Richard Aaron Katz (March 13, 1924 – November 10, 2009) was an American jazz pianist, arranger and record producer. He freelanced throughout much of his career, and worked in a number of ensembles. He co-founded Milestone Records in 1966 with Orrin Keepnews.
Career Katz studied at the Peabody Institute, the Manhattan School of Music, and Juilliard. He also took piano lessons from Teddy Wilson. In the 1950s, he joined the house rhythm section of the Café Bohemia, and worked in the groups of Ben Webster and Kenny Dorham, Oscar Pettiford, and, later, Carmen McRae. From 1954 to 1955, he was part of the J. J. Johnson/Kai Winding Quintet. He also worked in Orchestra USA and participated on Benny Carter's Further Definitions album, and worked on some of Helen Merrill's recordings. In the late 1960s, he played with Roy Eldridge and Lee Konitz. In the 1990s, he worked as a pianist and arranger with the American Jazz Orchestra and Loren Schoenberg's big band.
Will Friedwald called Katz "a keyboardist of uncommon sensitivity and harmonic acumen." He was the favorite pianist of Benny Carter and Coleman Hawkins, as well as vocalists Carmen McRae and Helen Merrill.
Personal life He died in Manhattan of lung cancer at the age of 85.
His son, Jamie Katz, a Columbia University graduate, is a freelance journalist and contributor to the Smithsonian magazine.
Discography As leader/co-leader Year recordedTitleLabelNotes1957Jazz Piano InternationalAtlanticTrio, with Ralph Peña (bass), Connie Kay (drums); album shared with Derek Smith and René Urtreger1958–59Piano and PenAtlanticQuartet, with Jimmy Raney and Chuck Wayne (guitar; separately), Joe Benjamin (bass), Connie Kay (drums)1968A Shade of DifferenceMilestoneCo-led with Helen Merrill (vocals)1984In High ProfileBee HiveSome tracks trio, with Marc Johnson (bass), Al Harewood (drums); some tracks quintet, with Jimmy Knepper (trombone), Frank Wess (tenor sax, flute) added19923 Way PlayReservoirTrio, with Steve LaSpina (bass), Ben Riley (drums)1995The Line Forms HereReservoirQuintet, with Benny Golson (tenor sax), Ryan Kisor (trumpet), Steve LaSpina (bass), Ben Riley (drums)
As sideman With Benny Carter Further Definitions (Impulse!, 1961) Central City Sketches (MusicMasters, 1987) With Al Cohn Four Brass One Tenor (RCA Victor, 1955) With Jack DeJohnette The DeJohnette Complex (Milestone, 1969) With Kenny Dorham Kenny Dorham And The Jazz Prophets (Chess, 1956) With Nancy Harrow Secrets (Soul Note, 1991) With Milt Hinton East Coast Jazz /5 (Rhino, 1955) With Jimmy Knepper Dream Dancing (Criss Cross, 1986) With Lee Konitz The Lee Konitz Duets (Milestone, 1967) Peacemeal (Milestone, 1969) Satori (Milestone, 1974) Oleo (Sonet, 1975) Chicago 'n All That Jazz (Groove Merchant, 1975) With Carmen McRae Something to Swing About (Kapp, 1959) With Helen Merrill "The feeling is mutual" 1965 Chasin' The Bird (Emarcy, 1979) With James Moody The Blues and Other Colors (Milestone, 1969) With Joe Newman I'm Still Swinging (RCA Victor, 1955) With Oscar Pettiford The Oscar Pettiford Orchestra in Hi-Fi Volume Two (ABC-Paramount, 1957) With Jimmy Raney Jimmy Raney featuring Bob Brookmeyer (ABC-Paramount) with Bob Brookmeyer With Sonny Rollins Sonny Rollins and the Big Brass (Metrojazz, 1957) With Loren Schoenberg ’’That’s The Way It Goes’’ (Aviva, 1984) ’’Time Waits For No One’’ (Music Masters 1987) ’’Solid Ground’’(Music Masters 1988) ’’Just A Settin’ And A-Rockin’ ‘’(Music Masters 1989) Manhattan Work Song (Music Masters 1992) Out Of This World (TBC; 1997) With Ben Webster Big Ben Time! (Philips, 1963) With Kai Winding and J. J. Johnson Kai and Jay and Bennie Green with Strings (OJC, 1952–54) K + J.J. (Bethlehem, 1955) Dave Brubeck and Jay & Kai at Newport (Columbia, 1956) Jay and Kai (Columbia, 1957)
See also First English Public Jam Session
References