Rich Atkinson & The New Billionaires – Dorset Americana Jazz Band Blending Storytelling and Sax

In a county full of acoustic evenings and seaside singalongs, Rich Atkinson & The New Billionaires stand out like a sax solo in a storm. This Dorset Americana jazz band isn’t just about the music—it’s about the stories, the characters, and the little lyrical twists that leave audiences laughing, gasping, and leaning in for more.

If you haven’t seen them live yet, it’s time you changed that.

🎷 A Dorset Americana Jazz Band with a Storytelling Soul

The band is currently a dynamic duo: Rich Atkinson on vocals and guitar, and Richard Quintin on tenor saxophone. But it all began with a slightly different lineup, featuring bassist Georgie Rodriguez, who features on tracks like Love Is a Beautiful and Terrible Thing and A Postcard from the Ocean.

Rich had been gigging and songwriting for years, but when he decided to inject some jazz into his Americana sound, the hunt for a sax player began. Enter fate—during the 2018 World Cup.

“I was watching an England match at a friend’s house,” he recalls, “and got chatting to this really quiet guy. Turns out he played tenor sax. We jammed the next day and haven’t looked back since.”

🎵 Narrative Americana with a Jazz Twist

This isn’t background music. This is storytelling set to sax. Rich calls it Narrative Americana—think rootsy songwriting meets smoky jazz club, full of lyrical hooks and emotional turns.

“I know it’s working when the audience reacts to the lyrics—laughing at a line or catching the twist in a tale,” he says. Armed with a master’s in songwriting and years of stage time, Atkinson has crafted a sound that’s both musically rich and lyrically razor-sharp.

🌄 Making Waves from Shaftesbury to the South Coast

The band may be based in the peaceful town of Shaftesbury, but their sound stretches far beyond. “We call anything an hour away ‘local’ now,” Rich jokes. From Boscombe to Weymouth, they’ve been gigging hard, building a loyal following one pub, festival, and fiver-at-the-front gig at a time.

Rich also runs the Shaftesbury Acoustic Café, a long-running grassroots event giving local artists a proper platform—and a proper listening audience. It’s the kind of community-driven magic that keeps Dorset’s scene alive.

🎤 From Folk Fests to Channel 5 Cameos

From packed shows at Chaplin’s in Boscombe to playing the Wimborne Folk Festival, Rich and Richard have carved out a reputation for originality and connection. They even managed to sneak a cameo on Channel 5 during Wimborne—proof that people are starting to notice.

And there are always surprises. “At one gig, a bloke marched up mid-set, slapped a fiver on the stage and demanded a CD. He messaged us days later to say how much he loved it. That’s what it’s all about,” Rich smiles.

🎶 What to Listen For (And What’s Next)

Fan favourite The Neighborhood is a show closer for a reason—anthemic, hooky, and full of sax-fuelled swagger. As for dream collaborations? Rich doesn’t hesitate: Sir Paul McCartney. Big dreams, and big tunes to match.

🔗 Follow Their Journey

Want to hear what all the fuss is about? Head to Rich Atkinson & The New Billionaires on Linktree to stream their music, check out videos, and follow them on socials.

📣 Support Dorset's Music Scene

At Entertainment Dorset, we’re here to shout about the talent that makes this county sing—and Rich Atkinson & The New Billionaires are the perfect example. Keep exploring Dorset’s musical heartbeat with gig guides, interviews, and more local legends waiting to be discovered.