Dick Twardzik

Richard Henryk Twardzik (April 30, 1931 – October 21, 1955) was an American jazz pianist who worked in Boston for most of his career.

Dick Twardzik
Background information
Birth name	Richard Henryk Twardzik
Born	April 30, 1931 Danvers, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	October 21, 1955 (aged 24) Paris, France
Genres	Jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Piano
Years active	1945–1955
Associated acts	Serge Chaloff, Charlie Mariano, Charlie Parker, Chet Baker

Career

He trained in classical piano as a child and made his professional debut at the age of fourteen. He was taught by Margaret Chaloff, the mother of baritone saxophone player Serge Chaloff. Twardzik recorded with Serge Chaloff and with Charlie Mariano. He worked with Charlie Parker on several occasions toward the end of Parker's life.[1] Twardzik also played professionally with Chet Baker and Lionel Hampton. He recorded with Baker and Chaloff in 1954 and 1955.[1]

In his teen years Twardzik became addicted to heroin.[2] He died from a heroin overdose[3] while on tour with Chet Baker in Europe.[2]

Discography

As leader

• Trio with Russ Freeman (Pacific Jazz, 1956)[4]
• The Last Set (Pacific Jazz, 1962)

As sideman

• Chet Baker, Chet Baker in Europe (Pacific Jazz, 1955)
• Serge Chaloff, The Fabel of Mabel (1201 Music, 1999)
• Charlie Parker, The Happy Bird (Charlie Parker, 1961)
• Charlie Parker, Boston, 1952 (Uptown UPCD 27.42, 1996)

References

1. Larkin, Colin (ed.). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Fifties Music (3rd ed.). Virgin Books. p. 458. ISBN 1-85227-937-0.
2. Ankeny, Jason. "Richard Twardzik". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
3. Gioia, Ted (October 1998). West Coast Jazz: Modern Jazz in California, 1945-1960. University of California Press. p. 185. ISBN 978-0-520-21729-4. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
4. "Pacific Jazz Records Discography: 1952-1954". Jazzdisco.org. Retrieved October 29, 2019.

Further reading

• Jack Chambers, Bouncing with Bartok, Toronto: Mercury Press, 2008, ISBN 9781551281414

External links

• "The Tragedy of Richard Twardzik" by Ted Gioia (review of Chambers book)