Multi-instrumentalist and bandleader Buddy Burton appeared on a quite a few 1920s Chicago South Side Jazz and Blues records as vocalist and playing drums, washboard, piano, celeste and kazoo. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he moved to Chicago around 1922. His first recording session took place in October 1922 with Jelly roll Morton’s Jazz Band. He was a part of several Morton’s first small-group recordings, as well as many sessions led by Jimmy Blythe. Burton released five sides in 1928 under his own name and two sides with Blythe. Bluebird was his last record, which he recorded in 1936 together with Irene Sanders. We know very little about Burton’s personal life after the 1930s. According to reports, he died from a self-inflicted gunshot injury in Louisville in 1976.
