Richard Henryk Twardzik (April 30, 1931 – October 21, 1955) was an American jazz pianist who worked in Boston for most of his career.

Career

Twardzik trained in classical piano as a child and made his professional debut at the age of fourteen. He was taught by Margaret Chaloff, the mother of baritone saxophone player

Serge Chaloff Serge Chaloff (November 24, 1923 – July 16, 1957) was an American jazz baritone saxophonist. One of bebop's earliest baritone saxophonists, Chaloff has been described as 'the most expressive and openly emotive baritone saxophonist jazz has eve ...

. Twardzik recorded with Serge Chaloff and with

Charlie Mariano Carmine Ugo Mariano (November 12, 1923 – June 16, 2009) was an American jazz saxophone, saxophonist who focused on the alto saxophone, alto and soprano saxophone. He occasionally performed and recorded on flute and nadaswaram as well. Biogra ...

. He worked with

Charlie Parker Charles Parker Jr. (August 29, 1920 – March 12, 1955), nicknamed "Bird" or "Yardbird", was an American jazz Saxophone, saxophonist, bandleader, and composer. Parker was a highly influential soloist and leading figure in the development of beb ...

on several occasions toward the end of Parker's life. Twardzik also played professionally with

Chet Baker Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker Jr. (December 23, 1929 – May 13, 1988) was an American jazz trumpeter and vocalist. He is known for major innovations in cool jazz that led him to be nicknamed the "Prince of Cool". Baker earned much attention and ...

and

Lionel Hampton Lionel Leo Hampton (April 20, 1908 – August 31, 2002) was an American jazz vibraphonist, percussionist, and bandleader. He worked with jazz musicians from Teddy Wilson, Benny Goodman, and Buddy Rich, to Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, an ...

. He recorded with Baker and Chaloff in 1954 and 1955. In his teenage years, Twardzik became addicted to heroin. He died October 21, 1955, at age 24, from a heroin overdose while on tour with Chet Baker in Europe. The song ''In Memory of Dick'' was written by saxophonist Bobby Jaspar, who occasionally played with Twardzik and Baker during their tour in Europe.

Discography

As leader

* ''Trio'' with Russ Freeman (

Pacific Jazz Pacific Jazz Records was a Los Angeles–based record company and label best known for cool jazz or West coast jazz. It was founded in 1952 by producer Richard Bock (1927–1988) and drummer Roy Harte (1924–2003). Harte, in 1954, also co-founde ...

, 1956)

As sideman

, '' Chet Baker in Europe'' (Pacific Jazz, 1955) * Chet Baker, ''Indian Summer (The Complete 1955 Concerts In Holland)'' (Nederlands Jazz Archief NJA0701, 2007) *

, ''The Fabel of Mabel'' (1201 Music, 1999) *

, ''The Happy Bird'' (Charlie Parker, 1961) *

, ''Boston, 1952'' (Uptown UPCD 27.42, 1996)

References

External links