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Jazz drummer Bernard "Buddy" Rich
was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., June 30 (some sources say Sept.
30), 1917, and died in Los Angeles, Calif., on April 2, 1987.
His remarkable jazz style was characterized by phenomenal
speed and dexterity. Rich's ability to perform complex drum
patterns with precision and clarity earned him a reputation
as one of the outstanding drummers of the swing era. Familiar
with stage performance from his early years--he first appeared
in his parents' vaudeville act before the age of 2--Rich was
leading his own band by the age of 11. He played with numerous
groups from 1937 to 1939, when he joined Tommy Dorsey's band.
After serving in the U.S. Marines during World War II, he
rejoined Dorsey, then intermittently led his own band until
1951. He played predominantly with the Harry James group from
1953 to 1966, when he formed his own big band and achieved
international renown. In the 1970s, Rich operated his own
New York City nightclub, performed with small ensembles, and
made numerous television, concert, and jazz festival appearances.
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