by Rod King
Alto saxophonist Joe Richeson was among the 35 musicians who answered the notice in The News-Sentinel asking for those interested in playing in a community band to come to Neff Hall on the IPFW campus. He’s just one of seven charter members still active in the Band.
Unlike many of those in attendance who hadn’t played their instruments for many years he had kept up by playing regularly in several dance bands. He was chosen to be first chair of the saxophone section by director Bill Schlacks and has held that position for most of its 44 years.
Joe served on a variety of committees through the years working with Susan Jehl to rewrite and update the Band’s Constitution and Bylaws. Since then he has worked to keep them updated. He was the band’s first public relations officer, was a board member at large and is presently a board member.
“Music has always been a big part of my life, whether playing or listening,” says Richeson, “and specially performing in concerts. I like being part of the band and have made a lot of really close friendships with really fine people over the years. The rehearsals are fun, but when the stage lights go on, the ensemble finds its groove and the harmony gets tight, that’s when I enjoy it most. I guess you could call me a performance junky,” he added.
“One of the highlights for me was in 1980 when the band held an ensemble concert in place of its regular concert for individuals and groups within the band to perform. The saxophone section put together a quintet we called the ’Sax Maniacs’. We put on goofy outfits and performed a variety of music that included Rag Time, Dixieland, pop, jazz and even some classical stuff. We had a lot of fun performing off and on at FWACB concerts and area festivals for about 30 years. When we played in churches we were tastefully billed as a saxophone quintet.”
The Northrop High School graduate played in all the schools ensembles including its pit orchestra for theatrical productions. Then it was the wind ensemble and jazz bands at IPFW for three years while working on his degree in electrical engineering. He finished his studies at the West Lafayette campus.
In 1972 he joined the ITT Conglomernotes and for the last 15 of those years had been its lead alto player. Joe also plays with the Knights on the Town jazz band and has performed as first and second alto, second tenor and on occasion played baritone saxophone. Joe’s musical talents include vocal, as well. He performed in his church choir for many years, joined the Summit City Barbershop Chorus and sang with several quartets (Too Sharp to be Flat, Summit City Sound and The Fixx) for 10 years.
It’s easy to see that he is indeed a ‘Performance Junkie’.