Sid Gribetz presents a five hour radio program celebrating the career of Buddy DeFranco Sunday February 19, 2023 from 2-7 PM on Jazz Profiles, WKCR.
DeFranco was one of the greats among the clarinet players in modern jazz. He possessed a cerebral sophistication and intelligence, which, together with his masterful facility and command of the instrument and great sense of swing, made him one of our jazz giants. His tone on the clarinet was always warm, woody, and welcoming.
Boniface “Buddy” DeFranco was born on February 17, 1923 to a poor Italian-American immigrant family in Camden, New Jersey. His father, an amateur guitarist, was blind, and earned his living as a piano tuner. DeFranco was raised in South Philadelphia and attended the legendary vocational Mastbaum music school for formal musical studies. It also being the Swing Era, teenage Buddy came under the sway of Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. He began playing professionally in 1939.
DeFranco excelled right off the bat playing in the big bands of Charlie Barnet, Tommy Dorsey (think of the force of his clarinet on “Opus No. 1") and Gene Krupa.
As bebop took sway, Buddy’s playing was influenced by the artistry of Charlie Parker. DeFranco played in the Bebop style and made progressive recordings with his own bands and those of Boyd Raeburn, among others.
DeFranco’s career took another turn, when Count Basie pared down his Big Band and formed his famous Octet in 1950 and 51, DeFranco’s clarinet was a key component. DeFranco always credits Basie for informing him with a relaxed sense of swing
From 1952-1955, DeFranco formed his own working modern jazz quartet, with first Kenny Drew and then Sonny Clark on piano, and Art Blakey and later Bobby White on drums. This organization toured the country regularly and made many recordings. Blakey was a major influence, too, infusing power and drive into DeFranco’s conception.
DeFranco’s career was multifaceted, taking many turns and continuing for decades more. He made many “mainstream” records for Norman Granz and Verve; he lived in California for a while playing in Nelson Riddle’s orchestra which backed Frank Sinatra and scored many TV programs like Route 66; in the early ‘60's he had a regular working quartet with accordionist Tommy Gumina (it’s not what you think!). In later years DeFranco settled in Panama City, Florida. From that base he toured the world both as a clinician teaching a new generation and as a concert performer. He had an ongoing association with vibraphonist Terry Gibbs, often making many swinging night club performances and albums during his later years.
Buddy was active well into his eighties, and made his final recordings with Mat Domber’s Arbors label. DeFranco died at the age of 91 in 2014.
