Jump to content

Buddy DeFranco: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Llamapez (talk | contribs)
127 edits
→As leader: switched order of title/subtitle in Memories of You: A Tribute to Benny Goodman
Changing short description from "Italian-American jazz clarinetist" to "Italian-American jazz clarinetist (1923–2014)"
 
(24 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Italian-American jazz clarinetist (1923–2014)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Buddy DeFranco
| name = Buddy DeFranco
Line 7: Line 8:
| birth_place = [[Camden, New Jersey]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Camden, New Jersey]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2014|12|24|1923|2|17}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2014|12|24|1923|2|17}}
| death_place = [[Panama City, Florida]]
| death_place = [[Panama City, Florida]], U.S.
| instrument = * [[Clarinet]], [[Bass Clarinet]]
| instrument = * [[Clarinet]], [[bass clarinet]]
| genre = * [[Jazz]], [[Bebop]], [[Post-Bop]]
| genre = * [[Jazz]], [[bebop]], [[post-bop]]
| occupation = Musician
| occupation = Musician
| years_active = 1940s–2014
| years_active = 1940s–2014
| label = [[Norgran Records|Norgran]], [[Verve Records|Verve]], [[Mercury Records|Mercury]], Concord Jazz, [[Arbors Records|Arbors]], [[Pablo Records|Pablo]]
| label = [[Norgran Records|Norgran]], [[Verve Records|Verve]], [[Mercury Records|Mercury]], Concord Jazz, [[Arbors Records|Arbors]], [[Pablo Records|Pablo]]
| associated_acts = [[Glenn Miller Orchestra]]
| past_member_of = [[Glenn Miller Orchestra]]
| website = {{URL|www.buddydefranco.com}}
| website = {{URL|www.buddydefranco.com}}
}}
}}
Line 20: Line 21:


==Biography==
==Biography==
Born in [[Camden, New Jersey]], United States,<ref name="LarkinGE">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-939-0|pages=651/2}}</ref> DeFranco was raised in [[South Philadelphia]]. He was playing the clarinet by the time he was nine years old and within five years had won a national [[Tommy Dorsey]]<ref name=ldn>{{cite news|title=Buddy DeFranco To Play At LVC|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2286663/defranco_at_lvc/|agency=Lebanon Daily News|date=July 14, 1977|page=22|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|access-date = April 25, 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> swing contest.<ref name="Obit">{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-buddy-defranco-20141227-story.html |title=Buddy DeFranco dies at 91; first clarinetist to master bebop |first=Don |last=Heckman |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=26 December 2014}}</ref>
Born in [[Camden, New Jersey]], United States,<ref name="LarkinGE">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-939-0|pages=651/2}}</ref> DeFranco was raised in [[South Philadelphia]]. He was playing the clarinet by the time he was nine years old and within five years had won a national [[Tommy Dorsey]]<ref name=ldn>{{cite news|title=Buddy DeFranco To Play At LVC|newspaper=Lebanon Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2286663/defranco_at_lvc/|agency=Lebanon Daily News|date=July 14, 1977|page=22|via = [[Newspapers.com]]|access-date = April 25, 2015}} {{Open access}}</ref> swing contest.<ref name="Obit">{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-buddy-defranco-20141227-story.html |title=Buddy DeFranco dies at 91; first clarinetist to master bebop |first=Don |last=Heckman |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=26 December 2014}}</ref>


He began his professional career just as [[swing music]] and [[big band]]s&mdash;many of which were led by clarinetists like [[Artie Shaw]], and [[Benny Goodman]]&mdash;were in decline. While most jazz clarinet players did not adapt to this change, DeFranco successfully continued to play clarinet exclusively, and was one of the few [[bebop]] clarinetists.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://tedpanken.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/on-buddy-defrancos-89th-birthday-a-1999-downbeat-article-plus-interview/ |first=Ted |last=Pankin |title=On Buddy DeFranco’s 89th Birthday, a 1999 Downbeat article, plus Interview |journal=[[Down Beat]] |date=1999 |issn=0012-5768}}</ref>
He began his professional career just as [[swing music]] and [[big band]]s&mdash;many of which were led by clarinetists like [[Artie Shaw]], and [[Benny Goodman]]&mdash;were in decline. While most jazz clarinet players did not adapt to this change, DeFranco successfully continued to play clarinet exclusively, and was one of the few [[bebop]] clarinetists.<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://tedpanken.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/on-buddy-defrancos-89th-birthday-a-1999-downbeat-article-plus-interview/ |first=Ted |last=Pankin |title=On Buddy DeFranco's 89th Birthday, a 1999 Downbeat article, plus Interview |journal=[[Down Beat]] |date=1999 |issn=0012-5768}}</ref>


In 1950, DeFranco spent a year with [[Count Basie]]'s Septet.<ref name="LarkinGE"/> He then led a small combo in the early 1950s which included pianist [[Sonny Clark]] and guitarist [[Tal Farlow]]. In this period, DeFranco recorded for [[MGM Records|MGM]], Norgran and [[Verve Records|Verve]]; the latter two labels were owned by [[Norman Granz]].<!-- The Gene Norman Presents (GNP) albums listed in discographies were issued much later it appears. -->
In 1950, DeFranco spent a year with [[Count Basie]]'s septet.<ref name="LarkinGE"/> He then led a small combo in the early 1950s which included pianist [[Sonny Clark]] and guitarist [[Tal Farlow]]. In this period, DeFranco recorded for [[MGM Records|MGM]], Norgran and [[Verve Records|Verve]]; the latter two labels were owned by [[Norman Granz]].<!-- The Gene Norman Presents (GNP) albums listed in discographies were issued much later it appears. -->


During the years 1960-64, DeFranco released four innovative quartet albums, as co-leader with the accordionist Tommy Gumina.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jazzwax.com/2011/05/buddy-defranco-and-tommy-gumina.html |first=Marc |last=Myers |author-link=Marc Myers |title=Buddy DeFranco and Tommy Gumina |website=Jazzwax.com |date=24 May 2011}}</ref>
During the years 1960-64, DeFranco released four innovative quartet albums, as co-leader with the accordionist Tommy Gumina.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jazzwax.com/2011/05/buddy-defranco-and-tommy-gumina.html |first=Marc |last=Myers |author-link=Marc Myers |title=Buddy DeFranco and Tommy Gumina |website=Jazzwax.com |date=24 May 2011}}</ref>


He was [[bandleader]] of the [[Glenn Miller Orchestra]] from 1966 to 1974,<ref name="LarkinGE"/> under the name, "The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, Directed By Buddy DeFranco". He also performed with [[Gene Krupa]], [[Art Blakey]], [[Tommy Dorsey]], [[Count Basie]], [[Charlie Barnet]], [[Art Tatum]], [[Oscar Peterson]], [[Lennie Tristano]], [[Dodo Marmarosa]], [[Terry Gibbs]], [[Charlie Parker]], [[Dizzy Gillespie]], [[Miles Davis]], [[Eddie Daniels]], [[Putte Wickman]], [[Billie Holiday]] and many others, and released dozens of albums as a leader.
He was [[bandleader]] of the [[Glenn Miller Orchestra]] from 1966 to 1974,<ref name="LarkinGE"/> under the name, "The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, Directed By Buddy DeFranco". He also performed with [[Gene Krupa]], [[Art Blakey]], [[Tommy Dorsey]], [[Count Basie]], [[Charlie Barnet]], [[Art Tatum]], [[Oscar Peterson]], [[Lennie Tristano]], [[Dodo Marmarosa]], [[Terry Gibbs]], [[Charlie Parker]], [[Dizzy Gillespie]], [[Miles Davis]], [[Eddie Daniels]], [[Andy Firth-musician]], [[Don Burrows]], [[Putte Wickman]], [[Billie Holiday]] and many others, and released dozens of albums as a leader.


DeFranco died in [[Panama City, Florida]], at the age of 91.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/27/arts/music/buddy-defranco-versatile-jazz-clarinetist-dies-at-91.html?_r=0 |title=Buddy DeFranco, 91, Versatile Jazz Clarinetist, Dies |first=Charles |last=Strum |author-link=Charles Strum |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=B7 |date=26 December 2014}}</ref>
DeFranco died in [[Panama City, Florida]], at the age of 91.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/27/arts/music/buddy-defranco-versatile-jazz-clarinetist-dies-at-91.html?_r=0 |title=Buddy DeFranco, 91, Versatile Jazz Clarinetist, Dies |first=Charles |last=Strum |author-link=Charles Strum |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |page=B7 |date=26 December 2014}}</ref>
Line 36: Line 37:


==Discography==
==Discography==

===The Glenn Miller Orchestra Under the Direction of Buddy DeFranco===
*''Glenn Miller in Tokyo'' ([[Sony Music|CBS Records]], 1966)
*''Something New (The Tijuana Brass Hits)'' ([[Epic Records]], 1966)
*''In the Mod'' ([[RCA Victor]], 1967)
*''The Glenn Miller Orchestra Returns To Glen Island Casino'' (RCA Victor, 1968)
*''Makes the Goin' Great'' ([[RCA]], 1968)
*''Do You Wanna Dance'' ([[Command Records]], [[ABC Records]], 1969)
*''Recorded Live, Royal Festival Hall, London, England'' ([[ABC Records|Paramount Records]], 1971)
*''The Best Of The Glenn Miller Orchestra Newly Recorded In Stereo'' ([[Columbia House]], 1972)
*''Skitch & Company'' (Army Reserve, 1973)
*''The Ultimate 'In Stereo' Collection'' (Swing Rewind Records, 2016)

===As leader===
===As leader===
⚫
* ''Cool & Quiet'' with [[Lennie Tristano]] (Capitol, 1953)
* ''The Progressive Mr. DeFranco'' (Norgran, 1954)
* ''The Progressive Mr. DeFranco'' (Norgran, 1954)
* ''Pretty Moods'' (Norgran, 1954)
* ''Pretty Moods'' (Norgran, 1954)
Line 73: Line 88:
* ''Like Someone in Love'' (Progressive, 1980)
* ''Like Someone in Love'' (Progressive, 1980)
* ''Jazz Party: First Time Together'' with Terry Gibbs (Palo Alto, 1981)
* ''Jazz Party: First Time Together'' with Terry Gibbs (Palo Alto, 1981)
⚫
* ''Cool & Quiet'' with [[Lennie Tristano]] (Capitol, 1982)
* ''Eastern Exposure'' (Silver Crest, 1982)
* ''Eastern Exposure'' (Silver Crest, 1982)
* ''Buddy DeFranco Presents John Denman'' (Lud, 1983)
* ''Buddy DeFranco Presents John Denman'' (Lud, 1983)
Line 132: Line 146:
==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
*{{Allmusic |class=artist |id=buddy-defranco-mn0000638918}}
*{{AllMusic |class=artist |id=buddy-defranco-mn0000638918}}
*{{Discogs artist}}
*{{Discogs artist}}
*{{IMDb name|0208448}}
*{{IMDb name|0208448}}
*{{Find a Grave|140484379}}
*[https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/buddy-defranco Buddy DeFranco Interview] NAMM Oral History Library (2004)
*[https://www.namm.org/library/oral-history/buddy-defranco Buddy DeFranco Interview] NAMM Oral History Library (2004)


Line 148: Line 161:
[[Category:Bebop clarinetists]]
[[Category:Bebop clarinetists]]
[[Category:Musicians from Camden, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Musicians from Camden, New Jersey]]
[[Category:Musicians from Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Jazz musicians from Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Post-bop clarinetists]]
[[Category:Post-bop clarinetists]]
[[Category:Jazz musicians from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Statesmen of Jazz members]]
[[Category:Statesmen of Jazz members]]
[[Category:Hep Records artists]]
[[Category:Hep Records artists]]

Latest revision as of 14:47, 20 August 2024

Buddy DeFranco
DeFranco in New York, 1947
DeFranco in New York, 1947
Background information
Birth nameBoniface Ferdinand Leonard DeFranco
Born(1923-02-17)February 17, 1923
Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedDecember 24, 2014(2014-12-24) (aged 91)
Panama City, Florida, U.S.
Genres
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)
Years active1940s–2014
LabelsNorgran, Verve, Mercury, Concord Jazz, Arbors, Pablo
Formerly ofGlenn Miller Orchestra
Websitewww.buddydefranco.com

Boniface Ferdinand Leonard "Buddy" DeFranco (February 17, 1923 – December 24, 2014)[1] was an Italian-American jazz clarinetist. In addition to his work as a bandleader, DeFranco led the Glenn Miller Orchestra for almost a decade in the 1960s and 1970s.

Biography

[edit]

Born in Camden, New Jersey, United States,[2] DeFranco was raised in South Philadelphia. He was playing the clarinet by the time he was nine years old and within five years had won a national Tommy Dorsey[3] swing contest.[1]

He began his professional career just as swing music and big bands—many of which were led by clarinetists like Artie Shaw, and Benny Goodman—were in decline. While most jazz clarinet players did not adapt to this change, DeFranco successfully continued to play clarinet exclusively, and was one of the few bebop clarinetists.[4]

In 1950, DeFranco spent a year with Count Basie's septet.[2] He then led a small combo in the early 1950s which included pianist Sonny Clark and guitarist Tal Farlow. In this period, DeFranco recorded for MGM, Norgran and Verve; the latter two labels were owned by Norman Granz.

During the years 1960-64, DeFranco released four innovative quartet albums, as co-leader with the accordionist Tommy Gumina.[5]

He was bandleader of the Glenn Miller Orchestra from 1966 to 1974,[2] under the name, "The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, Directed By Buddy DeFranco". He also performed with Gene Krupa, Art Blakey, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Charlie Barnet, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Lennie Tristano, Dodo Marmarosa, Terry Gibbs, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Eddie Daniels, Andy Firth-musician, Don Burrows, Putte Wickman, Billie Holiday and many others, and released dozens of albums as a leader.

DeFranco died in Panama City, Florida, at the age of 91.[6]

Awards and honors

[edit]

DeFranco won twenty awards from DownBeat magazine, nine awards from Metronome, and sixteen Playboy All-Stars awards.[3]

Discography

[edit]

The Glenn Miller Orchestra Under the Direction of Buddy DeFranco

[edit]
  • Glenn Miller in Tokyo (CBS Records, 1966)
  • Something New (The Tijuana Brass Hits) (Epic Records, 1966)
  • In the Mod (RCA Victor, 1967)
  • The Glenn Miller Orchestra Returns To Glen Island Casino (RCA Victor, 1968)
  • Makes the Goin' Great (RCA, 1968)
  • Do You Wanna Dance (Command Records, ABC Records, 1969)
  • Recorded Live, Royal Festival Hall, London, England (Paramount Records, 1971)
  • The Best Of The Glenn Miller Orchestra Newly Recorded In Stereo (Columbia House, 1972)
  • Skitch & Company (Army Reserve, 1973)
  • The Ultimate 'In Stereo' Collection (Swing Rewind Records, 2016)

As leader

[edit]
  • Cool & Quiet with Lennie Tristano (Capitol, 1953)
  • The Progressive Mr. DeFranco (Norgran, 1954)
  • Pretty Moods (Norgran, 1954)
  • The Artistry of Buddy DeFranco (Norgran, 1954)
  • Buddy DeFranco and Oscar Peterson Play George Gershwin (Norgran, 1954)
  • The Buddy DeFranco Wailers (Norgran, 1956)
  • Sweet and Lovely (Verve, 1956)
  • In a Mellow Mood (Norgran, 1956)
  • Mr. Clarinet (Norgran, 1956)
  • Jazz Tones (Norgran, 1956)
  • Buddy DeFranco Plays Benny Goodman (Verve, 1957)
  • The Art Tatum Buddy DeFranco Quartet (Verve, 1958)
  • Cross Country Suite (Dot, 1958)
  • Generalissimo (Verve, 1958)
  • Buddy DeFranco and the Oscar Peterson Quartet (Verve, 1958)
  • Live Date! (Verve, 1958)
  • Buddy DeFranco Plays Artie Shaw (Verve, 1958)
  • Cooking the Blues (Verve, 1958)
  • Bravura (Verve, 1959)
  • Pacific Standard Swingin'! Time with Tommy Gumina (Decca, 1960)
  • Presenting with Tommy Gumina (Mercury, 1961)
  • Kaleidoscope with Tommy Gumina (Mercury, 1962)
  • Pol.Y.Tones with Tommy Gumina (Mercury, 1963)
  • The Girl from Ipanema with Tommy Gumina (Mercury, 1964)
  • Blues Bag (Vee Jay, 1965)
  • Crosscurrents with Lennie Tristano (Capitol, 1972)
  • Free Sail (Choice, 1974)
  • Black Magic with Helen Forrest (Shamrock, 1975)
  • Love Affair with a Clarinet Vol. 2 (Famous Solos, 1976)
  • Sessions, Live (Callipe, 1976)
  • Borinquin (Sonet, 1976)
  • Waterbed (Choice, 1978)
  • Buddy DeFranco with Jim Gillis (Classic Jazz, 1978)
  • Closed Session (Verve, 1979)
  • Buddy DeFranco (Famous Solos, 1980)
  • Like Someone in Love (Progressive, 1980)
  • Jazz Party: First Time Together with Terry Gibbs (Palo Alto, 1981)
  • Eastern Exposure (Silver Crest, 1982)
  • Buddy DeFranco Presents John Denman (Lud, 1983)
  • Now's the Time with Terry Gibbs (Tall Tree, 1984)
  • Mr. Lucky (Pablo, 1984)
  • Hark with Oscar Peterson (Pablo, 1985)
  • Groovin (Hep, 1985)
  • Chicago Fire with Terry Gibbs (Contemporary, 1987)
  • Holiday for Swing with Terry Gibbs (Contemporary, 1988)
  • Garden of Dreams with Martin Taylor (ProJazz, 1988)
  • Memories of You: A Tribute to Benny Goodman with Terry Gibbs, Herb Ellis (Contemporary, 1991)
  • Kings of Swing with Terry Gibbs, Herb Ellis (Contemporary, 1992)
  • Five Notes of Blues (Musidisc, 1992)
  • Modern Clarinets: Museum of Modern Jazz (Verve, 1993)
  • The Buenos Aires Concerts (Hep, 1995)
  • Free Fall (Candid, 1996)
  • You Must Believe in Swing with Dave McKenna (Concord Jazz, 1997)
  • Do Nothing Till You Hear from Us! with Dave McKenna (Concord Jazz, 1999)
  • The Champs with Putte Wickman (Gazell, 1999)
  • Terry Gibbs and Buddy DeFranco Play Steve Allen (Contemporary, 1999)
  • Gone with the Wind (Storyville, 1999)
  • The Three Sopranos (hr-musik.de, 2001)
  • Cookin' the Books (Arbors Records, 2003)
  • Charlie Cat 2 (Arbors, 2007)
  • Cookin' with Eiji Kitamura, Kiyoshi Takeshita (Jazz Cook, 2008)
  • Down for Double with John Burnett Swing Orchestra (Delmark Records, 2010)

As sideman

[edit]

With Tommy Dorsey

  • Yes Indeed! (RCA Victor 1956)
  • Tribute to Dorsey, Vol. 2 (RCA Victor, 1957)
  • Tommy Dorsey's Greatest Band (20th Fox, 1959)

With Lionel Hampton

  • The Lionel Hampton Quintet (Clef, 1954)
  • Album #2 (Clef, 1955)
  • Lionel Hampton and His All Stars (Columbia, 1957)

With others

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Heckman, Don (26 December 2014). "Buddy DeFranco dies at 91; first clarinetist to master bebop". Los Angeles Times.
  2. ^ a b c Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 651/2. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  3. ^ a b "Buddy DeFranco To Play At LVC". Lebanon Daily News. Lebanon Daily News. July 14, 1977. p. 22. Retrieved April 25, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ Pankin, Ted (1999). "On Buddy DeFranco's 89th Birthday, a 1999 Downbeat article, plus Interview". Down Beat. ISSN 0012-5768.
  5. ^ Myers, Marc (24 May 2011). "Buddy DeFranco and Tommy Gumina". Jazzwax.com.
  6. ^ Strum, Charles (26 December 2014). "Buddy DeFranco, 91, Versatile Jazz Clarinetist, Dies". The New York Times. p. B7.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Buddy DeFranco.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Buddy_DeFranco&oldid=1241319212"