Find-A-Grave: Charles "Buddy" Bolden

Charles Joseph "Buddy" Bolden

Resting Place: Holt Cemetery, 527 City Park Avenue, New Orleans

Plot: Section C

Born: September 6, 1877

Died: November 4, 1931 (aged 54)

Charles "Buddy" Borden was a cornet player, bandleader, and influential figure in the vibrant history of New Orleans, particularly during the golden era of Storyville, the city’s famed red-light district. Born in the late 19th century, Borden gained notoriety as a charismatic entrepreneur who thrived in the underworld of vice and entertainment. Known for his sharp wit and easy charm, Buddy was a key player in the social and economic networks that made Storyville a hub of indulgence and intrigue.

A patron of the arts and a keen businessman, Borden helped cultivate the careers of several up-and-coming musicians, many of whom would later become legends of early jazz. His establishments, though shrouded in controversy, were gathering places for artists, revelers, and seekers of the city’s hedonistic allure.

Though Buddy operated on the fringes of legality, he was deeply embedded in New Orleans society. He had connections to powerful figures, from politicians to law enforcement, which allowed him to navigate the complex and often dangerous landscape of the vice industry. Despite this, his life was marked by the risks inherent in his trade, including legal troubles and rivalries.

Buddy Borden’s legacy is intertwined with the rise of New Orleans as a cultural capital, particularly its contributions to jazz and the arts. While much of his life remains steeped in mystery, his role as a behind-the-scenes influencer and patron of the Storyville scene ensures his place in the city’s storied past.