Jazz Remembered
Johnny Richardson
Johnny Richardson
In January 2025, clarinettist Pete Neighbour told us of the passing of drummer John (Johnny, Johnnie) Richardson on the 29th December 2024. Pete wrote: “One of the lesser acknowledged realities of being a jazz musician is that if you have been a performer and passionate about the music from a young age (say, mid teens) then, you will, at that impressionable age, have been meeting, working and socializing with people often 20, 30 or even 40 years older than yourself; yet often very quickly being treated as an equal by the very people that you are looking up to. These people, as we start out in the business, some of us in leaps and bounds, some of us with baby steps, are absolutely fundamental for the encouragement, belief and guidance of us as our younger selves. Today, I learnt of the death of a gentleman who, in my early days , was one of those mentors for me. Leaving aside, for the moment, his musical abilities, John...or Johnnie...or Johnny... Richardson was a somewhat unusual character in British jazz. Firstly, he was, for many years ‘semi-pro’; that somewhat dreadful phrase which, to many people, conjures up a mediocre musician who plays one or two nights a week for ‘fun’, expenses, or a minimal fee. John was the ideal example to firmly dismiss those analogies. Secondly, JR (as I always knew and called him..) seemed to defy stylistic ‘pigeon holing’ in that although he would, by some folk, forever be associated with the likes of Acker Bilk, Terry Lightfoot, Alan Elsdon et al..... he would be constantly leading rhythm sections from the drums encouraging younger more ‘modern’ or ‘mainstream’ players at various venues throughout London and the South East.”
John Otto Richardson was born in Kilburn, London on the 8th August 1932. According to John Chilton’s Who’s Who Of British Jazz Johnny took drum lessons as a teenager from Jack Greenwood and Freddy Leeding. After serving his apprenticeship in the jewellery trade he completed his National Service in the Royal Air Force where he played in jam sessions with Terry Lightfoot. After his time in the RAF Johnny joined Terry Lightfoot’s band and took further tuition from drummer Phil Seaman. He left Terry a year later and joined Alex Welsh in 1957, staying with Alex until he went back to Terry’s band in 1960.
Here is Terry Lightfoot’s band from the 1962 film It’s Trad Dad with A Tavern In The Town :
With a brief spell working with Bob Wallis Johnny worked with Terry Lightfoot until 1968 and for a year worked with Dave Shepherd’s Quintet, the Brian Lemon Trio and led his own band. In 1969, Johnny joined Acker Bilk, playing with Acker’s band until 1972 when he joined the Freddy Randall-Dave Shepherd band for a year.’
Here is Johnny with Freddy Randall (trumpet), Dave Shepherd (clarinet), Brian Lemon (piano), George Chisholm (trombone) and Ken Baldock (bass) playing Sweet Georgia Brown:
‘Johnny was also manager of the Drum City shop in London but through the 1970s he led his own band at the Tally Ho! Pub in London; played with Stan Greig’s Trio; Ron Russell’s band; John Picard’s Sextet and Bob Bryan. He accompanied many visiting American musicians including Wild Bill Davison; Billy Butterfield and Teddy Wilson. From September 1980 Johnny was in Five-a-Slide through to the 1990’s and freelanced with many other bands including those of Roger Nobes; Alan Elsdon and Neville Dickie.’
Over the years Johnny accompanied many visiting American musicians including Wild Bill Davison; Billy Butterfield and Teddy Wilson. Here is a video of Johnny with Teddy Wilson (piano), Stephane Grappelli (violin) and Mike Durrell (bass) playing Tangerine at Ronnie Scott’s club in 1969 :
​Pete Neighbour continues: “Standing at the bar (where it was invariably difficult to repay his generous hospitality) he was as comfortable speaking of his love of, for example, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Art Pepper, Victor Feldman, Monty Alexander or George Coleman (and particularly his love and respect of the great Phil Seaman) as he would be talking about Kenny Ball or Acker Bilk. He was also consistently in demand backing visiting US guest artists often touring with them in Britain and Europe. This made his experience and knowledge invaluable to a young upstart such as myself.”
“I truly don’t recall when we first met - but JR is one of those guys I feel I’ve known forever. He used to run a Friday night session at the Tufnell Park Tavern in North London. He would always feature outstanding musicians. I recall playing there with, amongst others, Mick Pyne, Len Skeat, John Barnes, Bill Le Sage, Terry Davis, Colin Purbrook and endless other older, vastly experienced guys. It was also a place where I often first met and worked with people of my own generation that it is still my pleasure and privilege to call my friends now: Andy Cleyndert, Alan Barnes, Julian Stringle to name but three. In a nutshell, JR swung like the proverbial clappers. He seemed to have an innate ability to liven up any rhythm section he was part of. He didn’t suffer fools gladly; he was prone to ‘speak his mind’, he could, by today’s standards, be seen as not ‘politically correct’. All that said, I can’t think of a fellow musician that I’d rather hang with, play with, travel with or learn from; all of which I’m privileged to have experienced. I grew to love JR as I love my own family. JR introduced me to his wife, Mo, of whom I became equally fond.”
“In latter years we didn’t see so much of each other; we went our separate ways musically - but very happily - and then I ended up moving across the pond here to the U.S. On one of my visits back, in March 2019, we caught up for lunch. Whilst now showing signs that he was weak and struggling he retained his incredible sense of humour and personality. I last saw him in his care home with Mo and Julian Stringle in April 2024. He was still cracking jokes! He recently celebrated his 92nd birthday with Mo and his family celebrating with him.”
Pete Neighbour concludes: “JR ... I feel I owe you so much yet can repay you so little. I thank you for your musicianship and experience - but even more for your guidance and friendship. JR ... you’ve finally managed to achieve what you would so often shout - usually very loudly from behind the drum kit just as the last number was about to be performed on any gig in which you were involved (be it a concert, a jazz club or a function type gig…) “False tab, Queen and home ...” As you would have said ... “He’s gone and turned his toes up ...” RIP my friend.”
© Sandy Brown Jazz 2025.2