Richard Henryk Twardzik (April 30, 1931 – October 21, 1955)[1] was an American jazz pianist who worked in Boston for most of his career.

Twardzik trained in classical piano as a child and made his professional debut at the age of fourteen.

[1] Twardzik also played professionally with Chet Baker and Lionel Hampton.

[2] He died October 21, 1955, at age 24, from a heroin overdose[3] while on tour with Chet Baker in Europe.

[2] The song In Memory of Dick was written by saxophonist Bobby Jaspar, who occasionally played with Twardzik and Baker during their tour in Europe.