OBITUARY
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Jazz
giant Boone dies in Copenhagen
Associated Press
Richard Boone, an American-born trombonist and scat singer who played with
Count Basie, Dexter Gordon and other jazz giants, has died at age 68, a
Danish newspaper reported Tuesday.
The cause of death was not given, the Ekstra Bladet reported.
Boone was born in Little Rock, Ark., and took up the trombone at age 12.
In 1956, he moved to Los Angeles, where he played with Gordon, Sonny Criss
and Teddy Edwards, among others.
In the late 1960s, Boone joined Basie's band. He moved to Copenhagen in
1970, at a time when many American jazzmen were settling in the Danish
capital, which was noted for its relaxed atmosphere and lack of racial
tension.
From 1973 through 1985, Boone played with the Danish Radio Big Band, considered
one of the world's best. Last year, he issued the album ``Tribute to Love,''
backed by Danish musicians.
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BIOGRAPHY
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born Feb 23, 1930 - died Feb 8, 1999
A good trombonist, Richard Boone is best-known
for his very odd vocal style, a novel approach to scatting that is either
considered humorous or annoying, depending on one's viewpoint!
He sang in a Baptist church choir
as a youth. After winning second prize in a talent contest when he was
16, Boone toured for a month with Lucky Millinder. He was in the
Army during 1948-53, getting to play trombone in a military band.
He studied music at Philander Smith College and then gigged in Los
Angeles with Gerald Wilson, Dolo Coker, Sonny Criss and other top musicians
who were on the West Coast during the late 1950's.
Boone recorded with Dexter Gordon and Teddy
Edwards in 1960, was in Della Reese's backup band during 1962-66
and gained some recognition for his playing and eccentric singing
with Count Basie during 1966-69.
After leaving Basie, Richard Boone
relocated to Europe, spending most of his time in Copenhagen where he played
with local musicians, the Ernie Wilkins Big Band and a visiting Clark
Terry. Richard Boone has recorded as a leader for Nocturne in 1968
(which was reissued by Jazz Chronicles), Polydor and Storyville. --
Scott Yanow, AMG |
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LINKS
search for specific cds in discography below
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Discography:
Leader
1968 The
Singer, Storyville
1997 Make
Someone Happy, Storyville
Performer
1960 Gordon,
Dexter Resurgence of Dexter Gordon
1969 Basie,
Count Standing Ovation
1975 Gordon,
Dexter More than You Know
1978 Jones,
Thad Live at Montmartre, Copenhagen
1979 Jones,
Thad Eclipse
1980 Wilkins,
Ernie And the Almost Big Band
1980 Carter,
Benny Summer Serenade (Vocals, Producer)
1981 Wilkins,
Ernie Live!
1981 Wilkins,
Ernie Almost Big Band Live
1983 Wilkins,
Ernie Montreux (Trombone, Vocals)
1985 Basie,
Count Basie in Europe/Blues Alley (Trombone, Vocals)
1986 Wilkins,
Ernie On the Roll (Trombone, Vocals )
1994 Basie,
Count Live at Tilburg 1971 & Nassau 1969
1996 Basie,
Count Blues Alley (Trombone, Vocals)
1996 Big
Band Masters Big Band Masters (Trombone, Vocals)
1996 Carter,
Benny Journey to Next (Trombone, Vocals)
Adderley, Cannonball Cannonball Adderly Sextet and Teddy
Feb
8, 99