Monte Budwig was a bassist associated with West Coast Jazz. He was born into a musical family in Pender, Nebraska on the day after Christmas 1929. He began playing bass during high school and continued in military bands while he served in the United States Air Force for three years.

In 1954 Budwig moved to Los Angeles and performed with Carmen McRae, Barney Kessel, Woody Herman, Red Norvo and Shelly Manne. Budwig may be best known as a member of the Vince Guaraldi Trio in the 1960s, with whom he made the album “Jazz Impressions of Black Orpheus” in 1962 and recorded the music for all the Charlie Brown television programs. He also began his career as a studio musician for film and television during this period, which included work on TV programs hosted by Steve Allen, Judy Garland, Merv Griffin and with the Tonight Show Band. Budwig was part of the Benny Goodman band during the mid-1960s, performing in New York and Japan.

Monty Budwig’s sole recording as a leader was “Dig,” made for Concord records in 1978. He died of liver cancer at home in Los Angeles in March of 1992.

Here is a link to a cut from Monty Budwig's album "Dig:"

"AU PRIVAVE"