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5 unusual facts about Buddy DeFranco


Io sono Tony Scott

In the film, a great number of American and Italian musicians are interviewed, such as the legend of clarinet Buddy DeFranco, pianist Mario Rusca and drummer Tony Arco and, also, a few non-musician friends of Scott’s.

Jimmy Giuffre

Buddy DeFranco - Odalisque (Verve, 1953), reissued as The Progressive Mr. DeFranco (Norgran)

John LaPorta

LaPorta began studying clarinet at the age of nine and studied methods at the Mastbaum School in Philadelphia, where one of his classmates was fellow clarinettist Buddy DeFranco.

Kenny Drew

Drew's first recording, in 1950, was with Howard McGhee, and over the next two years he worked in bands led by Buddy DeFranco, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, and Charlie Parker, among others.

Pete Jolly

He also worked with other notable jazz artists, including Buddy DeFranco, Art Pepper and Red Norvo, and for many years with EZ music arranger and director Ray Conniff.


Alex Hutchinson

His clarinet style has been greatly influenced by Benny Goodman, Buddy DeFranco, Artie Shaw and to a lesser degree Tony Scott.

Buddy Arnold

In 1951 he began playing regularly again, touring with Buddy DeFranco, then worked with Jerry Wald, Tex Beneke, Elliot Lawrence, Stan Kenton, and Neal Hefti.

Herb Geller

Geller performed regularly in Germany and abroad as a soloist at festivals and clubs in various formations including some big bands as well as with such diverse artists as Knut Kiesewetter, Lennie Niehaus, Jiggs Whigham, Rolf Kühn, Slide Hampton, Buddy DeFranco, Lew Soloff, Charlie Mariano and Jan Lundgren.

Joe Mondragon

Over the next two decades, he became one of the more popular studio bassists for jazz recording on the West Coast, appearing on albums by June Christy, Shorty Rogers, Shelly Manne, Buddy Rich, Buddy DeFranco, Marty Paich, Claude Williamson, Georgie Auld, Chet Baker, Bob Cooper, Harry Sweets Edison, Gerry Mulligan, Art Pepper, Bud Shank and Ella Fitzgerald.


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