Died On This Date (September 19, 2010) Buddy Collette / Respected West Coast Jazz Musician
themusicsover William “Buddy” Collette
August 6, 1921 – September 19, 2010
Buddy Collette was an influential jazz musician who was equally adept at the clarinet, flute and tenor saxophone. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Collette was a respected figure of the West Coast jazz movement of the 1950s and a regular performer throughout the storied Central Avenue clubs. His most celebrated works were his collaborations with Chico Hamilton, Dexter Gordon, and Charles Mingus. During the early ’50s, Collette could be heard as part of the house band on Groucho Marx’s popular television program, You Bet Your Life, and in 1963, he became one of the first group of African-American players to perform in the Academy Awards show band. He also taught college level music throughout Los Angeles for many years and was largely responsible for the desegregation of the local musicians’ union, leading to more equitable wages for Black musicians. In later years, Collette worked tirelessly to preserve Los Angeles’ jazz legacy. Buddy Collette was 89 when he passed away on September 19, 2010.
Click here to watch the NAMM Oral History interview of Buddy Collette. Courtesy of Dan Del Fiorentino
Chuck Greenberg was a musician, producer and composer who is best remembered as the leader of Shadowfax, a Grammy-winning band that is generally thought of as “New Age.” Greenberg launched his music career during the ’70s and was soon was tapped to perform in the Bee Gees’ back-up band on one of their U.S. tours. He soon moved to Los Angeles where he formed Shadowfax. The band built a loyal fanbase thanks to it’s ability to marry elements of rock, world, jazz and folk music. They would become one of the few New Age bands to cross over to a pop audience. The band traveled the world playing to adoring fans until Septembe 4, 1995 when Chuck Greenberg died unexpectedly of a heart attack. He was 44. 
Mike Edwards was a respected English cellist who is perhaps best remembered for his years playing with the Electric Light Orchestra. He joined the group for their earliest gigs of 1972, but departed roughly three years later. Classically trained, Edwards apparently had little interest in any music outside of baroque, let alone rock, but made an exception to play of several of ELO’s most famous albums. That list includes ELO II, On The Third Day, and Eldorado. On September 3, 2010, Mike Edwards was driving near his home in Devon, England, when a 1300 pound bale of hay accidentally came loose from a tractor, rolled down a hill, landed on his van and crushed it, killing him instantly. He was 62.
Noah Howard was a New Orleans-born saxophonist who is best remembered for his contributions to free jazz. Howard played with 