Walter Buchanan (musician) facts for kids
Walter "Little Man" Buchanan Jr. was an American jazz musician who played the bass. He was born around 1915. He became well-known in the late 1940s and early 1950s for playing with different bands led by the famous saxophonist Arnett Cobb.
Early Music Career
Walter Buchanan Jr. was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father, Walter Buchanan Sr., worked as a real estate broker.
In April 1944, Buchanan was playing bass in a band led by Jesse Miller. They performed at Joe's Deluxe Club in Chicago. Other musicians in this band included Albert Atkinson on saxophone, Ike Day, Argonne Thornton on piano, and Kermit Scott.
Buchanan also recorded music with other groups. On January 12, 1949, he recorded with Milt Larkin's band for Savoy Records. This group featured famous musicians like Buck Clayton, Hal Singer, George Rhodes on piano, and Joe Harris on drums.
Just a month later, in February 1949, he recorded again for Savoy. This time, he was part of the Hal Singer Sextet. The sextet included Tate Houston, Buchanan, Butch Ballard, George Rhodes, Chippy Outcalt, and Willie Moore. During the same recording session, this group also played music to support another singer, Chicago Davis.
In August 1949, a music magazine called Down Beat featured a photo of Buchanan. The picture, taken by William P. Gottlieb, showed him performing on stage with Arnett Cobb at the Apollo Theater in New York.
Marriage to Dinah Washington
In October 1950, Walter Buchanan Jr. married the famous singer Dinah Washington in Baltimore, Maryland. His brother, Councill, was his best man at the wedding. However, their marriage lasted only a few months.
In February 1951, Buchanan was listed as playing bass for Dinah Washington on four songs recorded for Mercury Records. The other musicians on these recordings are mostly unknown, except for Wynton Kelly. Because his marriage was ending around this time, some people think Buchanan might not have actually played on these recording sessions.
Playing with Arnett Cobb
After his marriage, Buchanan recorded several times with different bands led by Arnett Cobb. In August 1951, he played with a septet (a group of seven musicians). This group included Cobb, Willie Moore, Dickie Harris, Johnny Griffin, George Rhodes, Buchanan, and Al Walker on drums.
In June 1953, he recorded with Cobb again. This time, the group was called Arnett Cobb and His Orchestra. The musicians included Ed "Tiger" Lewis on trumpet, Dickie Harris on trombone, Cobb, Charlie Ferguson on tenor and baritone saxophone, George Rhodes on piano, Walter Buchanan on bass, and Al Walker on drums.
Arnett Cobb & His Orchestra recorded again at a later, unknown date. This time, the band had a different lineup. It featured Buchanan, George Jones on drums, George Rhodes, Cobb, Michael "Booty" Wood, and David Page on trumpet.
Discography
With Arnett Cobb
- Arnett Blows for 1300 (Delmark, 1947 [1994])
