Richard Francis Wyands (July 2, 1928 – September 25, 2019) was an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a majo ...

pianist, composer, and arranger, best known for his work as a side-man.

Early life

Wyands was born in

Oakland, California Oakland is the largest city and the county seat of Alameda County, California, United States. A major West Coast of the United States, West Coast port, Oakland is the largest city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, the third ...

, on July 2, 1928 and grew up in Berkeley. He began playing the piano at age 7 or 8 and started playing professionally in 1944, while a teenager, in

San Francisco San Francisco (; Spanish language, Spanish for "Francis of Assisi, Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the List of Ca ...

. Wyands earned a degree in music from San Francisco State College in 1950. At school and college he played piano and drums. Wyands was influenced by

Count Basie William James "Count" Basie (; August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and th ...

, Nat King Cole, Erroll Garner, Art Tatum, and Teddy Wilson.Panken, Ted (December 2, 2012
"An interview with Richard Wyands for the Liner Notes for Half and Half (Criss-Cross) – Feb. 7, 2000"

Later life and career

In the early 1950s, Wyands was part of Vernon Alley's group that was the house band at the Black Hawk club in San Francisco, and thus part of the rhythm section that accompanied visiting soloists. The year after leaving the Black Hawk in 1954, Wyands was an intermission performer at another San Francisco club, before becoming music director for vocalist

Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, i ...

during a 3-month period in 1956. For ten months around 1957, he was accompanist to pop singers in a club in Ottawa, Canada. Following this, he toured with vocalist Carmen McRae for three months, and arrived in New York with her in 1958. In New York, he played with Roy Haynes,

Charles Mingus Charles Mingus Jr. (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979) was an American jazz upright bassist, pianist, composer, bandleader, and author. A major proponent of collective improvisation, he is considered to be one of the greatest jazz musicians an ...

(1959),

Jerome Richardson Jerome Richardson (November 15, 1920 – June 23, 2000) was an American jazz musician, tenor saxophonist, and flute player, who also played soprano sax, alto sax, baritone sax, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto flute and piccolo. He played with Ch ...

(1959), and Gigi Gryce. In the 1960s Wyands was a member of Illinois Jacquet's band. Wyands worked with guitarist Kenny Burrell from 1965 to 1974. Wyands died on September 25, 2019, in New York.

Discography

As leader

*'' Then, Here and Now'' (Storyville, 1978) *''The Arrival'' (DIW-611, 1992) *''Reunited'' (CrissCross 1105, 1995) *'' Get Out of Town'' (Steeplechase SCCD 31401, 1996) *''Half and Half'' (CrissCross 1185,1999) *''As Long as There's Music'' (Savant SCD 2031, 2000) *'' Lady of the Lavender Mist'' (Venus TKCV 35038, 2002)

As sideman

With

Gene Ammons Eugene "Jug" Ammons (April 14, 1925 – August 6, 1974), also known as "The Boss", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. The son of boogie-woogie pianist Albert Ammons, Gene Ammons is remembered for his accessible music, steeped in soul and ...

*'' Nice an' Cool'' (Moodsville, 1961) *'' Jug'' (Prestige, 1961) *'' Soul Summit Vol. 2'' (Prestige, 1961 962 *'' Late Hour Special'' (Prestige, 1961

964 Year 964 ( CMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events Byzantine Empire * Arab–Byzantine War: Emperor Nikephoros II continues the reconquest of south-eastern Anatoli ...

*'' Velvet Soul'' (Prestige, 1961

With Kenny Burrell *'' The Tender Gender'' (Cadet, 1966) *''

A Generation Ago Today ''A Generation Ago Today'' is an album by guitarist Kenny Burrell featuring standards associated with the Benny Goodman Sextet and Charlie Christian recorded in 1966 and 1967 and released on the Verve label.Night Song'' (Verve, 1969) *'' God Bless the Child'' (CTI, 1971) *'' 'Round Midnight'' (Fantasy, 1972) *''

Up the Street, 'Round the Corner, Down the Block ''Up the Street, 'Round the Corner, Down the Block'' is an album by guitarist Kenny Burrell recorded in 1974 and released on the Fantasy Records label.Stormy Monday'' (Fantasy, 1974 978 *'' Prime: Live at the Downtown Room'' (HighNote, 1976 009 With

Benny Carter Bennett Lester Carter (August 8, 1907 – July 12, 2003) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. With Johnny Hodges, he was a pioneer on the alto saxophone. From the beginning of his career ...

*'' Over the Rainbow'' (MusicMasters, 1989) *''

Cookin' at Carlos I ''Cookin' at Carlos I'' is a live album by saxophonist/composer Benny Carter recorded in 1989 and released by the MusicMasters label.990 Year 990 ( CMXC) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * Al-Mansur, ''de facto'' ruler of Al-Andalus, conquers the Castle of Montemor-o-Velho (mode ...

With Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis *''

Trane Whistle ''Trane Whistle'' is an album by saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis' Big Band with arrangements by Oliver Nelson and Ernie Wilkins recorded in 1960 and released on the Prestige label.Payne, DOliver Nelson discographyaccessed July 11, 2012 Receptio ...

'' (Prestige, 1960) With Teddy Edwards *''

Horn to Horn ''Horn to Horn'' is an album by saxophonists Teddy Edwards and Houston Person which was recorded in 1994 and first released on the Muse label in 1996.

'' (Muse, 1994 996 with

Houston Person Houston Person (born November 10, 1934) is an American jazz tenor saxophonist and record producer. Although he has performed in the hard bop and swing genres, he is most experienced in and best known for his work in soul jazz. He received the ...

*''

Midnight Creeper ''Midnight Creeper'' is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1968 and featuring Donaldson with Blue Mitchell, Lonnie Smith, George Benson, and Leo Morris. Reception The album was awarded 4 stars ...

'' (HighNote, 1997) *'' Smooth Sailing'' (HighNote, 2001 003 With Frank Foster *''

Manhattan Fever ''Manhattan Fever'' is an album by American jazz saxophonist Frank Foster recorded in 1968 and released on the Blue Note label.

'' (Blue Note, 1968) With Gigi Gryce *''

Saying Somethin'! ''Saying Somethin'!'' is an album by American saxophonist Gigi Gryce recorded in 1960 for the New Jazz label.The Hap'nin's ''The Hap'nin's'' is an album by American saxophonist Gigi Gryce recorded in 1960 for the New Jazz label.The Rat Race Blues'' (New Jazz, 1960) *'' Reminiscin''' (Mercury, 1960) *'' Doin' the Gigi'' (Uptown, 2011) With Roy Haynes *''

Just Us Just Us may refer to: Music * Just Us, a 1970s British band led by Elton Dean * Just Us (duo), an American pop music duo * ''Just Us'' (Alabama album), 1987 * ''Just Us'' (JYJ album), 2014 * ''Just Us'' (Faust album), 2014 * ''Just Us'' (Roy ...

'' (New Jazz, 1960) With Freddie Hubbard *'' First Light'' (CTI, 1971) With Willis Jackson *''

Really Groovin' ''Really Groovin is an album by saxophonist Willis Jackson which was recorded in 1961 and released on the Prestige label.

'' (Prestige, 1961) *''

In My Solitude "(In My) Solitude" is a 1934 composition by Duke Ellington, with lyrics by Eddie DeLange and Irving Mills. It has been recorded numerous times and is considered a jazz standard. Ellington reported that he composed it in a recording studio in 20 m ...

'' (Moodsville, 1961) With

Etta Jones Etta Jones (November 25, 1928 – October 16, 2001) was an American jazz singer. Her best-known recordings are "Don't Go to Strangers" and "Save Your Love for Me". She worked with Buddy Johnson, Oliver Nelson, Earl Hines, Barney Bigard, Ge ...

*'' Don't Go to Strangers'' (Prestige, 1960) *''

Something Nice ''Something Nice'' is an album by jazz vocalist Etta Jones which was recorded in late 1960 and early 1961 and released on the Prestige label.

'' (Prestige, 1961) *'' Easy Living'' (HighNote, 2000) *''

Etta Jones Sings Lady Day '' Etta Jones Sings Lady Day'' is the final studio album by vocalist Etta Jones, featuring songs associated with Billie Holiday, which was recorded in 2001 and released on the HighNote Records, HighNote label.Roland Kirk *'' We Free Kings'' (Mercury, 1961) With

*'' Jazz Portraits: Mingus in Wonderland'' (United Artists, 1959) With Oliver Nelson *''

Screamin' the Blues ''Screamin' the Blues'' is an album by American saxophonist Oliver Nelson, originally released in 1961 on New Jazz Records. Track listing Personnel *Oliver Nelson – tenor saxophone, alto saxophone * Eric Dolphy – bass clarinet, alto sax ...

'' (New Jazz NJ8243, 1960) *'' Straight Ahead'' (Prestige, 1961) With

*''

Person-ified ''Person-ified '' is an album by saxophonist Houston Person which was recorded in late 1996 and released on the HighNote label the following year.

'' (HighNote, 1997) *'' My Romance'' (HighNote, 1998) *'' Soft Lights'' (HighNote, 1999) *'' Blue Velvet'' (HighNote, 2001) *'' Sentimental Journey'' (HighNote, 2002) With

*''

Roamin' with Richardson ''Roamin' with Richardson'' is an album by saxophonist Jerome Richardson recorded in 1959 and released on the New Jazz label. Reception Scott Yanow of AllMusic states, "Richardson plays baritone on three songs (in a deep tone a little reminiscen ...

'' (New Jazz, 1959) With James Spaulding *'' The Smile of the Snake'' (HighNote, 1997) With

Buddy Tate George Holmes "Buddy" Tate (February 22, 1913 – February 10, 2001) was an American jazz saxophonist and clarinetist. Biography Tate was born in Sherman, Texas, United States, and first played the alto saxophone. According to the website All ...

and Al Grey *'' Just Jazz'' (Uptown, 1984) With Cal Tjader *''Cal Tjader: Vibist'' (Savoy, 1954) *''Ritmo Caliente'' (Fantasy, 1954) With Warren Vaché *'' Horn of Plenty'' (Muse, 1994) *'' Talk to Me Baby'' (Muse, 1996) With Richard Williams *'' New Horn in Town'' (Candid, 1960) With Lem Winchester *''

Lem Winchester with Feeling ''Lem Winchester with Feeling'' is an album by vibraphonist Lem Winchester which was recorded in 1960 and released on the Moodsville label the following year.Bobby Kapp, Gene Perla *''

Fine Wine Trio Fine may refer to: Characters * Sylvia Fine (''The Nanny''), Fran's mother on ''The Nanny'' * Officer Fine, a character in ''Tales from the Crypt'', played by Vincent Spano Legal terms * Fine (penalty), money to be paid as punishment for an off ...

'' (Fine Wine Records, 2000)

References

External links

BBC Radio 2
*

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the dat ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wyands, Richard 1928 births 2019 deaths Hard bop pianists Post-bop pianists Musicians from Oakland, California American jazz pianists American male pianists 20th-century American pianists Jazz musicians from California 21st-century American pianists 20th-century American male musicians 21st-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians Criss Cross Jazz artists SteepleChase Records artists