Buddy Rich: Jazz Legend 1917-1987

An extraordinary look at an extraordinary talent: drumming great Buddy Rich. This two-part program traces Rich's career from his early days as a player with such bandleaders as Tommy Dorsey, Harry James and Artie Shaw to his world-renowned solo career. Rich turns in rousing performances of "West Side Story" and "Channel One Suite," plays an amazing five-minute drum duel with Gene Krupa, and even kibitzes with Johnny Carson and the Muppets. Commentary is supplied by friends and family, narrator Mel Tormé and Rich himself. 147 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.