Buddy Banks (saxophonist)
Encyclopedia
Ulysses "Buddy" Banks was an American jazz
tenor saxophonist, pianist, and bandleader.
Banks played in Charlie Echols's band in Los Angeles
from 1933 to 1937 and remained in the group after it was taken over by Claude Kennedy and then by Emerson Scott after Kennedy's death. The group then scored a gig at the Paradise Cafe, and Cee Pee Johnson
became its leader; Banks played in Johnson's ensemble until 1945. Following this Banks led his own group; this band featured tenor sax and trombone as its most prominent instruments, the trombone position being held by Allen Durham and then by Wesley Huff. Guitarist Wesley Pile and drummer Monk McFay
also recorded as members of this group. The ensemble played throughout southern California and recorded until 1949. Banks led a new group in 1950, but disbanded it quickly.
In 1950 he began playing piano, and though he accompanied Fluffy Hunter on tenor saxophone in 1953, he spent most of the rest of his life on piano, including in a piano-bass duo with Al Morgan
(1953-1976). He played solo piano into the 1980s.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
tenor saxophonist, pianist, and bandleader.
Banks played in Charlie Echols's band in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
from 1933 to 1937 and remained in the group after it was taken over by Claude Kennedy and then by Emerson Scott after Kennedy's death. The group then scored a gig at the Paradise Cafe, and Cee Pee Johnson
Cee Pee Johnson
Cee Pee Johnson was an American jazz drummer and vocalist.Johnson first appeared in Dallas early in the 1930s, playing in his brother Bert Johnson's band The Sharps and Flats. Cee Pee Johnson danced and sang with this ensemble, and also played tom-toms. He moved to Los Angeles in the middle of the...
became its leader; Banks played in Johnson's ensemble until 1945. Following this Banks led his own group; this band featured tenor sax and trombone as its most prominent instruments, the trombone position being held by Allen Durham and then by Wesley Huff. Guitarist Wesley Pile and drummer Monk McFay
Monk McFay
Nathaniel Jack "Monk" McFay was an American jazz drummer and bandleader, known especially for leading jazz bands in Hawaii....
also recorded as members of this group. The ensemble played throughout southern California and recorded until 1949. Banks led a new group in 1950, but disbanded it quickly.
In 1950 he began playing piano, and though he accompanied Fluffy Hunter on tenor saxophone in 1953, he spent most of the rest of his life on piano, including in a piano-bass duo with Al Morgan
Al Morgan (musician)
Albert Morgan was an American jazz double-bassist.Morgan came from a musical family; Sam Morgan and Isaiah Morgan were both bandleaders and trumpeters, and Andrew Morgan was a jazz reedist. Morgan started on clarinet, then learned baritone sax, tuba, and bass...
(1953-1976). He played solo piano into the 1980s.