Introduction
Dick Morgan (June 5, 1929—October 20, 2013) was an American jazz pianist active in the Washington, D.C. jazz scene.
His piano playing was stylistically similar to that of Erroll Garner and Canadian pianist Oscar Peterson.
In his career, Morgan released 14 recordings and played with many celebrated musicians, including Tommy Dorsey, Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis, Ernie Andrews, Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, and Joe Williams. Besides Washington, D.C., he also performed in the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Early life and education
Dick Morgan was born Richard Lewis Morgan in Petersburg, Virginia, on June 5, 1929.
A self-taught musician, Morgan got an early start in music, playing hymns on his family's harmonium at the age of five. He then learned piano and had his own radio show in his hometown when he was just ten.
Morgan studied at Virginia State University, Petersburg, Virginia, and played in an army band during his military service in the early 1950s. Later, he also studied law at Antioch School of Law, Washington, D.C. (1979), and Howard University School of Law, Washington, D.C. (1983), though he never pursued a legal career.
Morgan had an early encounter with bandleader Duke Ellington who encouraged him to play music.
Career
Morgan began playing music professionally in the mid-1950s in Norfolk, Virginia. While playing at a venue, he was spotted by jazz trombonist and bandleader Tommy Dorsey who invited him to play with his orchestra in Las Vegas. While in Las Vegas, Morgan also got to perform at a birthday party for Frank Sinatra, with Sinatra singing along with him. Morgan didn't get to work with Dorsey again as he died in 1956.
Back in Norfolk, Virginia, Morgan worked with Virginia-born guitarist Charlie Byrd. Byrd, who also used to play at Showboat Lounge in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, D.C., helped Morgan get jazz engagements in Washington, D.C.
Morgan formed a trio with bassist Keter Betts and drummer Bertell Knox and regularly performed in various Washington hotspots, including Showboat Lounge, Blues Alley Club on Wisconsin Avenue, and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
In the summer of 1960, Morgan caught the attention of saxophonist Julian "Cannonball" Adderley who recommended Morgan to his record label Riverside Records. Shortly after, Riverside people came to Washington to make a recording of Morgan's live performance at Showboat Lounge. Thus was released his first album, Dick Morgan At The Showboat (1960). It was produced by Adderley.
Later that year, Morgan's trio released their second album See What I Mean?, also on Riverside Records. In 1961, Morgan released his next album, Settlin' In, with bassist Joe Benjamin and drummer Ben Riley.
Besides Showboat Lounge in Washington, Morgan also regularly played at Pirate's Hideaway at Georgetown Seafood; The Madison Hotel in downtown Washington; and Top of the Town in Arlington, Virginia.
At the peak of his music career, Morgan was urged to return to college by his friend, comedian Bill Cosby. He then studied law at Antioch School of Law, Washington, D.C., graduating in 1979. Next, he received his law degree from Howard University School of Law, Washington, D.C. in 1983. However, he never practiced law and continued to perform and make jazz recordings.
Morgan's next recordings came in the 1990s. In 1994, he recorded Drive, Passion, Unpredictable (Interplay Records) with David Jernigan (bass), Mike Shepherd (drums), and Steve Abshire (guitar). In 1996, he recorded After Hours on Foxhaven Records with Keter Betts (bass); Lenny Robinson (drums); Steve Abshire (guitar); and Allison Miller, and Sam "Seguito" Turner (percussion). 1998 saw the release of his next studio album Spellbound (Foxhaven Records). After a live album in 2009, he made his last recording, Bewitched, in 2010 (Foxhaven Records.)
In 1996, Morgan played piano on Etta Jones's album The Melody Lingers On(HighNote Records) with Houston Person (tenor saxophone), Keter Betts (bass), Tom Aalfs (violin), and Frankie Jones (drums). In the 10-track album, Etta pays tribute to 10 musicians in her own style—Phyllis Hyman, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Sammy Davis Jr, Billy Eckstine, Alberta Hunter and Sarah Vaughan.
Video: Bewitched
Quotes
I'm somebody who will immediately get immersed in the audience and get them to pay attention.
I play for the audience; I don't play for me.
Personal life
Morgan was married twice. His first marriage to Lois Josephine Fountain ended in divorce. He was then married to Sylvia Everett Morgan.
Death
Morgan died in Silver Spring, Maryland, on October 20, 2013, at age 84.
Discography
- See What I Mean (Riverside, 1960)
- Settlin' In (Riverside, 1961)
- At the Showboat (Riverside)
- Workin' Overtime (Morgan, 1975)
- Drive, Passion, Unpredictable (Interplay, 1995)
- After Hours (Foxhaven 70002)
- Live (Foxhaven 70003, 1997)
- Spellbound (Foxhaven 70005)
- Spiritual Journey (Foxhaven 70011, 2000)
- Make Someone Happy (Foxhaven 70014)
- Live at Montpelier (JazzMont, 2009)
- Bewitched (Foxhaven, 2010)