John Bunch

Early life

Born and raised in Tipton, Indiana, a small farming community, he studied piano with George Johnson, a well-known Hoosier jazz pianist. By the age of 14 he was already playing with adult bands in central Indiana.

Later life and career

During World War II he enlisted in the Air Corps and became a bombardier on a B17 Flying Fortress. He and his ten-man crew were transferred to combat duty in England, flying bombing missions over Germany. His plane was shot down 2 November 1944 and Bunch was taken prisoner. In prison camp he learned to arrange for big bands.

After the war, he applied for university training as a music major, but was refused because he couldn't sight read classical music. He worked later in factories and insurance. In 1956 he moved to Los Angeles where he immediately was accepted by jazz musicians such as Georgie Auld and Jimmie Rowles, who later recommended him to Woody Herman. He settled in New York in 1958, where he joined Eddie Condon and Maynard Ferguson. He recorded with Ferguson and many smaller groups.

In 1966 Bunch joined Tony Bennett as pianist and musical director, and stayed in the employ of the singer until 1972. During that time he appeared on Bennett's 1972 series for Thames Television, Tony Bennett at the Talk of the Town. After that, he resumed his jazz work, performing and recording with Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Pearl Bailey, and Scott Hamilton. He led a trio, mostly in England, and made many recordings as a leader, most notably with the New York Swing Trio with Bucky Pizzarelli and Jay Leonhart.

Bunch was still active in Europe and the United States during his final years. He died of melanoma in Roosevelt Hospital, Manhattan, New York City, on March 30, 2010.

As leader

As sideman

With Buck Clayton and Tommy Gwaltney's Kansas City 9

With Maynard Ferguson

With Gene Krupa

With Bucky Pizzarelli

With Donnie O'Brien

With Kenny Davern