Dick Twardzik
| Dick Twardzik | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born |
April 30, 1931 Danvers, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died |
October 21, 1955 (aged 24) Paris, France |
| Genres | Bebop |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1945 - 1955 |
| Associated acts | Serge Chaloff, Charlie Mariano, Charlie Parker, Chet Baker |
Richard Henryk Twardzik (April 30, 1931 in Danvers, Massachusetts – October 21, 1955 in Paris) was a jazz pianist, known for bebop,[1] who worked in Boston for the bulk of his career.
He trained in classical piano as a child, and made his professional debut at 14. He was taught by prominent Boston piano teacher Margaret Chaloff, mother of baritone saxophone player Serge Chaloff, in whose group Twardzik recorded, in addition to one led by Charlie Mariano. Twardzik also worked with Charlie Parker on several occasions toward the end of Parker's life when he was performing locally.
Twardzik became addicted to heroin as a teenager.[1] He died from a heroin overdose[2] while on a European tour with Chet Baker.[1]
Discography
As a Leader
- Trio (Pacific Jazz, 1954) Compilation with Russ Freeman; reissued by Mosaic Records on Mosaic MS-019[3]
- The Last Set (Pacific Jazz, 1962)
With Chet Baker
- Chet Baker in Europe (Pacific Jazz, 1955)
References
- 1 2 3 "Richard Twardzik". Allmusic. Retrieved June 22, 2010.
- ↑ West Coast jazz: modern jazz in California, 1945-1960 By Ted Gioia. University of California Press p. 185
- ↑ Pacific Jazz Records discography at jazzdisco.org
Further reading
- Jack Chambers Bouncing with Bartok, Toronto: The Mercury Press, 2008
External links
- "The Tragedy of Richard Twardzik" by Ted Gioia (review of Chambers book)
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