Buddy Tate | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Buddy Tate | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | George Holmes Tate |
| Born | (1913-02-22)February 22, 1913 Sherman, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | February 10, 2001(2001-02-10) (aged 87) Chandler, Arizona, U.S. |
| Genres | Swing,big band |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Saxophone,clarinet |
George Holmes "Buddy"Tate (February 22, 1913 – February 10, 2001)[1] was an American jazz saxophonist and clarinetist.
Tate was born inSherman, Texas, United States,[2] and first played thealto saxophone.[2] According to the websiteAll About Jazz, "Tate was performing in public as early as 1925 in a band called McCloud's Night Owls."[3] Tate's 2001New York Times obituary stated that "he began his career in the late 1920s, playing around the Southwest with bands led by Terrence Holder, Andy Kirk and Nat Towles."[4]
Tate switched totenor saxophone, making a name for himself in bands such as the one led byAndy Kirk.[2] He joinedCount Basie in 1939 and stayed with him until 1948.[2] He had been selected by Basie after the death ofHerschel Evans,[1] which Tate stated he had predicted in a dream.
After his period with Basie ended, he worked with several other bands before he found success on his own, starting in 1953 inHarlem.[2] His group worked at the Celebrity Club from 1953 to 1974.[5] In the late 1970s, he co-led a band withPaul Quinichette and worked withBenny Goodman.[2]
In 1979, Tate's hometown invited him to play a concert atAustin College's Sid Richardson Center as part of The Sherman Symphony Pops Series. Mayor Virginia Morriss issued a proclamation declaring October 6 "Buddy Tate Day".[6] Accompanying Tate wereJay McShann,Claude Williams,Buster Smith and Paul Gunther.
In 1980, he was injured by scalding water in a hotel shower, which kept him inactive for four months.[7] He later suffered from a serious illness.[2] The 1990s saw him slow down, but he remained active playing withLionel Hampton among others.[1]
In 1992, Tate took part in the documentary,Texas Tenor: TheIllinois Jacquet Story. In 1996, he recorded with reeds playerJames Carter on the younger man's second release forAtlantic Records,Conversin' with the Elders, along with trumpetersHarry "Sweets" Edison andLester Bowie, and saxophonistsHamiet Bluiett and Larry Smith.
Tate lived in New York until 2001 when he moved toPhoenix, Arizona, to be cared for by his daughter. He died inChandler, Arizona, twelve days before his 88th birthday.[1]
WithRay Bryant
WithJames Carter
WithMilt Buckner
WithBuck Clayton
WithArnett Cobb
WithWild Bill Davis
WithRoy Eldridge
WithClaude Hopkins
WithJay McShann
WithJimmy Rushing
WithAl Sears
WithRex Stewart
WithDicky Wells
