Jump to content

Buddy DeFranco RIP


scooby

Recommended Posts

My memory may have scrambled this up a bit (perhaps Chuck Nessa can straighten it out, if needed), but when DeFranco last performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival a few years ago he played a beautiful version of "Memories of You," which led Muhal Richard Abrams to say (either within my range or that of someone else who later mentioned it to me) that it was the best solo on that piece that he had ever heard.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sad news to wake up to seven time zones from home.

I had the pleasure of seeing Buddy several times over the years beginning in the late 1970s. He never failed to impress.

I also remember him playing "Memories of You" (which Larry mentioned) as well as some other lesser known tunes that he liked, such as "This is All I Ask" and "Moon Song."

I had the opportunity to interview him in the mid to late 1980s and asked him if there was some particular project that he wanted to pursue and he mentioned wanting to record some big band charts by Rob Pronk. Thankfully, that came to fruition with some memorable results.

Many years ago Buddy opened the Regattabar (which still operates) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He announced and started to play one of the etudes that he had recorded with Jim Gillis. About thirty seconds into the tune, a fire alarm went off and the room was cleared. When everyone returned, the group played something else. I never heard him play any of the etudes live thereafter.

A few favorites that come to mind after the obvious fine series of work that he did for Norman Granz on various labels including his recording with Art Tatum include: the duo album with Dave McKenna, the album of etudes with Jim Gillis, the two albums that were released on Pablo (a later Granz connection, although I think they were recorded privately), and one on Progressive.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I met Buddy and interviewed him for radio in the years when he directed the Glenn Miller Orchestra. (He always worked in a short real jazz quartet set with the rhythm section, just for self-satisfaction I suppose.)

I recall he seemed quite surprised, as though he'd never thought of it, when I pointed out he had led the GMO longer than Miller had!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Am a bit surprised about what that Dan Mrogenstern quote claimed in that interview?

Buddy De Franco the only clarinetist who "caught on to the new jazz language"??

Jimmy Giuffre?

Tony Scott?

Who else (even if not of the stature of Buddy De Fraco)?

And who knows where Stan Hasselgard would have gone if he had not died an untimely death?

Certainly Buddy De Franco would not have been considered a major swing clarinetist per se who made the "transition" to modern jazz? What he did before modern jazz came along only were his first flings with professional music and when he made a name for himself he WAS part of modern jazz? For all the merits he had, at any rate he really cannot be considered the "only" clarinetist in modern jazz?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Am a bit surprised about what that Dan Mrogenstern quote claimed in that interview?

Buddy De Franco the only clarinetist who "caught on to the new jazz language"??

Jimmy Giuffre?

Tony Scott?

Who else (even if not of the stature of Buddy De Fraco)?

And who knows where Stan Hasselgard would have gone if he had not died an untimely death?

Certainly Buddy De Franco would not have been considered a major swing clarinetist per se who made the "transition" to modern jazz? What he did before modern jazz came along only were his first flings with professional music and when he made a name for himself he WAS part of modern jazz? For all the merits he had, at any rate he really cannot be considered the "only" clarinetist in modern jazz?

By "new jazz language," Dan means Bop. Guiffre on clarinet eventually went straight on to his avant-garde thing but never had much of a clue about or interest in Bop. As for Scott, he sure tried hard, but I for one can't stand his playing, with rare exceptions. Good point about Hasselgard, but the evidence sadly is lacking. Aaron Sachs to some extent. Sam Most. Some Europeans, like Putte Wickman and Rolf Kuhn. But Buddy was a veritable colossus.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...