Gearbox Records and the Rich Estate have announced the forthcoming release of the last-ever recording of American drumming legend, Buddy Rich.

Titled ‘Just In Time: The Final Recording’ the album will be released on 6th December 2019, and also features exclusive liner notes from Rich’s daughter Cathy Rich. The recording was taken in 1986 at Ronnie Scott’s Club, London and features: Buddy Rich, Cathy Rich, Matt Harris, Rob Amster and many more.

You can hear the first single to be taken from the album here:

Speaking about the album and the night of its recording, pianist Matt Harris, says “The lead trumpet player, Eric Miyashiro, had split his lip a week or so before that gig and was in a lot of pain when he was playing. You certainly can’t hear it on the recording… Like any of the road bands in that time period, it was always very exciting to record with the band. It made a lot of the other gigs worth it when you finally recorded, and it also documented the band in its true element. Recording studios can be very intimidating for musicians as opposed to a live gig where you’re putting it all on the line.

I also vividly remembering Gregg Gisbert’s amazing playing night after night. He always was trying different things which is extremely difficult when you play the same tune night after night.

I think this recording showcases the band at its highest level. You cannot get great studio musicians to sound like this. This recording is the sound of a “road band” unlike any other!”

‘Just In Time: The Final Recording’ will be available across 4 physical formats and digitally. As well as standard double LP and standard CD, there will also be a special collector’s edition of the album, on triple gatefold vinyl and double gatefold CD, with over 30 minutes of bonus content from the night of the performance, including the incredible extended drum solo from the show’s encore.

Throughout his long and prolific career Buddy Rich has performed with some of the most legendary artists of the 20th century, from Frank Sinatra and Count Basie to Dusty Springfield and Gene Krupa. His powerful yet virtuosic style of drumming proved hugely influential and extends well beyond the jazz genre, with Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham, Genesis’ Phil Collins, and Queen’s Roger Taylor all citing Rich as an inspiration. 

Born in Brooklyn, New York in 1917 to a show business family, Rich began drumming at only 18 months old and by 1921 was known as “Traps, the Drum Wonder” whilst performing with his parents’ vaudeville act. His performance routine soon took on tap dancing, singing and comedy, and he became the second highest paid child performer of the mid-1920s.

By 1938, Rich had discovered jazz and was playing with clarinettist Joe Marsala’s group, before going on to perform with Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey’s big bands. He led his own band during 1945-1947, financially backed by Frank Sinatra, which didn’t take off, before touring with the Jazz at the Philharmonic. He recorded with countless stars for Verve during the 1950s, including Charlie Parker, Lester Young, and Art Tatum.

In 1966, Buddy Rich finally managed to put together his own successful big band, which under different guises became his main group for the next 20 odd years. These outfits – which featured young, unknown players – performed largely at colleges and universities and won over a new generation of jazz listeners. Rich introduced rock and pop arrangements into the band’s repertoire, demonstrating his ability to adapt to his audience’s changing tastes. 

Rich had a fiery temper, which he freely acknowledged, having once said to jazz journalist Whitney Balliett: “I have the worst temper in the world. When I lose it, oh baby.” Known as well for his caustic humour and engaging personality, Rich was a frequent guest on The Steve Allen Show and Johnny Carson’s The Tonight Show, as well as other television variety shows.

Today, Buddy Rich is remembered as one of history’s greatest musicians, and was, according to jazz legend Gene Krupa, “The greatest drummer ever to have drawn a breath.”