Thaddeus Richard

About

From yourcultureconnect.com:

Thaddeus Richard is Renald Richard’s son and the cousin of Plas Johnson and Don Vappie. He is a self-taught multi-talented instrumentalist who plays the soprano saxophone, flute, and clarinet. He lived in Nashville, Tennessee in the 1970s, where he met and played with Paul McCartney and Wings for five years. Thaddeus’ music credits include Johnny Taylor, Al Green, Joe Tex, Z.Z. Hill, Tony Dorsey, and Candi Staton. In the 1980s, he returned to New Orleans where he worked with Clarence “Frogman” Henry and George Porter. Richard’s film credits include Treme, American Creole: New Orleans Reunion, Rockshow, Rockestra, and Wings Over the World.

From Club Sandwich, No 17, 1980:

Thaddeus Richard, who plays soprano saxophone, flute and clarinet, was born in New Orleans in 1950. A self-taught musician, he dropped out of college after a year and a half to play music.

In 1970 he played sax and bass for a group called the Hip-Huggers, and in ’71 went out on the road with Johnny Taylor. He also played with Al Green and Tony Dorsey, before moving to Dallas where he played with a group called Reality.

Thaddeus worked with Paul Kelly in the Sound Shop Studio in Nashville, cutting an album with him called “Hooked, Hogtied and Collar’d”. He also formed a group with Tony Dorsey called Magic, which included Tony’s wife Mary. Thaddeus met Paul McCartney at Nashville, and has been a member of the horn section since then.

After leaving Wings he concentrated on studio work in 1977, while trying his hand at producing, both for himself and some local people such as Gary Clement.

He moved to working on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, playing traditional Dixieland and also working with Clarence “Frogman” Henry. By mid-’78 Thad was working with George Porter in a group called “Joy Ride”, subsequently recording an album which will be released in the New Year.

In 1979 he formed his own group, “Quiet Fire”, and worked in a jazz-funk format, although he still is doing spot gigs with various groups: A.Z.A. (sax); Nite Life (sax, piano); Nite Line (bass). Thaddeus has also been active in recording circles as well.

Last updated on May 25, 2022