The Buddy Rich 25th Anniversary Memorial Concert is set to take place for the first time in the UK at the London Palladium on 2 April 2012. This bombastic showcase of world-beating drummers packs in an impressive line up of heavy hitting players from across the worlds of jazz, fusion and rock that this year includes Dave Weckl, Gregg Bissonette, John Blackwell and Gregg Potter from the US alongside Ian Paice from Deep Purple, a rare appearance by former Cream drummer Ginger Baker, Buddy Rich band drummer Gavin Harrison and Elliott Henshaw from the UK.

One of Buddy Rich’s last requests to his daughter Cathy, was to keep his band working, his music alive, and to do something for young people. No mean feat for such an all consuming musical force as Rich, but an annual memorial concert since his death in 1987 has been a fitting testament to the man and his music. The first concert in 1988 at the celebrated Carnegie Hall in New York, since then shows have followed in Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Boston with the who’s who of the drumming world taking part and the shows being described as the ‘The Greatest Drum Show Of All Time’. Artists who’ve taken part over the years include such Mel Tormé, Joe Williams, Stan Getz, Steve Gadd, Peter Erskine, Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta and Dennis Chambers.

Taking place on the exact date of the 25th anniversary of Buddy’s death, the show comes to the UK for the first time and will be co-hosted Rich’s daughter Cathy who will introduce the US-based Buddy Rich Big Band supported by UK session musicians who used to play with Buddy. Cathy will also present Lifetime Achievement Awards to three rock drumming legends.]

Renowned jazz and fusion drummer Dave Weckl said, “Anytime I get to pay tribute to one of the greatest players of our instrument, I am first in line. To be able to play with a great Big Band and play songs from the Buddy Rich book is one of my favourite things to do as a drummer.”

Joining Dave Weckl are in-demand session man Gregg Bissonette, flamboyant jazz funk virtuoso John Blackwell who’s currently playing with Prince, and Gregg Potter from the Buddy Rich Big Band. From the UK, Deep Purple’s distinguished drummer Ian Paice, renowned Cream drummer Ginger Baker, respected session drummer Gavin Harrison and Elliott Henshaw a veteran of over 20 West End shows and drummer for Tony Christie who will also perform. For more info www.london-theatreland.co.uk

– Mike Flynn