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Artist
Buddy Collette
12+ albums
jazzsaxophoneflutecool jazzclarinet
about
William Marcel "Buddy" Collette (August 6, 1921 – September 19, 2010) was an American tenor saxophonist, flautist, and clarinetist. He was highly influential in the West coast jazz and West Coast blues mediums, also collaborating with saxophonist Dexter Gordon, drummer Chico Hamilton, and his lifelong friend, bassist Charles Mingus. Collette took up the alto saxophone at age 12 and led his first group, which included Britt Woodman on trombone and Charles Mingus on bass. At 17 he started playing professionally. After serving as a U.S. Navy band leader, he played with the Stars of Swing (featuring Woodman, Mingus and Lucky Thompson). Along with saxophonist Dexter Gordon, bassist Charles Mingus and drummer Chico Hamilton, he helped keep bebop alive in Los Angeles' historic Central Avenue neighborhood. In the early 1950s he worked as a studio musician and performed on Groucho Marx's television program, You Bet Your Life. In 1955, he became a founding member of Chico Hamilton's quintet. The unusually instrumented quintet also featured guitarist Jim Hall and cellist (and pianist) Fred Katz, and performed chamber jazz. A year later, Collette recorded Man of Many Parts, his first album as a bandleader. Unlike other influential West Coast players Collette stayed in Los Angeles, recorded with his quintet, and became a noteworthy educator. His students included such renowned musicians as Eric Dolphy, Charles Lloyd, Frank Morgan, Sonny Criss, and James Newton. In 1996, the Library of
top songs
albums
Jazz Heat Bongo Beat
Jazz Loves Paris
Quartet & Quintet Sessions: 1956 - 1957
The Soft Touch Of Buddy Collette
Johnny Otis Presents Tanganyika
Man of Many Parts
Nice Day With Buddy Collette
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Milano Blues
Calm, Cool & Collette: Buddy Collette and His Quartet's Complete Sessions
Chico Hamilton Quintet
Flute Talk
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A Nice Day