Buddy Rich
When it came to technique, speed, power, and the ability to put together incredible drum solos, Buddy Rich lived up to the billing of "the world's greatest drummer." Although some other drummers were more innovative, in reality none were in his league even during the early days. A genius, Buddy Rich started playing drums in vaudeville as "Traps, the Drum Wonder" when he was only 18 months old; he was completely self-taught. Rich performed in vaudeville throughout his childhood and developed into a decent singer and a fine tap dancer. But drumming was his purpose in life, and by 1938 he had discovered jazz and was playing with Joe Marsala's combo. Rich was soon propelling Bunny Berigan's orchestra, he spent most of 1939 with Artie Shaw (at a time when the clarinetist had the most popular band in swing), and then from 1939-1945 (except for a stint in the military) he was making history with Tommy Dorsey. During this era it became obvious that Buddy Rich was the king of drummers, easily dethroning his friend Gene Krupa. Rich had a bop-ish band during 1945-1947 that did not catch on, toured with Jazz at the Philharmonic, 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. 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), Buddy Rich is definitively documented in Mel Tormé's book Traps the Drum Wonder. His incredible playing can be viewed on several readily available videotapes, although surprisingly few of his later big band albums have been made available yet on CD.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
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Norman Granz Jazz: The Lionel Hampton, Art Tatum, Buddy Rich Trio (Mono Version)
Lionel Hampton, Art Tatum, Buddy Rich
Jazz - Released by BNF Collection on 1 Jan 1957
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
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Classic Emarcy / Verve Small Grp Buddy Rich Sessions
Jazz - Released by Universe Remasterings on 29 Jul 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Art Tatum, Lionel Hampton, Buddy Rich Trio (Remastered)
Art Tatum, Lionel Hampton, Buddy Rich
Jazz - Released by Efor, S.L on 9 Jul 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Anatomy Of A Jam Session (Nat King Cole & Buddy Rich)
Jazz - Released by 1201 MUSIC on 31 Aug 1986
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Buddy and Sweets
Buddy Rich, Harry "Sweets" Edison
Jazz - Released by Music Manager on 14 Dec 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
BUDDY RICH LIVE
Jazz - Released by LRC Ltd. - Groove Merchant Records on 11 Aug 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Live From Miami And More (Live)
Jazz - Released by Giant Steps on 1 Jan 1983
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Very Best of Buddy Rich on Groove Merchant
Jazz - Released by LRC Ltd. - Groove Merchant Records on 17 Jun 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Big Band Machine
Jazz - Released by Good Time Records on 18 Mar 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz Café Presents: Buddy Rich (Recorded October 19th, 1977, New York City)
Jazz - Released by Jazz Archives on 24 Jan 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Max Roach contre Buddy Rich (Stereo Version)
Jazz - Released by BNF Collection on 1 Jan 1960
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Buddy Rich Just Sings (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Efor, S.L on 25 Sep 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Three Classic Albums Plus (The Wailing Buddy Rich / The Swinging Buddy Rich / Buddy and Sweets / This One's for Basie) (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Avid Entertainment on 1 Apr 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Buddy Rich In Miami (Live)
Jazz - Released by Verve Reissues on 1 Jan 1958
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Norman Granz Jazz: Back to the Land (Mono Version)
Lester Young, Buddy Rich, Aye Guy
Jazz - Released by BNF Collection on 1 Jan 1959
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo