Biography
Born Bernard Rich on 30 September 1917 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA, the future percussionist died on 2 April 1987 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Entering showbusiness at the age of two, he quickly earned widespread recognition for his work on drums and as a tap dancer, reaching Broadway at four within his parents’ act. By six he was already on the road alone, working the American vaudeville circuit and making appearances in Australia. At eleven he assembled his own group, and within a few additional years he drew notice through guest spots in New York nightclubs. Joe Marsala brought him into his band in 1937, after which Rich’s reputation among both critics and listeners grew rapidly. He moved in rapid succession through several leading swing-era ensembles led by Bunny Berigan, Harry James, Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey. Following his military service he rejoined Dorsey briefly before launching a big band of his own that lasted into the late 1940s. Subsequent engagements included work with Les Brown and regular participation in Jazz At The Philharmonic. In the early 1950s he reconstituted his large ensemble for a short period and joined Charlie Ventura’s Big Four. He also recorded prolifically for Norman Granz, appearing both on the impresario’s JATP concerts and alongside Art Tatum, Lionel Hampton, Ray Brown, Oscar Peterson, Flip Phillips, Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge, Louis Armstrong, Lester Young, Gene Krupa and numerous others.
Further spells with James and Dorsey came later, yet by the end of the decade, even after suffering a heart attack, Rich was performing as a vocalist and directing small groups. He continued to record with, among others, Max Roach. Early in the 1960s he returned to James, but in 1966 he launched another attempt at his own big band. He maintained a large ensemble for the following twelve years, led a smaller unit for a time, and then revived a big band in the 1980s that he directed until his death. The later groups often included recently graduated young players toward whom Rich adopted a distinctly autocratic manner. Whether reflecting the musicians’ own tastes or audience expectations, the repertoire of many bands from the 1960s and 1970s incorporated rock influences while stopping short of genuine fusion. His drumming was marked by extraordinary velocity and remarkable technical command. Precision and lucidity remained hallmarks even when arrangements were crafted expressly to highlight those gifts. Throughout his years as a leader he continued to record in varied contexts, usually resuming the conventional supportive role of the drummer. In those situations he proved a refined accompanist, skillful with brushes yet consistently swinging and forward-moving.
From early on Rich was known for a volatile temper, and while with Dorsey he frequently quarreled with vocalist Frank Sinatra, another quick-tempered performer. A man of sharp wit, he later gained popularity on television talk shows, where his cutting remarks about inadequately prepared pop singers sometimes veered close to libel. In person he treated Dusty Springfield with particular harshness, though she responded in kind. He recovered repeatedly from illness and mishap—one notable instance found him performing one-handed while the other arm rested in a sling, without any apparent loss of facility—yet he was ultimately diagnosed with a brain tumour. Even in his last days his humor stayed intact; when a nurse asked about allergies before surgery, he replied, “Only country music.”
Further spells with James and Dorsey came later, yet by the end of the decade, even after suffering a heart attack, Rich was performing as a vocalist and directing small groups. He continued to record with, among others, Max Roach. Early in the 1960s he returned to James, but in 1966 he launched another attempt at his own big band. He maintained a large ensemble for the following twelve years, led a smaller unit for a time, and then revived a big band in the 1980s that he directed until his death. The later groups often included recently graduated young players toward whom Rich adopted a distinctly autocratic manner. Whether reflecting the musicians’ own tastes or audience expectations, the repertoire of many bands from the 1960s and 1970s incorporated rock influences while stopping short of genuine fusion. His drumming was marked by extraordinary velocity and remarkable technical command. Precision and lucidity remained hallmarks even when arrangements were crafted expressly to highlight those gifts. Throughout his years as a leader he continued to record in varied contexts, usually resuming the conventional supportive role of the drummer. In those situations he proved a refined accompanist, skillful with brushes yet consistently swinging and forward-moving.
From early on Rich was known for a volatile temper, and while with Dorsey he frequently quarreled with vocalist Frank Sinatra, another quick-tempered performer. A man of sharp wit, he later gained popularity on television talk shows, where his cutting remarks about inadequately prepared pop singers sometimes veered close to libel. In person he treated Dusty Springfield with particular harshness, though she responded in kind. He recovered repeatedly from illness and mishap—one notable instance found him performing one-handed while the other arm rested in a sling, without any apparent loss of facility—yet he was ultimately diagnosed with a brain tumour. Even in his last days his humor stayed intact; when a nurse asked about allergies before surgery, he replied, “Only country music.”
Albums
