Buzzy Drootin
b. Benjamin Drootin, c.1910, Russia. Growing up in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Drootinand his brothers, Lewis and Al, became known locally for their lively contributions to the dixieland tradition. After working with Ina Ray Hutton Drootin moved to New York where he played drums regularly with established stars and gained a solid reputation as a swinging accompanist. In the late '40s he settled into the house band at Eddie Condon's club and made many records. During the '50s he worked on a long series of traditional and mainstream record sessions with artists such as Ruby Braff and Bobby Hackett. In the '60s Drootin worked in a number of bands assembled especially for festivals, concert tours and recording dates. In the '70s he was back home in Boston working with his brothers in the Drootin Brothers Orchestra.