Richard Wyands
Richard Wyands | |
---|---|
Born |
July 2, 1928 Oakland, California, U.S. |
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, arranger |
Instruments | Piano |
Years active | 1944–present |
Richard Francis Wyands (born July 2, 1928) is an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger, best known as a side-man.
Early life
Wyands was born in Oakland, California on July 2, 1928.[1] He began playing in his teens in San Francisco, but later moved to New York City. At school and college he played piano and drums.[1] He began playing professionally in 1944.[1] Count Basie was an early influence on Wyands' style.[2]
Later life and career
In the early 1950s Wyands was part of Vernon Alley's group that was the house band at the Black Hawk club in San Francisco.[1] In this role, the pianist was part of the rhythm section that accompanied visiting soloists.[1] The year after leaving this role in 1954, Wyands was an intermission performer at another San Francisco club,[1] before becoming music director for vocalist Ella Fitzgerald during a 3-month period in 1956.[2]
For ten months around 1957 he was accompanist to pop singers in a club in Ottawa, Canada.[1] Following this, he toured with vocalist Carmen McRae for three months, and arrived in New York with her in 1958.[1] In New York, he played with Roy Haynes, Charles Mingus (1959), Jerome Richardson (1959), and Gigi Gryce.[1] In the 1960s Wyands was a member of Illinois Jacquet's band.[1]
Wyands worked with guitarist Kenny Burrell from 1965 to 1974.[1]
Discography
As leader
- Then, Here and Now (Storyville, 1978))
- The Arrival (DIW-611, 1992)
- Reunited (CrissCross 1105, 1995)
- Get out of Town (Steeplechase SCCD 31401, 1996)
- Half and Half (CrissCross 1185,1999)
- As Long as There's Music (Savant SCD 2031, 2000)
- Lady of the Lavender Mist (Venus TKCV 35038, 2002)
As sideman
With Gene Ammons
- Nice an' Cool (Moodsville, 1961)
- Jug (Prestige, 1961)
- Soul Summit Vol. 2 (Prestige, 1961 [1962])
- Late Hour Special (Prestige, 1961 [1964])
- Velvet Soul (Prestige, 1961 [1964])
With Kenny Burrell
- The Tender Gender (Cadet, 1966)
- A Generation Ago Today (Verve, 1967)
- Night Song (Verve, 1969)
- God Bless the Child (CTI, 1971)
- 'Round Midnight (Fantasy, 1972)
- Up the Street, 'Round the Corner, Down the Block (Fantasy, 1974)
- Stormy Monday (Fantasy, 1974 [1978])
- Trane Whistle (Prestige, 1960)
With Frank Foster
- Manhattan Fever (Blue Note, 1968)
With Gigi Gryce
- Saying Somethin'! (New Jazz, 1960)
- The Hap'nin's (New Jazz, 1960)
- The Rat Race Blues (New Jazz, 1960)
- Reminiscin' (Mercury, 1960)
- Doin' the Gigi (Uptown, 2011)
With Roy Haynes
- Just Us (New Jazz, 1960)
With Freddie Hubbard
- First Light (CTI, 1971)
With Willis Jackson
- Really Groovin' (Prestige, 1961)
- In My Solitude (Moodsville, 1961)
With Etta Jones
- Don't Go to Strangers (Prestige, 1960)
- Something Nice (Prestige, 1961)
With Roland Kirk
- We Free Kings (Mercury, 1961)
With Charles Mingus
- Jazz Portraits: Mingus in Wonderland (United Artists, 1959)
With Oliver Nelson
- Screamin' the Blues (New Jazz NJ8243, 1960)
- Straight Ahead (Prestige, 1961)
With Richard Williams
- New Horn in Town (Candid, 1960)
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Gardner, Mark; Kernfeld, Barry, Wyands, Richard, Grove Music Online. Oxford Music Online. Oxford University Press, retrieved December 18, 2014, (subscription required (help))
- 1 2 Panken, Ted (December 2, 2012) "An interview with Richard Wyands for the Liner Notes for Half and Half (Criss-Cross) – Feb. 7, 2000".