Closely associated with
Charles Mingus,
Dannie Richmond was on most of his sessions from 1955-1978, showing impressive versatility.
Richmond and
Mingus made for a very potent team, shifting rhythms, tempos, and grooves together, hinting at New Orleans jazz now and then while sometimes playing very freely.
Richmond was originally a tenor saxophonist who as a teenager played R&B, touring with
Paul Williams. He took up the drums in 1955, and six months later joined
Charles Mingus when he proved that he could play at very fast tempos. During
Mingus' off periods,
Richmond freelanced with
Chet Baker, the group
Mark-Almond,
Joe Cocker, and even
Elton John. After
Mingus' death,
Richmond played with
Mingus Dynasty and then became a member of
the George Adams-Don Pullen Quartet (1980-1985), occasionally leading his own groups. ~ Scott Yanow