Buddy Rich

Buddy Rich

Buddy Rich (Bernard Rich, September 30, 1917 – April 2, 1987) was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Widely considered one of the most influential drummers of all time and known for his virtuoso technique, power, and speed, Rich was billed as “the world’s greatest drummer” during his career.[1] He performed with many bandleaders, most notably Tommy DorseyHarry JamesCount Basie, and led his own big band.

Early life[edit]

Rich was born in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn to Jewish-American parents Bess (née Skolnik) and Robert Rich, both vaudevillians.[2]:6 His talent for rhythm was first noted by his father, who saw that Rich could keep a steady beat with spoons at the age of one. He began playing drums in vaudeville when he was 18 months old, billed as “Baby Traps the Drum Wonder”. At the peak of his childhood career, he was the second-highest paid child entertainer in the world after Jackie Coogan.[3]

At age 11, he was performing as a bandleader. He received no formal drum instruction and went so far as to claim that instruction would only degrade his musical talent. He also never admitted to practicing, claiming to play the drums only during performances[4] and was not known to read music.

Source – Wikipedia

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