Buddy Montgomery

Buddy Montgomery (b. Indianapolis, January 30, 1930 -- d. Palmdale, California, May 14, 2009) -- Pianist and vibraphonist. The only living Montgomery brother, Buddy Montgomery started playing professionally about as early as Wes and Monk even though he was much younger. In 1949, he played piano with singer Big Joe Turner and then served briefly in the army. From 1955 to 1957, he led Indy’s Montgomery-Johnson Quintet, which included the other two Montgomerys and Robert Johnson (drums) and Alonzo “Pookie” Johnson (saxophone). From 1957 to 1961, he was the vibraphonist and arranger for Mastersounds, which included brother Monk on bass and Indy’s Benny Barth on drums. In fact, Down Beat declared him the vibraphonist of year and New Arranger of the Year for his work in Mastersounds in 1957. In the 1960s, he frequently played with his brothers and briefly played with Miles Davis. In 1969, he moved to Milwaukee and taught locally. Since the early 1980s, he has lived in California and recorded eight albums as a leader. In 1997, his quartet included Indy drummer “Killer” Ray Appleton and recorded Here Again in 1997.