Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band

Introduction

Studio 54 fixtures during the 70s music era, Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band was a disco musical ensemble formed in The Bronx, New York, whose influences they culled from the big band and swing groups of the olden days. They consisted of Cory Daye (lead singer), Stony Browder, Mickey Sevilla, Andy Hernandez, and August Darnell. They were known for their 1976 hit “Cherchez La Femme” which was also included in their debut album. Former members Darnell and Hernandez formed Kid Creole and the Coconuts and Elbow Bones and the Racketeers. The band’s reformation presented a small lineup, dropping the “Original” from the name. They have continued to play every now and then, especially for the oldies music circuit.

The music of Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Ban

Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band was a big-band and swing-influenced disco group from Bronx, New York whose single “Cherchez La Femme” became a Top 40 hit. Established by half-brothers Stony Browder and Thomas “August Darnell” Browder in New York City in 1976, the consisted of members Cory Daye (singer), Mickey Sevilla (drummer) and Andy Hernandez (percussionist).

Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band’s recordings

Their self-titled debut album was released in 1976, which featured the the carrying singles “I’ll Play the Fool” and “Cherchez la Femme.” “I’ll Play the Fool” peaked at #80 pop and #92 on the R&B singles chart. “Cherchez la Femme,” on the other hand, became a certified hit on the dance floor and on the charts, peaking at #1 on the Billboard dance chart. It also crossed over to the Billboard pop and R&B charts at #3 and #27 respectively. The song earned a gold disc award as well. That first album, which is mentioned before, also became a hit; it went to #22 on the Billboard 200 and #31 on the R&B albums chart in 1977.

Dr. Buzzard’s follow-up albums Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band Meets King Pennett (1978) and Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band Goes to Washington (1979) did not sell well that led to the band’s dissolution.

Around that point, Darnell and Hernandez formed a new group called Kid Creole & the Coconuts. Dropping the word “original,” Browder re-formed the Dr. Buzzard Savannah Band in 1984. They only had one album called Calling All the Beatniks!