Buddy Tate
Encyclopedia
George Holmes "Buddy" Tate (February 22, 1913, Sherman, Texas
– February 10, 2001, Chandler, Arizona
) was a jazz saxophonist and clarinetist. He has been counted as one of the great tenor saxophonists
of his generation and was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame.
He began on alto saxophone
, but quickly switched to tenor making a name for himself in bands like Andy Kirk
's. He joined Count Basie
's band in 1939 and stayed with him until 1948. He had been selected by Basie due to the sudden death of Herschel Evans, which Tate states he predicted in a dream. After his period with Basie ended he worked with several other bands before his own gained success starting in 1953 in Harlem
. His band would work at the "Celebrity Club" there until 1974. After that he co-led a band with Paul Quinichette
and worked with Benny Goodman
in the late 1970s.
In 1980 he was seriously injured by scalding water at a hotel shower, which kept him inactive for four months and later suffered from a serious illness. The 1990s saw him slow down, but he remained active playing with Lionel Hampton
among others.
In 1992 he also took part in the documentary, Texas Tenor: The Illinois Jacquet
Story. He lived in New York until 2001 when he moved to Arizona
to be cared for by his daughter. He died soon after, aged 87.
Sherman, Texas
Sherman is a city in and the county seat of Grayson County, Texas, United States. The city's estimated population as of 2009 was 38,407. It is also one of two principal cities in the Sherman-Denison Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
– February 10, 2001, Chandler, Arizona
Chandler, Arizona
-Demographics:As of the Census of 2010, there were 236,123 people, 86,924 households, and 60,212 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 73.3% White, 4.8% Black or African American, 1.5% Native American, 8.2% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 21.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 8.3%...
) was a jazz saxophonist and clarinetist. He has been counted as one of the great tenor saxophonists
Tenor saxophone
The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
of his generation and was inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame.
He began on alto saxophone
Alto saxophone
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
, but quickly switched to tenor making a name for himself in bands like Andy Kirk
Andy Kirk
Andrew Dewey Kirk was a jazz saxophonist and tubist best known as a bandleader of the "Twelve Clouds of Joy," popular during the swing era....
's. He joined Count Basie
Count Basie
William "Count" Basie was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. Basie led his jazz orchestra almost continuously for nearly 50 years...
's band in 1939 and stayed with him until 1948. He had been selected by Basie due to the sudden death of Herschel Evans, which Tate states he predicted in a dream. After his period with Basie ended he worked with several other bands before his own gained success starting in 1953 in Harlem
Harlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
. His band would work at the "Celebrity Club" there until 1974. After that he co-led a band with Paul Quinichette
Paul Quinichette
Paul Quinichette was a jazz tenor saxophone musician. He was known as the Vice President or Vice Prez for his uncanny emulation of the breathy style of Lester Young, known as Prez. Young, who affectionately called everyone "Lady ****" , called him "Lady Q"...
and worked with Benny Goodman
Benny Goodman
Benjamin David “Benny” Goodman was an American jazz and swing musician, clarinetist and bandleader; widely known as the "King of Swing".In the mid-1930s, Benny Goodman led one of the most popular musical groups in America...
in the late 1970s.
In 1980 he was seriously injured by scalding water at a hotel shower, which kept him inactive for four months and later suffered from a serious illness. The 1990s saw him slow down, but he remained active playing with Lionel Hampton
Lionel Hampton
Lionel Leo Hampton was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, bandleader and actor. Like Red Norvo, he was one of the first jazz vibraphone players. Hampton ranks among the great names in jazz history, having worked with a who's who of jazz musicians, from Benny Goodman and Buddy...
among others.
In 1992 he also took part in the documentary, Texas Tenor: The Illinois Jacquet
Illinois Jacquet
Jean-Baptiste Illinois Jacquet was an American jazz tenor saxophonist, best remembered for his solo on "Flying Home", critically recognized as the first R&B saxophone solo....
Story. He lived in New York until 2001 when he moved to Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
to be cared for by his daughter. He died soon after, aged 87.
Discography
- Jumpin' on the West Coast (Blue Lion), 1947
- And his Celebrity Club Orchestra (Black and Blue), 1954
- Swingin' like...Tate (Felsted), 1958
- The Madison Beat (Harmony), 1959
- Tate's date (Swingville), 1960
- Groovin' with Buddy Tate (Swingville), 1961
- And his Celebrity Club Orchestra vol. 2 (Black and Blue), 1968
- Unbroken (MPS), 1970
- Broadway (Black and Blue), 1972
- And his Buddies (Chiaroscuro), 1973
- The Texas Twister (Master Jazz Recordings), 1975
- Jive at Five (Storyville), 1975
- Our Bag (Riff), 1975
- Kansas City Joys (Sonet), 1976
- Meets Dollar Brand (Chiaroscuro), 1977
- Live at Sandy's (Muse), 1978
- Hard Blowin (Muse), 1978
- The Great Buddy Tate (Concord), 1981
- The Ballad Artistry (Sackville), 1981
- Just Jazz (Reservoir), 1984
- Just Friends (Muse), 1990