Kim Richmond (born 1940) is an American saxophonist, composer, arranger, and educator who has been active in the jazz, film, and television music scenes since the 1960s. He is known for his work as a performer and sideman with several prominent big bands and studio ensembles, as well as for his contributions to music education.
Early life and education
Richmond was born in 1940 in Detroit, Michigan. He pursued formal music studies at the Eastman School of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in performance. During his time at Eastman, he studied saxophone under renowned jazz educators and began developing his skills as an arranger.
Professional career
Jazz performance
After completing his studies, Richmond moved to New York City and joined the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, contributing both as a saxophonist and an arranger. He later performed with the Stan Kenton Orchestra and the Maynard Ferguson big band, appearing on recordings and live concerts throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Richmond’s playing style is characterized by a robust tone and a fluency in both bebop and contemporary jazz idioms.
Studio work
In the 1980s Richmond relocated to Los Angeles, where he became a regular member of studio ensembles that recorded music for film and television. His credits include work on the soundtracks of major motion pictures and television series, often providing saxophone solos, woodwind doublings, and arranging services for composers such as Lalo Schifrin, Dave Grusin, and John Williams. He has also performed in the house bands for network television shows, including “The Tonight Show” and “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.”
Education
Alongside his performing career, Richmond has taught jazz composition, arranging, and saxophone performance at various institutions. He has served as an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas College of Music and has presented clinics and master classes at music festivals and schools throughout the United States.
Selected discography
- Kim Richmond – The Wind Ensemble (1979) – solo album featuring original compositions and arrangements.
- Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra – Live at the Village Vanguard (1981) – Richmond credited as a tenor saxophonist and arranger.
- Maynard Ferguson – The Sound of the Big Band (1985) – studio recording with Richmond on saxophone.
Awards and honors
Richmond has received recognition from the National Endowment for the Arts for his contributions to jazz education and has been a multiple‑time honoree at the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE) conferences.
Personal life
Kim Richmond resides in Los Angeles, where he continues to perform, arrange, and mentor emerging jazz musicians.
References
(Encyclopedic entries on Kim Richmond appear in publications such as The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz and AllMusic, as well as university faculty directories.)