Richard j is one part spoken word artist, one part comedian and two parts scathing smart %*#.
Raised in Indiana, Richard got his start doing stage acting before moving to stand up comedy. While serving in the United States Air Force in Tucson, Arizona he stumbled upon spoken word poetry in the smoke-filled desert cafes.
Quickly cutting a niche for himself as an observant, quick witted and morally bankrupt absurdist, Richard j found himself performing regularly throughout the Southwest.
Upon leaving the Air Force, Richard j moved Tampa and assaulted the bay area with his dashing good looks, boyish charm and unique ability to compliment one's self. (You should see what his bios look like when he's asked to write them)
A veteran of the Tampa and St. Petersburg scene, Richard j has performed for Illapro Inc., Lyrical Aspirations, featured for Straight Loca Productions and Resurrection @ The Lobby, WMNF's Tropical Heat Wave and was a contributing artist of the Justice for the Jena Six benefit.
Editor David Warner of Creative Loafing said some kind and encouraging words on page 26 of the August 26, 2009, issue. Partial quote, "At a moment when ignorance is being aggressively defended, Deep Carnivale still respects our intelligence. Imagine that."
Esther Martinez, in a story at The Florida Book Review" says she knows "Deep Carnivale will be 'A Celebration of Words' and not a Bourbon Street bacchanal."
"But logophile that I am, I reason I'll get drunk on language. With over 70 writers and artists scheduled [for the 2008 Carnivale] to perform or read from their works, my beaded necklaces will be strung with verse. I imagine haiku shooters..."
"It is just before 10am when I arrive at the corner of Palm Avenue and 14th Street—Deep Carnivale ground zero. About a dozen vendor tables are lined up around the Hillsborough Community College courtyard where a band of teenagers [Next Exit] are setting up their instruments.
"The vendor tables sell books by local writers, HCC publications and baked goods. I grab a Cuban favorite, papa rellena, a potato stuffed with savory ground beef. Belly satisfied, I cross the street and enter the historic Circulo Cubano. A nearly 100 year old neo-classical building of ionic columns and marble staircases, it served as the Cuban Social Club and remains the oldest building of its kind in the country."
"When I look back over 2008, my visit to the second edition of Deep Carnivale was a
highlight. You and your staff did a great job and I loved being part of it, again.
I am sure there will be bigger festivals to come. But maybe not better!!!"
– Darrell House,
children's book author and 2008 Deep Carnivale presenter.