Boomie Richman

Who is Boomie Richman?

Abraham Samuel "Boomie" Richman was a jazz tenor saxophone player. He was noted for playing with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra at the height of the Big band era.

Richman played a Selmer Tenor Mark VI saxophone. He used a baritone reed with a wide flare, and his tone was described on more than one occasion as, "a very expensive sound." He also played the clarinet, bass clarinet, piccolo and flute.

Bands Richman played with included Mugsy Spanier, Les Elgart, George Paxton and His Orchestra, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman. He played with Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis, Rosemary Clooney, Tony Bennett and Peggy Lee.

He recorded with Buddy Holly on October 21, 1958, playing the sax solo on "True Love Ways". He also played with Judy Garland in her comeback performance at Carnegie Hall

On television, Richman appeared on The Jimmy Dean Show, The Perry Como Show, The Dick Cavett Show, The Patti Page Show, The Pat Boone Show, and The Andy Williams Show.

Richman retired from the Benny Goodman band in 1956. He then became the 'first-call' studio ace in New York City where he recorded for television and radio commercials.