Bernard "Buddy" Rich (September 30, 1917 –
April 2, 1987) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader.
Arguably the greatest jazz drummer of all time, the
legendary Buddy Rich exhibited his love for music through the dedication of his
life to the art. His was a career that spanned seven decades, beginning when
Rich was 18 months old and continuing until his death in 1987. Immensely
gifted, Rich could play with remarkable speed and dexterity despite the fact
that he never received a formal lesson and refused to practice outside of his
performances.
Born Bernard Rich
to vaudevillians Robert and Bess Rich on September 30, 1917, the famed drummer
was introduced to audiences at a very young age. By 1921, he was a seasoned
solo performer with his vaudeville act, "Traps the Drum Wonder." With
his natural sense of rhythm, Rich performed regularly on Broadway at the age of
four. At the peak of Rich's early career, he was the second-highest paid child
entertainer in the world.
Rich's jazz career began in 1937 when he began playing with Joe Marsala at New York's Hickory House. By 1939, he had joined Tommy Dorsey's band, and he later went on to play with such jazz greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa. Rich was regularly featured in Jazz at the Philharmonic during the late 40s. He also appeared in such Hollywood films as Symphony of Swing (1939), Ship Ahoy (1942) and How's About It (1943).
Rich recorded with a countless number of all-stars in the
1950s for Verve (including Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Art Tatum, and Lionel
Hampton), and worked with Les Brown, Charlie Ventura, Tommy Dorsey (1954-1955),
and Harry James (off and on during 1953-1966). A heart attack in 1959 only
slowed him down briefly and, although he contemplated becoming a full-time
vocalist, Rich never gave up the drums.
In 1966, Buddy Rich beat the odds and put together a
successful big band that would be his main outlet for his final 20 years. Throughout
the 1960s and 70s, Rich toured with his own bands and opened two nightclubs,
Buddy's Place and Buddy's Place II. Both clubs were regularly filled to
capacity by fans of the great master drummer. After opening Buddy's Place II,
Rich introduced new tunes with elements of rock into his repertoire,
demonstrating his ability to adapt to his audience's changing tastes and
establishing himself as a great rock drummer.
Known for his
caustic humour, Rich was a favourite on several television talk shows including
the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, the Mike Douglas Show, the Dick Cavett
Show and the Merv Griffin Show. During these appearances, Rich entertained
audiences through his constant sparring with the hosts and his slights of
various pop singers.
This famed musician received outstanding recognition throughout his career. The Downbeat Magazine Hall of Fame Award, the Modern Drummer Magazine Hall of Fame Award and the Jazz Unlimited Immortals of Jazz Award are just a few of his numerous honours. Rich gained international attention for such master compositions as his 10-minute West Side Story medley. During his lengthy career, Rich toured around the globe, performing for millions of fans and several world leaders including the king of Thailand, the queen of England, Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Regan and King Hussein of Jordan.
His heart began giving him trouble starting in 1983, but
Rich never gave his music less than 100 percent and was still pushing himself
at the end. A perfectionist who expected the same from his sidemen (some of
whom he treated cruelly).
On April 2, 1987, Rich died of heart failure following
surgery for a malignant brain tumour.
Long-time friend, Frank Sinatra, presented the eulogy at Rich's funeral. Today, Buddy Rich is remembered as one of history's greatest musicians. According to jazz legend Gene Krupa, Rich was "The greatest drummer ever to have drawn breath."(Info mainly from drummerworld.com)
Long-time friend, Frank Sinatra, presented the eulogy at Rich's funeral. Today, Buddy Rich is remembered as one of history's greatest musicians. According to jazz legend Gene Krupa, Rich was "The greatest drummer ever to have drawn breath."(Info mainly from drummerworld.com)
3 comments:
For “Buddy Rich Big Band • Mercy, Mercy” (1968) go here:
http://www63.zippyshare.com/v/VvELOEYz/file.html
01. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (5:35)
02. Preach And Teach (4:07)
03. Channel 1 Suite (12:50)
04. Big Mama Cass (3:22)
05. Goodbye Yesterday (6:18)
06. Acid Truth (5:50)
07. Alfie (3:49)
08. Ode To Billie Joe (3:40)
09. Chavala (5:21)
10. Mr. Lucky (5:48)
11. Chelsea Bridge (5:11)
Credits
Drums – Buddy Rich
Alto Saxophone – Charles Owens
Alto Saxophone [Solo] – Art Pepper
Baritone Saxophone – John Laws
Bass [Fender, String] – Gary Walters
Guitar [Solo] – Walter Namuth
Piano – Joe Azarello
Tenor Saxophone – Pat LaBarbera
Tenor Saxophone [Solo] – Don Menza
Trombone – Jim Trimble, Richard Stepton
Trombone [Bass] – Peter Graves
Trumpet – Al Porcino, David Culp, Kenneth Faulk
Trumpet [Solo] – William Prince
A big thank you to egrog @ egrojworld blog for original link.
Review by Scott Yanow
This CD reissue brings back the finest all-round recording by Buddy Rich's big band. The original version of "Channel 1 Suite" is a classic and contains tenor saxophonist Don Menza's most memorable solo, plus a couple of brilliant improvisations from the explosive drummer/leader. Another highlight is an inventive Phil Wilson arrangement of "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy," and even "Alfie" (a melodic feature for altoist Art Pepper) and "Ode to Billie Joe" come across well. In addition to the original LP program, three selections were released for the first time on this CD. "Chelsea Bridge" is particularly significant, for it showcases Pepper, who was making a brief (and unsuccessful) comeback seven years before he finally returned to the scene. This spirited and often-exciting set is a real gem and is essential.
Thanks for Buddy. Could you please send me the password?
Hello lindo, p/w is egroj
Post a Comment