Peter Badie

Who is Peter Badie?

Peter "Chuck" Badie is a New Orleans jazz bass player. Born in New Orleans, he grew up in Mahalia Jackson’s Carrollton neighborhood. His father was a prominent jazz saxophone player who played with the “Eureka” and the “Original Olympia” brass bands. In addition to the strong musical influence of his father, Badie would frequent places such as the Rhythm Club to listen to singer Billy Eckstine and piano player Earl Hines, as well as the Erskine Hawkins, Andy Kirk, and Lucky Millender bands.

In 1942, Badie joined the Navy and returned from the service in 1945. He used the G.I. Bill to enroll at the Grunewald School of Music. His first musical job was with the “Buccaneers,” but soon he was playing at the Dew Drop Inn. In 1950 he went on the road with rhythm-and -blues pioneer, Roy Brown for two years. Later he joined Paul Gayten’s band at the Brass Rail, followed by a stint with Dave Bartholomew’s Band.

According to the brief biographical sketch in Harold Battiste’s New Orleans Heritage – Jazz 1956-1966, Badie was introduced to Lionel Hampton, who asked him if he “could travel”. "I started to ask him could a fish swim?" Badie remembers.