Buddy Weed (1918-1997)—Buddy Weed’s piano styles were ingenious and extraordinarily refined. His imagination
and interpretations of the popular music of his time still remain as one of the most indelible contributions to
music. A pianist of unquestionable technique, he was extremely efficient with his piano flourishes using them
only as incidental decoration, and not as part of the basic purpose. His treatment of a song was to convey the
basic melodic content in the essential blending of these two attributes. Around all of his arrangements, Buddy
skillfully built upon the many subtle moods in which the two governing factors were of the personalities of the
composer and those of the performer. There was never a clash between the two. The results were an incredible
smoothness, which prevailed in all his arrangements. Combined with the unbelievable dexterity of his playing,
Buddy’s music has endured throughout the decades.
Eugene Harold Weed’s natural dexterity of the keyboard began developing at the age of four when he first faced a
piano teacher. He continued his studies throughout his scholastic career and upon graduation from high school in
Ossining, New York he studied arranging in classical techniques with Herman Wasserman. His first gig was at the
age of sixteen when he was hired by Jack Teagarden’s Orchestra in 1934. By early 1939, Paul “Pops” Whiteman
had heard Buddy, and immediately hired him. Although World War II briefly ended his commercial career, his
relationship with Whiteman continued until his death in 1957. Featured in the fifth Gershwin Memorial Concert
in 1942 with a standing ovation, his Gershwin style arrangements soon became the band’s trademark.
Before the war he had played with Teddy Powell and Charlie Spivack, and continued to be heard in Paul
Whiteman’s orchestra as featured solo pianist and arranger. After a three-year term in the U.S. Army he joined
the staff of the American Broadcasting Co. (ABC) where he innovated and introduced the first piano Jazz Trio to
America. Since that time he became very much in demand as one of the most sought after pianists and arrangers in
America. His discography can still be assembled from the archives of MGM, Capitol, RCA, Coral, Decca,
Repertory, and Gemini.
After his retirement in 1970 as Director of Music for ABC, he became a much sought-after soloist as well as with
his trio in Arizona, and continued to appear on radio and television and in nightclubs with undiminished
success.
Buddy Weed passed away in 1997, but his undeniable style and techniques have left his indelible imprint on
American music. —Gene Weed, 2005