Honoring Mr. Richard M. Pierson: A Musical Legend

Help Us Raise Funds For The Celebration of Life For Mr. Richard M. Pierson

The family of Mr. Richard M. Pierson is raising money to cover the cost of his celebration of life. Mr. Richard M. Pierson was born on March 17, 1956 to Mrs. Ruby J. Pierson and Mr. Quinton E. Pierson. He was born and raised in Montclair, New Jersey.

Richard started playing musical instruments at the age of six. Richard matriculated through the Montclair Public School System. Later in life, he studied at Berklee College of Music and Juilliard. He was glad to be a part of what he called, “the fraternity of musicians.” He reported that he enjoyed playing music but was appreciative of the social connections that playing music allowed him. Richard worked as a musician for much of his life. He first took to the stage at the age of 15 to drum during a live set at the DLV lounge. He played music up until his passing.

Richard produced several jazz albums under “The Jazz Label Ltd” and performed in many places with The Life Story Band, which he founded. He participated in the Jazz Festival in Montclair and played at other local establishments including the DLV Lounge, The Montclair Brewery and Madison Square Garden.

Throughout his musical career, he was a devoted son, husband and father to his three amazing children. Richard was a Christian and a believer. He attended Mt. Olive Church where he played the drums for several years. Richard was a seasoned, professional drummer who performed all over the United States. In an interview he said this about his attraction to drumming, “What attracted me to the drum when I was younger, was the direct contact you get with the sound. It doesn’t come out on your amplifiers or microphone. It’s this kind of an organic, natural thing I gravitated toward.”

While he was known as a drummer, he played both the piano and the trumpet, and was also a composer. He wrote and composed some of the songs on his first album, “Opening Statement,” and had written for other artists. Richard was also an avid painter. He formed The Starving Artist Collective, LLC and created a webpage to disseminate his visual art.

Richard was and will continue to be beloved in the Montclair community as he was a musical icon, ardent professional, visual artist, devoted family man and a dependable friend.

Richard passed away in November 2024, after a lengthy hospital stay. His daughter and two sons were by his side throughout his time in the hospital. Richard is predeceased by his mother, father, Mrs. Loria Ann Mitchell Pierson, his first wife, and Quinton E. Pierson Jr., his brother.

Left to mourn him are Kenyatta, Lamar and Ammie (Cricket), his children, Shamore, his grandson whom he raised, Sherri, his sister-in-law, Summer, his niece, Richie, his nephew, Gwen, his second wife, and a host of other family and friends.

The family welcomes your donations to ensure that Richard has a home going service and celebration of his life that honors who he was to his family, friends and the local community. All proceeds will go towards covering the cost of Richard’s home going services, and providing drum lessons for a child in the local area. The remaining donations will be given to his children.

Richard's daughter has allowed the family to setup a Go Fund Me page to ensure that the cost of her father's services are covered. The date for his celebration of life/homing going service will be forthcoming.

GoFundMe setup: Mrs. Jamey Leeanne Rislin (Richard's Cousin)

Donations will be received by: Mr. Ronald J. Woods (Richard's Cousin)