Dick Meldonian

Dick Meldonian is a fine swing-based soloist who has never gained that much fame but has always impressed his fellow musicians. He started playing clarinet when he was eight and tenor at 11. Meldonian led his first group in 1944 and officially became a professional in 1949. Early associations included tours with Freddie Slack, Charlie Barnet (1950-1951), and Stan Kenton (1952). He also worked with Shorty Rogers, Nat Pierce, Elliot Lawrence, and Bill Russo, among others. Meldonian became a New York studio and session musician and has appeared in many settings, including with Erroll Garner (1957) and Gerry Mulligan (1960). He is best known for his work as the leader of the Jersey Swingers quartet in the late '70s and for the big band that he co-led with drummer Sonny Igoe starting in the early '80s. Meldonian recorded as a leader (both with combos and with big bands) for Progressive and Statiras. ~ Scott Yanow