He was the best but tough to work for. Saw him fire a guy for being a few minutes late and the show didn't even start yet. Terrible stormy night and a sax player missed the band bus. Drives himself from NYC to the concert venue, a Holiday Inn in New Brunswick NJ, ( an hour drive on a good day). Guy comes in soaking wet just as the band is unpacking their instruments and Buddy fires him.
Also saw him do the famous West Side Story arrangement at the Arts Center in NJ. Unbelievable !!! Buddy's band was the opener and then had to back up the headliners, The Supremes. Diana Ross wouldn't go on the next night unless they got a new band to back her up. Buddie's trumpet section was standing and dancing behind her as she sang !! Took some of the spotlight away from the Diva.
Look up the famous "bus tapes" of Buddy chewing out the band. No drum machine could do that.