Buddy Montgomery, the last surviving member of the 1960s American jazz trio, the Montgomery brothers, died on 15 May, 2009, aged 79.

Buddy was the youngest brother of Wes and Monk Montgomery who together recorded a string of albums, including the acclaimed Groove Yard.

Noted for his creativity, Buddy played the piano and the vibraphone and also performed with some of the biggest names in jazz.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on 30 January, 1930, he first played professionally when he was 18. In 1949 he performed with blues singer Big Joe Turner and soon afterwards with jazz trombonist Slide Hampton.

After a period in the Army, where he had his own quartet, he joined the Mastersounds in 1957. The Mastersounds became one of the hottest groups in the country, with their second album, The King and I, a jazz version of the stage and film musical reaching the top spot in the charts of Down Beat soon after its release.

He appeared, recorded with, or arranged musical scores for most of the jazz greats, including playing briefly with Miles Davis. He joined the Miles Davis Sextet in 1960. But his stay with the band was short-lived because of his fear of flying. This caused him to leave the band and his luggage as their plane was about to leave for a European tour.

Buddy and his brothers played on and off together during the ‘60s until Wes died of a heart attack in 1968. Monk died in 1982.

Still making music and passing on his skills to other musicians late in life, Buddy also continued recording in his own right up until three years before he died.