10/13/2025
FROM THE BRONX ~ Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band
Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band was a big band, swing influenced disco band, formed in the Bronx, New York Ca. 1980’s at the height of the Disco Era .
They are best known for their #1 US dance hit, "Cherchez La Femme"/C'est si bon, from their self-titled debut album.
The band released three albums between 1976 and 1979.
A smaller lineup known as Dr Buzzard's Savannah Band (omitting the word "original") also released a fourth album in 1984 and they were frequent performers at Studio 54, solidifying their originality and fame on the global stage.
PLAYERS:
Bassist: Thomas August Darnell Browder and vibraphonist: Andy Hernandez (Coati Mundi), went on to form Kid Creole and the Coconuts and Elbow Bones and the Racketeers.
Lead singer Cory Daye also pursued a successful solo career.
Their 1976 song, "Sunshower", has been sampled by a number of artists, including A Tribe Called Quest, M.I.A., Ghostface Killah, De La Soul, and Doug E. Fresh.
It was also remixed by Japanese recording artist, “Fantastic Plastic Machine.”
The song was also remixed by Korean musical group “The Green Tea”, also featured in the 1991 film, “Boyz n the Hood.”
The song "Cherchez La Femme" was covered by Gloria Estefan in 1994 in her “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”album, it was also covered by Ghostface Killah in 2000, as "Cherchez LaGhost" on his Supreme Clientele album.
The band was conceived by brothers Stony Browder Jr. (Born February 7, 1949 – Died October 6, 2001) and Thomas Browder (also known as August Darnell, born August 12, 1950), with the former writing music and the latter lyrics.
They started the band in 1974 with singer Cory Daye (born April 25, 1952), drummer Mickey Sevilla, and percussionist Andy Hernandez (Coati Mundi).
They released three albums between 1976 and 1979. Their music blended disco beats with rhythms from genres including calypso, rhumba, cha-cha-chá, and compas.
The Browders, who were both multiracial, wrote songs embracing multiculturalism over stories about tragic mulattoes. Truly encompassing the current generation in America.
A smaller lineup known as Dr. Buzzard's Savannah Band (omitting the word "original") also released a fourth album in 1984.
Darnell and Hernandez went on to form Kid Creole and the Coconuts and Elbow Bones and the Racketeers.
Cory Daye also pursued a successful solo career. In 1979, she released the album Cory and Me. The album produced a single, "Pow Wow" b/w Green Light", which peaked on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 at #76 later that year.
The track "Wiggle and Giggle All Night" became a Top 20 hit in the Netherlands.
Sadly, Stony Browder Jr. died in 2001. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
In conclusion, “Dr. Buzzards Original Savannah Band” was a timeless group who originated from The South Bronx and innovated their way into the disco era with their Big Band Sound emulating the Art Deco Swing Style of the Roaring 20’s.
Till this day, “Dr. Buzzards Original Savannh Band” will forever remain a timeless favorite with baby boomers from the Hustle and Disco Dance Era of The Bronx where they originated from with their multicultural sound.
There has never been a band (to date) who could emulate their original sound or costume style since then.😎❤️🥰
