Red Richards

Red (Charles) Richards was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 19th 1912. He worked early on with players as varied as Tab Smith (for four years), Jimmy McPartland and Roy Eldridge and by the early 1950's had played for Sidney Bechet, his pupil Bob Wilber and Mezz Mezzrow, as well as a long stint with Muggsy Spanier (1953/57). Later in the decade he was regularly to be found among "Chicago-style" jazzmen, including Wild Bill Davison and as solo pianist at Eddie Condon's. From 1964 he co-led with Vic Dickenson the successful Saints and Sinners, featuring Herman Autry. Later a quartet with clarinetist Herb Hall, subbed with the World's Greatest Jazz Band and continued his solo work at Condon's, as well as touring Europe as a soloist.

Richards is one of the most satisfying classic pianists around.

Recommended recordings:"Lullaby in Rhythm"Sackville SKCD2-3044
"Dreamy"Sackville SKCD2-3053
Back