I was watching a review of the movie Whiplash. The reviewer was talking about the real and unrealistic parts of the movie. One thing he said, which I'd heard before, is that it was unrealistic that the jazz drummer student in the movie would had looked at Buddy Rich as one of the greats. He said NY jazz drummers respect Elvin Jones or Art Blackey more than Buddy. That Buddy was not the greatest drummer. Now I may be just a country bumpkin from Texas, but holy cow, what's up with that? Maybe some New Yorkers can fill me in on this, because as far as I'm concerned, nobody, I mean nobody can or could play like Buddy.
First, Buddy was a native New Yorker, born and bred in Brooklyn in the bad ol days, the pre-hipster, pre ****genized Brooklyn that I remember so well, hence his tough, take no prisoners attitude. He had that real Brooklyn street attitude so famous from that generation, so real New Yorkers connected with him. He was much beloved by us here and played regular gigs and special performances here all the time. He loved New York and the city loved him back. He was one of our treasure's and was treated as such. Think Birdland and The Hickory House, 2 of the most revered jazz joints in the city. Both of them were his home for many years. Then there is the Apollo performances, where he was adored by African American audiences, more so than any of the black drummers of the day, and he maybe the most beloved musician that ever played up there, period! They revered him in Harlem, and it was there that he began performing with one arm in a cast and never missed a beat playing one handed. People were amazed!
Secondly, I don't think the drummer in the movie was a native New Yorker, he was just studying here, so if the reviewer is correct, which I don't believe he is, he would like Buddy Rich because he isn't from here.
But I can't see how this reviewer came up with his conclusion. There is no doubt, New York loved Buddy.
