Buddy Rich "The Solos": Previously unreleased live performances coming in May
Studio City, CA - Lightyear Entertainment and Lobitos Creek Ranch in association with Scabeba Entertainment and the Buddy Rich Estate have announced the release of a unique new CD, culled from Buddy's performances in 1976 and 1977 at the peak of his power and versatility. The album is comprised totally of drum solos and showcases 9 of his premiere solo performances recorded while on worldwide tour with his band.
This rare, previously unreleased and all original production was recorded with Buddy's permission by bandmate Alan Gauvin, who has also now mixed and edited the project together. The album was mastered by Tom Swift and will be released May 13 worldwide through Caroline Distribution, the independent distribution arm of Universal Music Group, on the Lightyear/Lobitos Creek label.
Lightyear, Lobitos Creek and Scabeba have previously teamed to release two successful DVDs, The Lost Tapes and The Channel One Suite and two excellent CDs featuring Buddy and his band: Time Out and No Funny Hats, all available through Caroline.
"Every drummer in the world will want this collection", said Arnie Holland, CEO of Lightyear. "I think many will spend hours taking this apart and trying to figure out Buddy's unique and signature moves."
Every one of the solos on the album will be converted into Ring Tunes, for a total of 81 of them in various lengths.
Cathy Rich, CEO of Scabeba Entertainment and Buddy's daughter, who authorized the release, said: "This is very first time a solo only CD has been made available to the public. These handpicked solos are some of the most exciting moments of a Buddy Rich concert... the moments that most people waited for at the end of every show Enjoy this look back and revel in the artistry that was Buddy Rich."
Arguably one of the greatest jazz drummers 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, Charlie Ventura, Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa. Rich was regularly featured in Jazz at the Philharmonic during the late 1940s. He also appeared in such Hollywood films as Symphony of Swing (1939), Ship Ahoy (1942) and How's About It (1943).
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s 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.
He 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 honors. Rich gained international attention for such master compositions as his 10-minute West Side Story medley.
On April 2, 1987, Rich died of heart failure following surgery for a malignant brain tumor. Longtime friend Frank Sinatra spoke a touching 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."