unfamiliar. Comfortable yet uncomfortable. Contemplative and ultimately playful.
I began writing and recording this material in mid 2022, at the tail end of the pandemic. I think you’ll notice the more meditative nature of this collection, as like many people, I was reflective of what we all went through. While my first 2 albums feature a mix of different music styles, this one is more thematic in nature.
CD NOW available on my Bandcamp page
To be released on all streaming platforms on Monday, November 18th, 2024
dialogues - Rich Mangicaro’s second ALBUM
Dialogues, my second album, features intimate, musical conversations with some of my favorite fellow musicians that I’ve worked with over the years. Dialogues is dedicated to my dear friend and mentor – Joe Porcaro. Here are the 2 music videos currently featured from this album.
Dialogues is available on CD via my Bandcamp page here.
Dialogues is available on all your favorite digital streaming & download services.
TRAVELS - Rich Mangicaro’s DEBUT ALBUM
My debut album Travels was co-produced and mixed with Jonathan Clark and features original CD artwork by my late father, Dominic Mangicaro, whom I dedicated this album to. Here’s the music videos from this album:
Buy the CD on:
Also available wherever you stream music
Album Reviews
Travels
“…His impassioned performances evoke a percussive "world" landscape, in alternately powerful and subtly layered textures and reveal a mature artist combining seemingly disparate playing and compositional styles into a cohesive whole. Check this one out ... already one of my favorites!”
Doane Perry - Jethro Tull
“…Rich comes out smokin’ in the first piece, the kind of song I immediately start thinking about how I would arrange for percussion ensemble, so I could participate in it! Loved it on the spot. But the entire album is a winner, for sure.”
Ernest Muzquiz - Principal Percussionist/Assistant Conductor - Syracuse Symphony
“…It's a beautiful recording! The SOUNDS were so great! I was amazed at the playing and the production.. just great! Again, the SOUND of everything... samples, drums, guitars, etc sound so real and clear! There is a lot of space and breath which really allows you to hear the clarity!”
Danny Gottlieb - Pat Metheny’s original drummer
“…Your CD has been in power rotation in my car! I’m loving it; great production and I love the marriage between the authentic and electronica! Really great work.”
Steve Porcaro - Toto
"This stunning debut release by Rich Mangicaro clearly reflects his boundless skills, creativity, passion, maturity and clarity of vision. It is a beautiful sonic landscape that will transport you to an egoless audio sanctuary wherever you are. The production is top notch and sounds are rich and gorgeous."
Karl Latham - Drummer/Producer
“Rich is stepping out and doing what he feels and hears in his heart and soul…love and compassion…hurt and pain and all things in between. It’s a beautiful representation of deep emotions painted by wonderful keyboard brush strokes and sensitivity to the lovely landscapes he’s created. TRAVELS is the perfect escape we all wish to have on a long quiet ride from our past…and into our future. Imaginative. Dreamlike. Reflective and heartfelt. He’s touched our souls and gave us a wonderful gift.”
Scott Crago - Drummer - Eagles
“I just bought Rich’s record, Travels, off of iTunes. Its beautiful... Nice job ! My wife and I curate listening sessions here at the house. We have ceremonies where we have about 25 guests over and we actively listen to playlists that I’ve put together of world music (for lack of a better term), one two-hour playlist and one three and a half-hour playlist. It goes all night and we meditate on the music with little or no talking. I will definitely use some of Rich’s tracks on the next playlist. The music actually functions as our shaman and guides us through brief spiritual journeys. Its been a very cool ritual that we do ever since traveling down to Brazil a bunch of times in the past 12 years. His music is on the same wave length!”
Jeff Quay - Drummer/Musical Director-Blue Man Group
“Very diverse material, and great quality of sounds. All the drums and percussion sound fantastic!!!!!! And the samples…Wow, sounds amazing!!!!!! Beautiful compositions that are quite diverse and yet extremely cohesive. Looking forward to continuing the journey listening to it.”
Randy Gloss - Chairman of World Music - California Institute Of The Arts (Cal Arts)
“Great CD! My favorite track is the 1st one, Travels Through Mecca. Love the Udu drum. Groovin. So freaking cool. This is a killin CD for a documentary. Or like a Travel Channel show. Sonically, it's really clean and sounds real. Not like it is all samples, but real acoustic instruments being played. Endless Journey piano is great!! Love the djembe. I'm assuming it djembe. The last track, Erratic Percolation, is very cool. Congrats on this accomplishment.”
Chris Ralles-Drummer, Pat Benatar
“Rich Mangicaro has expressed himself in all manner of musical environments through the years. Now we can listen to his own deep and personal musical expressions, much of it inspired by his father Dominic’s life and art. While being atmospheric and contemplative the tracks also groove with subtle, percussive sound colors. These tracks are accessible and yet sophisticated, filling the sonic canvas with memories and reflections of his world travels.”
Ed Clift - Music Industry Business Executive
Dialogues
“…Your cd sounds amazing! Great playing, writing and production. Into the Ether is great…love your perc theme and how it tells such a great musical story. Love the eerie vibes of Isolation. Tollak Ollested’s harmonica is very cool on Bouncing Back….your CD has a ton of potential for things like documentary films and such”
Chris Ralles - Pat Benatar
“New record is fantastic…congrats!”
Jason Sutter - Cher
“ What a beautiful CD! So inspirational and it sounds amazing! Loved into The Ether…there were moments of Miles’ Bitches Brew and Weather Report! Beautiful!! This disc will be in heavy rotation!”
Chuck Burgi - Billy Joel
“I'm just riffing here, but, dang, you done real good with this album! I'm proud of you for your significant achievement, but not as a former mentor or teacher because, the level of talent you evince on this project is not something you could’ve have learned from me. Your music alone is impressive, but your writing (in the PRESS RELEASE sheets) is equally impressive: very informative mini-essays and utterances of poetic-like inspiration….so in short, you knocked it out of the park. I hope that you're now working on something else now -- a sequel, perhaps. With your talent and creativity, you wanna make sure you don't suppress it -- the world will certainly benefit from your creations.”
Ernest Muzquiz - Percussionist - Symphoria Orchestra of Central New York
"Your talent is really incredible…not only the music and instrumental but also the level of thinking and hearing that has you and those who hear your work excited about the depths of sound you were able to bring together. Those who carve and chisel tell us the figures are already within the wood or marble or whatever their medium and they had the privilege of bringing it out. I suspect you would say the same about music. One has the extraordinary ability to see where you have the extraordinary ability to hear. Continued blessings as you continue to create."
Mary Steves - Clinical Social Worker
“As with any work of art, one has to buy the premise, settle into the world created by the artist. The more I listened, I thought of this album as one of connection, a symmetry throughout. It almost sounds as if it were written as a movie score. If I was still writing scripts, I would write a script to go along with the themes of sadness and isolation and then emerging into a new light. A chance to move on, seeking the joys of life, the belonging, the dialogues, those between others and with oneself. Great use of instruments and synthetic “noise”. Your percussion work, excellent. The individual pieces, as I said, the perfect blend into one homogeneous whole. Congratulations!”
Joseph D'Onofrio - Author
“This is really first class…congrats! I just received and listened to Ode To Papa Joe and watched the music video … got me choked up in a nice way. You really captured the reality of Joe Porcaro and his friends in a beautiful presentation. Thanks for sharing!”
Jim Petercsak - Percussion Department Chairman, Potsdam College
“Ode To Papa Joe is a beautiful, soulful melody that captures the soul of this wonderful man in song. I don't know how you do it but congratulations my dear brother. I've played it several times and I'm moved every time. It's too bad he never heard your wonderful tribute to him. I love the video, there are so many cool and interesting images.”
Joe Yuele - former drummer - John Mayhall & The Bluesbreakers
“What a labor of love. Most importantly, you did it for you and found it fulfilling on many levels. Being your own “all everything” is challenging. Composing music is channeling! It’s a beautiful creation that comes from the soul level. I know your relationship with Joe Porcaro was very special. He was a lovely man. Best wishes for successful outcomes with your musical journeys!”
Lise Pisani - Counselor
“Been enjoying Dialogues so much! There's an element of restraint I appreciate from your work. My favorites are, Judgement Day, Bouncing Back (really enjoyed Tollak's playing on this one), Drifting Away (great interplay between your playing and the cellist) Breathless…the break that comes in at 2:10 is also really nice…I wanted it to last longer than 30 seconds! The title track Dialogues could have been longer…I had it on repeat for a bit!”
Rafael Gayol - Leonard Cohen
Travels
“…His impassioned performances evoke a percussive "world" landscape, in alternately powerful and subtly layered textures and reveal a mature artist combining seemingly disparate playing and compositional styles into a cohesive whole. Check this one out ... already one of my favorites!”
Doane Perry - Jethro Tull
“…Rich comes out smokin’ in the first piece, the kind of song I immediately start thinking about how I would arrange for percussion ensemble, so I could participate in it! Loved it on the spot. But the entire album is a winner, for sure.”
Ernest Muzquiz - Principal Percussionist/Assistant Conductor - Syracuse Symphony
“…It's a beautiful recording! The SOUNDS were so great! I was amazed at the playing and the production.. just great! Again, the SOUND of everything... samples, drums, guitars, etc sound so real and clear! There is a lot of space and breath which really allows you to hear the clarity!”
Danny Gottlieb - Pat Metheny’s original drummer
“…Your CD has been in power rotation in my car! I’m loving it; great production and I love the marriage between the authentic and electronica! Really great work.”
Steve Porcaro - Toto
"This stunning debut release by Rich Mangicaro clearly reflects his boundless skills, creativity, passion, maturity and clarity of vision. It is a beautiful sonic landscape that will transport you to an egoless audio sanctuary wherever you are. The production is top notch and sounds are rich and gorgeous."
Karl Latham - Drummer/Producer
“Rich is stepping out and doing what he feels and hears in his heart and soul…love and compassion…hurt and pain and all things in between. It’s a beautiful representation of deep emotions painted by wonderful keyboard brush strokes and sensitivity to the lovely landscapes he’s created. TRAVELS is the perfect escape we all wish to have on a long quiet ride from our past…and into our future. Imaginative. Dreamlike. Reflective and heartfelt. He’s touched our souls and gave us a wonderful gift.”
Scott Crago - Drummer - Eagles
“I just bought Rich’s record, Travels, off of iTunes. Its beautiful... Nice job ! My wife and I curate listening sessions here at the house. We have ceremonies where we have about 25 guests over and we actively listen to playlists that I’ve put together of world music (for lack of a better term), one two-hour playlist and one three and a half-hour playlist. It goes all night and we meditate on the music with little or no talking. I will definitely use some of Rich’s tracks on the next playlist. The music actually functions as our shaman and guides us through brief spiritual journeys. Its been a very cool ritual that we do ever since traveling down to Brazil a bunch of times in the past 12 years. His music is on the same wave length!”
Jeff Quay - Drummer/Musical Director-Blue Man Group
“Very diverse material, and great quality of sounds. All the drums and percussion sound fantastic!!!!!! And the samples…Wow, sounds amazing!!!!!! Beautiful compositions that are quite diverse and yet extremely cohesive. Looking forward to continuing the journey listening to it.”
Randy Gloss - Chairman of World Music - California Institute Of The Arts (Cal Arts)
“Great CD! My favorite track is the 1st one, Travels Through Mecca. Love the Udu drum. Groovin. So freaking cool. This is a killin CD for a documentary. Or like a Travel Channel show. Sonically, it's really clean and sounds real. Not like it is all samples, but real acoustic instruments being played. Endless Journey piano is great!! Love the djembe. I'm assuming it djembe. The last track, Erratic Percolation, is very cool. Congrats on this accomplishment.”
Chris Ralles-Drummer, Pat Benatar
“Rich Mangicaro has expressed himself in all manner of musical environments through the years. Now we can listen to his own deep and personal musical expressions, much of it inspired by his father Dominic’s life and art. While being atmospheric and contemplative the tracks also groove with subtle, percussive sound colors. These tracks are accessible and yet sophisticated, filling the sonic canvas with memories and reflections of his world travels.”
Ed Clift - Music Industry Business Executive
Dialogues
“…Your cd sounds amazing! Great playing, writing and production. Into the Ether is great…love your perc theme and how it tells such a great musical story. Love the eerie vibes of Isolation. Tollak Ollested’s harmonica is very cool on Bouncing Back….your CD has a ton of potential for things like documentary films and such”
Chris Ralles - Pat Benatar
“New record is fantastic…congrats!”
Jason Sutter - Cher
“ What a beautiful CD! So inspirational and it sounds amazing! Loved into The Ether…there were moments of Miles’ Bitches Brew and Weather Report! Beautiful!! This disc will be in heavy rotation!”
Chuck Burgi - Billy Joel
“I'm just riffing here, but, dang, you done real good with this album! I'm proud of you for your significant achievement, but not as a former mentor or teacher because, the level of talent you evince on this project is not something you could’ve have learned from me. Your music alone is impressive, but your writing (in the PRESS RELEASE sheets) is equally impressive: very informative mini-essays and utterances of poetic-like inspiration….so in short, you knocked it out of the park. I hope that you're now working on something else now -- a sequel, perhaps. With your talent and creativity, you wanna make sure you don't suppress it -- the world will certainly benefit from your creations.”
Ernest Muzquiz - Percussionist - Symphoria Orchestra of Central New York
"Your talent is really incredible…not only the music and instrumental but also the level of thinking and hearing that has you and those who hear your work excited about the depths of sound you were able to bring together. Those who carve and chisel tell us the figures are already within the wood or marble or whatever their medium and they had the privilege of bringing it out. I suspect you would say the same about music. One has the extraordinary ability to see where you have the extraordinary ability to hear. Continued blessings as you continue to create."
Mary Steves - Clinical Social Worker
“As with any work of art, one has to buy the premise, settle into the world created by the artist. The more I listened, I thought of this album as one of connection, a symmetry throughout. It almost sounds as if it were written as a movie score. If I was still writing scripts, I would write a script to go along with the themes of sadness and isolation and then emerging into a new light. A chance to move on, seeking the joys of life, the belonging, the dialogues, those between others and with oneself. Great use of instruments and synthetic “noise”. Your percussion work, excellent. The individual pieces, as I said, the perfect blend into one homogeneous whole. Congratulations!”
Joseph D'Onofrio - Author
“This is really first class…congrats! I just received and listened to Ode To Papa Joe and watched the music video … got me choked up in a nice way. You really captured the reality of Joe Porcaro and his friends in a beautiful presentation. Thanks for sharing!”
Jim Petercsak - Percussion Department Chairman, Potsdam College
“Ode To Papa Joe is a beautiful, soulful melody that captures the soul of this wonderful man in song. I don't know how you do it but congratulations my dear brother. I've played it several times and I'm moved every time. It's too bad he never heard your wonderful tribute to him. I love the video, there are so many cool and interesting images.”
Joe Yuele - former drummer - John Mayhall & The Bluesbreakers
“What a labor of love. Most importantly, you did it for you and found it fulfilling on many levels. Being your own “all everything” is challenging. Composing music is channeling! It’s a beautiful creation that comes from the soul level. I know your relationship with Joe Porcaro was very special. He was a lovely man. Best wishes for successful outcomes with your musical journeys!”
Lise Pisani - Counselor
“Been enjoying Dialogues so much! There's an element of restraint I appreciate from your work. My favorites are, Judgement Day, Bouncing Back (really enjoyed Tollak's playing on this one), Drifting Away (great interplay between your playing and the cellist) Breathless…the break that comes in at 2:10 is also really nice…I wanted it to last longer than 30 seconds! The title track Dialogues could have been longer…I had it on repeat for a bit!”
Rafael Gayol - Leonard Cohen
Rich performing with various artists over the years.
