Richie Pratt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richie Pratt
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Richard Dean Tyree |
| Born | March 11, 1943 Olathe, Kansas, United States |
| Died | February 12, 2015 (aged 71) Leavenworth, Kansas, United States |
| Genres | Jazz, Broadway, bebop, hard bop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, bandleader, composer, sideman |
| Instruments | Drums, Percussion, Piano |
| Years active | 1961–2011 |
| Labels | Artists Recording Collective Enja CBS Timeless Arista Hip-O Atlantic Columbia A&M Records SONY RCA |
Richie Pratt (born Richard Dean Tyree; March 11, 1943 – February 12, 2015) was an American jazz drummer. He became a professional musician in New York in the early 1970s. This happened partly because of a sports injury.
Pratt grew up in Olathe, Kansas, near Kansas City. His family was very musical. His mother played piano for church, and his brother, Chris Burnett, played the saxophone. Richie first learned to play the piano. He also went to music camps when he was young. Later, he studied music at the University of Kansas.
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Richie Pratt's Early Life and Football
Richie Pratt was born at the University of Kansas Medical Center. His parents were Wayne and Violet Tyree. Later, his great aunt and uncle, John and Willa Pratt, adopted him. He grew up to be a big and strong man.
He went to the University of Kansas on a full scholarship. He played football for the school's main team. While playing football, he also studied music education. In college, he blocked for famous football player Gale Sayers.
Pratt also kept playing music. He performed in the school's orchestra, jazz groups, and wind ensembles. He even traveled to Hawaii with a student show called USO. After college, the NFL team, the New York Giants, drafted him to play professional football.
Richie Pratt's Music Career Begins
Richie Pratt's amazing music career started after he got hurt. He had a serious injury during his second season with the Giants. This injury meant he could no longer play professional football. So, he turned his full attention to music.
He began working as a host at the famous Village Gate in New York City. While there, he started playing drums with other musicians. Soon, people heard about the talented drummer from the Midwest. Bassist Major Holley invited Pratt to play music on Sundays. This led to Junior Mance hearing him play. Junior Mance then offered Richie his first paid drumming job in New York.
Famous pianist Ahmad Jamal helped Pratt join the American Federation of Musicians. Richie became a busy studio musician. He played drums for many different artists and projects.
Performing with Famous Artists
People in New York called Richie Pratt a "bubbling cauldron of musical vitality." This meant he was full of musical energy. He played many different kinds of music. He performed with the American Symphony Orchestra. He also played for dance companies like the Joffrey Ballet and Alvin Ailey.
Richie Pratt also played drums in several Broadway shows. These included Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death, Dude, and Raisin. He was especially known as the drum soloist in Sophisticated Ladies. This show was a tribute to the great jazz musician Duke Ellington.
In the world of traditional jazz, Pratt was a member of the New York Jazz Quartet for over three years. This group included talented musicians like Sir Roland Hanna, Frank Wess, and George Mraz. Pratt also played with many other jazz legends. These included Billy Taylor, Milt Jackson, Lionel Hampton, and Benny Goodman.
His drumming was light and sensitive. This made him a favorite for many famous vocalists. He played for singers like Nancy Wilson, Aretha Franklin, Barry White, and The Temptations.
After leaving New York City, Pratt moved to Honolulu, Hawaii. He continued to be an active musician there. He helped start local groups like the Honolulu Jazz Quartet. He also played with touring artists who visited Hawaii.
In 2007, he signed with Artists Recording Collective. This record label is based in Kansas City. His first album as a leader, called Olathe, was released worldwide. It took over 20 years for him to release his own music.
On October 6, 2012, Richie Pratt moved back to the Midwest. He lived in his hometown area of Kansas City. He passed away at his home on February 12, 2015.
Richie Pratt's Music Albums
Richie Pratt recorded several albums during his career.
As the Leader of His Own Band
- Olathe (Artists Recording Collective, 2007)
Playing with Other Musicians (Sideman)
- With Frank Foster: The Loud Minority (Mainstream, 1972)
- With Carol Sloan: Out of the Blue (Columbia)
- With Lionel Hampton: LIONEL HAMPTON AND HIS BIG BAND - OUTRAGEOUS (Timeless) and others.
- With Aretha Franklin: Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky) (Atlantic, 1973)
- With Sir Roland Hanna: Time for the Dancers (Progressive, 1977)
- With New York Jazz Quartet: Song of The Black Knight (1977) and Surge (1977)
- With Phyllis Hyman: One on One (Hip-O, 1998) and The Legacy of Phyllis Hyman (Arista, 1996)
- With Carrie Smith: Only You Can Do It (GP, 1982)
Broadway and Off-Broadway Shows
- Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death (A&M Records, Original Cast Album, 1971)
- Raisin (musical) (SONY Broadway, Original Cast Album, 1973)
- Sophisticated Ladies (RCA, Original Cast Album, 1981)
- Taking My Turn (Original Cast Album, 1982)
