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Buddy DeFranco has the unprecedented distinction of winning twenty Downbeat Magazine Awards,
nine Metronome Magazine Awards, and sixteen Playboy All-Stars Awards as the number one jazz
clarinetist in the world. Buddy is generally credited with leading the way for jazz clarinetists from the
exciting era of swing to the exhilarating age of bop. Along the way he has set the example for all jazz
musicians for technical brilliance. Improvisational virtuosity and creative warmth. He is one of the
most imaginative clarinetists playing today. Born in Camden, New Jersey, Buddy was raised in
South Philadelphia and began playing the clarinet at age nine. By age fourteen he had won a
national Tommy Dorsey Swing contest, and appeared on the Saturday Night Swing Club, sharing
the spotlight with Gene Krupa. He was soon discovered by Johnny "Scat" Davis and began his road
career with him in 1939. He joined Gene Krupa in 1941, Ted FioRito and Charlie Barnet 1942-43,
Tommy Dorsey 1944-45, Boyd Raeburn 1946, Tommy Dorsey again in 1947-48. In 1950 he joined
the famous Count Basie Septet. Buddy was appointed leader of the Glenn Miller Orchestra
1966-1974. Since then he has resumed his jazz career and has done countless clinics: Tri-State
Festival, Stan Kenton Clinics, North Texas State Teachers College, Clinician and Soloist with the
N.O.R.A.D. Band and Air Men of Note. Buddy has brought his clarinet and jazz groups to many
famous clubs. His concert appearances include Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic, Carnegie
Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Ravinia Park with Tony Bennett, Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, Kool Jazz
Festival, Aurex Jazz Festival in Japan, Bern Festival in Switzerland, Radio Cologne with Bill Holman
and the Radio Cologne Orchestra, Dutch Radio with Rob Pronk & Metropole Orchestra, European
Tours, the Far East, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, South Africa, and Argentina ... wherever good
jazz is played! He has made both concert and recording appearances with such stars as Art Tatum,
Tal Farlow, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Lenny Tristano,
Nelson Riddle, Billy Eckstine, Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, Art Blakey, Mel Torme, Louis Bellson, Terry
Gibbs, Oscar Peterson, as well as several Metronome All Star Sessions. He has appeared on the
Steve Allen Show, the Jerry Lewis Telethon, the Pat Sajak Show, and Johnny Carson's Tonight
Show. He was the featured soloist on the Stars of Jazz T.V. Show, had his own T.V. show, "The
Buddy DeFranco Jazz Forum" for Public Television, and he and Terry Gibbs shared the spotlight on a
segment of the P.B.S. series "Club Date".
AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE
as Guest Soloist , Trio or Quartet
nine Metronome Magazine Awards, and sixteen Playboy All-Stars Awards as the number one jazz
clarinetist in the world. Buddy is generally credited with leading the way for jazz clarinetists from the
exciting era of swing to the exhilarating age of bop. Along the way he has set the example for all jazz
musicians for technical brilliance. Improvisational virtuosity and creative warmth. He is one of the
most imaginative clarinetists playing today. Born in Camden, New Jersey, Buddy was raised in
South Philadelphia and began playing the clarinet at age nine. By age fourteen he had won a
national Tommy Dorsey Swing contest, and appeared on the Saturday Night Swing Club, sharing
the spotlight with Gene Krupa. He was soon discovered by Johnny "Scat" Davis and began his road
career with him in 1939. He joined Gene Krupa in 1941, Ted FioRito and Charlie Barnet 1942-43,
Tommy Dorsey 1944-45, Boyd Raeburn 1946, Tommy Dorsey again in 1947-48. In 1950 he joined
the famous Count Basie Septet. Buddy was appointed leader of the Glenn Miller Orchestra
1966-1974. Since then he has resumed his jazz career and has done countless clinics: Tri-State
Festival, Stan Kenton Clinics, North Texas State Teachers College, Clinician and Soloist with the
N.O.R.A.D. Band and Air Men of Note. Buddy has brought his clarinet and jazz groups to many
famous clubs. His concert appearances include Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic, Carnegie
Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Ravinia Park with Tony Bennett, Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, Kool Jazz
Festival, Aurex Jazz Festival in Japan, Bern Festival in Switzerland, Radio Cologne with Bill Holman
and the Radio Cologne Orchestra, Dutch Radio with Rob Pronk & Metropole Orchestra, European
Tours, the Far East, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, South Africa, and Argentina ... wherever good
jazz is played! He has made both concert and recording appearances with such stars as Art Tatum,
Tal Farlow, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Lenny Tristano,
Nelson Riddle, Billy Eckstine, Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis, Art Blakey, Mel Torme, Louis Bellson, Terry
Gibbs, Oscar Peterson, as well as several Metronome All Star Sessions. He has appeared on the
Steve Allen Show, the Jerry Lewis Telethon, the Pat Sajak Show, and Johnny Carson's Tonight
Show. He was the featured soloist on the Stars of Jazz T.V. Show, had his own T.V. show, "The
Buddy DeFranco Jazz Forum" for Public Television, and he and Terry Gibbs shared the spotlight on a
segment of the P.B.S. series "Club Date".
AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE
as Guest Soloist , Trio or Quartet
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INFO AND BOOKING
COCO PRODUCTIONS, Inc.
P. O. BOX 114
LANSING, IL 60438
Phone: 708-474-3741
Cell. 708-527-5985
E-Mail: coco@cocoprojazz.com
COCO PRODUCTIONS, Inc.
P. O. BOX 114
LANSING, IL 60438
Phone: 708-474-3741
Cell. 708-527-5985
E-Mail: coco@cocoprojazz.com
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Buddy was the first jazz clarinetist to play in the
modern idiom of the greats, Charlie Parker and
Dizzy Gillespie.
During his career he has recorded over 150
albums and is the most recorded modern jazz
clarinetist since the Swing Era.
modern idiom of the greats, Charlie Parker and
Dizzy Gillespie.
During his career he has recorded over 150
albums and is the most recorded modern jazz
clarinetist since the Swing Era.
In 1998 Buddy received a Grammy nomination as
best jazz instrumental soloist on the Concord
album "You Must Believe in Swing," with Dave
McKenna.
He continues to do concert tours worldwide.
best jazz instrumental soloist on the Concord
album "You Must Believe in Swing," with Dave
McKenna.
He continues to do concert tours worldwide.
