Bernard "Buddy" Rich (September 30, 1917 – April 2, 1987) was an American jazz drummer, songwriter, conductor, and bandleader. He is considered one of the most influential drummers of all time.
Rich was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, United States. He discovered his affinity for jazz music at a young age and began drumming at the age of two. He began playing jazz in 1937, working with acts such as Bunny Berigan, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, and Harry James. From 1942 to 1944, Rich served in the U.S. Marines. From 1945 to 1948, he led the Buddy Rich Orchestra. In 1966, he recorded a big-band style arrangement of songs from West Side Story. He found lasting success in 1966 with the formation of the Buddy Rich Big Band, also billed as the Buddy Rich Band and The Big Band Machine.
Rich was known for his virtuoso technique, power, and speed. He was an advocate of the traditional grip, though he occasionally used matched grip when playing the toms. Despite his commercial success and musical talent, Rich never learned how to read sheet music, preferring to listen to the drum parts played in rehearsal by whomever was his drum roadie at the time and relying on his uncanny photographic memory.
2018
as Self (archive footage)
2009
as Self (archive footage)
2009
as himself
2006
as Self
2004
as Self
2002
2002
as Drums / Bandleader
1996
1985
as Self
1982
as Self - Drummer
1976
as Self - Special Guest Star
1968
as Buddy Rich
1967
as Self
1959
as Self
1956
as Self (archive footage)
1953
as George
1950
as Self
1945
as Orchestra Member (uncredited)
1945
as Buddy Rich - Drums (archive footage) (uncredited)
1943
as Member Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra (uncredited)
1943
as Orchestra Leader
1942
as Drummer
1939
as Himself - Drummer (uncredited)
1939
as Drummer (uncredited)
1939
as Self
1930