Growing up, he spent much of his time hiking, camping, hunting and fishing, and at an early age developed a lifelong passion for nature and the outdoors.

His early influences included Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Ornette Coleman and Albert Ayler as well as Jim Pepper, who was also from Portland.

Between 1968 and 1975, he interspersed periods of musical activity with time spent climbing mountains and exploring the deserts and jungles of the Western US, Mexico and Central America.

In 1991-92 Halley played in the cooperative band Jack's Headlights that included trumpeter Rob Blakeslee, saxophonist Hans Teuber, bassist Michael Bisio and drummer Aaron Alexander.

Halley co-founded Portland's Creative Music Guild in 1991 after being disappointed with the lack of performing opportunities for non-traditional jazz musicians.

The group includes trombonist Michael Vlatkovich, trumpeter Jim Knodle, saxophonist Troy Grugett, percussionist Dave Storrs and drummer Carson Halley.

In 2010 Halley released Live at the Penofin Jazz Festival[3] featuring cornetist Bobby Bradford on his own label, Pine Eagle Records.

[5] In 2011, the Rich Halley 4 released Requiem for a Pit Viper,[6] which was picked by Francis Davis in the Village Voice as one of the best recordings of the year.