[1][2] Born and raised in Tipton, Indiana,[3] a small farming community, Bunch studied piano with George Johnson, a Hoosier jazz pianist.

During World War II, he enlisted in the Army Air Forces and became a bombardier on a B17 Flying Fortress.

In 1956, he moved to Los Angeles where he immediately was accepted by jazz musicians such as Georgie Auld and Jimmie Rowles, who later recommended him to Woody Herman.

After that, he resumed his jazz work, performing and recording with Benny Goodman, Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Pearl Bailey, and Scott Hamilton.

[4] With Benny Bailey With Buck Clayton and Tommy Gwaltney's Kansas City 9 With Kenny Davern With Maynard Ferguson With Gene Krupa With Donnie O'Brien With Bucky Pizzarelli With Rex Stewart and Dicky Wells