BIOGRAPHY
About Small Affair
Small Affair has performed as a duet for over 25 years. The name was from a rock band in Long Beach where Rick grew up. We adopted the name mainly because of our duet performances. For larger engagements, we expand to include percussion, keyboards, and sax. Small in size but big in sound. Our music focuses on a broad range of styles that create a fantastic mood for any event. From Motown, The Beatles, R.E.M, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and your favorite movies/TV we perform musical arrangements that are second to none. Michael Harrison did all arrangements for contemporary music as well as for movie and television shows.
Rick Bemis - Guitar / Vocals
Rick Bemis grew up on the Westside of Long Beach. He studied performance string bass in college and has been a member in symphony orchestras in LA and different parts of the world. Rick started singing and playing guitar based on a friends recommendation, Rick still plays string bass and is a contract musician. He has also done recordings for Universal / Motown.
Accompaniment with Small Affair - Violin / Sax / Flute
Small Affair is more than voice and guitar. Our music library includes a broad range of contemporary music, movie soundtracks, tv accompaniment, and more. Small Affair will be conducting auditions for supporting instrumentation. If interested please contact rickbemis@smallaffairmusic.com.
Legacy of our brand
Michael Harrison - Former member, arranger, and composer
Michael P Harrison, featured in this picture, was from Oakland CA and a founding member of Small Affair. He and Rick started in 1991 performing as a duet. On August 12th, 2021 we lost the brilliance of Michael's music. His passing but his legacy will always be with us.
After studying violin he moved to LA to get a start in the music industry. His list of accomplishments includes performing with Page & Plant of Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Smoky Robinson, Wayne Newton, Sammy Davis Jr, and many more. Michael had appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, scored string arrangements for Snoop Dog, and recorded for Universal Motown. Michael was an amazing musician and friend.
Michael and Rick met during a symphony orchestra rehearsal in Orange County. We both have mutual interest in Shotokan Karate. We also love the classical music. A rare combination. He was a warrior and will be missed.
"Cowards die many times before their death; the valiant never taste of death but once" - Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, Act II, Scene 2.