Former ASMAC President (2015–2018) and friend—composer, arranger, bandleader, instrumentalist, instructor, and more—Kim Richmond died on 20 September 2024. Our condolences to Kim’s wife Chris Zambon, family, and friends.
On 25 Sep 2024, during the ASMAC Big Band Hang with John Fedchock, memories of Kim were shared by Elliot Deutsch and Scott Healy. The hang was dedicated to both Kim Richmond and Benny Golson; it opened and ended with video of Kim’s arrangements and performances. The 15-minute snippet of memories is in the video below.
A life celebration for Kim Richmond is in the works and will hopefully happen later in 2025 or early 2026.
Quotes from friends
“It’s possible that I would not be part of ASMAC were it not for Kim. He and I met several years ago at a NAMM Show during a Dorico session when we talked about music fonts and more; he recommended I consider joining ASMAC. Now, I’m their 2nd Vice President. I participated in one of the Northwoods Jazz Camps directed by Kim Richmond & Kimberly Ford, when it was virtual. That year included guest Steve March-Tormé. The photos are when a bunch of us joined Kim to preview his new, fun, lovely Symphony 2022 in April 2022. My condolences to those who knew Kim Richmond, friends, family, bandmates, students, and beyond.” —Jeff Kellem, ASMAC 2nd Vice President
- “I am so sorry to hear of Kim’s passing! He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him and his superb talents as both a player and writer. A most wonderful and superbly talented gentleman!!!” —Bonnie Janofsky
- “I’m so sorry to hear this terribly sad news. Kim was a bright light, a great musician, educator and a great spirit. He will be very much missed by me and all who knew him. Rest In Peace, Kim.” —Sylvester Rivers
- “Kim was a giant in the Jazz World as performer, composer, arranger and teacher. He was gentle soui and tireless learner who never stopped stretching his boundaries and was always learning, including being an early adopter of Dorico.I knew Kim for several decades, We played for years together in groups including the Composers Ensemble of Los Angeles.I was thrilled a few years ago that he joined the Song of the Angels Flute Orchestra, which I direct, as a regular member and wrote several work for us.We were also board members together for ASMAC. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.” —Chuck Fernandez
- “Devastated to hear this, Kim was one of the first people in ASMAC that I got to know as a friend. A gentle soul and consummate musician. He is dearly missed already.” —Andrew Kesler
- “Kim was a fabulous musician, arranger and composer and an all-around great guy. He will be missed by many.” —Evita Wagner
- “My condolences to all of you who knew him personally. While I never met Kim in person, he impressed me as a person who when he said something, musically or otherwise, people listened.” —Russ Anixter
- “I wonder if there is anyone in Hollywood and the Los Angeles music scene that hasn’t performed with Kim Richmond, or studied with him, or had him in their band, or who was mentored by him. The loss is all that, of course, but much more personal, and it doesn’t seem I’m alone in this feeling, which is a testament to his impact. I’ll always remember his smile and interest in what you were doing. This is a real loss to the music community. Kim, thank you for the memories, your music, and your friendship.” —Dave Slonaker
- “Kim was a brilliant and generous mentor for our inception kids, not just in jazz. He was extremely excited to share his symphony with our young composers as he wrote it. Condolences to his family and his friends on behalf of very grateful Inception students and mentors.” —Akira Nakano
- “I had the privilege to play in Kim’s outstanding jazz orchestra several times, first class composer, arranger, and a very kind and caring person. He will be greatly missed.” —Ross deRoche
Please contact us if you have any memories, stories, photos, videos of Kim Richmond you’d like to share.
