Jennifer’s Bloggallery

This musing is a result of an Email question from a fan asking about Buddy Rich. Mel Torme’ and Buddy were close friends so I am often asked about him.

XXXXX wrote:

Are you a Buddy Rich fan? I found this on Myspace:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=26003923

I heard Buddy was a real terror to work for…lol!
Boy could play though!

Hi XXXXX,

I was asked to play for Buddy Rich in 1978. I turned it down. Even though I was playing shows in the Pocono Mountains I still hadn’t been playing very long at that point. He had a reputation for being a real prick and my gender dysphoria wasn’t exactly making me a pillar of strength.

I did wind up playing for Woody Herman instead in 1981. He was a nice person and playing in his band, The Young Thundering Herd, was an experience I’ll never forget.
In hindsight I wish that I would’ve tried playing for Buddy, he was an amazing player.
Mel Torme’ and his drummer Donnie Osborne talked about Buddy Rich all of the time. I know every Buddy Rich story known to man (or woman).

It’s unfortunate that a lot of people form their opinions based on the tapes of him blowing a gasket on the band bus. From what I’ve heard from the people who were there at the time, sometimes the band deserved it.

He was, (as were most of the band leaders who were sidemen with Tommy Dorsey), a person with multiple personalities. Hint, hint.

xo,
Jennifer

March 28, 2008

I usually steer clear of political arguments. It’s always been my experience that expressing one’s political views can potentially threaten your career opportunities.
Having been through the experiences of the last 8 years I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s nothing left to lose.
One of the positive aspects of this election cycle is that there are three candidates still standing who display positive attributes. For the first time in my adult life I feel that I’m voting FOR someone, not against the opposing candidate.
This is a slightly edited version of my profile on the Barack Obama website:

http://my.barackobama.com

Jennifer Leitham
Studio City, CA

Why I support Barack Obama:
Barack is not encumbered by gigantic contributions from corporate and other special interests. His is the first campaign in my memory that actually is fueled and paid for by the will and pocketbooks of the people. He is our best hope for “government of the people, by the people, for the people”. The question of his experience is a moot point. Our finest president, Abraham Lincoln, had less experience in representative government than Barack Obama. What appeals to me is Obama’s intellect, judgement, and work ethic. When he is elected, people around the world will look to America with admiration as we dispell the false notions that we are a bigoted, close minded, war mongering society. Our Civil War will finally be over. It is my hope that we return to a focus on education, and especially a return to education in matters pertaining to the arts.

Birth Date: August 10
Re-Birth Date: July 19

Issues:
equality / civil rights; civil liberties / privacy; peace & social justice; foreign policy / security; economic fairness / security; environment / conservation; smart energy policy; public infrastructure / transportation; good government / ethics; electoral reform; affordable health care; education

Registered to Vote: Yes

Favorite Quote:
“That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
Abraham Lincoln Gettysburg Address November 19, 1863

Jennifer Leitham
March 5, 2008