Jazz Pianist. Out of a long career, he is probably best remembered as a sideman for Benny Goodman and Tony Bennett. Raised in Indiana, he became a jazz fan early, and was able to study with "stride" pianist George Johnson; by 14 he was playing at a Black Elks Lodge, and was a professional musician at the outbreak of WWII. Bunch became an Army Air Corps bombadier, and was to spend the final few months of the conflict in a prisoner of war camp after his B-17 was shot down over Germany on November 2, 1944. Desiring to attend a conservatory on the GI bill, he found himself rejected because he could not sight read classical music, and entered Indiana University as a speech major. Bunch continued to play local jazz clubs, however, and soon migrated to California, where he joined Woody Herman. In 1958, he followed Herman to New York, but then teamed with Benny Goodman's group, becoming a successor to Teddy Wilson. Following a time with trumpeter Maynard Fergusion, he became, in 1966, accompanist and music director for Tony Bennett; he was to spend six years with the legendary singer before moving on to other ensembles. Essentially never retiring, he spent his final years performing with New York Swing. Bunch died of melanoma, leaving a quite large recorded legacy.
Jazz Pianist. Out of a long career, he is probably best remembered as a sideman for Benny Goodman and Tony Bennett. Raised in Indiana, he became a jazz fan early, and was able to study with "stride" pianist George Johnson; by 14 he was playing at a Black Elks Lodge, and was a professional musician at the outbreak of WWII. Bunch became an Army Air Corps bombadier, and was to spend the final few months of the conflict in a prisoner of war camp after his B-17 was shot down over Germany on November 2, 1944. Desiring to attend a conservatory on the GI bill, he found himself rejected because he could not sight read classical music, and entered Indiana University as a speech major. Bunch continued to play local jazz clubs, however, and soon migrated to California, where he joined Woody Herman. In 1958, he followed Herman to New York, but then teamed with Benny Goodman's group, becoming a successor to Teddy Wilson. Following a time with trumpeter Maynard Fergusion, he became, in 1966, accompanist and music director for Tony Bennett; he was to spend six years with the legendary singer before moving on to other ensembles. Essentially never retiring, he spent his final years performing with New York Swing. Bunch died of melanoma, leaving a quite large recorded legacy.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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