About Buddy
In
1998 Buddy Cox, a First Officer with American Airlines, was flying with
Captain Jeff Gibbons when the conversation turned to the topic of Jazz
Bands. Jeff was taking a jazz class at the local Junior College
and wanted Buddy to join. Buddy suggested they start their
own band and he would provide the music with the aid of his computer
(they quickly realized they needed more music and Pender’s Music
provided it). Jeff offered his attic as a rehearsal facility.
An ad was placed in the local paper to recruit other musicians and
tryouts were held. Jeff’s attic proved too small so they moved the
rehearsal site to the Southside Preservation Hall (SSPH).
The management of the SSPH gave them a store room for their equipment
and the use of the stage and sound equipment each Thursday night for
rehearsal.
The first performance by Buddy’s Big Band (BBB), on March 12, 1999, was
a benefit for families of three fire fighters killed in a Fort Worth
area fire at the SSPH. Since that time they have performed at the
SSPH every “First Friday” of the month.
The band is the standard 17 piece “jazz ensemble” with five saxophones
(2 alto, 2 tenor, and baritone), 4 trumpet/flugelhorns, 3 trombones and
bass trombone, guitar, piano, bass and drummer. In addition we
have a director/feature soloist, female vocalist, and sound man for a
total of 20 people. All are very talented, experienced musicians.
