Musician. Born Clifford Everett Shank, he was a versatile saxophonist and flutist whose career spanned more than a half century. He began in the 1940s and came to prominence in the big bands of Charlie Barnet and Stan Kenton. In the 1950s, as a member of the West Coast Jazz movement, he recorded for the Pacific Jazz label producing some 50 albums. During the 1960s, he gained notoriety for his flute solo on the classic Mamas and the Papas hit, "California Dreamin" (1965). He also collaborated with Ravi Shankar for the album "Improvisations" (1962) and produced his own album "Michelle" (1966). Through the 1970s to 1990s, he continued to perform and record with artists to include Bill Perkins, Bob Cooper, Alan Broadbent and Bill Mays. In 2005, he formed his own group the Bud Shank Big Band and released the album "Beyond the Red Door" in 2006. He is a four-time recipient of the Most Valuable Player Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Musician. Born Clifford Everett Shank, he was a versatile saxophonist and flutist whose career spanned more than a half century. He began in the 1940s and came to prominence in the big bands of Charlie Barnet and Stan Kenton. In the 1950s, as a member of the West Coast Jazz movement, he recorded for the Pacific Jazz label producing some 50 albums. During the 1960s, he gained notoriety for his flute solo on the classic Mamas and the Papas hit, "California Dreamin" (1965). He also collaborated with Ravi Shankar for the album "Improvisations" (1962) and produced his own album "Michelle" (1966). Through the 1970s to 1990s, he continued to perform and record with artists to include Bill Perkins, Bob Cooper, Alan Broadbent and Bill Mays. In 2005, he formed his own group the Bud Shank Big Band and released the album "Beyond the Red Door" in 2006. He is a four-time recipient of the Most Valuable Player Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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