Richie Powell
Piano
About
Richie Powell was just beginning his career as a jazz pianist when it was tragically cut short at age 24. He was the younger brother of jazz pianist Bud Powell and began his career playing in the bands of Paul Williams and Johnny Hodges. In 1954 he was hired to be the pianist and arranger for the Clifford Brown - Max Roach Quintet. He toured and recorded with this band for 2 years until 1956 when Powell, his wife and Clifford Brown were killed in a car accident on the way to a gig.
Trivia
Richie Powell's father was a stride jazz pianist. He accompanied Dinah Washington on several occasions. In his playing with Brown and Roach, Powell was fond of inserting musical quotes, including from nursery rhymes and opera.
Early Life
Richie Powell was born into a musical family in New York City. He was the youngest of 3 brothers. His oldest brother, William Jr., played trumpet and violin and his other brother was Bud Powell, jazz pianist and a leading figure in the development of bebop. Richie and Bud were born 7 years apart and Bud did not offer Richie much musical instruction although both brothers were mentored by pianist and composer Mary Lou Williams. Richie Powell attended the City College of New York and began playing gigs around New York and Philadelphia when he was 18.
Richie Powell Solos
1956
Piano solo - Valse Hot - 1956
3/4 waltz in A♭ major at 132 BPM
Piano solo - Kiss And Run - 1956
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 273 BPM
Piano solo - I Feel A Song Coming On - 1956
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 331 BPM
Piano solo - Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep) - 1956
4/4 swing in F major at 108 BPM
Piano solo - Pent-Up House - 1956
4/4 swing in G major at 187 BPM
1955
Piano solo - Cherokee - 1955
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 355 BPM
Piano solo - Jacqui - 1955
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 189 BPM
Piano solo - Swingin' - 1955
4/4 swing in A♭ major at 297 BPM
Piano solo - Lands End - 1955
4/4 swing in A♭ minor at 145 BPM
Piano solo - George's Dilemma - 1955
4/4 latin in D♭ minor at 155 BPM
Piano solo - Sandu - 1955
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 139 BPM
Piano solo - Gerkin For Perkin - 1955
4/4 swing in F major at 210 BPM
Piano solo - If I Love Again - 1955
4/4 swing in F major at 262 BPM
Piano solo - Take The "A" Train - 1955
4/4 swing in C major at 290 BPM
Piano solo - The Blues Walk - 1955
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 261 BPM
Piano solo - What Am I Here For? - 1955
4/4 swing in C major at 274 BPM
Piano solo - The Blues Walk - 1955
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 272 BPM
1954
Piano solo - Delilah - 1954
4/4 swing in G♭ minor at 143 BPM
Piano solo - Parisian Thoroughfare - 1954
4/4 swing in F major at 180 BPM
Piano solo - Daahoud - 1954
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 248 BPM
Piano solo - Joy Spring - 1954
4/4 swing in F major at 161 BPM
Piano solo - Jordu - 1954
4/4 swing in C minor at 135 BPM
Piano solo - Daahoud - 1954
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 242 BPM
Piano solo - Joy Spring - 1954
4/4 swing in F major at 165 BPM