Focused on Buddy Rich

Focused on Buddy Rich


The Loop Jazz Club Hostivař, Studio Gallery

Performers

The Loop Jazz Orchestra
Vít Pospíšil artistic leader, piano
Martin Plachý, Jiří Šindelář, Bharata Rajnošek, Martin Mynařík, Jakub Cirkl saxophones
Lukáš Koudelka, Roman Němec, Jan Hasenöhrl, Roman Kubát trumpets
Josef Pospíšil, Karel Kohout, Filip Jiskra, Aleš Vopelka trombones
Lukáš Chejn guitar
Tomáš Uhlík bassguitar
Martin Valihora drums

Programme

Readymix – Bill Holman
In a Mellow Tone – Duke Ellington (arr. Oliver Nelson)
Step Right Up – Oliver Nelson
Loose – Bill Holman
Keep the Customers Satisfied – Paul Simon & Art Garfunkel (arr. Bill Holman)
Dancing Men – John LaBarbera
Big Swing Face – Bill Potts
Norwegian Wood – John Lennon & Paul McCartney (arr. Bill Holman)
Groovin’ Hard – Don Menza
Love for Sale – Cole Potter (arr. Pete Myers)
Nutville – Horace Silver (arr. Greg Hopkins)
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy – Joe Zawinul (arr. Phil Wilson)
Time Check – Don Menza

To claim Buddy Rich was a phenomenal drummer is quite the understatement. In terms of overall technical mastery of his instrument, it is probably fair to say nobody came close to his level. No other musician in his day could work up the band the way he did.

Our first intensive encounter with his music came a few years back when The Loop Jazz Orchestra invited the star drummer Steve Smith along with five top shelf remaining members of Buddy Rich's big band to come and perform with us. It was a delight to work with the outstanding Bobby Shew, Andy Fusco, Charles Owens, Chuck Findley, and Pat LaBarbera. Recorded at the time by Česká televise as part of the CNSO Studio Live broadcast, we’re keen to return to this incredible project. On this occasion, we’re fortunate enough to welcome Berklee College of Music graduate and renowned Slovak drummer and percussionist Martin Valihora who has enviably achieved success on stages in both Europe as well as the USA as well as scored a working partnership with Japanese jazz pianist Hiromi Uehara.
Get ready to sample the very best of Buddy Rich’s legendary big band, hurtling us right back to the 1960s providing we keep our eyes closed.