Mel torme was a jazzoriented pop singer who worked at his craft steadily from the 40s to the 90s, primarily in nightclubs and concert halls. Minahan also avoids the gushing effusiveness toward his subject that marred mel tormes otherwise excellent rich biography. He has performed in mgm musicals, cowrote one of the enduring christmas classics, the christmas song chestnuts roasting on an open fire, and was recently profiled in life magazine as one of the greatest living jazz singers. As a drummer, singer, composer, arranger, lyricist, writer and actor, his career spanned nearly the entire 20th century. He performed with tommy dorsey, harry james and count basie, and led a big band. Galaxy news radio, and comin home baby gravy waltz. He wrote for magazines, penned books on garland and buddy rich, and went back to acting. One of a kind the making of the worlds greatest drummer by joe bergamini isbn. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Berglund presents the first comprehensive book on the life of buddy rich, still. From the age of only 18 months, buddy rich appeared with his parents on the stages of countless variety theatres throughout the us as traps, the drum wonder. In his 1988 autobiography, it wasnt all velvet its title a reference to his nickname, the velvet fog, bestowed upon him by a disc jockey in the 40s to. Mel torme and buddy rich had been friends for decades prior to finally getting around to recording together.
Sep 12, 2007 mel torme in the bbc recording studio of the paris cinema, piccadilly, london. Mel tormes most popular book is traps the drum wonder. In this book, torme writes a brilliant biography of his friend of forty yearsthe drummer buddy rich. In mel torme s biography of buddy, he notes that while buddy was tough on his band, there were a few instances when some members stood up to him. When it came to technique, speed, power, and the ability to put together incredible drum solos, buddy rich lived up to the billing of the worlds greatest drummer. His most famous hit was the christmas song that he did with bob wells. May 09, 2008 known for a voice as mellow as his moniker, the velvet fog, mel torme was an accomplished vocalist, pianist, drummer, songwriter, arranger and author. One of a kind the making of the worlds greatest drummer is a complete record of the life and career of buddy rich. This comprehensive discography is intended not only for the torme enthusiast, but the casual fan as. An inveterate pot smoker from age 16 the book leaves open to speculation. Bruce klauber drumming at world cafe live for big band tribute to buddy rich and gene krupa courtesy of bruce klauber bruce klauber is a hustler.
This was buddy s working band, and as such was very comfortable backing vocalists, including frank sinatra, tony bennet, ella fitzgerald, and mel. Traps the drum wonder the life of buddy rich by torme, mel isbn. Mel torme has 11 books on goodreads with 633 ratings. Now back in print, this bestseller by mel torme is a brilliant biography of his friend of forty years, buddy rich, who was one of the most famous drummers. In the good way, the way little league coaches value. The life of buddy rich by tormi, mel and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. A drummer by training and by dna, like his hero, buddy rich, klauber is uptempo, a highmotor guy in sportscaster parlance. Books go search buy again your store deals store gift. He also acted in films and wrote several books, including biographies of judy garland and buddy rich.
Although some other drummers were more innovative, in reality none were in his league even during the early days. Bernard buddy rich september 30, 1917 april 2, 1987 was an american jazz drummer and bandleader. Jan 04, 2018 melvin howard torme september, 1925 june 5, 1999, nicknamed the velvet fog, was an american musician, best known as a singer of jazz standards. This is a fascinating biography filled with invaluable insights from a fellow musician who knew buddy rich well. Buddy rich was an incredibly complex persona tortured genius who could exhibit the crudest vitriol and then turn around and be the most sensitive, loving person imaginable. Traps the drum wonder the life of buddy rich by mel torme isbn. Orchestra buddy rich big band producer, liner notes norman schwartz vocals mel torme. Mel torme american singer and songwriter britannica. Find buddy rich drums from a vast selection of books. Bruce klauber promotes buddy rich bio jewish exponent.
Mel torme recalls such an event from a trip on richs tour bus where a tired buddy lashed out at an australian player for keeping a beard torme 2. In his 1988 autobiography, it wasnt all velvet its title a reference to his nickname, the velvet fog, bestowed upon him by a disc jockey in the 40s to describe his husky, wideranging voice, he mentioned a wish that he had been born ten years. Of note is of course the magnificent backing of the buddy rich big band and mel s always impressive vocal prowess and arrangements. See all books authored by mel torme, including traps the drum wonder. Drawing from interviews and many personal reminiscences, torme packs this biography with vivid, often funny, anecdotes. Rich first played jazz with a major group in 1937 with joe marsala and guitarist jack lemaire. Traps, the drum wonder 1991, a biography of buddy rich. But then, as he reached adolescence, the novelty of his act diminished. Known for his abrasive personality and virtuosity, rich achieved fame drumming for. Drawing from magazines and many personal reminiscences, torme s personal touch and his indepth knowledge of jazz make for a moving, insightful, and often hilarious biography.
The book has been criticized for its focus on buddys torment, but minahan gives morethanadequate support for his thesis. One departing musician told rich, i came to this band to play music, not join the marines. His career started when he was two years old in his parents vaudeville act, and by the time he was four he was the. The life of buddy rich 9780195070385 by torme, mel and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Life of buddy rich by mel torme hardcover mint condition mint condition.
A twentieth century icon, buddys relationships with shaw, dorsey, count basie, johnny carson, frank sinatra, mel torme, gene krupa, norman granz, lana turner, and his family, including wife marie and daughter cathy are insightfully investigated. Buddy rich was one of the most famous drummers of the. This was tormes second recording with the band, his first was released in 1987. And his concord jazz recordings recorded during the last two decades of a phenomenal career captured a prolific artist who was, quite simply, perennially in his prime. Torme began singing professionally when he was just 4 years old. Produced by rushs neil peart, the album features performances by joe morello, steve gadd, max roach, billy cobham, dave weckl, simon phillips, steve smith, kenny. Longtime friend and confidant mel tormes buddy rich biography, traps, the drum wonder, is released. He is considered one of the most influential drummers of all time and was known for his virtuoso technique, power, and speed. Books by mel torme author of traps the drum wonder. In the 1940s, he formed his own group, the meltones, one of the first jazzinfluenced vocal groups.
Mel torme greatest hits full album best of jazz youtube. Tormes books include the other side of the rainbow 1970, a memoir of his time as musical adviser for judy garlands television show. Other books include, drum wonder 1991 that was a biography for buddy rich, traps, my singing teachers and it wasnt all velvet 1988. Now back in print, this bestseller by mel torme is a brilliant biography of his friend of forty years, buddy rich, who was one of the most famous drummers of the swing era, having starred in the artie shaw and tommy dorsey bands. Mel torme, american singer, songwriter, composer, arranger, pianist, drummer, actor, and author, one of the 20th centurys most versatile, respected, and influential jazz vocalists. Leaving a recording legacy of jazz and popular music, his death in june 1999 ended an entertainment career spanning over sixty years. Mel torme in the bbc recording studio of the paris cinema, piccadilly, london. He then played with bunny berigan 1938 and artie shaw 1939, and even instructed a 14yearold mel brooks in drumming for a short period when playing for shaw. Of note is of course the magnificent backing of the buddy rich big band and mels always impressive vocal prowess and arrangements. Steve march torme is also a musician and lives and works in appleton,wisconsin. Known for a voice as mellow as his moniker, the velvet fog, mel torme was an accomplished vocalist, pianist, drummer, songwriter, arranger and author. Drawing from magazines and many personal reminiscences, tormes personal touch and his indepth knowledge of jazz make for a moving, insightful, and often hilarious biography. Although largely a torme vocal record, the buddy rich orchestra, with guest altoist phil woods, is in top form, and the drummerleader has several solos. Dorsey, count basie, johnny carson, frank sinatra, mel torme, gene krupa.
Tormes other books included a western, dollarhide 1955, written under the assumed name wesley butler wyatt and later adapted by torme as an episode of the television series the virginian, a. Mel torme was obviously a big fan of the drumming genius, and takes you from his beginnings as a novelty and prodigy, in a vaudeville act with his parents, where he was known as trapsthe drum wonder, to his rise to international renown, and finally to his end. He starred on broadway when he was three years old and became the highest paid child performer of his time. The life of buddy rich by mel torme 1991, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. One of his most wellknown compositions, the christmas song, was written in midsummer as torme relaxed by the pool. Singer torme here celebrates his friend, the late rich, who was one of the most famous and explosive jazz drummers. This was buddys working band, and as such was very comfortable backing vocalists, including frank sinatra, tony bennet, ella fitzgerald, and mel. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new.
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