Buddy Bolden - Bolden in Fiction

Bolden in Fiction

Bolden has inspired a number of fictional characters with his name. The Canadian author Michael Ondaatje wrote a novel Coming Through Slaughter, which features a "Buddy Bolden" character who in some ways resembles Bolden, but in other ways is deliberately contrary to what is known about him.

• The character of Buddy Bolden helps Samuel Clemens solve a murder in Peter J. Heck's novel, A Connecticut Yankee in Criminal Court(1996).

• Bolden is featured as a prominent character in David Fulmer's murder mystery entitled Chasing the Devil's Tail, where he is a bandleader and a suspect in the murders. He also appears by reputation or in person in Fulmer's other books.

• He is a notable character in Louis Maistros' novel The Sound of Building Coffins, which contains many scenes depicting Bolden playing his cornet.