Biography All Music Guide Wikipedia
All Music Guide:
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 Big Joe Turner. He played piano with Slide Hampton in his native Indianapolis, IN, served in the Army, and then was a member (on vibes) of the popular Mastersounds with his bassist brother Monk. Buddy had a brief stint with Miles Davis (playing vibes) in 1960 and frequently played with brothers Wes and Monk (under the leadership of guitarist Wes) 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 Orrin Keepnews on Landmark and with the Riverside Reunion Band. Montgomery's earliest dates as a leader were for World Pacific (1957), Fantasy, Riverside, Milestone, and Impulse! (1969). His recordings during the 90s and 2000s included Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Vol. 15 (1991, Concord Jazz), Icebreaker (2001, Staalplaat), A Love Affair in Paris (2002, Space Time), and the Japanese release Remembering Wes (2006, Pony Canyon). Buddy Montgomery outlived both his brothers; he died on May 14, 2009 at the age of 79.
Wikipedia:
Charles "Buddy" Montgomery (January 30, 1930, Indianapolis, Indiana - May 14, 2009) was an American jazz vibraphonist and pianist. He was the youngest brother of Wes and Monk Montgomery. He and brother, Monk, formed the "Mastersounds," in the late 50's and produced ten recordings. When the "Mastersounds" disbanded, Monk and Buddy joined their brother Wes on number of "Montgomery Brothers" recordings, which were arranged by Buddy. They toured together in 1968, and it was in the middle of that tour that Wes died. Buddy continued to compose, arrange, perform, produce, teach and record, producing nine recordings as a leader.
Biography
Buddy first played professionally in 1948; in 1949 he played with Big Joe Turner and soon afterwards with Slide Hampton. After a period in the Army, where he had his own quartet, he joined the Mastersounds as a vibraphonist with his brother Monk, pianist Richie Crabtree and drummer Benny Barth in 1957. He led the Montgomery-Johnson Quintet with Ray Johnson from 1955 and 1957. His earliest sessions as a leader are from the late 1950s. He played briefly with Miles Davis in 1960. In 1969 he moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin and taught jazz music locally. Early in the 1980s he moved to Oakland; there he released more solo material and played with the Riverside Reunion Band, Charlie Rouse, David Fathead Newman and Bobby Hutcherson.
