Biography
Buddy Rich, born Bernard Rich on September 30, 1917, in Brooklyn, New York, was a prodigious drumming talent whose career began in infancy. Raised in a vaudeville family, he was performing on stage by 18 months and, as 'Traps the Drum Wonder,' became one of the highest-paid child entertainers by age four. By his early teens, Rich was leading his own band, and his natural sense of rhythm and speed set him apart even before he entered the jazz world.
Rich's professional jazz career took off in the late 1930s, first with Joe Marsala and then with major swing bands led by Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, and Artie Shaw. He became renowned for his technical brilliance, showmanship, and the sheer power and precision of his playing, often cited as the greatest jazz drummer of all time. In the 1960s, Rich formed his own big band, achieving lasting success and influencing the direction of modern big band jazz with innovative arrangements and a relentless drive for excellence. He continued performing and recording until his death in 1987, leaving behind a legacy of legendary recordings, including the celebrated 'West Side Story' medley, and a reputation for demanding perfection from his band members.
Rich's musical style was characterized by phenomenal speed, dexterity, and dynamic control, blending swing, bebop, and hard bop influences. He was a charismatic performer, frequently appearing on television and in films, and his impact on drumming and jazz remains profound, inspiring generations of musicians and setting a standard for technical mastery and expressive power.
Fun Facts
- Buddy Rich reportedly never took a formal drum lesson and rarely practiced outside of live performances.
- He was known for his fiery temper and famously strict discipline with his band members, sometimes firing musicians mid-tour.
- Rich appeared in several Hollywood films as a young man, including 'Ship Ahoy' (1942) and 'How’s About It' (1943).
- He was a favorite guest on talk shows, especially 'The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,' where his humor and charisma made him a regular.
Associated Acts
- The Buddy Rich Big Band - eponymous, original
- Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra - drums (drum set)
- Flip Phillips and His Orchestra - drums (drum set)
- The Flip Phillips Quintet - drums (drum set)
- The Trumpets of Roy Eldridge, Dizzy Gillespie and Harry Edison - drums (drum set)
- Buddy Rich Quartet
- Buddy Rich Septet
- Tommy Dorsey and His Sentimentalists
- Lester Young-Buddy Rich Trio
- The Buddy Rich Trio
- Buddy Rich and His Sextet
- Buddy Rich Band featuring Anita O'Day
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Robert and Bess Rich - Parents and vaudeville performers who introduced Buddy to show business and music from infancy (Vaudeville acts, early stage performances) [1917–late 1920s]
- Gene Krupa - Contemporary and stylistic influence; admired each other's playing and pushed the art of jazz drumming (Collaborations in Jazz at the Philharmonic) [1940s–1950s]
Key Collaborators
- Tommy Dorsey - Band leader; Rich was the featured drummer in Dorsey's big band (Tommy Dorsey Orchestra recordings and performances) [1939–1942, 1944–1946, 1954–1955]
- Harry James - Band leader; Rich played extensively with James's orchestra (Harry James Orchestra recordings and tours) [1953–1954, 1957, 1961–1966]
- Dizzy Gillespie - Collaborated as part of Jazz at the Philharmonic and on bebop recordings (Jazz at the Philharmonic tours, bebop sessions) [Late 1940s–1950s]
- Art Pepper - Featured soloist in Rich's big band (Buddy Rich Big Band performances) [1970s]
- Don Menza - Saxophonist and star soloist in Rich's big band (Buddy Rich Big Band recordings and tours) [1970s]
Artists Influenced
- Neil Peart - Drummer of Rush; cited Rich as a primary influence on his technique and approach (Rush's complex drumming style) [1970s–2010s]
- Dave Weckl - Fusion drummer; inspired by Rich's technical mastery and showmanship (Solo work, Chick Corea Elektric Band) [1980s–present]
- Steve Gadd - Session drummer; influenced by Rich's dynamic control and phrasing (Numerous recordings) [1970s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Big Swing Face (Live) | 1967 | Album |
| Just in Time: The Final Recording | 2019-06-12 | Album |
| The Lost Tapes | 2017-09-15 | Album |
| Blues Caravan | 1962 | Album |
| Buddy And Sweets | 1955-01-01 | Album |
| The Argo, Verve & Emarcy Small Group Sessions | 2011-01-01 | Album |
| Buddy Rich Sings Johnny Mercer | 1956-01-01 | Album |
| Channel One Set | 2017-09-15 | Album |
| Buddy 100 | 2017-09-08 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Leap Frog - Take 11 / Take 6 / Master Take (Bird And Diz (Expanded Edition))
- Relaxing With Lee - Take 6 / Take 3 / Master Take (Bird And Diz (Expanded Edition))
- Willowcrest (The Lost Tapes)
- Birdland
- An Oscar For Treadwell - Incomplete 411-1 (Unheard Bird: The Unissued Takes)
- Relaxing With Lee - Take 2 / Incomplete (Bird And Diz (Expanded Edition))
- Mean To Me (Verve Jazz Masters 30: Lester Young)
- Just in Time (Just in Time: The Final Recording)
- Groovin' Hard - Live At The Tropicana, Las Vegas, NV/1970
- I Cover The Waterfront - 12" Version (Lester Young Trio)
External Links
Tags: #2008-universal-fire-victim, #american, #bebop
References
Heard on WWOZ
Buddy Rich has been played 17 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.