Dick Twardzik
Encyclopedia
Richard Twardzik was a jazz pianist known for bebop
who worked for the bulk of his career in Boston.
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 the baritone player Serge Chaloff
, in whose group Twardzik recorded in addition to one led by Charlie Mariano
. He also worked with Charlie Parker
on several occasions towards the end of the altoists life when Parker was performing locally.
Twardzik became addicted to heroin as a teenager. He died from a heroin overdose while on a European tour with Chet Baker
.
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
who worked for the bulk of his career in Boston.
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 the baritone player Serge Chaloff
Serge Chaloff
Serge Chaloff was an American jazz baritone saxophonist.The son of noted Boston piano teachers, Margaret and Julius Chaloff, he was among the few major jazz performers on his instrument. Until Chaloff the only prominent baritone player in jazz was Harry Carney of the Duke Ellington Orchestra...
, in whose group Twardzik recorded in addition to one led by Charlie Mariano
Charlie Mariano
Carmine Ugo Mariano was an American jazz alto saxophonist. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts and died in Cologne, Germany.-Biography:Mariano was the son of Italian immigrants....
. He also worked with Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker
Charles Parker, Jr. , famously called Bird or Yardbird, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer....
on several occasions towards the end of the altoists life when Parker was performing locally.
Twardzik became addicted to heroin as a teenager. He died from a heroin overdose while on a European tour with Chet Baker
Chet Baker
Chesney Henry "Chet" Baker, Jr. was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist and singer.Though his music earned him a large following , Baker's popularity was due in part to his "matinee idol-beauty" and "well-publicized drug habit."He died in 1988 in Amsterdam, the...
.
External links
- "The Tragedy of Richard Twardzik" by Ted Gioia (review of Chambers book)