Born: April 30, 1931 | Died: October 21, 1955 Primary Instrument: Piano
Richard Twardzik (born April 30, 1931 in Danvers, Massachusetts; died October 21, 1955 in Paris) was a jazz pianist known for bebop and for dying young from a heroin overdose.
He trained in classical piano as a child and made his professional debut at 14. He was taught by Serge Chaloff's mother, who was a well-respected piano teacher in Boston, and worked with him on several occasions. He also accompanied Charlie Parker.
His teens also saw the start of his drug addiction. He died on a European tour with Chet Baker who also had drug problems although not as severe at this point as later.
