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Irving "Bo Peep" Greene

Born on 7-6-1923. He was born in Buffalo, NY. He was accomplished in the area of the Arts. He later died on 12-28-1996.
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Irving Greene was a longtime Buffalo jazz musician. As a string bass player his career spanned 50 years. He was a quiet man of small stature who was given the nickname "Bo Peep" as a youth because he could hardly be seen peeping from behind his big bass viol when performing.

He served in the Army band from 1942-45. He toured with Bull Moose Jackson well known vocalist and saxophonist and then played the house band at New York Cityââ?¬â?¢s famed Apollo Theatre in Harlem. While working there he accompanied singers Sarah Vaughn and Sammy Davis Jr. In Buffalo, he played at the Club Moonglo with the CQ Price Band and with Al Williams. He also accompanied Della Reese who began her career at the Moonglo. He played most Buffalo venues including the Town Casino, Glen Park, Little Harlem Hotel, and Vendome Hotel.

Greene attended School 32 and graduated from Burgard High School where he learned to play trumpet and baritone horn. Gene Krupa, a big name drummer, visited the school and told Greene he had talent but not for the trumpet. Greene switched to bass viol. At the time he tried to join the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, but at that time it was not to be. He also played bass with the Macy Favor Orchestra and Jim Whites Apollo Big Band in Buffalo.

Irving Greene was 73 years of age at the time of his death on December 28, 1996. He is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery.