Richardson, Jerome

▪ 2001

      American musician (b. Nov. 15, 1920, Sealy, Texas—d. June 23, 2000, Englewood, N.J.), was a versatile saxophonist and flutist who played on more than 4,000 jazz, rhythm-and-blues, and rock-and-roll recordings. Richardson began his professional career at the age of 14, playing with the Lionel Hampton band. He later studied music at San Francisco State College. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy as a member of saxophonist Marshall Royal's dance-band unit. After the war Richardson moved to New York City and played in bands led by Earl Hines and Quincy Jones, and in 1965 he helped found the popular Thad Jones–Mel Lewis Orchestra. One of Richardson's compositions, “Groove Merchant,” became a hit in 1967. During the 1960s Richardson also played in groups backing such noted singers as Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Peggy Lee. In later years he performed frequently as a studio musician and played in bands led by Art Farmer, Slide Hampton, and Teri Thornton. His last album, Jazz Station Runaway, appeared in 1997.

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