Biography
A standout cool-toned tenor saxophonist who developed a personal approach within the Lester Young-inspired Four Brothers idiom, Richie Kamuca was frequently eclipsed by earlier figures such as Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, and Al Cohn, although fellow players recognized his exceptional talent. He served as a featured soloist in Stan Kenton’s orchestra from 1952 to 1953 and in Woody Herman’s band from 1954 to 1956. On the West Coast he maintained steady employment with ensembles directed by Chet Baker, Maynard Ferguson, the Lighthouse All-Stars between 1957 and 1958, Shorty Rogers, and Shelly Manne from 1959 to 1961. Between 1956 and 1957 he issued one album each under his own name on the Liberty, Mode, and Hi Fi labels, with the Mode and Hi Fi sessions later reissued by V.S.O.P. After relocating to New York in 1962, he performed with Gerry Mulligan, Gary McFarland, and Roy Eldridge from 1966 to 1971, yet remained relatively little known. Returning to Los Angeles in 1972, he took studio work while continuing to play jazz in local small groups and with Bill Berry’s L.A. Big Band. In 1977, during his final period before succumbing to cancer the day prior to his 47th birthday, Richie Kamuca produced three outstanding recordings for Concord.
Albums
