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Buddy Rich, 1917-1987
Self-taught and a born showman, Buddy Rich excelled at delivering extended tour-de-force solos that were the hallmark of flamboyant, swing-style drumming. A prodigy who made his professional debut while still a toddler, Rich was a fixture on the vaudeville circuit throughout his youth. He joined Joe Masala's jazz band in 1937 and thereafter played for short periods with the big bands of Bunny Berigan, Harry James, Artie Shaw, and Benny Carter. While serving as the drummer for Tommy Dorsey's orchestra (1939–42), Rich appeared in several films, including Ship Ahoy (1942), which featured his bravura solo on "Hawaiian War Chant." He also became known for legendary drumming "battles" waged over the years with Gene Krupa. Rich led his own big band intermittently between 1946 and 1951, and toured extensively with Norman Granz's "Jazz at the Philharmonic" troupe. After his long association with Harry James's group (1953–66) ended, Rich returned to fronting his own ensembles. |