Dick Nash

Richard Taylor Nash (born January 26, 1928) is an American jazz trombonist most associated with the swing and big band genres.

Biography He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and began playing brass instruments at age ten. After his parents died, he grew more interested in music, and he was sent to Kurn Hattin Homes for Children in Vermont. At Kurn Hattin Homes, the first instruments he studied were the trumpet and bugle. His first professional work came in 1947 with bands such as that of Tex Beneke. He served in the California National Guard from 1950 to 1952, playing in a band there. He then joined Billy May's band. Later, he became a first-call studio musician in Los Angeles, California. He was composer, and as Henry Mancini's favorite trombonist, was featured soloist on several Mancini soundtracks, beginning with Mr. Lucky and Peter Gunn. Nash's trombone is featured on the Theme From Hatari! from the soundtrack for the John Wayne film (1962), Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), and Days of Wine and Roses. In 1959, he played bass trombone on Art Pepper + Eleven – Modern Jazz Classics.

His brother was the saxophonist Ted Nash (1922–2011) and he has three children: Ted, also a saxophonist, Nikki, and Bill.

Discography