A Sax Legend, Richie Cole

So sad to hear about the passing of Richie Cole. I was so fortunate to play several gigs with Richie over the years. Richie is indirectly how I met my wife, Judy Roberts. It was February of 1983 and it was my first time driving myself to downtown Chicago from the suburbs. I was all of 16 years old! Richie was playing with his quartet at Joe & Wayne Segal’s Jazz Showcase when it was at the Blackstone Hotel. When I got there, I found out that Judy Roberts and her own quartet was playing an opening set before Richie. I immediately fell in love with Judy and her music and went out the next day to Laury’s records and bought all of her great albums on the Inner City Label. It turns out that Judy was friends with Richie, and he even plays on one of her albums (My Heart Belongs to Daddy). In later years, the three of us got to play just one gig together, at Katerina’s Jazz Club, which is where I took this photo. Richie was such a kind person and a gentle soul. Richie had a great sense of humor. He always brought a great vibe to the bandstand. Richie, I’ll miss you. Thank you for everything. RIP, Richie Cole.