Elden C. "Buster" Bailey

BAILEY - Elden C. "Buster" died on April 13, 2004 in Sarasota, FL. He was born to Eldena (Soule) and Albert C. Bailey in Portland, ME on April 22, 1922. He graduated from Deering High School, attended New England Conservatory and graduated from the Juilliard School of Music, NYC. During WWII he was a member of the US Army 154th Ground Force Band. Mr. Bailey was a member of the New York Philharmonic Percussion section for 42 years and Percussion teacher at the Juilliard School for 24 years. A resident of Teaneck, NJ he has wintered in Sarasota for many years. He authored a total of 2 books on percussion instruments. He was honored to be a member of the Percussive Arts Society's Hall of Fame. He was a member of Local Union #802 AF of M, Percussive Arts Society, Windjammers Unlimited and many circus related organizations. He is survived by his wife of 53 years Barbara (Raudenbush); sisters and brothers-in-law Joyce and Russell Smith, and Elaine and Anthony DeBrita; six nieces and nephews and eight grandnieces and nephews, plus a host of former students, colleagues, and friends worldwide. In lieu of flowers, the family of Buster Bailey suggests contributions to the "Buster" Bailey Scholarship Fund, Office of Development and Public Affairs, the Juilliard School, 60 Lincoln Center, New York, NY 10023. A gathering of friends will be held on Sunday, June 13, 2004 at Second Reformed Church of Hackensack, NJ. Packer Funeral Home is in charge.