Buddy Charles

[betchatoo]

Buddy Charles is a legend in the Chicago area cabaret circle and turns 81 today. It has been my privilege to know him for the last 36 years or so. I have been in the "Acorn on Oak," (which Mile Royko used to simply call Buddy's Place) when he was visited by people like Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson and Allen Sherman to name a very few. When George Shearing was in Chicago he used to stop in at least twice a week. Amazingly Buddy is still playing twice a week in Niles, Illinois and still being visited by a host of local musicians. I'm posting a link to a couple of his recently made videos. Unfortunately, his son Chris who tapes these, doesn't have a particularly good sound system. I still think that those of you who like this type of music will get the picture (or sound, as it were)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJOH9JFH_yE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6_17sd55BQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAJgSxhjuWs