 One account of why Richie took up the piano is that he pestered drummer Max Roach , who lived nearby , for drum lessons , and Roach , eventually fed up , suggested that he play the piano instead . Bud did not assist his brother at all in his musical endeavors ; instead , according to a biographer of saxophonist Jackie McLean , " it was an excellent but now forgotten pianist named Bob Bunyan who taught Richie Powell chords on the piano . Richie would study with Bunyan , and then go home and watch his brother practice . [ ... ] Richie and Jackie became tight friends and used to rehearse together " . Richie also studied music with Mary Lou Williams , and attended the City College of New York . 
