SKF NOTE: Recalling one morning places I saw Buddy Rich playing live. Not trying to remember times I watched Rich on television shows like “The Tonight Show.”

I remember seeing Buddy Rich in concert five times.

There was one afternoon watching Buddy at NYU. He stopped playing in the middle of his obligatory extended drum solo. And that was the end of Rich’s concert.

At Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY, Buddy sat at his drums playing time on his hi-hat, ready to open his second set, when he noticed a sax player missing. Rich stopped playing and asked other sax section members if they knew the missing player’s whereabouts.

They did not.

A moment later the missing sax player rushed onto the stage, took his seat, and opened the opening chart.

“Nice that you could make it,” said Buddy sarcastically. “Enjoy your last night with the band.”

Ouch!

It’s odd, I think, how my memory of first hearing Gene Krupa is clear as a ride cymbal bell. I also have vivid memories of hearing, for the first time, Max Roach, Ed Blackwell, Elvin Jones, Papa Jo Jones, Chick Webb, Jack DeJohnette, Ed Soph, and other drummers.

Through the years, right up to today, ask me who’s the best drummer, and I will tell you: Buddy Rich.

Oh, there are many other great players. But, for having command of the instrument? Rich was the best.

But I cannot remember the first time I heard Buddy Rich.