Rodney Richardson

Rodney Richardson is best known for his period with Count Basie's Orchestra in the 1940s when he filled in for Walter Page who was serving in the military during World War II. Richardson began playing music with territory bands in Tennessee in the 1930s (including with the Georgia Boys and the Royal Knights), doubling for a time on rhythm guitar. In 1943 Richardson left the South, traveling to California with Harlan Leonard, gigging with Art Tatum and then joining Basie for four years (1943-47). Richardson was a good choice to fill in for Page because he played in a similar swinging and supportive style. During his period with Basie, Richardson also appeared as a sideman on a variety of small-group swing recording dates including with the Kansas City Seven, Herbie Fields, Lester Young, Lucky Thompson and Roy Eldridge. After leaving Basie, Richardson was mostly out of the spotlight although he had stints with Tiny Grimes, Erroll Garner and, in the 1970s, Duke Burrell's Louisiana Shakers. Richardson, who never led his own record date, eventually settled in California, playing locally. ~ Scott Yanow