American jazz saxophonist, composer, and arranger Richie Cole died May 2, 2020 according to his official Facebook site. Cole was a renowned alto saxophone player, motivated by the music of Sonny Rollins and Charlie Parker. He also performed bossa nova and Latin jazz.
Richie Cole was born on February 29, 1948 in Trenton, New Jersey, United States of America. He started playing alto saxophone at the age of 10. Cole’s aptitude and perseverance won him a full scholarship from Downbeat Magazine to the Berklee School of Music in Boston.
His professional career started in 1969 when he became a member of the Buddy Rich Big Band. Later, he performed with the Lionel Hampton Big Band and the Doc Severinsen Big Band. After that, Cole formed his own quintet and toured worldwide, popularizing bebop and his Alto Madness Orchestra in the 1970s and early 80s.
Cole performed and recorded with well-known artists, including Eddie Jefferson, the Manhattan Transfer, Bobby Enriquez, Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Stitt, Art Pepper, Tom Waits, Boots Randolph, and Nancy Wilson.
Cole released over 50 LPs and CDs, including his biggest success, an album titled “Hollywood Madness” (Muse Records, 1979) and his homage album to Leonard Bernstein, “Richie Cole Plays West Side Story” (Music Masters Jazz, 1997).
He was a fertile composer and wrote arrangements for full big bands and symphony orchestras. Cole also conducted Master Classes at Universities and Colleges in the USA and abroad.
Cole was appointed to the Board of the National Jazz Service Organization and the Board for the National Endowment for the Arts where he functioned as chairman for one year. He was also a charter member of the International Association of Jazz Educators.
In 2005, Cole was bestowed the State of California Congressional Certificate of Lifetime Achievement in Jazz on behalf of the Temecula Jazz Society.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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