Ray Bauduc

Born Jun 18, 1909 in New Orleans, LA 

Died Jan 8, 1988 in Houston, TX 

Ray Bauduc's first professional job came with a band that accompanied films. Later, whilst still in school, he worked with cornetist Emmett Hardy and  The Six Nola Jazzers. After touring with Johnny Bayersdorffer in 1924 he then worked with The Scranton Sirens, which included Billy Lustig in 1925 and Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang in 1926. 

Ray spent two years with a vaudevillian band led by Fred Rich playing drums and doing tap, and played with Miff Mole in 1927. During the '30s he became a star. Bauduc spent six years (1928- 1934) with Ben Pollack's orchestra, and also found time for sessions with Red Nichols, Jack Teagarden, Benny Goodman, Wingy Manone, Louis Prima and Glenn Miller. 

A year after leaving Pollack, in 1935, Bauduc joined the Bob Crosby orchestra emaining with him until 1942. His composition "South Rmpart Street Parade" was an orchestra staple, as was "The Big Noise from Winnetka" which he co-wrote with Bob Haggart. 

He did a stint in the army during the '40s and briefly co-led a band with Gil Rodin, then headed his own groups. 

There were recording reunions with Manone and Crosby later in the '40s, plus stints with Jimmy Dorsey (1948 - 1950) and Teagarden (1951 - 1955). 

Bauduc and Nappy Lamare headed Rampart band from 1956 - 1959, and he worked as a freelance player on the West Coast inn the '60s, finally moving to Bellaire, TX.