Red Richards
Encyclopedia
Charles Coleridge "Red" Richards (October 19, 1912, New York City
- March 12, 1998, Scarsdale, New York
) was an American jazz
pianist.
. His first major professional gig was with Tab Smith
at New York's Savoy Ballroom
from 1945 to 1949. following this he played with Bob Wilber
(1950-51) and Sidney Bechet
(1951). He toured Italy
and France
in 1953 with Mezz Mezzrow
's band alongside Buck Clayton
and Big Chief Moore, also accompanying Frank Sinatra
during his time in Italy. He played with Muggsy Spanier
on and off from 1953 through the end of the decade, and with Fletcher Henderson
in 1957-58. In 1958 he did some time as a solo performer in Columbus, Ohio
, then played with Wild Bill Davison
in 1958-59 and again in 1962.
In 1960 he formed Saints & Sinners
with Vic Dickenson
, playing with this ensemble until 1970. He joined Jazz drummer Chuck Slate and his band in 1971 and stayed with him most of the year. He recorded an album with Chuck called "Bix 'N All That Jazz" Following this he did work with Eddie Condon
(1975-77), then played with his own trio in 1977-78. He played with Panama Francis's group, the Savoy Sultans
, worldwide from 1979 through the 1980s. He recorded with Bill Coleman
in 1980. He continued to tour almost up until the time of his death.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
- March 12, 1998, Scarsdale, New York
Scarsdale, New York
Scarsdale is a coterminous town and village in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the northern suburbs of New York City. The Town of Scarsdale is coextensive with the Village of Scarsdale, but the community has opted to operate solely with a village government, one of several villages...
) was an American jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
pianist.
Biography
Richards began playing classical piano at age ten, and concentrated on jazz from age 16 after hearing Fats WallerFats Waller
Fats Waller , born Thomas Wright Waller, was a jazz pianist, organist, composer, singer, and comedic entertainer...
. His first major professional gig was with Tab Smith
Tab Smith
Talmadge "Tab" Smith , was an American swing and rhythm and blues alto saxophonist. He is best known for the tracks, "Because Of You" and "Pretend". He variously worked with Count Basie, the Mills Rhythm Boys and Lucky Millinder.-Biography:Smith was born in Kinston, North Carolina, United States...
at New York's Savoy Ballroom
Savoy Ballroom
The Savoy Ballroom, located in Harlem, New York City, was a medium sized ballroom for music and public dancing that was in operation from March 12, 1926 to July 10, 1958. It was located between 140th and 141st Streets on Lenox Avenue....
from 1945 to 1949. following this he played with Bob Wilber
Bob Wilber
Bob Wilber is an internationally recognized American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist and band leader living in Chipping Campden, England. Although his scope covers a wide range of jazz, Wilber has been a dedicated advocate of classic styles, working throughout his career to present traditional jazz...
(1950-51) and Sidney Bechet
Sidney Bechet
Sidney Bechet was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer.He was one of the first important soloists in jazz , and was perhaps the first notable jazz saxophonist...
(1951). He toured Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1953 with Mezz Mezzrow
Mezz Mezzrow
Milton Mesirow, better known as Mezz Mezzrow was an American jazz clarinetist and saxophonist from Chicago, Illinois. Mezzrow is well known for organizing and financing historic recording sessions with Tommy Ladnier and Sidney Bechet. Mezzrow also recorded a number of times with Bechet and...
's band alongside Buck Clayton
Buck Clayton
Buck Clayton was an American jazz trumpet player who was a leading member of Count Basie’s "Old Testament" orchestra and a leader of mainstream-oriented jam session recordings in the 1950s. His principal influence was Louis Armstrong...
and Big Chief Moore, also accompanying Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
during his time in Italy. He played with Muggsy Spanier
Muggsy Spanier
Francis Joseph Julian "Muggsy" Spanier was a prominent cornet player based in Chicago. He was renowned as the best trumpet/cornet in Chicago until Bix Beiderbecke entered the scene....
on and off from 1953 through the end of the decade, and with Fletcher Henderson
Fletcher Henderson
James Fletcher Hamilton Henderson, Jr. was an American pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer, important in the development of big band jazz and swing music. His was one of the most prolific black orchestras and his influence was vast...
in 1957-58. In 1958 he did some time as a solo performer in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, then played with Wild Bill Davison
Wild Bill Davison
Wild' Bill Davison was a fiery jazz cornet player who emerged in the 1920s, but did not achieve recognition until the 1940s...
in 1958-59 and again in 1962.
In 1960 he formed Saints & Sinners
Saints & Sinners (band)
Saints & Sinners was an American jazz sextet, founded by Red Richards and Vic Dickenson in 1960. The group was initially an impromptu pickup ensemble, but soon became one of the highly regarded Dixieland jazz ensembles of the 1960s. The group toured the U.S. and Canada and did two tours of Europe...
with Vic Dickenson
Vic Dickenson
Vic Dickenson was an African-American jazz trombonist. Dickenson's career started out in the 1920s and led him through musical partnerships with such legends as Count Basie , Sidney Bechet and Earl Hines...
, playing with this ensemble until 1970. He joined Jazz drummer Chuck Slate and his band in 1971 and stayed with him most of the year. He recorded an album with Chuck called "Bix 'N All That Jazz" Following this he did work with Eddie Condon
Eddie Condon
Albert Edwin Condon , better known as Eddie Condon, was a jazz banjoist, guitarist, and bandleader. A leading figure in the so-called "Chicago school" of early Dixieland, he also played piano and sang on occasion....
(1975-77), then played with his own trio in 1977-78. He played with Panama Francis's group, the Savoy Sultans
Savoy Sultans
-Savoy Sultans :The original Savoy Sultans were formed by saxophonist Al Cooper, and played at the Savoy Ballroom from 1937 to 1946. This small swing jazz ensemble was comprised, at various times, Jack Chapman, Sam Massenberg, Jesse Drakes and Pat Jenkins on trumpets; Skinny Brown, Rudy Williams,...
, worldwide from 1979 through the 1980s. He recorded with Bill Coleman
Bill Coleman
William Johnson Coleman was a jazz trumpeter from the swing era.He had his musical debut in 1927. Coleman's first recordings were with the Luis Russell orchestra, but all solos on record went to the rising star Henry "Red" Allen. This led to Bill Coleman's departure from the band. By 1935 he...
in 1980. He continued to tour almost up until the time of his death.
As leader
- Soft Buns (West 54 Records, 1978)
- In a Mellow Tone (West 54 Records, 1978)
- It's a Wonderful World (Black & Blue RecordsBlack & Blue RecordsBlack & Blue Records is a French record label specializing in swing jazz and blues.Black & Blue was founded in 1968, and in its early years concentrated on reissuing jazz that had been previously released on American labels. The label recorded Blues and Jazz musicians both in America and France and...
, 1980) - Lullaby in Rhythm (Sackville RecordsSackville RecordsSackville Records is a Canadian music record label. Although the label has been used to issue material in various styles, the company particularly specializes in jazz music. Most of the company's releases have been newly recorded in Canada....
, 1985) - Dreamy (Sackville, 1991)
- My Romance (Jazz Point, 1993)
- Swing Time (Jazz Point, 1993)
- Groove Move (Jazz Point, 1994)
- Echoes of Spring (Sackville, 1998)