Dick Twardzik

Dick Twardzik
Background information
Born	April 30, 1931(1931-04-30) Danvers, Massachusetts, United States
Died	October 21, 1955(1955-10-21) (aged 24) Paris, France
Genres	Bebop
Instruments	Piano
Years active	1945 - 1955
Associated acts	Serge Chaloff, Charlie Mariano, Charlie Parker, Chet Baker

Richard Twardzik (April 30, 1931 in Danvers, Massachusetts – October 21, 1955 in Paris) was a jazz pianist known for bebop^[1] 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.^[1] He died from a heroin overdose^[2] while on a European tour with Chet Baker.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Richard Twardzik". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p118370/biography. Retrieved June 22, 2010. 
2. ^ West Coast jazz: modern jazz in California, 1945-1960 By Ted Gioia. University of California Press p. 185

Further reading

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

External links

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

Persondata
Name	Twardzik, Dick
Alternative names
Short description	Pianist
Date of birth	30 April 1931
Place of birth	Danvers, Massachusetts
Date of death	21 October 1955
Place of death	Paris, France