Buddy Rich: Time Check

Buddy performs the song "Time Check" with his band at the Montreal Jazz Festival.
One of many great performances excerpted from the "Buddy Rich Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival" DVD.
More information at HudsonMusic.com

[@AfterlifeBlack]

I had to play this song for my final last year in my High School jazz class. I thought I did pretty well..... until I saw this..........

[@nonohacks]

What instrument did you play ? Coming 9 years later, hope you will see this !

[@winstonbeech3418]

I was a mediocre 3rd trombone in one of the best high school jazz bands in the state. We never played this... some of the hardest stuff we did was Hank Levy odd-time stuff. We did have at the time the best drummer in the state who went on to a long pro career. I wonder how he would have done on this beast.

[@garykasza6482]

Good try. U have had a hell of a high school jazz band to even try it!!

[@ericanderson2987]

Not to worry. There are many who underestimated just how GOOD Rich was as he kept Time with Band.

[@brianmcguire5175]

I bet you did do well. You'd be surprised how good you probably were, just noone gave you credit at the time but the proof was in your role in playing this piece for that event. Band leaders won't let you if you couldnt

[@yvesdrummer]

Buddy Rich is the reason I was opened up to Jazz and so much other stuff in my "Thrash Metal only" days of youth. So intense and intricate.

[@gsxerwhite]

Yep, my Dad always told me to check Buddy out when I first started playing drums at like 13. I was like yea right sure thing I’ll get right on that. Of course when I finally saw a video of him a couple years later my mind was blown.

[@63Baggies]

Buddy Rich was the 'gateway drug' to Jazz for a great many jazz lovers. He was so dynamic and tasteful check him out of the excellent 'Bird with Strings'.

[@ericwaters8141]

@@63Baggies totally agree, i found bird through buddy, then Trane and now im in over my head!

[@joecarleo6899]

Buddy Rich was always at his best even at the end. Dying at 69, he played faster and better than almost other drummers even with a broken foot or hand. I looked up to him, saw him play in the 70's at my old HS. He was an explosive force at all times.

[@britishbavarian4592]

The lick at 0:51 is absolutely incredible. I heard the Army Blues play it and it has to be my favorite trumpet lick ever

[@bjwdrums1]

this is perfection and shows why buddy had/has no equal as a drummer....there is no long solo, nothing fancy, just a drummer driving a big band as no one else can or ever will

[@MegaBanne]

He doesn't drive the band, he's just a metronome in the background, which now and then makes fills that doesn't complement the band, just kills it.

[@bjwdrums1]

***** One could read every word ever written in every known language since the beginning of time and not find a dumber, less informed comment than yours. Please, for the sake of the planet, don't reproduce.

[@MegaBanne]

***** Stop licking buddy rich's dead ass and face reality. The man couldn't even groove, which is the main reason why it is only worth listening to his bebop performances.

[@MarkR1957]

***** And which, specifically, "bebop" performances are you referring to?

[@MegaBanne]

MarkR1957 Any bebop performance. When you can't grove it becomes more apparent when you lower the tempo because you have to grove much more in lower tempos. The groove is pretty much when you either play a bit before the actual beat (a typical swing grove) or slightly after the beat (a typical blues grove). This slight difference between when the beat is and when you actualy play becomes larger when you slow down the tempo. Because buddy rich can't grove for shit, it becomce embarrassingly apparent when he tries to play slow swing. But it is allso aparent that he is either aware of it or just a bad big band drummer, because instead of ever holding a steady grove longer than a second, he makes lots of pointless destructive fills, that only helps to ruine for his band. He plays as if he where in the spotlight and no big band drummer should ever do so. The big band drummer is the floor of the band and should exist mainly to complement the rest of the band.

[@bebop698]

Wonderful stuff from the master! And let's remind ourselves what a superb saxophonist Steve Marcus was - every solo he plays has something special in it.

[@carolegs52]

I had the privilege of seeing Buddy and his band in a little theater in New Orleans--so close to the stage that I nearly tripped over it...what an honor to see this particular genius in action.

[@terrydonegan1622]

That must have been amazing!!

[@gaspo2180]

Buddy was feeling good here. He was a happy camper during this show. His fills are crisp and tight.

[@tunefultonyjohnson4100]

Taped in 1982, at the Montreal Jazz Festival, in Canada....

[@saxenas]

i've never see a Buddy performance where he wasn't on and feeling good.

[@63Baggies]

When were they ever not just that?

[@shmowzow458]

There will never be another band like THIS

[@davidsaelens9168]

Boy, didn't you hit the nail square on the head with that remark. NO BAND can equal these musicians.

[@pipetman4645]

How come I never got to listen to this? God it’s breathtaking.

[@sulladrum]

Buddy's sense of swing is unmatched. another thing I just realized are those momentary pauses right before he crashes in. It brings it to a whole now level

[@winstonbeech3418]

From a friend who once played in Buddy's band: hard and fast rule: don't play in the cracks!

[@זהר_עדן]

​@@winstonbeech3418what does it mean.

[@winstonbeech3418]

@@זהר_עדן Buddy's drum breaks... if he leaves a moment of silence in his solo it's NOT so a junior trombone player can blast a note in there!

[@jasongarey8329]

He definitely knew how to build anticipation and energy. Nobody drove the band like Buddy.

[@StovoKhor]

there are no words left to describe his playing.

[@AirSoft4TheWin]

This is a great song, and my highschool jazz band played this. As a freshman bass trombonist, the part was the hardest thing I had ever played. And let me tell you, the last phrase really takes the wind out of you. I love this chart

[@rickguy3838]

Buddy is the greatest drummer period, there will never be another like him.

[@christopherfischer6998]

Perhaps the tightest musical group I've ever heard. Every single note and beat is so incredibly precise and calculated

[@brfan6750]

All this energy after playing a full set and a big solo......and of course he played like this every night...Buddy was simply the best, he gave all he had every time.

[@melaniabyrd655]

This song is so soothing and laid back.

[@jonas.rosenthal]

The man was struck by a lightening bolt and never looked back...he is the great drummer of all time.

[@ericanderson2987]

I DEFINITELY like Buddy showing just brief bits of his Brilliance, instead of a lengthy Solo.

[@HellsKitchenFunk]

A lot of these guys played in my band in NYC. Miss Andy. Buddy is a mesmerizing drummer.

[@bobrichardson5905]

Holy crap..This band RULES

[@jazongmpn]

Buddy Rich's dynamics; snares, cymbals and especially the kicks, they drive the song so well.

[@realcucus]

this is definitely my tempo....

[@MarkR1957]

That's right, kiddies - Buddy was hard on his guys and he kept them in line, and kicked their asses for them when they played below their abilities. Here is the result of Buddy's leadership. Absolutely Fantastic ~

[@abecananimate2097]

Legendary video

[@fishybishbash]

@MarkR1957 Yeh you hit the nail on the head - the excitement of Buddy Rich was as much about the way he ran the band as his drumming (which was incredible) - sassy, gum-chewing kick-ass American jazz with attitude

[@kahjazz]

Few drummers in the world knew how to 'drive' a high quality Big Band, and Buddy was the absolute best. I'm maybe 4th.......:}

[@lilgeneral726]

THE Master....flawless flow. Imagine being in his band and being able to keep up w/ Buddy? Whooee

[@TomM-b6s]

Saw Buddy many times, favorite spot Lake Compounce CT. Me and my best bud also a drummer would go whenever he came to CT. We set up our kits in his basement and laughingly tried to "duplicate". Great times 1970-1971 return from active duty days.

[@johnnoone2214]

It's too much ,I cannot cope with it but I cannot live without it! It ex phantasmagorical.and I've just calmed down from a regional brass band contest. Thank you google .janni!

[@unwindzen]

Buddy keeps the flow by not hesitating on the kicks- he plays through them without hesitating or chopping them up- keeping a ride cybal and left hand rythm, and hitting the crashes. There is no fear-like gee I better not miss a kick. 2:26

[@bebop698]

It doesn't get any better than this! A joy!!

[@michaelalanrigmaiden2244]

We all have to realize that Buddy Rich WAS a genius...the same as Mozart or Leonardo DaVinci. Ive see him live 5 times. He was all that, and a bag of chips!!

[@reggiewyche989]

This is how a band swing and grooves simultaneously!!

[@uconnhuskies2]

This is a classic!

[@DoblyTufnell]

Just breathtaking.. What an amazing drummer. He was one of kind

[@wardop]

This is Hot! What great sound! Thanks for posting this clip!

[@rocketman2908]

Buddy was and will always be the "MAN"

[@tunefultonyjohnson4100]

I still can't figure how Buddy coordinates that momentary stop at 0:50... it's almost like trying to stop a Boeing 747 in full engine flight :)

[@pinball1970]

+tunefultony johnson ha ha great comment. I had this track on an album and used to play it all the time and could not get it. My drum teacher said if you can sing it you can play it. I think this is one of those where you have to have it in your head. Buddy was very good at that. He was very good at a lot of stuff and invented the rest!

[@shmowzow458]

That's funny lol. He did that for every recording of time check. I very much enjoy what he does there, because it leaves the audience wondering for that split second, why did he stop? Then Bam!! they come back at full speed on count 2.

[@jazzpianoman01]

God given sense of rhythm/co ordination and super fast thinking yes it's phenomenal

[@jazzpianoman01]

I like the comment you made about singing it then playing it as my drum teacher said the same to me and Weckl said it on one of his videos!

[@johnsmall5901]

Buddy provides a *very* brief setup so the band can confidently enter after the drum fill. I've heard several takes of this song and at this 8 bar section-assuming it's written in 4/4 time and played in cut time, because I've never seen the score-just prior to the sax solo, Buddy seems to fill the first 4 bars differently (and awesomely!) on each take. But the endings of his fills at this spot are usually the same: in the 4th bar he hits quarter notes on beats 2-3-4, then nothing on beat 1 of the 5th measure, then crash cymbal coordinated with band entrance on the beat 2 of the 5th measure, and the band motors on from there, with the sax solo emerging through the trumpets descending gliss. The key point I'm observing is that, without actually counting time during Buddy's fill, the band can make a perfect entrance by listening for those 3 quarter notes; they are a dead giveaway. As for how Buddy perfectly fills the beats each time remains a mystery to me. Further to the point (as if anybody is even reading this far): Watch Weckl on kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJrcpWlpi6icoac at the 0:46 mark; he does the same thing.

[@Verdugothewatcher]

Tight as steel. No one except perhaps Tommy Igoe can play Time Check like Buddy Rich.

[@elcucuy138]

Verdugothewatcher Dave Weckl's take on Time Check is pretty awesome too

[@maggot1111666]

quite possibly the best big band song of all time

[@ChemoTherapy87]

Just great. So many talented musicians.

[@rickguy3838]

Beautiful

[@edellis7691]

IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE A BETTER BAND

[@DYNODRUM]

Splendid .

[@timroffe9460]

The man.

[@Bob-nu3xe]

guys with the talent of Buddy come once in a life time enjoy!

[@russellcarter1872]

Simply the master! 100 percent every performance!

[@pac401]

Buddy's left hand work is incredible.

[@jonas.rosenthal]

This one of the fastest tempo settings for Time Check I've heard.. The studio version is much slower on the roar of 74 album. Ferocious playing at a ferocious tempo.

[@bigswingface5847]

Check out the Louie Bellson version on his "150 MPH" album.

[@dryjazz]

Lordy, all the high level military jazz/big bands take phenomenal tempos! so fast there's no nuance to the incredible phrases Don Menza wrote, but impressive nonetheless

[@rolandrd7001]

Buddy made it look easy he left hand was a beast and Steve Marcus was a killer on the sad

[@johnz4412]

Big band at its finest, with Buddy in the driver's seat!

[@jamesmorton7597]

Always breathtaking.

[@docolli]

tenor sax solo gave me goosebumps

[@ad8065]

Steve Marcus 🎷

[@mikhaeldh1828]

this is amazing

[@maggot1111666]

best big band performance EVER

[@yrureadingthis]

That stop at 0:50 was like losing signal right after sending a mass group text that you just had a baby boy and then signal coming back after 2 hours

[@ziruini5071]

drummi3 interesting metaphor lol

[@EvanGorczyk]

It’s a simile since he used the word like. I remember second grade language arts.

[@markdeanellen]

wonderous. just amazing.

[@redastrachan8978]

I wish all of his recordings were of this quality.

[@akira11920]

i love buddy rich play!! 僕は彼を目指して日々努力したいと思います！ バンド全体が一つとなってますね！

[@yiruma4196]

The only drummer who was ever equal to Buddy Rich was Buddy Rich. As another drummer, Buddy Rich will always be a legend and my idol. RIP Mr. Rich

[@HYU29C]

Wow! That's cookin'!

[@edellis515]

SONG RULES!!!!!!!!

[@mikelewis8716]

one of my favorite buddy bands (and i know, i was on one)

[@myoldpianocapcom3294]

i wish i knew how the hell he played like that. his drumming sounded so easy and free - like his muscles could play without tensing up at all, even to strike the drum head. like he would hit the drum-head once, and just use the energy from the rebound to power the stick for the rest of the night.

[@tcbpronto]

Thats about as tight as I have ever heard anything in any style. Wow.

[@CSifjrixhrj]

Love the bass trombone

[@shardug]

Thanks for posting every time I see one of Buddy's videos it makes me smile. I've been playing drums for many years and he just kicks but. Thanks again

[@vincentdublino7136]

Fuck. Holy Fuck. RIP Mr. Rich I recently watched the BR memorial concerts again, Gregg Bissonette did Time Check. Great drummer, and wonderful human being. I studied with Gregg back in the 80s before he was a megastar. But Buddy (i am sure Gregg would concur so I don't feel awkward saying this) - Buddy just defined big band. Not just chops. Whole package

[@Diatonic5th]

Incredibly difficult arrangement here... amazing!

[@rayzeene]

the man from planet jazz

[@RYROSmetaldefender]

one of my favorites from sr buddy rich . also naptown blues

[@perlarsson3965]

He has no equal!Everyone sucks compared to this man!!Rest in Peace, The greatest!!!

[@wellingtonfialho462]

The best of all times

[@Arthalionaraman]

Rich was and is the most able drummer ever.

[@themadmad]

Still THE man...............................

[@MrDogshit64]

Music FOREVER ROCK'N !!!!

[@LofiWurld]

Sax had some crisp chops, everything is on time, and it had better be when the band is named after the drummer!

[@Arthalionaraman]

He is THE drummer!

[@phibbykaden]

I'm not much of a Buddy Rich fan, but my mother always enjoyed listening to his music, and listening to this I can understand why.

[@johnlane2010]

Wow! Buddy was the best drummer. Second to none. That's saying something.

[@andrewyka]

Buddy and Krupa Best for ever!!

[@Joemantoo]

Unreal.

[@Jonathan-cx6jl]

incredibles type music

[@ziruini5071]

that tenor solo smokin

[@zachellis3901]

The one and only ...

[@DaveWhite51]

Gods gift to hichory. Extraordinary that he couldn't read music - or so I'm told...how does he remember it all and be so tight? Unbeleivable. Just got his book ironically today. 'Modern Interpretation of Snare Drum Rudiments'...I'm off to practice.

[@davidsaelens9168]

It will take me 100 lifetimes before I can even adequately play along to this recording. Right now I'm writing a drum chart for it. David L. Saelens (drummer, Rock Island, IL. ) Posted 24 March 2019).

[@Bob-nu3xe]

David I play along to time check daily its my favourite Buddy track (no long solos) so you can get the idea of how Buddy slices up the bars in such a clinical way but also learn the values of when not to play! enjoy

[@AetigmaFacade]

Jazz or not buddy rich is really on a different spectrum. Look at his middle and ring finger when he comps…. Like what? There truly is such crazy brain function going on. Wow

[@tracygallaway36]

I've said it elsewhere... Buddy was the Saturn Five of Drummers, always will be!!

[@27dedrummer]

THE BEST

[@merk2killya]

this song kicked my ass as a senior high drummer doin the Reno Jazz festival thingback in 78-83

[@daviddustin8804]

Yeah...saw that movie. Whiplash??

[@RockMacDonald23]

Holy shit

[@rufffamily9439]

Mike Smith from Chicago on lead alto i believe. He as teacher of mine. Wonderful guy.

[@edpolk1262]

Its Andy Fusco

[@chickenbeforeegg]

Cheers to the dude on sax!

[@edellis515]

THAT LEFT HAND. COME ON. GOD HIS DRUMS SOUND GREAT HERE

[@bbpapaUozumi]

かっけぇ〜！^^☆

[@golfnut033]

No visual of Buddy for close to half the song! He's killing it and the director chose not to show him.

[@edellis515]

JAZZ GOD. PERIOD

[@jimmy5391]

holy shit that first saxophone player

[@shmowzow458]

Steve Marcus. First tenor saxophone player for buddy for since 75 (I think) till the end of buddys life. Buddy and Steve were great friends. If you like Steve, buddy had lots of great first Tenor players, like Pat Labarbera and Don Menza. Don actually wrote time check

[@meandmyEV]

Shmowzow458 I like his solo on "ya gotta try" a little better but he is the best and he had some great hair.

[@bkrider19]

Don't forget Jay Corre. Probably the best soloist the BR band ever had other than BR himself, but he was in the band for only about 2 years.

[@hippoo25]

And Don Menza is the father of Nick Menza, who was the drummer of Megadeth.

[@shmowzow458]

Trek Ryder Jay Corre was great, especially in West Side Story, but you gotta love Don Menza, Pat labarbera, and Steve Marcus too