Channel 1 Suite - Buddy Rich 

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

The Don Menza solo was a masterpiece.

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.

Why can't this be mainstream once again?

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

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!”

Probably the greatest 12 minutes and 50 seconds in jazz

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

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

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.

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

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!

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

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!

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!

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.

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...

This is far beyond INSANE

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.

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

The drum solo is just out of this world!

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!

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.

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

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!

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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.

the guitar work on this whole album is really underrated

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

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

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

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.

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

6:15 - my favorite lick in the cadenza

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

Still one of my favorite solos by this guy

Blue Devils '86, baby!

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

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

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

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

Oh my gawd. Don Menza...

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

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

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!

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

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!!

I can't breathe.

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

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!

Had I been at that performance, they would have had to have taken me out on a stretcher...I'm shaking as I type this.

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

Buddy's Best Musicians!

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"

Big Daddy of all Jazz Drummers: Buddy RIch!

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.

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}

Bombastic Buddy

This is one of the best of all time.

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.

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

So deeply in swing! Love it!

My favorite music

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

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

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

art pepper!

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

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

Amazing.

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.

Amazing!

Magical

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

GENIUS

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

pog

6:44 good

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