Don was a truly inspiring band director until he retired a year ago. He and I shared some good time--even during our "Siberian exile" at a junior high school. It's true he has more time to read the mail promptly than some of us since he retired last year, but this was truly amazing. Maybe not producing spring concerts and preparing the band to play Pomp and Circumstance umpteen times during graduation frees up more time than I realized. Here's a great suggestion.
Here's one that hasn't been recommended here before. It is a biography and it is really a "re-read" since I had read it when it came out in 1991. Trap--The Drum Wonder, The Life of Buddy Rich by Mel Torme. It is an unvarnished account of probably the greatest drummer EVER by his good friend, who in his own right was probably the most insightful vocalist in all of jazz.
Many talented "artists" display deep flaws in their personae beyond their talents. Buddy Rich could be the meanest man on the planet and turn around and be the most doting father in the world.
The book covers all of it, and in doing the life of Buddy Rich, gives us a look at the development of jazz from the late '20s through the '70s and '80s. Torme writes like he sings, effortlessly, and he covers all of the "good and bad" that was Buddy Rich.
You're absolutely right. No one has recommended a Buddy Rich biography before. Maybe reading it ought to accompany watching Ken Burns' video history of jazz. Thanks, Don.
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