Richard Birnie "Dick" Aton 1927 - 2003

ATON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/13/2014 at 11:51:59

Sioux City Journal
9 December 2003

Richard Birnie "Dick" Aton, 76, a professional jazz musician and former Sioux City resident, died of complications due to pneumonia Sunday, Dec. 7, 2003, in Redding Calif.

The son of James and Florence Aton, he was born in Sioux City in 1927. He studied the piano from an early age while attending Sioux City Public Schools.

Following service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, he went on to a professional performing career. He played with major jazz artists in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas for 25 years. His credits included performances with Harold Land, Zoot Sims, Jack Sheldon and many other major artists.

In 1969 he returned to Sioux City, where he operated a piano tuning business and continued to perform locally with the bands of Jac Gereau, Don Weinstine and Jimmy Hittle. He retired in 1979 and relocated to California in 1981.

He is survived by an older brother, James G. Aton of California; a daughter, May of California; and a son, Peter of Boise, Idaho