History

Many jazz fans and critics consider Buddy Rich’s big band the best of its day, largely due to their high-octane arrangements and Rich’s flashy chops. Though Rich began leading big bands in the 1940s, the band did not become a consistent and popular force until 1966. Helped by Rich’s outgoing personality, the band toured around the country, and achieved prominence in an era when big band music had limited appeal. Frequent TV appearances on programs like The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson also made Buddy Rich and his band a household name. Rich, alongside a cast of composer-arrangers that included John LaBarbera, Bill Holman, and Don Menza experimented with jazz rock and funk to keep the music current, and infused jazz standards with a fire that captivated audiences around the globe. Some of the band’s most iconic songs and arrangements include Love for Sale, Nuttville, Groovin’ Hard, and Big Swing Face.