Bass, alto saxophone, clarinet.
Catlett started on alto saxophone in Charlie Taylor’s band, with Quincy Jones, at Garfield High School, in 1944. After developing what doctors thought was tuberculosis, he was advised to switch to a non-wind instrument and took up bass, which he played locally with Billy Tolles, Paul Neves and others in the early ’50s before going on the road with Horace Henderson in 1956. In 1959 he was hired by vibraphonist Cal Tjader then went to Europe with Quincy Jones’ big band for 10 months, after which he played and recorded with Count Basie, Coleman Hawkins, Louis Armstrong and many other jazz names. Catlett returned to Seattle in 1978, where he finished out his career as a first-call sideman, working regularly at Parnell’s, Jazz Alley and at Lofurno’s, with Melody Jones.
Jackson Street After Hours (print). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Catlett https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/catlett-george-james-buddy-1933-2014/ http://seattlejazzscene.com/2014/11/buddy-catlett-seattle-jazz-legend-dies/