Richard "Dick" Twardzik

born on 30/4/1931 in Danvers, MA, United States

died on 21/10/1955 in Paris, Île-de-France, France

Dick Twardzik

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Dick Twardzik

Richard 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

With Chet Baker

  • Chet Baker in Europe (Pacific Jazz, 1955)

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 [Dick Twardzik at All Music Guide Richard Twardzik]. Allmusic. Retrieved on June 22, 2010.
  2. West Coast jazz: modern jazz in California, 1945-1960 By Ted Gioia. University of California Press p. 185

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)
This page was last modified 02.08.2013 06:30:56

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