Born Evans Burton Jr. (1890-1976), W.E. "Buddy" Burton appeared on several 1920s records playing drums, washboard, piano, celeste, kazoo and singing with other Chicago South Side jazz and blues musicians. Hailing from Louisville, Kentucky, Burton headed to Chicago in 1922, and recorded with Jelly Roll Morton's Jazz Band. Burton played with several of Morton's first small ensembles and on several sessions led by Jimmy Blythe. Burton began recording under his own name in 1928, and also with Blythe. In 1936, Burton recorded with Irene Sanders and his name fades out afterwards. He reportedly died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 1976 in Louisville.
by Ron DePasquale