RICH PULIN'S BIO
Rich Pulin began playing the Baritone Horn, switching to the Trombone after seeing "The Glen Miller Story" starring Jimmy Stewart, as Glenn Miller. Almost immediately, Rich began to play at school dances and around his local town of Bethpage, Long Island, New York. At the age of 18, through a series of events, he met legendary Trumpeter Dalton Smith. Dalton, in turn, referred Rich to Woody Herman pianist-arranger, Nat Pierce.
Nat wasted no time and escorted Rich to Nola Rehearsal studio, to sit in with Charlie Barnett's band, who incidentally was minus a trombonist that day! Barnett's band included bass-trombonist-composer-arranger John Woehrmann and the inimitable Trumpeter-Flugelhornist Clark Terry! Woehrmann was so impressed with Rich's playing, he recommended him for an audition, which led to a job with the Tommy Dorsey Band under the direction of Warren Covington! Subsequently, he played the 1st trombone and jazz soloist chairs with the bands of: Johnny Long, Richard Maltby, Buddy Morrow, Les & Larry Elgart, Les Brown, Tony Pastor, The Jimmy Dorsey band under Lee Castle, The Al Grey/Billy Mitchell(Tenor Sax)Sextet, Slam Stewart's Band, The Dave Pike Set, Woody Herman's 'Herd' and friend and mentor Clark Terry's first big band at the Half Note! http://clarkterry.com/blog/2010/09/soliloquy-for-ct/
Rich was a charter member of CT's Big Bad Band, which was a co-venture that Clark led with assistance from alto-saxophonist Phil Woods, and trombonist/arranger Melba Liston. Clark's band was a collection of all-stars including guys like Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Gene Quill, Randy Brecker, Jimmy Owens, Ron Carter, Grady Tate, and Nat Pierce. Following the gig with CT, Rich wound up in the Netherlands, and wasn't seen or heard from again for seven years. He married one of only 3 female recording producers, with The Philips-Phonogram Company. Their first co-production was a son, Yasha. Rich became a part of the recording scene in Holland and all over Europe participating in hundreds of sessions as a Trombonist, composer/arranger, conductor, vocalist and producer.
Rich was a featured member of the legendary Dutch cabaret artist Toon Herman's American One Man Show, soloist in the ex-patriot band led by trumpeter/arranger Dusko Goykevich, which was based in Cologne & Munich Germany and toured several times through the communist eastern bloc! Rich appeared on Dutch TV with the legendary Richard Harris, Joe Cocker and conducted an orchestra for Lulu, at the time "To Sir With Love" was a hit! Rich was invited by vibraphonist, Dave Pike, to record on his first Dave Pike Set in Hilversum Holland! (Coincidentally, he played on Dave's last cd, 'Peligrosso', recorded in LA! Rich arranged and conducted for young Dutch star Anneke Konings first recordings and arranged for and conducted the Warsaw Symphony Orchestra at the Sopot (Poland) song festival. His song "Boogie Woogie Woman" was certified platinum in Europe! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_95IML-hLA
Since his return to the U.S, (L.A.), he appeared first with Glen Campbell’s band (featuring iconic trumpeters, Gary Grant & Chuck Findley) and The Supremes in Hawaii, followed by numerous bands and performers, including: Art Pepper, Don Ellis, Ray Charles, and Tito Puente at the famous Monterey Jazz Festival (1977) appearance (cd of that performance on Concord Records).
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Also in that same period, Rich's orchestra accompanied Debby Reynolds, Rosemarie, Bert Convey and Gary 'Radar' Burghof (from 'Mash'). For the last few years, he's been concentrating his efforts on his career and the careers of his gifted daughter Brooke the recent recipient of a Masters Degree in music, summa cum laude, from Florida State University, life and writing partner Kristin McKnight-Pulin, 11-year-old grandson, Jovanny, and 6-year-old grandson, Kai. The Pulin's are currently on a songwriting 'roll' scoring lots of new music in multi-genres!
Incidentally, in addition to being blessed with wonderful, encouraging, and supportive parents, Helen and Hy Pulin, Rich was also "adopted" by a musician that he believes was tops on his instrument, tenor saxophone, and an icon in the field of jazz, the inimitable Billy Mitchell. "B" took Rich under his wing, and over the next forty years they became best of friends (he had the honor and pleasure to gig and record with "B" both stateside and abroad). Billy's input, whether it pertained to music or life was plentiful and was always welcomed. Rich considers him his mentor and was honored that "B" thought of him as his protégé (other Billy Mitchell protégé’s include Charles McPherson, and Bobby Hutcherson). The Mitchell residence on Yale Avenue in Rockville Centre, NY, was always a happy gathering place for musicians and other nice folk. Being "licensed" to "drop" the name Billy Mitchell over the years opened a lot of doors for Rich, and he will always be greatly indebted to him and cherish the memory of both Billy and his wonderful wife Marge.