Greg Bandy, the drummer whose melodic sound ignited bands led by Pharoah Sanders, Jackie McLean, Betty Carter, and Gary Bartz, died on May 23, in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. He was 74.
For over 50 years, Bandy had an impressive career both nationally and internationally until 2021, when health issues prevented him from performing. When he moved back to Cleveland several years ago before retiring, he formed Greg Bandy & Friends, a group that featured Bandy on drums, Patsy Grant on vocals, Eddie Bayard on sax, Jon Eshelman on organ, and Idris “Duck” Lateef on congas. The group during its brief existence was a big hit swinging in everything from the blues and R&B to straight-ahead jazz. “I like to play a mix of everything when I’m leading, I like to see people moving, shaking, having fun,” said the drummer Bandy.
While maintaining a busy international touring schedule, he was a percussion instructor at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and at the Cuyahoga Community College Jazz Studies Program. He has inspired and mentored generations of jazz musicians here in the U.S. and abroad. “Bandy was one of a kind, we played together on many occasions,” said saxophonist and club owner Bill Saxton. “He was a great drummer and he will truly be missed.”
Gregory Charles Bandy was born March 18, 1951, in Cleveland, Ohio. He began playing drums at a young age and continued playing in music programs in the Cleveland Public Schools system. At age 11, the adolescent drummer played his first professional gig. His father, a music promoter, enrolled him in the Cleveland Music School Settlement. By age 13, Bandy was touring with the WJMO Road Show which featured musical children from inner city Cleveland.
Following his graduation from Glenville High School, he briefly attended Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio before moving to New York City at age 20 to pursue a career as a jazz drummer. He credited Roy Ayers with inspiring him to move to New York. He and his Ohio musician friends had a band called Black on Black. “We came to New York to make a go of it,” he noted in his 2013 documentary, “The Bandit is Back.” Although the band didn’t make it in New York, it proved to be the right place for Bandy, especially in Harlem. It was there, he earned a reputation playing at Minton’s Playhouse, St. Nick’s Pub, Lenox Lounge, Count Basie’s and Showman’s. He played so much in Showman’s Café that the club’s manager Mona gave him the moniker “The Mayor of Harlem.” Bandy eventually composed a humorous bluesy tune “The Mayor of Harlem,” which he sang in a growling gravelly voice.
His many performances led him to stints with Eddie Henderson, Joe Henderson, Arthur Prysock, Lee Morgan, and Olu Dara. “Bandy was respected and admired by everyone he encountered. Musicians knew they had to bring their A game in order to share the bandstand with him,” said saxophonist and composer Patience Higgins. “He was an incredible talent, unique personality, an endearing spirit just one of a kind.”
Bandy felt playing with such great musicians paved his way to play downtown at such clubs as the Village Vanguard. Though these clubs gave him the respect and the opportunity for big tours, he always affirmed the Black mecca saying, “Harlem was my place.” He called Prysock “the spirit of Harlem,” and explained how important he, Redd Foxx, and Slappy White were to his career, cluing him in on the fast-paced city life and the music business.
Over the years Bandy proved to be an exceptional drummer, high intensity from hard bop to sweet soft brushes on a cool ballad. Although his distinctive sound can be heard on a host of acclaimed albums, Bandy didn’t record much as a leader. His debut album, “Lightning In A Bottle” (Big Ox Productions 1997), was quite moving, colored in the hard bop jazz tradition with some blues. The outing featured the all-stars of saxophonist Gary Bartz, pianist Donald Smith, bassist Alex Blake, and cornetist Olu Dara.
Bandy continued his working relationship with Bartz appearing on his acclaimed albums like “Live @ the Jazz Standard Vol. 1” (OYO 1999), “Soprano Tones” (OYO 2005), and “Coltrane Rules: Tao of a Music Warrior” (OYO 2012). The two remained friends until Bandy’s transition. “Greg Bandy was one of the greatest drummers I have created music with,” said Bartz. “He always heard and knew exactly what the music needed, no matter what was being played.”
He is survived by his sons – Khalid Bandy, Idris Bandy and Gregory Bandy II (Nikki); daughter Eladia Clark; sister Ernestine Creasy; mothers of his children Gloria Bandy and Egeria Bennett; granddaughters Khaleona Martin and Lily Bandy; great-grandson Khalil Calhoun; and many family members and friends.
Bandy’s Celebration of Life will be held on June 10, 11:00 a.m. at Venue D’Von, 27585 Avenue, Euclid, Ohio 44132.