Buddy Montgomery

The youngest of the three Montgomery brothers, Buddy Montgomery was a reliable, if underrated, vibraphonist and pianist. He became a professional in 1948 and the following year toured with <a href="spotify:artist:1DTgcOxytJHD8p17mhSgd7">Big Joe Turner</a>. He played piano with <a href="spotify:artist:1JrZuQYlOzhNj1nvlB0Yys">Slide Hampton</a> in his native Indianapolis, IN, served in the Army, and then was a member (on vibes) of the popular <a href="spotify:artist:6ThqschLqOQvAUGWt83kON">Mastersounds</a> with his bassist brother <a href="spotify:artist:0Oxygj9VezoPvhzu2dh4sA">Monk</a>. Buddy had a brief stint with <a href="spotify:artist:0kbYTNQb4Pb1rPbbaF0pT4">Miles Davis</a> (playing vibes) in 1960 and frequently played with brothers <a href="spotify:artist:03YhcM6fxypfwckPCQV8pQ">Wes</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:0Oxygj9VezoPvhzu2dh4sA">Monk</a> (under the leadership of guitarist <a href="spotify:artist:03YhcM6fxypfwckPCQV8pQ">Wes</a>) in the 1960s. He moved to Milwaukee, WI in 1969, becoming a local fixture and an educator. In the early '80s, Montgomery moved to Oakland, CA, where he recorded for producer <a href="spotify:artist:00LhlE1AWV16oHX3YwNwQJ">Orrin Keepnews</a> on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Landmark%22">Landmark</a> and with the Riverside Reunion Band. Montgomery's earliest dates as a leader were for <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22World+Pacific%22">World Pacific</a> (1957), <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Fantasy%22">Fantasy</a>, <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Riverside%22">Riverside</a>, <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Milestone%22">Milestone</a>, and <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Impulse%21%22">Impulse!</a> (1969). His recordings during the ‘90s and 2000s included Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Vol. 15 (1991, <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Concord+Jazz%22">Concord Jazz</a>), Icebreaker (2001, <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Staalplaat%22">Staalplaat</a>), A Love Affair in Paris (2002, <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Space+Time%22">Space Time</a>), and the Japanese release Remembering Wes (2006, <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Pony+Canyon%22">Pony Canyon</a>). Buddy Montgomery outlived both his brothers; he died on May 14, 2009 at the age of 79. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi