Charles was an extraordinary musician with great depth and range in his playing. He was always kind, with great wit and humor, a true gentleman.
Charles was born with the music in him. At age 3, he started picking out tunes on the piano. By the time he was 6, lessons had started. He played piano all through high school and college, along with baseball and other sports. Whitman, Mass., was his hometown. Buddy, as he was known growing up and until the move to California and the University of California, Los Angeles, “was greatly appreciated for his wit, caring, and demeanor by fellow students in our high school and college days,” wrote friend Mike B. While in California, a friend from Vermont working in the LA area sent Charles Vermont Life engagement calendars every Christmas. Eventually, Charles came to Vermont in the summers to escape the LA smog.
One fall day in 1989, Charles and his guitarist, photographer friend, Harold, were driving through Montgomery. Charles’s ’68 Lincoln Continental overheated, so they stopped at Kilgore’s General Store for water, instead of the service station next door, so that Harold could take photos of the store. That is how I met my husband. The store had a stage, and when I learned they were musicians, I asked if they would like to play over the Labor Day weekend. Charles had a portable electric piano, and Harold, one of his many guitars, and could they play!
The next summer, 1990, Charles asked to play at the store on weekends. He never went back to California, ending his 20+ years there of performing, teaching piano and as a dance accompanist. He welcomed all to join him in making music. His leaving was mourned as the “contribution he made to the joy people at the beach get out of music, a joy not even his leaving can dampen. Keys stilled; sounds remain.” He performed classical, jazz, ragtime, boogie-woogie, Broadway, old favorites and new age. He was one of the first-prize winners in the 1973 Frank Sinatra Musical Performance Awards Competition.
Playing at the store, Charles attracted many musicians and customers who just loved to join in or just hear him play. One day, Don Hill and Pixley Tyler Hill wandered in. Charles was playing Don’s favorite rag, “The Graceful Ghost.” He became the house pianist for The Tyler Place Family Resort. For 24 years he considered the Tyler Place a second home and family. He played a classical night; a jazz night, in which he gathered musicians from all over Vermont; and a Broadway sing-along night, attracting skilled (and unskilled) singers.
During that time he also taught piano and played for weddings and many other gigs, including the Montréal Jazz Festival with Harold.
He was predeceased by his parents, Louise and Bob Pratt; his sister, Mary Louise Pratt, and his best man and long-term wonderful friend, Neil Gretsky; his cousins and fellow music lovers, Fred and Dick Bail; and friend and mother-in-law Agatha East.
He leaves behind stepdaughter Elizabeth Davidson and her daughter, Elena Wells; stepson Daren and his wife, Renee, and daughter, Eva; Dawn Davidson and daughter Alexis; and brother-in-law Barry East and his wife, Viola. He also leaves behind his cat, Mickey, who kept him company throughout the night and greeted him every morning. His wife, Morgan East, and Charles had a wonderful life together. He was especially close to his granddaughter, Elena. They shared the love of baseball and goofy jokes and puns.
Charles loved the roses that were planted in front of their deck. There were never that many blooms, but the day after he died, all four of them bloomed like crazy! And they still are.
Bayada Home Health Care helped me take care of him for a year at home and were with him when he went to Queen City Nursing & Rehabilitation for the last six weeks of his life. The staff at Queen City would wheelchair him to their old upright piano, and he would play for staff and residents.
Donations can be made to any hospice care or home health agency. Franklin County Home Health Agency stayed with Charles once a week so I could run errands. Charles would like the young supported in music, the arts and sports. He had the gift of music and gave of it freely. Keep the music playing.
His last words to me were, “I am so fortunate to have had such a wonderful life.” Goodbye for now, my love and dear friend for the past 32 years.
This article appears in The Pollinator Issue.
Morgan. I am so saddened to hear about Budleigh’s passing. It breaks my heart as I am sure it does yours and all that knew him. I still often talk about his talent when I am discussing music with friends. I call him, “my jazz piano playing friend”, but he was much more than that. I have an old recording of me and him playing “Classical Gas”. I have and will cherish it, always. My deepest condolences on your loss.
Bill Hood
Morgan, I knew Charles in Hermosa, we were volleyball pals and one day I asked him to accompany me for an audition for Mira Costa HS modern dance program. I requested Blue Rondo A La Turk (Dave Brubeck) he agreed. Before end of audition all the girls wanted Charles to accompany them…it became a tradition for years.
I’m so sorry for your loss. But very happy Charles found the love he deserved.
Jacque Carr
Dear Morgan,
Have so many wonderful memories of Charles. He lived in ‘the castle’ on 16th and strand… and rode the most amazing old bicycle in town.
Always a wonderful gentleman, he tried to look after me…I probably should have listened to him more.
I knew he was lonesome then. Even with those amazing eyes. Always hoped he would find true love and am so glad he did.
Jacque Carr
Charles Bud Pratt was my piano teacher in 1974 when I decided to get serious about music at age 14, he was incredibly kind and hand wrote out notations for Copland’s Hoedown and Genesis Firth of Fifth for me, the most giving teacher I ever studied with and had a profound influence on my playing style which took my skills to the next level. I’m very sad I didn’t get to see him before he passed. He was truly a great man and a phenomenal pianist who could sight read Joplin Rags perfectly. May he rest in peace
To Bud’s family and friends: I, too, took piano lessons from Bud in the early/mid 1970’s and I remember him as so stylish, talented and remarkable. He would patiently transcribe Elton John tunes for me to cover (or try to) on piano. He introduced me to Scott Joplin, which remains my one piano love of my life.
What an endearing man. I loved that place he had in the crow’s nest apt in Hermosa. I have been trying to locate him for a few years, and was so sad to hear he has passed. He clearly made an impression on so many. So sorry for your loss.
Peter Maurice, Los Angeles
Morgan – after years of wondering how to find out about Budley, I just now found this website. I am a flutist who played with him from 1978 to the early 80’s. We played in the various Hennesey’s taverns in the So Cal beach areas, then Perry’s Pizza in Marina Del Rey, then the Lighthouse in Hermosa when Paul Hennesey bought it out.
Bud played at my wedding reception in ’79. I am so privileged to have seen this posting to know what became of him when he moved away from CA. Through his generous, outgoing spirit, I met some wonderful musicians he was able to bring into his mix of band members for the various gigs we did. But I’m most appreciative of his willingness to bring me into the fold; solo flutists are not a dime a dozen in the jazz world. I hope you see this, and could respond to it. I would so appreciate talking with you somehow. Mark Medin, Temecula, CA
Morgan and family – Budley was a staple in the South Bay beaches of CA for many years as a music man, gentleman, and good friend to a variety of folks. His presence in CA was by way of attending UCLA, and his graduate work in the subject of philosophy. I use to ask in jest, and how is that working for you? He would respond, “I use it everyday.” I have many wonderful memories of Budley, and could fill a hundred pages. I attended his performances, and then later we started working core jazz literature together; unusual and tougher material was part of our musical journey. Budley was a kind, generous man, with a wealth of conviviality. We hung out together quite a bit, listening to music, playing music, talking about music, enjoying each other’s company. Later after landing in Vermont we talked many times late into the night, and corresponded. I will always cherish the time with Budley. | Dr. Christopher Greco
https://youtu.be/jPgewHpf-q4
This was the song that uncle bud first taught me when I was five years old. I never understood how my mom could have a brother, because she was so amazing, but so was he. I’m wiping tears off of this piece of construct as I realize that I was unaware to memorialize his passing. Uncle bud showed me that believing in my ability to express myself was well beyond worth it. He’d applaud my endeavors. Anyone who knew him, would probably get this: his drawl was unique. A form of language that was self-perpetuating. A cycle. Although I hadn’t seen him since his fathers passing, I’ll forever miss his smile, and the hand that he put on my shoulder.