Head Man Posted July 21, 2014 Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 It seems there are/were TWO Dick Katzs, both of whom play(ed) the piano. This one is British and used to play for Ray Ellington. Anyone know anything about him? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazztrain Posted July 21, 2014 Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 (edited) This Dick Katz played with Ray Ellington in a quartet that was part of the Goon Show for many years. I can't get it to work as a link, but if you cut and paste the following into your browser, you can get to a page from which you can open a pdf file that provides some information, including liner notes from an album he recorded for Pye called Kool for Katz. (Now it appears to work as a link) http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=34&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCwQFjADOB4&url=ftp%3A%2F%2Fdef92-10-88-162-195-105.fbx.proxad.net%2FCommun%2FMusic%2FBritJazz%2F0261%2520Dick%2520Katz%2520%5BKool%2520for%2520Katz%5D%2520FLAC%252010(22.39)%2FDick%2520Katz%2520-%25201958%2520-%2520Kool%2520for%2520Katz.pdf&ei=Gg3NU-WlDsH_oQTn0YDwBQ&usg=AFQjCNENwGkg3oUCp9e5qGyKSTF7jZktZQ I'll try to cut and paste the transcribed liner notes from that file below: >>> DICK KATZ, though this be his initial solo recording, is a journeyman of jazz, a matured product of an apprenticeship that was served on one-night stands in clubs and the studios of radio, TV and records. This man, short in height but a giant in musical stature, has been content to remain ‘a boffin of Tin Pan Alley’. He has, for twelve years, steered the career of RAY ELLINGTON in the multi-capacities of partner, personal manager and pianist. And today, should he wish, he can reflect with pride upon his helmsmanship that has brought success to others, not least among these being singers MARION RYAN and VALERIE MASTERS. This application to business has meant that his own accomplishments at the keyboard have not received the credit deserved. Kool for Katz sets right this omission. This long-playing record displays a blend of the preconceived pattern with a jazzman’s natural bent for extempore. Fats Waller, Duke Ellington and our own Alan Clare are the fabric from which jazz is made. They have fashioned their creations with an intense love of their art. I contend that the rarely-played Jitterbug Waltz or Morning Glory, I'm Beginning To See The Light and Mirage are executed by Katz in a manner that could demand approval from all – not least the composers. This is a disc of moods – sometimes jubilant, at others pensive or mysterious. But, whether the offering be the three-decade-old Eddie Cantor hit Makin’ Whoopee, the Rodgers and Hart perennial Lover, There Will Never Be Another You, Grieg’s Anitra’s Dance, or Dick’s personal composing contributions Pet and Dick’s Boogie, the facile playing displays an abundance of imagination that marks DICK KATZ as a refreshing recruit in the restricted recorded spheres of British piano jazz. Les Perrin >>> Some more information from that page: 'A rare quartet outing for pianist Dick Katz recorded in London in 1958. This might well have been Dick's only jazz album under his own name. 'There is another pianist called Dick Katz but he was an American and not to be confused with the British version heard here (actually a German born in 1916 who moved to the UK before the start of WWII). 'Dick played with the Vic Lewis Orchestra during the early 1940s and later became a long-serving member of various Ray Ellington groups before becoming involved in the management side of the music business. He was married to singer Valerie Masters and died in London in 1981. 'He is heard here with an interesting group including session guitarist Judd Proctor, a most under-rated musician, and Peter McGurk who was later to become Dudley Moore's long-serving bassman in his jazz trio from 1960-1968. Peter committed suicide in 1968 by taking an overdose of drugs. He was only 41.' It seems there are/were TWO Dick Katzs, both of whom play(ed) the piano. This one is British and used to play for Ray Ellington. Anyone know anything about him? Edited July 21, 2014 by jazztrain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Head Man Posted July 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 21, 2014 Thanks for the info, jazztrain...much appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Friedman Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 I have a copy of this CD: Ben Webster - Big Ben Time - Philips W. Dick Katz, Spike Heatley, Tony Crombie Recorded in London, January 1967 This is the British Dick Katz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Nessa Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 I have that one too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul secor Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 I have it on LP and always assumed it was the American Dick Katz. Thanks for enlightening me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenLowe Posted July 22, 2014 Report Share Posted July 22, 2014 that's not Dick? Or, really, that is Dick, but it's not Dick. Funny, because I thought it was Dick. I guess I don't know Dick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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