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Buddy Greco
Since his first performance at the age of four to his most recent appearance at the age of eighty-seven, Buddy Greco, legendary pianist and singer has the longest professional career of any living musical artist. And since the release of his first recording in 1946, to his latest release in 2013 he has the distinction of having the longest recording history of any living recording artist. He is written about in countless books and articles about music including Who’s Who in Jazz and Great American Singers.
But more than that, he is a witness, participant and contributor to the popular culture of one of the most exciting centuries in modern history. His career, spanning eight decades, encompasses millions of record sales around the world, countless appearances on radio, television and performances on the stages of the most prestigious venues in the world.
He performed with, and counted as his friends some of the most famous artists and bands of all time including Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Marilyn Monroe, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, The Beatles, and many more.
Born in South Philadelphia in 1926, he started singing on radio at the age of 4 and playing piano at 6 and by the age of 15 he was a seasoned professional.. He got his break when at 20 he signed to the Musicraft record label, home to the likes of Duke Ellington, Sarah Vaughan and Mel Tormé, and soon had his first hit with Oh Look-A-There Ain’t She Pretty, selling over a million copies. As his profile increased he began to gain attention from some of the leading musicians of the time and in 1949 he spent a year on the road and recording with the revered band leader Benny Goodman.
Releases on numerous labels including Capitol, London, Coral and Columbia followed and as his popularity soared Greco was soon widely regarded as one of the preeminent pianists, singers, arrangers and composers of his generation. In 1963 he was invited to appear at The Royal Variety Performance for The Queen on the same bill as The Beatles, Marlene Dietrich, Max Bygraves, Tommy Steele and Harry Secombe.
While recording for Columbia records in 1962 he scored an international hit with his version of The Lady Is A Tramp, which became his signature tune. This was a successful recording period for him and other hits during this time included Around the World, Girl Talk, MacArthur Park and The More I See You. He signed with Frank Sinatra’s label Reprise Records in 1965 for which he recorded three albums including the popular Big Band & Ballads, which was released to widespread critical acclaim in 1966.
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Buddy Greco (1926-2017)
Source:
JazzWax by Marc Myers
Buddy Greco, a solid swinging jazz pianist, a supper-club pop vocalist and probably the last surviving member of Benny Goodman's Undercurrent Blues" bebop band of 1948-49, died January 10. He was 90. Born in jny: Philadelphia, Greco had his work cut out for him. His father was one of the country's leading opera critics and his mother was an accomplished accordionist. Greco made his professional debut at 5 on Philadelphia's WPEN, where he spent the next 10 years as an ...
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Les Paul Tonight-Mingus Big Band Tue.-Ed Palermo Plays Zappa Wed.-July 21-24 Buddy Greco at The Iridium Jazz Club
Source:
All About Jazz
IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB 1650 BROADWAY (Corner of 51st) NEW YORK, NY 10023 RESERVATIONS: 212-582-2121, www.iridiumjazzclub.com Sets at 8 & 10PM EVERY MONDAY LES PAUL AND HIS QUARTET EVERY TUESDAY THE MINGUS BIG BAND EVERY WEDNESDAY ED PALERMO BIG BAND PLAYS THE MUSIC OF FRANK ZAPPA Every Sunday Starting at 11:00AM Gospel Jazz Brunch in NYC featuring BISHOP NATHANIEL TOWNSLEY, JR. AND THE GOSPEL JUBILEE This Week at The Iridium July 21-24 BUDDY GRECO and his TRIO _____________________________ Next Week July ...
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Buddy Greco & His Trio Opens New Show "From Philly To Macarthur Park" July 21-July 24 at the Iridium Jazz Club
Source:
All About Jazz
July 5, 2005 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected] IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB 1650 BROADWAY (Corner of 51st) NEW YORK, NY 10023 RESERVATIONS: 212-582-2121, www.iridiumjazzclub.com Sets at 8 & 10PM (Fri. + Sat. 3rd Sets 11:30PM) Jazz Pianist And Vocalist BUDDY GRECO & HIS TRIO Opens New Show, FROM PHILLY TO MACARTHUR PARK" At Iridium, July 21 Through July 24, 2005 Buddy Greco, the legendary jazz pianist/vocalist celebrating his 55th year in show business, will make ...
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