Buddy Schutz

Buddy Schutz (November 23, 1914—February 24, 2007) was an American jazz drummer during the swing era. He worked with several famed jazz musicians of the time, including Glenn Miller, Jimmy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Charlie Barnet, and Benny Goodman.

Active between 1937 and 1952, Schutz was involved in about 147 jazz recording sessions. He was a member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 for over 70 years, as well as a member of the 248 and 399 locals for many years.

He also worked as a professional photographer.

Buddy Schutz was born Adolph Schutz on November 23, 1914.

Schutz began his professional music career in 1934, working with The California Ramblers and in the bands of Frank Froeba and Vincent Lopez.

In 1937, he played drums and traps in saxophonist Charlie Barnet Orchestra and made a few recordings on Decca Records with singers Kathleen Lane and Kurt Bloom.

In 1938/39, he worked in the bands of Benny Goodman (Quartet, Quintet, and Orchestra) and played on many recordings with Martha Tilton (vocalist); Chris Griffin, Harry James, and Ziggy Elman (trumpet); Bud Freeman, Ernani Bernardi, Arthur Rollini, and Dave Matthews (saxophone); Vernon Brown (trombone); Jess Stacy, and Teddy Wilson (piano); Benny Heller (guitar); Harry Goodman (string bass); Lionel Hampton (vibraphone); and John Kirby (string bass).

After playing with Frank Froeba Orchestra and Jan Savitt Orchestra, Schutz played with Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra from 1939 to 1945 and made several recordings on Decca, accompanied by Roscoe "Roc" Hillman (guitar); Milt Yaner, and Herbie Haymer (saxophone); Shorty Sherock, and Nate Kazebier (trumpet); Sonny Lee, Bobby Byrne, and Simon "Si" Zentner (trombone); Helen O'Connell, Bob Eberly, and Teddy Walters (vocalist); Marvin Wright, Freddy “Freddie” Slack, and Joe Lipman (piano).

In 1952, Schutz worked with Artie Shaw's and His Gramercy Five and recorded "Where There's Smoke There's Fire" and "My Little Nest of Heavenly Blue" (Decca), sung by Connee Boswell and accompanied by pianist Bob Kitsis, guitarist George Barnes, and bassist Trigger Alpert.

After the end of the big band era, he led his own band in Los Angeles, California.

Back on the East Coast, he played with the Vincent Lopez band at Hotel Taft in New York City and performed at various live jazz venues in the city. He also played for Barclay Dance Classes in Westfield, New Jersey, and played for 18 years at the Warren Hotel in Spring Lake, New Jersey.

Musical performances in movies

• 1936: The Fleet Is In starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
• 1944: Lost in a Harem starring Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, and Marilyn Maxwell
• 1944: Schutz played with the Jimmy Dorsey Band in William A. Seiter's comedy Four Jills in a Jeep starring Kay Francis, Carole Landis, and Martha Raye.

Photography

Schutz also worked as a professional photographer and photographed many famous film actors and musicians. His photo collection is archived in the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey.

Endorsement

Schutz was an endorser for the drums maker Ludwig Drums, a subsidiary of Conn-Selmer.

Video: Jimmy Dorsey and his Orchestra - Long John Silver

Schutz was married to Marion. They had two sons—Robert Schutz and Raymond Schutz.

Schutz died in Toms River, New Jersey, on February 24, 2007, at age 92.

• Tom Lord: The Jazz Discography