This tape is of Buddy Rich performing the West Side Story Medley in 1981 with John Williams and the Boston Pops. This digital recording was created from an original tape of the performance given by Buddy Rich to his student Brian Choper in 1983 (his student from 1981-83). Note that unlike other versions of this performance found on the web (which are from TV broadcasts) this recording includes a non-broadcast sequence at the beginning of Rich playing solo with bass player Wayne Pedzwater ( the bass player for Blood Sweat and Tears who tragically passed away in 2005).

Midway through the performance, Rich shows a skill that no other drummer has ever mastered...... playing the drums with just one hand (in this case, accenting the rhythm with the bass drum.) According to what Rich himself told Bran Choper, he developed this skill after breaking his arm during a tour.

Additionally Brian points out that many people looking at this recording make the mistake of calling what Rich does at near the beginning of this performance a "press roll". Brian sets the record straight. It is not a press roll at all. He's actually playing fast rudiments, primarily 5 and 6 stroke rolls, and paradiddles, a technique that Rich did at the beginning of almost every drum solo and which he taught Brian.

Another intersting note is that the West Side Medley beging playeed was arranged by Tommy Newsom, saxophone player and assistant music director for the Tonight Show Band under Johnny Carson.