Jazz writers and musicians have described his tenor saxophone sound as “muscular and commanding” and his style as "fluid, solid, individual, quite varied", and he "plays with harmonic intelligence." John Richmond's live engagements and recording sessions have included work with many of the top jazz musicians of our time.

Born and raised in the New York City area, his musical studies began at age nine with clarinet. He graduated from the Manhattan School of Music with a Bachelor of Music in saxophone where his principal teacher was Joe Allard.

His musical inspirations include Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Dexter Gordon, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Lester Young, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Jimi Hendrix among many others.