Richard “Rick” A. Helzer

Building/Location

5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182

Bio

Richard “Rick” Helzer served as Professor of Music and the Associate Director of Jazz Studies at San Diego State University where he coordinated the undergraduate jazz theory, jazz composition, graduate jazz theory, and jazz combo programs. Originally from Fresno, California, Helzer earned his B.A. from California State University, Fresno, and an M.F.A. from the California Institute of the Arts. Hired initially as a lecturer, he transformed the jazz curriculum and eventually achieved the rank of full professor, influencing a generation of Southern California jazz musicians. During his tenure, in four different years he was named Most Influential Faculty member by the year’s outstanding graduating student. 

Helzer is a prolific composer who has written over three hundred compositions, many of which have been recorded or published. He has composed a number of commissioned works as well. Helzer’s recorded albums include work with the trio Big World, with whom he toured Germany and the Pacific Northwest: Angels (1991, Nine Winds Records), and Devotion (1992, Cexton records). Both albums received critical acclaim in Jazz Times, Cadence, Coda, Saxophone Journal, and numerous other publications. In Saxophone Journal reviewer Tim Price said of Angels, “Their artistic greatness is the likes of which you need to hear. This is essential music played by a world class ensemble.” Other recordings featuring Helzer and collaborators such as James Newton and Kim Richmond include Face in the Mirror (Nine Winds Records, 2004), Fancy Meeting You Here with Vinnie Golia (Nine Winds Records, 2005), Triptych Mirror with the ARC Trio (Circumvention Music, 2007) and Friendship and Remembrance with John Stowell (Circumvention Music, 2008). Jon Worley said of Friendship and Remembrance, “The setting is simple. The execution is elegant. The music is stunning.” 

As professor, Helzer led faculty/student ensemble tours in Costa Rica and Bolivia. He served as a jazz clinician, authored or co-authored articles on jazz, and was also a regular contributor for Jazz Inside magazine, providing numerous solo transcriptions, annotations, record reviews and a regular column entitled “Piano Perspectives,” from 2000 through 2011. Since his retirement from SDSU in 2012, Helzer has returned to Fresno where he continues to compose and perform locally.