Drummer Charlie Persip

Jeff Harbour · Post by **Jeff Harbour** » 24 Aug 2020 4:53 pm

I don't have the CD insert with me... But I believe he played on Buddy's 'Steel Guitar Jazz' album. Very impressive resume otherwise as well. He played on a ton of legendary albums. Unsung hero for sure. Age 91. RIP.

Jeff Harbour · Post by **Jeff Harbour** » 24 Aug 2020 5:02 pm

https://www.wbgo.org/post/charli-persip ... 1#stream/0

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 24 Aug 2020 6:02 pm

Yes, Charlie Persip was the drummer on the Buddy Emmons 1963 Ground Breaking Classic "Steel Guitar Jazz L.P.!" A Great Dummer! RIP Charli Persip!

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 24 Aug 2020 7:19 pm

Charli Persip has been one of the world's greatest drummers for decades. His resume of collaborators is a who's who of jazz heavyweights. RIP, Charli - one of my very favorite drummers, any style, period.

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 26 Aug 2020 11:21 am

sad news, but what a life. and what a legend.

here are some quotes from Buddy:

"Jerome Richardson was fairly receptive to what was going on but Charlie Persip was a bit on the cool side. I guess if I had played drums for Dizzy Gillespie, I would have been cool too.

Knowing he worked with Dizzy didn't make things any easier."

"Before running the song Cherokee, I asked Charlie Persip to give me a four bar drum intro. He obliged by playing four incredible intros, none of which I was able to count and come in on the first beat. I was noticeably upset with myself so Art Davis (tenor sax) suggested a simple intro that ended up sounding like something you'd hear in a 40's western movie with a band of Indians on the horizon. That embarrassing incident left me thinking my name would be one that Charlie would soon forget, so I truly appreciate his comment regarding the session." (Charlie said he was amazed at what Buddy played on what he referred to as a "Hawaiian Guitar")

"That story is a good example of the caliber of jazz musicianship I speak of that sets the specialists apart from general practitioners. It also illustrates that Charlie's having to play at my level deprived the world of his true potential. I must say though that he took no prisoners on the rest of the track."

David Ball · Post by **David Ball** » 26 Aug 2020 4:54 pm

I was watching a documentary about Lee Morgan, the trumpeter, on Netflix a couple of nights ago. Charlie was prominently featured. I didn't know much about him, but he was great playing in Lee's band.

Dave

Jeff Harbour · Post by **Jeff Harbour** » 26 Aug 2020 6:17 pm

Scott, Thanks for posting those quotes. I am glad Buddy was a man of many words! It's always inspiring to hear what he had to say.