Born in Houston, TX, Richard Saldivar is a multi-instrumentalist. His first instrument was the trumpet and later by the age of eight began playing the saxophone. At the age of fifteen he played around with the bass guitar but soon got serious about this instrument. Around eighteen he got his first guitar. By twenty he tinkered with the accordion for a while and played traditional Mexican music as well as Italian, French and Argentine music. At twenty-five he started to play professionally on the piano.

Richard Saldivar has been performing most of his life in Houston and has played with all types of bands. Inspired by his father, Jose Saldivar, Richard started to venture off to different styles of music. He has performed the following styles: R&B, Latin, European, Middle Eastern, Caribbean, Gospel, Jazz, Latin Jazz and a few other styles. He is currently performing with Norma Zenteno, the Gypsies, Garcia y Reyna, Yelba & Latin Fire and the St. James Episcopal Church Jazz Ensemble.