Jerome Richardson, multi-instrumentalist jazz musician and composer,
died of apparent heart ailment this morning at Englewood Hospital in
Englewood, New Jersey. He was 79.
Richardson was a highly regarded and versatile sideman, clinician,
studio and pit veteran. Along with Frank Wess and Herbie Mann, he
pioneered the use of the flute in modern jazz and even solos on the
piccolo. His soprano saxophone lead became one of the musical
trademarks of the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra.
He started out on alto when he was eight, was playing in public by the
time he was 14, and later attended San Francisco State College. He
spent three years in the military working with a dance band led by
Marshall Royal. Richardson landed his first big-time gig with Lionel
Hampton in 1949, moved to New York in 1954, and soon after broke into
the studios, performing in many early rock and roll dates. Eventually,
he attained first call status as a New York Studio player. In the
early 1970's, Richardson headed for California where he worked in films
and as a studio musician often for Quincy Jones. In the 70s, he also
scored a surprise hit with his tune "Groove Merchant." In 1989, he
returned to New York where he continued playing steadily.
Throughout his illustrious career, Richardson had the pleasure of
working with such big bands as Gil Evans Orchestra, Jimmy Lunceford
Orchestra, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra, Lionel Hampton's Band
and Gerald Wilson's Orchestra. He also had the good fortune to work
with legends such as Sammy Davis, Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Art
Farmer, Joe Williams, Billy Taylor, and Nancy Wilson to name just a few.
Richardson released his last album, "Jazz Station Runaway" in
September 1997 on the TCB label.
Jerome was a magical musician who touched many lives with his music,
his talent, his love, and yes, his songs; for he was also a very
pleasant singer. His versatility led him to master a number of
instruments always with one thing in mind...playing the best he could,
with exuberance and respect for his audience.
Richardson was born on November 15, 1920, in Sealy, TX.. He is
survived by his wife, Rowena, his two daughters, Denise Wilson and Kim
Richardson; and two grandchildren, Spring and Shawn. A memorial is
planned for St. Peters.
For more information on Jerome Richardson, visit
www.jazzcorner.com/richardson/
