This past weekend, Richard Sudhalter finally succumbed to the debilitating effects of a stroke that he suffered several years ago. He was only 69 years of age.
Sudhalter led a life that made me very envious, since it encompassed the two things that I enjoy most -- writing and music. His 1999 masterwork "Lost Chords: White Musicians and Their Contribution to Jazz, 1915-1945" (linked in my left sidebar) was one of the most thoroughly researched books ever written on the subject of jazz. He was also responsible for cohesively and artfully assembling the research of Phillip Evans into the 1974 masterwork "Bix: Man and Legend," which to this day is the definitive biography of Bix Beiderbecke. Sudhalter also wrote the best book to date about the elusive Hoagy Carmichael: "Stardust Melody: The Life and Music of Hoagy Carmichael."
Sudhalter was an accomplished cornet/trumpet player, appearing in Europe and the United States. He gained recognition as musical director and cornet soloist with The New Paul Whiteman Orchestra, and appeared on a number of records with other musicians who specialize in the classic jazz repertory.
So long, Dick. Your talent will me sorely missed.
Obits:
Terry Teachout
Michael Miner
Doug Ramsey
New York Times
Washington Post
Here is RealAudio of the February 9, 1975 edition of BBC's Jazz Club, featuring the New Paul Whiteman Orchestra.
A CD release of The New Paul Whiteman Orchestra's 1975 recordings is available in Europe from HMV.
Many of Sudhalter's other recordings are available from Amazon.com.
Here's a great video clip of Dick Sudhalter playing in a 1975 New York Jazz Repertory concert that was a musical tribute to Bix Beiderbecke. Sudhalter is joined by a very young Warren Vache, Kenny Davern, Marty Grosz, Bob Wilber, Chauncey Morehouse, and many other great trad/swing musicians.
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