[Dixielandjazz] RIP Rodney Richardson

[Margaret Squires]

I have not seen anything posted on the list regarding
Rodney's passing.  Following is a brief bio, written
by Rodney's friend Ernie Bucio....


Rodney Richardson, passed away on Sat. Oct 29, 2005.
Rodney was born in New Orleans and grew up in
Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was self taught on the
string bass and came out to California with the Harlan
Leonard Rockets from Kansas City. In L.A. he played in
after hours joints with the legendary piano virtuoso
Art Tatum.  While with Tatum, he was approached by
composer, arranger, tenor saxophonist, Joe Garland (In
the Mood, Leap Frog, etc.),then band manager for the
king of jazz, Louis Armstrong, to go on the road with
Pop's big band.  The only reason he didn't go was
because Harry "Sweets" Edison and Jo Jones and Lester
Young recruited him to go with Count Basie's
Orchestra.  Of course, coming out of Kansas City, the
Basie organization was considered by Rodney to be the
tops.  He spent almost 4 years on the road with Basie,
taking over Walter Page's spot in the famous "All
American Rhythm Section "(Basie on piano, Freddie
Green, guitar, Jo Jones, drums). He later played with
Billie Holiday, Erroll Garner, Tiny Grimes, Scatman
Carothers, Charlie Parker, Roy Eldridge(at Carnegie
Hall)and other Giants of Jazz.  About 7 years ago he
moved to Modesto to live with his daughter, Michele
Richardson, and together they performed with Ernie
Bucio's Little Big Band, performing  at many events
and concerts(at the State Theatre with Clark Terry,
Mike Vax, James Moody, etc.) in the area.

He was truly a Jazz Master and will be missed.

Margaret