Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Buddy Rich Trio: Buddy Rich Trios

Buddy Rich Trio: Buddy Rich Trios

By Bruce Klauber
September 12, 2023
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In 2023, some 36 years after his death, the name of

Buddy Rich

drums
1917 - 1987

" data-original-title="" title="">Buddy Rich is still synonymous with the word "drums" in many quarters, as is his reputation as a swinging, driving, fiery, and charismatic drummer/leader of a series of superb big bands, roughly in existence from 1966 until his passing in 1987. What is not generally known is that Rich was also a sensitive, passionate and inspiring small group drummer, who backed, through the years, everyone from

Lester Young

saxophone
1909 - 1959

" data-original-title="" title="">Lester Young and

Nat King Cole

piano and vocals
1919 - 1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Nat King Cole to

Bud Powell

piano
1924 - 1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Bud Powell and

Louis Armstrong

trumpet and vocals
1901 - 1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Louis Armstrong in small ensembles. Two landmark trio recordings, in fact, featured Rich with Lester Young and Nat Cole in 1945, and with

Art Tatum

piano
1909 - 1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Art Tatum and

Lionel Hampton

vibraphone
1908 - 2002

" data-original-title="" title="">Lionel Hampton in a 1955 session. The fact that a drummer could sensitively drive these legends—in dates with no bass, yet—with nothing more than a pair of brushes, was and is astounding.

This is why Buddy Rich Trios, a Lightyear Entertainment release culled from 1976 and 1977 sessions recorded by the then Rich bandsman Alan Gauvin, is such a pleasure to hear. It gives younger listeners, and/or those only familiar with Rich in a big band setting, another view of the man and his music, and how he was able to drive more contemporary players with, once again, only a pair of brushes.

Rich always believed that intensity does not necessarily mean volume. His playing throughout the album on nine standards stand as cases in point. And because Lightyear engineer Tom Swift's goal was to, as the notes say, "bring Buddy's amazing brush work to the fore," listeners are able to hear virtually every stroke and how the man worked his magic. Buddy Rich Trios swings, at various tempos, from start to finish. Those who knew Rich know that he would not have had it any other way.

These numbers were recorded during live big band dates when Rich gave the large ensemble a rest and brought the trio out front. One suspects that Rich also wanted to find a setting to feature his promising young pianist,

Barry Kiener

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Barry Kiener, who was quite obviously headed for big things in the jazz world, had he not died of a heroin overdose at the age of 30 while on the band bus in 1986. Rich was devastated for some time. He thought the world of Kiener and looked upon him like a son.

Kiener, who came out of the

Barry Harris

piano
1929 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Barry Harris/

Tommy Flanagan

piano
1930 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Tommy Flanagan school with modern overtones a la

McCoy Tyner

piano
1938 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">McCoy Tyner, was enormously talented. He swings beautifully on standards like "Just Friends," "Groovin' High," "I Hear a Rhapsody" and the rest. Kiener's solo version of "Here's That Rainy Day" is just beautiful, and particularly touching, knowing his sad end.

Bassist

John Burr

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">John Burr, playing an electric instrument that Rich's big band almost demanded since the early 1970s, is featured on all but two tracks. He negotiates the instrument with ease and technique to spare. Listening to Burr and Rich spar on series of four bar exchanges is a joy.

Tom Warrington

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Tom Warrington plays bass on "Stella by Starlight" and "There is No Greater Love." Warrington was about 24 years of age when these tracks were recorded. In terms of technique and a wealth of tasteful ideas, he was already playing like a veteran.

As for the master, his playing, though prominent in the mix, is a model of swing and taste. More than 30 years before these trio tracks were recorded, Buddy Rich was playing with, and swinging legends like,

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto
1920 - 1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker, Young, Armstrong, Hampton, Tatum.

Ella Fitzgerald

vocals
1917 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Ella Fitzgerald and the rest. On Buddy Rich Trios he's swinging and inspiring a group of promising youngsters. Rich wanted, as much as anything, to inspire talented young players, with his hope being that jazz would go on. It has. And thanks to Cathy Rich, Steve Michelson, Arnie Holland, and Alan Gauvin for getting this out there.

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Track Listing

Just Friends; There Will Never Be Another You; Like Someone in Love; Groovin' High; My Romance; Secret Love; I Hear a Rhapsody; Stella by Starlight; There is No Greater Love; Here's That Rainy Day.

Personnel

Buddy Rich

drums

Barry Kiener

piano

Tom Warrington

bass

John Burr

bass

Album information

Title: Buddy Rich Trios | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Lightyear Entertainment

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