Now and Then - An Evening of Jazz
March 15, 1974
featuring guest artist Buddy Collette
presented by the Eisenhower Jazz Ensemble (Karlton E. Hester, Director)
Program Notes by Karlton E. Hester
[This article is accompanied by photographs. A link to the Image Gallery is at the end of the article]
William Marcell "Buddy" Collette is rated in the top three flutists in America. It takes years of study in addition to a natural talent to become the complete musician that is Buddy Collette.
From the beginning (with roots in Watts), Buddy was headed into music. He lead his first band when he was twelve, was Musician First Class and bandleader in the Navy during the 40's. He held flute-baritone positions with Lucky Thompson, Charlie Mingus, The Treniers, Louis Jordan, Benny Carter, and other before he ventured into the radio and television studios. When you hear a flute on a television commercial, chances are, it's Buddy Collette.
Very few actively performing musicians ... and even fewer jazzmen ... have backgrounds as thorough as Buddy's. He has studied at the California Academy of Music, the American Operatic Laboratory, and the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music, plus individual studies in flute and composition. Naturally, Buddy Collette is one of the first artists asked to conduct college clinics and seminars.
Buddy is much more than educator and composer. When artists want the best flutist, they call Buddy. Buddy composed the music for the film "Trauma" plus seven industrial films to date, and many television jingles. Prior to his current teaching position at Cal State, he instructed at Chapman College and Jordan High School Adult Extension.
He composed a three part fugue for nine instruments, six piano pieces, a suite for three saxes, a suite for harp and flute, and three movements for a string quartet, in addition to his more "popular" compositions.
Buddy is currently active in the newly formed Black and Brown Brotherhood Band, composed of eight top Latin and Black artists who currently perform for high schools in the Los Angeles area.
The theme for tonight's program is taken from Buddy's newest album ... "Now and Then" soon to be released by Legend Record Company.
This concert, with Mr. Collette, marks the second appearance of a nationally known instrumentalist at Eisenhower. To be able to share his talent and musical skill with the community provides an added dimension to Mr. Collette's work with students on Thursday and Friday.
The student-teacher relationship is a most important factor in the acquisition of musical knowledge and skill. To broaden and enrich this with a teacher of such status as Mr. Collette is a rare priviledge. We thank him for his willingness to make his talents available to us.
Karlton Hester, Director
Click Here to Go to the Image Gallery
Living Encyclopedia
of Global African Music
Received August 1999
Posted 08/19/2002