Boniface Ferdinand Leonard "Buddy" DeFranco (February 17, 1923 – December 24, 2014) was an American jazz clarinetist. In addition to his work as a bandleader, DeFranco led the Glenn Miller Orchestra for almost a decade in the 1960s and 1970s.
Born in Camden, New Jersey, United States, DeFranco was raised in South Philadelphia. He was playing the clarinet by the time he was nine years old and within five years had won a national Tommy Dorsey swing contest.
He began his professional career just as swing music and big bands—many of which were led by clarinetists like Artie Shaw, and Benny Goodman—were in decline. While most jazz clarinet players did not adapt to this change, DeFranco successfully continued to play clarinet exclusively, and was one of the few bebop clarinetists.
In 1950, DeFranco spent a year with Count Basie's septet. He then led a small combo in the early 1950s which included pianist Sonny Clark and guitarist Tal Farlow. In this period, DeFranco recorded for MGM, Norgran and Verve; the latter two labels were owned by Norman Granz.
During the years 1960-64, DeFranco released four innovative quartet albums, as co-leader with the accordionist Tommy Gumina.
He was bandleader of the Glenn Miller Orchestra from 1966 to 1974, under the name, "The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, Directed By Buddy DeFranco". He also performed with Gene Krupa, Art Blakey, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Charlie Barnet, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, Lennie Tristano, Dodo Marmarosa, Terry Gibbs, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Eddie Daniels, Andy Firth-musician, Don Burrows, Putte Wickman, Billie Holiday and many others, and released dozens of albums as a leader.
DeFranco died in Panama City, Florida, at the age of 91.
DeFranco won twenty awards from DownBeat magazine, nine awards from Metronome, and sixteen Playboy All-Stars awards.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra Under the Direction of Buddy DeFranco
Glenn Miller in Tokyo (CBS Records, 1966)
Something New (The Tijuana Brass Hits) (Epic Records, 1966)
The Glenn Miller Orchestra Returns To Glen Island Casino (RCA Victor, 1968)
Makes the Goin' Great (RCA, 1968)
Do You Wanna Dance (Command Records, ABC Records, 1969)
Recorded Live, Royal Festival Hall, London, England (Paramount Records, 1971)
The Best Of The Glenn Miller Orchestra Newly Recorded In Stereo (Columbia House, 1972)
Skitch & Company (Army Reserve, 1973)
The Ultimate 'In Stereo' Collection (Swing Rewind Records, 2016)