Channel 1 Suite - Buddy Rich

Arranged by Bill Reddie, Solos by Don Menza - ts, Bill Prince - tpt, Buddy Rich - d,
Buddy Rich - drums, Al Porcino, David Culp, Kenneth Faulk, Bill Prince - trumpet
Jim Trimble, Rick Stepton - trombone, Peter Graves - bass trombone
Charles Owens, Art Pepper - alto saxophone
Pat LaBarbera, Don Menza - tenor saxophone
John Laws - baritone saxophone
Walter Namuth - guitar
Gary Walters - double bass, electric bass
Joe Azarello - piano
Recorded July 7, 1968 at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada

[@jamesdrynan]

Thank goodness they made these recordings so we can continue to enjoy the artistry of these amazing men!

[@Raven-os4oj]

"As regards my feelings about drummers, there's Buddy Rich and then there's everybody else" - Mel Torme

[@jorgecallico9177]

Pretty much covers it. Of the show drummers, example: those who 90% of the time are playing to draw attention to themselves? Rich is by far the best. This is not a putdown. Because take the opposite extreme, great drummers who dislike drawing lots of attention to their playing. You get Ringo. Granted that he wasn't the technical master that Rich was but look at how many hits he produced with his three mates. Show drummers and Drummers devoted to the arrangement.

[@henrireichmann7595]

The michael jordan of drumming. Tho i think there are a few who match his skill and musicality.

[@darkknightenberg]

​@@henrireichmann7595cristiano ronaldo of drumming

[@Braindeadith]

Played this chat my senior year of high school. Three saxophone soloist and myself(lead/ trumpet soloist) took it upon ourselves to learn the solos note for note. We both b studied and helped each other master (him more than me) the solid we had. Life was great. We were band nerds in 2007, but we had enough kids our age that respected good jazz. We had a big following all year learning the chart as it got better and better. Even had the lead trombone player for the buddy rich band come run a clinic with our little jazz band. Most fun I've ever had playing my trumpet. I'll never forget it.

[@8l3gh]

i (a SEVENTH GRADER) asked my band director for a song to learn on set for practice before school starts, he wants me to play this.. WHATTT i’m like actually cooked

[@bfcraigable]

The Don Menza solo was a masterpiece.

[@edellis515]

Yessssssssssssssss

[@justinkraemer6865]

I love that the crowd started clapping about 1/3 of the way through the first part of Menza’s solo and he’s like “you ain’t seen nothing yet!”

[@HYU29C]

This is the finest big band playing you will ever hear, and that tenor solo - wonderful!

[@Gonthor1000]

Probably the greatest 12 minutes and 50 seconds in jazz

[@erikshure360]

Why can't this be mainstream once again?

[@Jarl_Thidrandi]

Because people are stupid, and modern society caters to how stupid they are.

[@ipedro808]

It can it's up to it's audience

[@christianforster337]

I ask myself this everyday.

[@bigswingface5847]

One word - - - MONEY.

[@edellis515]

DON MENZA SOLO IS INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!+.

[@roberthodges7613]

The "Menza Cadenza"!

[@joelglende5231]

One of, if not THE best versions out there in the Rich library! I grew up hearing so much good music and this album was at the top of the record collection my dad had! fantastic Brass sections and top drawer soloists with Don Menza way way out there giving us all a Master Class on melodic improvisation that seems to be lost today in chromatics!! BRAVO!

[@roberthodges7613]

I got to meet that band, Don Menza (I'm a sax player) and the man himself in the 70's.

[@Dwildone1]

Following Stan Kenton' s 'Processive Jazz/ Concert Jazz. Channel 1 Suite ranks in the top greatest masterpieces. Maynard is still blow'n' his horn up high!

[@jamesdrynan]

Fantastic chart! Although the entire arrangement is sublime, my favorite segment starts at 2:40 with that guitar chord. The sax solo following is perfection! Menza's semitone slide at 4:40 is one of the sexiest sounds on the planet!

[@saxunltd]

You notice how Buddy blends his cymbals with the trumpets behind Don's solo? Amazing! And so beautiful!

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Like sweet rain falling on a rock path.

[@patsalvador9406]

Don Menza is the greatest tenor sax player in our time!!!

[@jacobreeder9750]

Gotta love it when the tempo change is described as, "Slow stripper tempo"

[@brendangibbons9186]

YES! My favorite part about playing this tune

[@madigulick6059]

Rudolph Vargas Right? We're doing a condensed version of this as our opener for marching season this year, and its a shit ton of triplets for the front ensemble, and the slow stripper tempo is at the very end

[@TheDouglas]

Don't forget to credit Art Pepper on his short but sweet alto solo! Also, Art was lead alto and Don was lead tenor on this session.

[@majorsnodgrassthethird5699]

And Art wasn't well in those days. To reach the demands of Buddy shows how good he was.

[@bigGaza1]

R.I.P. Nick Menza. Talent like Father Like Son.

[@jorgecallico9177]

Maybe the best big band arrangement and performance ever. Certainly one of the best Jazz albums ever. Knocked my socks off in the band room where I first heard it. "Mercy Mercy" live at Caesar's is on the record too. An equally good chart.

[@gusypoo]

The drum solo is just out of this world!

[@Lalalilylashelle]

I remember playing this song my 8th grade year. My favorite piece 4 years later and I've played quite a bit of music over the last 4 years. This will always hold a place in my heart for some reason

[@rayszymarek2920]

After West Side Story showcasing Buddys dynamic drumming Buddy wanted another Cruise Missle that would not only Shake the Drumming World but would put into gear the most Amazing Show of a man behind a drum set. So here we go Buddy put on all the after burners got the Channel One Suite chart and made drummers heads turn around many times. Critics of percussion Jazz and Music in general who got to see Buddy live in person play this were astounded . Every time Buddy Rich got behind a set of drums he made the Universe complete by setting the highest standards in drumming. I can not be any more emphatic than that. case closed.

[@Bigkel2]

Ray, I totally agree. What made Buddy's band so astounding was the ability of his sidemen to keep up with him. This is evident in the work of Don Menza on this cut. Breathtaking and Buddy totally digs it as you can hear him say, "yeah!" during his solo.

[@sticktrik]

That seamless buzz roll near the end with accents going into single strokes was FK’N UNBELIEVABLE!!!!

[@EmpressTiffanyOfBrittany]

I remember hearing this on college radio. I was getting home from school after a long-ass cram session (and by "cram" I mean "cramming it into a girl", of course, and by that I mean I was TUTORING her duh) when I heard this come on the radio. At first I was like "Eh, standard jazz"... And then the rest of the song hit me like a freight train. I was blown away. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. When people talk about jazz, THIS is what they're talking about.

[@veg4ev]

Buddy Best Orchestra & Album; this being my favorite with Bill Reddie brilliant musical arrangement that made this a seismic 10 that quaked my Richter scale

[@jamesdrynan]

Don Menza plays one of the sexiest slow glissandos at 4:40 to 4:45. Then his circular breathing solo starting at 5:16! Flawless!! And Mr. Rich, as always, astounding. I had the great fortune to see Rich and his band at The Imperial Room located in the Royal York hotel. I was playing a gig in The Coal Bin and on our breaks, we would run out the back door, through the parking lot and into the hotel. The maitre d would let us stand off to the side the band while we soaked up the sounds. Good times.

[@sandc411]

i saw pearl bailey during an outside performance. it was cold. the band wasn't wearing coats. don put on a coat in between numbers. pearl called him out on stage i front of everyone. he took it off. we were laughing afterwards...

[@Vaisin]

Don Menza talented as hell, so was his son Nick

[@bigGaza1]

R.I.P. Nick Menza

[@thekidk13]

This song fills me with a type of joy I cannot even put into words. Eyes closed, smile, thrill, excitement, calm.

[@forceknt31]

Credit to Bill Prince for his flawless trumpet solo at 8:25. I know Bill personally and he is nothing short of a genius. He plays literally every instrument (woodwinds, brass, piano, etc.) as well as you heard that solo. One of the most talented musicians to ever live. He still plays, writes, arranges and records in his 80’s and sounds as good as ever.

[@saxunltd]

Absolutely! Master trumpet, clarinet, sax, trombone, keyboards artist! I have his one-man big band album (+ 1 drummer he hired) and I sent him a note expressing my awe. A week or so later a large package arrived at my house and it had several of Bill's albums and a special CD he made doing jazz clarinet duets with the great Richard Stolzman! (Yes!) He enclosed the nicest note saying he knew I'd appreciate the other albums, too! Wow! I was floored! What a fantastic guy!! 🤩

[@petezoria472]

Don Menza's solo at 2:50 is amazing to say the least. Wow! His circular breathing, at it's best starts at 5:14 is stunning to say the least!

[@bigGaza1]

R.I.P. Nick Menza

[@glennsquires6982]

Thankyou Johnny bizzell for bringing a smile to my face. Your music selections are the best ever!! Thankyou brother

[@sydneymorey6059]

Players like Buddy & his ilk,make living a joy !

[@dognutz5843]

Just amazing... unearthed this CD out of a box the other day. The solo by Menza is the closest ting I have ever heard to musical sex, and Buddy's solo is the cigarette afterward...

[@Bigkel2]

I LOVE your analogy! Yes, I've smoked, when I did, many a cigarette DURING the performance AND after. I bought this alblum when it came out back in 1968--dig the period alblum cover! I've been listening to C1Suite ever since then and NEVER get tired of this cut.

[@dylangatenby9928]

I adore that analogy. Menza and Rich are both musical geniuses.

[@russgrunert3955]

My high school jazz ensemble played this. LOVED the bass trombone solo at the end.

[@jamesdrynan]

What a night to record this gig! I like it when the guitar was used in the arrangement. The chord at 2:31 sets off a perfect solo by Menza where he used circular breathing that astounded the audience. They don't make 'em like this anymore!

[@roberthodges7613]

Saw them LIVE!

[@bigswingface5847]

Buddy's stamina was amazing. It's shocking how his ostinato bass drum is not only perfect throughout his solo, but it actually gets stronger towards the end. Just about the most masterful, powerful onslaught of drumming you will ever hear.

[@sticktrik]

Big Swing Face He was a tap dancer!! He could dance on his drum pedals all day if he had to!!!!

[@kenhabeeb]

@@sticktrik I did not know that. But then he was endurance phenomenon in general, weren't he? I saw the band in Disneyland in the early 70s and wondered how long his drum solos could go on. Unbelievable to maintain technique for that long for the whole show.

[@veg4ev]

Gene Krupa once quoted: "The Greatest Drummer that ever drew breathe"🎶

[@HYU29C]

Brilliant music, and tenor playing to die for. Never get tired of hearing it. And what a band!

[@veg4ev]

Brilliant musical arrangement by Bill Reddie with wonderful solos of Don on tenor and the wonder man on drums, Buddy. This being my personal seismic 10 on my Richter scale of the entire album

[@miniongeorge60]

4:12 I don’t see anyone else saying it, but I absolutely just love this part of the song

[@speedoflite1]

Action packed pedal to the metal, swinging for the fences fun

[@edellis515]

This is far beyond INSANE

[@veg4ev]

Brilliant music arrangement by Bill Reddie and of course the musicians who made the music and the drummer wonder of jazz Buddy Rich

[@127250]

Wish I could play drums like that at over 50 years old. Magnificent.

[@CreamyGoodness]

This was by far my favorite song we ever played in jazz band. Really fun times

[@veg4ev]

This is w/o doubt Bill Reddie Masterpiece that Buddy and MUSICIANS who made it possible!

[@johnnyreo9681]

No drummer could drive and swing a big band harder than Buddy Rich. Got my fist B.R album at 18,or19 as a Christmas present from an ex girlfriend. A now out of print best of compilation, , with this cut, West side story medley, etc. As a drummer raised on rock,soul and pop..with Blood sweat ,,&,Tears as my intro to some jazz,,,,This and Buddy's other work was a huge inspiration. So many drummers have tried to copy him, some very successful, ( no need to mention names),which is always so obvious and in my opinion a big mistake. There was only one Buddy Rich, period. Sadly ,most know him from various talk show appearances when he was already in his 60s. His younger years , ,especially for the time,were amazing.... His huge contribution to drumming , big band jazz, ( and smaller groups,, ,check out his earlier work,] will be highly regarded for generations to come.

[@deanbrandl1987]

I totally agree... I saw some him in the 70s... 18 times

[@rjb1122]

@@deanbrandl1987 They would often play at Disneyland in the 70's, as would many other great big bands

[@genuineuni]

Always thought this was one of Buddy's best solos!! I memorize it! :)

[@marcosromanelli3079]

[ BERNARD "BUDDY" RICH ] "ONE OF A KIND" 👍❤️

[@djangorheinhardt]

The only one of his kind.! Buddy you are remembered ,and missed.

[@michaelalanrigmaiden2244]

When i saw Buddy Rich live at Brandy's wharf in Philadelphia i couldn't believe how fast he played his ride cymbal.

[@Bigkel2]

I saw Buddy and his Band in Santa Rosa over the stretch over 5 years when he was on the road often and had a killer band. He left me in tears each time. I saw him at one of San Francisco's great jazz clubs and went upstairs and looked down on him playing. The sweat would hit his snare and look like quick silver splattered onto a side walk 2 stories up! Sizzled!

[@friskypaintershousepaintin7497]

Incredible performance. Buddy is in the zone so very very deep. I don’t know how a human being can play like that. Really like the graphics that you added to the performance the old drums are fantastic. Thank you for putting this together, Steve

[@bobgreen1236]

For my money, this was THE Buddy Rich Band......Don Menza!!!!!

[@roberthodges7613]

Saw this same band live!

[@mikeprevost8650]

Unfortunately, someone with Buddy's caustic personality couldn't keep guys like this together. They were too established to put up with his crap for very long. 😕

[@edellis515]

MENZA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Tedmund13]

the guitar work on this whole album is really underrated

[@bigswingface5847]

Agreed. Buddy having the guitar in the band on these Pacific Jazz records added a whole different dimension to the band.

[@jamesdrynan]

Not so much underrated, I think, it's simply difficult to choose from all the excellent playing on this track. I love his arpeggiated intro to the ballad at 2:43. Tasty tone!

[@dylangatenby9928]

Agreed as well! Buddy stopped having guitar players in later years. God knows his band sounded damn good with or without guitar work.

[@davidowen28]

Playing this in my school's Jazz Band. Damn, that riff in movement 1 is fun as hell.

[@joshiadeluca4795]

I play this song in high school jazz band and I get to play Don Menza's solo. What an awesome solo

[@baso987opps]

Glad you got this experience, one of my biggest regrets from high school is i couldn't convince my jazz band teacher to do this song

[@jamesdrynan]

Probably the most musical drummer to ever pick up the sticks! His technical proficiency was awesome. Don Menza performs a solo using circular breathing on the tenor sax that is to die for! I love the way he slowly slides into the note at 4:41. So tasty!

[@veg4ev]

Buddy and Big Band are my favorite album, along with 'Channel 1 Suite' arranged by Bill Reddie being my # 1 followed by 'Acid Truth'

[@deanbrandl1987]

Still one of my favorite solos by this guy

[@edellis515]

A true GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@YOU2UUB]

Big Daddy Buddy and his Greatest Band Ever! 6/25/16

[@mikeprevost8650]

That's the difference between having a pro in every chair, rather than a bunch of kids a year or two out of Berklee.

[@smctrout4423]

The jazz equivalent of Bartok's "Concerto for Orchestra," a piece for a band of virtuosi

[@sonicfrequency6729]

My schools jazz band might be doing this piece next year, I so hope we do. I would love to have the pleasure of playing bass for this

[@veg4ev]

Beautifully arranged by Mr. Bill Reddie and Orchestrated by The Greatest Jazz Drummer of All Time, past and present and perhaps the future along with his Greatest Band Ever with the Wonderful Musicians who made this hit so memorable along with the other hits this album covers!

[@tarkusi5111]

My favorite jazz recording. Just everything works with this piece. All the solos are amazing and Buddy is, well Buddy.

[@stevenblackburn3568]

Thanks for sharing this Johnny! My best friend's brother learned many "Buddy" charts by ear (dad's 8 track tape player was upstairs, listened to in the basement with headphones). This was when he was still in high school! After a tour with a pop band, sadly he stopped playing jazz altogether. He had an incredible memory for his charts (not unlike Buddy himself). Every musician I've ever talked to about drumming agree about the rare talent!!

[@kadyhazlett7553]

playing this in jazz band and the bari sax part is amazing. such a good song

[@robinpoo12]

We actually did this as our field show and took first in multiple comps the shows are on KZbin

[@dylangatenby9928]

Phenomenal chart and phenomenal solo by Don Menza. I think Steve Marcus played the sax solo in later years.

[@KonstantinosPalios]

So deeply in swing! Love it!

[@tonyrod3332]

6:15 - my favorite lick in the cadenza

[@YOU2UUB]

Thanx 2 Bill Reddie Arranger who made this a masterpiece with the Greatest Jazz Drummer ever produced along with Don Menza tenor sax as well as the other members of Buddy's Big Band making this my favorite of the album next in line "Acid Truth"

[@veg4ev]

Buddy was born with drum sticks in his hands at birth. Y because he is a natural and truly loves his passion🎶🎛no drums on the icons!

[@BlindPeatch]

Oh my gawd. Don Menza...

[@janlindgren4881]

Great music - great muscians. Don`t forget Art Pepper alto is also a member of the band!!!!!!

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

I never forgot.

[@YOU2UUB]

In my opinion the best ever jazz arrangement ever by Mr. Bill Reddie with Buddy's Best Band of All Time { that made it happen}

[@veg4ev]

Buddy's Best Musicians!

[@mikeprevost8650]

Al Porcino, Bill Prince, Rick Stepton, Don Menza, and Art Pepper.

[@kenhabeeb]

I've alway loved the flat-tire part of Buddy's solo at the end. I could add that the band was a tight one, eh?

[@sticktrik]

That Fucking seamless buzz roll with accents at the end of the tune is mesmerizingly unbelievable!!!!

[@Bigkel2]

The bas pedal is astounding!

[@lowellthomasjr.468]

This is one of the best of all time.

[@viktorreznov4125]

you know its good when you just cant help yourself from getting all giddy and yellin out "MMM THATS HOT!"

[@ericmiller3708]

Blue Devils '86, baby!

[@ruffdrafter]

Great song, got here from the Cinematic Orchestra which sampled around 2:43

[@robcannon6833]

That album has a few great use of Buddy samples!

[@mcknih1020]

Bombastic Buddy

[@veg4ev]

Big Daddy of all Jazz Drummers: Buddy RIch!

[@jorgecallico9177]

4:26 Big Al Porcino screams his lead trumpet up to Double C. All perfectly in tune and BIG as a house. That is hard to do my friends. Most of these great lead players had natural chops. The lips/teeth/jaw positioning naturally worked in a congruent fashion. Whereas the other 98% of us struggle. The answer I've finally found is in the Stevens-Costello method of embouchure. Although I had to tweak the mouthpiece I use to make it work.

[@jorgecallico9177]

@@hughpenner5051 Good point. The interesting thing abt Big Al Porcino is how utterly conventional he appears to have been. He both liked and endorsed the mouthpieces of Vincent Bach. And in this fact I see an interesting extrapolation. Vincent Bach designed his mouthpieces for those possessing strong natural chops. He followed conventional thinking (Bach did) because it seemed to work well for powerful players. Whereas guys like me who aren't quite so blessed with as much natural talent are prone to experiment and push the envelope of mouthpiece design. At least in my own life. I don't know anyone who would like my mouthpiece. It's very strange. Yet mine is the only piece I've ever tried that allows me to play Double C and even higher.

[@gregburris9972]

@@hughpenner5051 I guess when you come up under Harry James you grow used to playing with bitchin trumpet players!

[@georgehaas7292]

Actually high G

[@mikeprevost8650]

@@georgehaas7292 yeah, I don't think that Al had double C chops. He was just a consummate pro. There's more to being a great lead player than range. That section is as tight as the head of one of Buddy's snares. Probably the best section that Buddy ever had. Buddy went through lead players like most guys go through underwear, because he was an absolute jerk to his sidemen.

[@EmpressTiffanyOfBrittany]

Oh this is MWAH MWAH BEAUTIFUL ART MAGNIFIQUE FANTASTIC ZAGGAT FOUR STARS

[@skipmessier765]

One of his best big bands (Don Mensa is insane !) and imho THE classic selection from his career (WEST SIDE STORY was great but this is truly amazing). Buddy’s solo…..as the saying goes, “ fugetaboutit “. Phenomenal.

[@jaymizell9172]

Amazing.

[@tp_sop]

My favorite music

[@tp_sop]

Karen & Ted Mazierski I like 1986, but I also like the 2002 arrangement☺

[@paytonmccree3853]

Is..Is that a Cavaliers profile picture?

[@tp_sop]

Depressed Weeaboo Cavaliers…picture…⚙️

[@YOU2UUB]

Bill Reddie the musical arrangement for this "Masterpiece" was performed by Buddy & Big Band "The Best Band" Ever! 4/3/16/

[@williamwright3492]

I can't breathe.

[@YOU2UUB]

Gene Krupa the drummer who played with Benny Goodman said of Buddy Rich " The Greatest Drummer that ever drew breathe"

[@sirasian41]

Spell breath right next time

[@YOU2UUB]

Buddy the absolute greatest jazz drummer; a quote from Gene Krupa 'The Greatest Drummer that ever drew breath" Buddy's Best Band Ever! Ginger Baker the Greatest R&R Drummer of all Time

[@heatherferreira4225]

Buddy was the greatest but drum professor Dr. Keith Killgo kicks his ass on "Jazz Alphabet" by Donald Byrd and The Blackbyrds, a session the band did in 1974 for Sesame Street. Buddy'd be the first to get pissed and agree with that. KZbin search it and check it out. Keith is literally spanking and name checking Buddy all through it and tossing his sticks at him!

[@veg4ev]

Hats off to Bill Reddie composer along with Buddy the Greatest Jazz Drummer of all time; this being my favorite piece of this album thanks to the musicians who made it possible.

[@Dryfield3]

I spoke to Art in a club on Sunset, Dontais, we spoke about his working with Raberta Hunter. Loved his player.

[@veg4ev]

Buddy 'voted the best jazz drummer of all time' along with this masterpiece by Bill Reddie and Buddy's Musicians who made it possible!

[@Bigkel2]

Don Menza made this piece. I saw him at our local Junior College playing with the evening jazz band, who had a pretty hot drummer, and Menza kept egging him on. The guy couldn't give Menza what he wanted-full speed ahead, all out! I talked to him afterwards, got his autograph, he was disappointed with the guys drumming. But hey, after you've been in Buddy's band and recorded one of the seminal big band sounds EVER, who COULD match that!?

[@chrisbriones6922]

Amazing!

[@jobplace5842]

this is actually one of the most challenging pieces I've ever heard.

[@robinpoo12]

job place yea our highschool did this as a field show and man, did it kick my ass

[@GardenNomme]

Check out ice 9 by Steve weist

[@veg4ev]

Buddy and Orchestra Quaked a Seismic 10 on My Richter Scale🎵 🎷🎺🎻

[@veg4ev]

Quote by Gene Krupa about Buddy Rich "The greatest drummer that ever drew breathe"

[@Memeicall]

mmmm 0:11 MmmMMmMM 5:15 MMMMMMMMMM 11:10 I freaking love this song

[@aurthorshrid3611]

Magical

[@modelnumber000000001]

isn't it?

[@edellis515]

DON MENZA!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@YOU2UUB]

Bill Reddie was 'Ready' for this MASTERPIECE of musical arrangement performed by Buddy and his Best Band Ever..2-1-16

[@kamoyama4792]

art pepper!

[@dylangatenby9928]

Indeed!