Richie Cole was a celebrated American alto saxophonist, born Richard Thomas Cole on February 29, 1948, in Trenton, New Jersey. He was introduced to jazz at a young age by his father, who operated nightclubs in Trenton. Influenced by jazz legends such as Charlie Parker and Sonny Stitt, Cole began playing the alto saxophone at age 10. He attended music camps and was awarded a DownBeat scholarship to Berklee College of Music, which he attended before joining the Buddy Rich Big Band in 1969.

Cole's career was marked by his dedication to bebop, a style he championed throughout his life. He was known for his "Alto Madness" performances, characterized by his energetic and passionate playing. Over his career, Cole recorded over 50 albums, including notable works like "Hollywood Madness" (1979) and "Richie Cole Plays West Side Story" (1997). He collaborated with numerous jazz greats, including Art Pepper, Phil Woods, and Eddie Jefferson, and was a prolific composer with over 3,000 original compositions.

In addition to his musical achievements, Cole served on the Board of the National Jazz Service Organization and the National Endowment for the Arts. He passed away on May 2, 2020, in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, at the age of 72. Cole is survived by his two daughters, Annie Cole and Amanda Marrazzo, and four grandchildren.