Butch Ballard

George Edward "Butch" Ballard (Camden, New Jersey, December 26, 1918 - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 1, 2011) was an American jazz drummer who during his long career has played with musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Ballard was born in Camden, New Jersey and grew up in Frankford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a child he followed American Legion parades near his home, focusing particularly on the drummer. When he was about 10 years old