BIRTHDAYS
1957     James Armstrong, guitar, b. Los Angeles, CA, USA.
1936     Nico Bunink, piano b. Amsterdam, Netherlands. d. Dec. 26, 2001.
1921     Candido Camero, Percussion,conga drum, b. Havana, Cuba
1936     Glen Campbell, vocalist/guitar, b. Delight, AK, USA, né: Glen Travis Campbell Before becoming a star vocalist, Glen was one of the finest guitarists in Hollywood. His sessions included work for 'The Mamas and the Papas', Ricky Nelson, Frank Sinatra, Merle Haggard and Bobby Darin, among others.
1951     Paul Carrack, vocals/keyboard, b. Sheffield, Yorkshire, England. Member groups: Roxy Music, Mike + The Mechanics, Ace, and Squeeze,
The group "Squeeze" was formed in 1974 by Chris Difford (b. April 11, 1954; guitar, vocals) and Glenn Tilbrook (b. August 31, 1957; vocals, guitar). Tilbrook had answered an advertisement that Difford had placed in a store window, and the pair began writing songs. They had recruited pianist Jools Holland (b. Julian Holland, January 24, 1958) and drummer Paul Gunn, and had named themselves Squeeze, after the disowned Velvet Underground album that featured none of the group's original members.
The group "Ace" enjoyed some minor success on the pop charts due largely to the soulful vocals of Paul Carrack would later work with 'Squeeze' and 'Roxy Music', as well as a solo artist. The group favored soulful R&B rather than the three-chord Boogie and country-rock that marked most pub rock bands.
"Mike + the Mechanics" was formed in 1985, by Genesis bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford with himself (bass), former 'Ace' and 'Squeeze' member Paul Carrack (vocals, keyboards), ex-'Sad Cafe' member Paul Young (vocals), keyboardist Adrian Lee, and drummer Peter Van Hooke.
The group "Roxy Music" was formed in January 1971, and originally consisted of Bryan Ferry (vocals, keyboards, b. Sept. 26, 1945, Washington, Co. Durham, England); Brian Eno (keyboards, né: Brian Peter George St. Baptiste de la Salle Eno, b. May 15, 1948, Woodbridge, Suffolk, England); Graham Simpson (bass) and Andy Mackay (b. July 23, 1946, England). In the following year, several new members came and went including drummer Dexter Lloyd, guitarist Roger Bunn and former 'Nice' guitarist David O'List. By early 1972, a relatively settled line-up emerged with the recruitment of Paul Thompson (drums, b. May 13, 1951, Jarrow, Northumberland, England) and Phil Manzanera (b. Philip Targett Adams (guitar, b. 31 January 1951, London, England).
1943     Mel Carter, vocals, b. Cincinnati, OH, USA. Best recalleld for his only Top Ten pop hit "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" (1965), an update of a composition that predated the Rock era.
1935     Paul Chambers, Bass, b. Pittsburgh, PA, USA. d. Jan. 4, 1969, New York, NY, USA.
1960     Steve Clark, guitar, d. Jan. 8, 1991. Member group: 'Def Leppard'
1978     Kellie Coffey, C&W vocals, b. Moore, OK, USA. at the age of nine when she sang at ~the Oklahoma Opry. Her interest in music continued and Coffey attended the same high school that country star Toby Keith had attended. Her involvement in music took on a more serious course while attending the University of Oklahoma, where she participated in musicals and other performance activities. Relocating to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a singer,
1910     Benjamin "Buzzy" Drootin, Drums, b. Russia, d. May 27, 2000, Englewood, NJ. Family emigrated to USA when he was 5, settling in Boston, MA, USA. His father (clarinetist) and both his brothers were musicians. Buzzy began earning money while still a teenager playing drums in neighborhood Bars. By 1940, he was touring with the Jess Stacy All-Stars band with Buck Clayton on trumpet and Lee Wiley vocalist. During 1947 - '51, he was the drummer at Eddie Condon's Club in New York City. (Others there included Doc Cheatham, Wingy Manone and Jimmy McPartland.) During the '50s and 60s, he recorded with such groups as Tommy Dorsey, Bobby Hackett, Dixieland All-Stars, Jazz Giants, Newport All-Stars, and the Dukes of Dixieland, - touring extensively in both the USA and Europe. In 1973, he returned to Boston, and with his brother Al, formed the Drootin Brothers Jazz Band. (Al is happily still with us in 6/2000) During the 1980s, he often appeared at the Los Angeles Jazz Festival backing up such stars as Chuck Hedges and Will Bill Davison.
1945     Pat Enright, C&W Guitar/Vocals (tenor), b. Huntington, IN, USA. Member group: "Nashville Bluegrass Band"
1950     Peter Frampton, vocals/guitar, b. Beckenham, Kent, England. Member groups: 'The Herd', 'Humble Pie' and 'Frampton's Camel'
1945     Cleve Francis, C&W vocals/guitar, b. Jennings, LA, USA. In 1973, after obtaining his degree from the Medical College of Virginia. Francis moved to Washington, D.C., establishing himself as a cardiologist. However, he started moonlighting as a vocalist in the local clubs, even self-releasing three albums on his own label. Francis' real break came as a result of one of his patients, Olaf Hall, having a heart-attack. Olaf's brother was "Big John" Garfield Hall, a member of the R&B band 'The Heartbeats'. "Big John" helped Francis get an audition with Playback Records, who signed him. His debut album flopped, but his debut single and video, "Love Light," released in 1990, both won critical acclaim.
1951     Reuben Gosfield, C&W steel guitar, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. Member group: "Asleep At The Wheel"
1940     Ray Griff, C&W vocals, b. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
1941     Don Grusin, keyboards. Younger brother of producer/composer Dave Grusin. His life's career began as an academician. He worked as an economics professor, and only in 1975 did be decide to make music his full time work. Although an excellent keyboardist, he had deliberately avoided music because he did not wish to live under the shadow of his famous brother, composer Dave Grusin. Still, in 1988, he did collaborate with brother Dave, on their album "Sticks and Stones". From 1990 - 1994, Don released 5 albums on the GRP label featuring Gerald Albright, Wayne Johnson, Walfredo Reyes Jr., Armand Sabal-Lecco and Sal Marquez. In 1996, he wrote the soundtrack for the film 'Mulholland Falls'. In 1997, he was heard on both on Kenny Rankin's release "Here In My Heart", and on Eric Marienthal's release "Easy Street". He has also worked with such men as Lee Ritenour, and Harvey Mason.
1947     Barry Guy, Bass, b. London, England, d. 1947
1908     Avery "Kid" Howard, Cornet, b. New Orleans, LA, USA. d. 1966, USA.
1919     Benjamin "Bull Moose" Jackson, Leader/tenor-alto sax/vocals, b. Cleveland, OH, USA. d. July 31, 1989, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
1979     Daniel Johns, Vocals/Guitar/Piano/Harpsichord/Orchestral Arrangements/Producer/Artwork. Member group: 'Silverchair'
1948    Jan Kaspersen, Piano/Composer, b. Copenhagen, Denmark
1956     Kenny Lyons, Bass/Vocals. Member group: 'The Lemonheads'
1969     Craig Logan, producer. Member group: 'Bros'
1936     Don Menza, Tenor Sax/flue, b. Buffalo, NY, USA.
1922     Charles Mingus, Bass/piano/leader/composer, b. Nogales, AZ, USA. d. Jan. 5, 1979, Cuernavaca, Mexico. (Lou Gehrig's disease)
1913     Willie C. "Boll Weenie Bill" Moore, guitar, b. Kinston, NC, USA, . d. May 2, 1971
1937     Jack Nitzsche, arranger/producer/composer, b. Chicago, IL, USA, d. Aug. 25, 2000 in Hollywood, CA, USA (cardiac arrest brought on by a bronchial infection) For 40 years,, Jack was an important behind-the-scenes figure in the music business. "The Rolling Stones", and Neil Young in particular benefited from his talents.
1944     Joshua Rifkin, Pianist/leader, b. New York, NY, USA. Rifkin is a well known classical pianist but is included here because of his great interest in reviving the 'Rags' of Scott Joplin and such other composers. During the 60's Rifkin studied at the Juilliard School of Music (NYC), New York University (NYC), Gottingen University (Ger.) and Princeton, NJ (USA), and worked on composition with Karl-Heinz Stockhausen in Darmstadt (Ger.). At the same time, he was actively playing ragtime and piano jazz. For Elektra Records, he conducted The Baroque Beatles, classical-style versions of John Lennon and Paul McCartney songs, arranged and conducted "Wildflowers", and other recordings for singer Judy Collins, and was recorded himself as a member of the 'The Even Dozen Jug Band'. In 1970 he was appointed Professor of Music at Brandeis University in Massachusetts (USA), and musical director of the Elektra subsidiary, Nonesuch Records. In 1971, Rifkin was a featured artist in New York City's Lincoln Center production of the highly successful 'An E vening With Scott Joplin'. From 1970-74, his recordings of Scott Joplin Piano Rags won Stereo Review and Billboard Awards as records of the year. The records coincided with the release of the 1973 film 'The Sting' , whose sound track also featured 'The Entertainer' and several other Joplin tunes, arranged by another Juilliard School of Music graduate, - Marvin Hamlisch. Winning seven Academy Awards, the films sparked a nationwide revival of Joplin's works. Subsequently, Rifkin has worked mostly in the classical field, conducting concerts and releasing several albums. He has also been at the forefront of efforts to 1967Heath Wright, singer/songwriterrevitalize vintage recordings of ragtime music by the digital process.
1924     George "Harmonica" Smith, harmonica, b. Helena, AR, USA.
1922    Lou Stein, Piano, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. A fine player with a light touch, Stein's eclecticism tends to deter some listeners from appreciating him fully. He is a Versatile pianist who moves effortlessly between extremes of Jazz styles. As a teenager, Stein worked with several musicians including Buddy De Franco. In the early '40s, after a brief stint with Ray McKinley, he was inducted into the US Army (WWII) where he played with Glenn Miller's Army Air Force band. At war's end, he rejoined McKinley, then joined an old friend, Charlie Ventura, with whom he co-composed the jazz standard, "East Of Suez". Durning the 50s, Stein worked with such men as Billy Butterfield, Kai Winding, Sarah Vaughan, Sauter-Finegan and Louie Bellson. Stein was one of the 'regulars' that worked in the various bands put together by Bob Haggart and Yank Lawson that eventually metamorphosed into The World's Greatest Jazz Band. In the late '50s, Stein played with Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young, two great tenor sax men. In the late '60s, he often toured Europe, playing and recording with Joe Venuti and he continued working through the 70s and into the 80s, playing with important artists such as Flip Phillips, and also resuming his acquaintance with McKinley . He again toured Europe, but with the WGJB. Stein and guitarist George Barnes on guitar/banjo also often recorded.
1928     Tommy Turrentine, (hard bop) trumpet, b. ( some sources say b.. April 12) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. d. May 13, 1997. né: Thomas Walter Turrentine, Jr. His brother was tenor saxophone player Stanley Turrentine (b: April 5, 1934, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, d: Sept 12, 2000, New York, NY, USA). On August 12, 1993, Jimmy Owens did a video-interview with Turrentine at the New York Public Library's 'Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture' (The Video is available for loan: Call # Sc Visual VRB-2028 Original of: Sc Visual VRA-195. 1 hr., 32 min.). At that time, Tommy stated that he ".....began his musical career while still a teenager, and performed and recorded most actively throughout the 1940s-'60s." Turrentine said he was born April 22, 1928 in Philadelphia, PA, USA. In the video, "Tommy recalled his parents' involvement in music. He was given his first trumpet by his Aunt Dolly and a music book by his father while in grammar school. He never received any formal training. At age 15 Turrentine joined the musicians' union and was listening to Fats Navarro, Freddie Webster and their linear melodic style, along with Charlie Parker. He learned theory and harmony from Cal Massey. At age 16 (1944) Turrentine quit school, went on the road with Snookum Russell's Band and toured throughout the south. In 1946 he played with Benny Carter for one year, was let go due to his lack of sight reading ability." It was Miles Davis who advised him to learn to read music and play the piano, and during 1948-'50 Turrentine played with George Hudson and also did some arranging. In the video, Tommy stated that "His first recording was with John Coltrane in the Gary Cross Band. From 1952-'55 he made a few recordings while playing with Earl Bostic. In 1956 Turrentine worked with "Philly Joe" Jones, and with Charles Mingus at Birdland for two weeks. From 1959-60 while with Max Roach, Turrentine made his first recording as leader, and moved to New York City to stay. Was now listening to Sonny Rollins and Freddie Hubbard. Turrentine made his first trip to Europe while with Roach and recalls some of the highlights. He recorded five albums with Roach on the Time label. During the 1960's Turrentine played with Lou Donaldson, "Philly Joe" Jones, Lloyd Price and Frank Foster." Turrentine names those he feels changed the entire style of trumpet playing: Louis Armstrong, Roy Aldridge, Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Owens, Thad Lewis, Clifford Brown, Fats Navarro, Kenny Durham, Art Tatum, Freddie Hubbard, and Booker Little. He is currently studying arranging, composing; pursuing his interest in producing with his brother Stanley; and working with his trumpet after some personal setbacks." Tommy recorded only one session as a leader before retiring from music in the 1960s. In the video interview, he named those he felt changed the entire style of trumpet playing, and they included Louis Armstrong, Roy Aldridge, Dizzy Gillespie, Jimmy Owens, Thad Lewis, Clifford Brown, Fats Navarro, Kenny Durham, Art Tatum, Freddie Hubbard, and Booker Little. Among the other stars with whom he worked were Count Basie, Benny Carter, Lou Donaldson, Max Roach, Earl Bostic, Dexter Gordon, Charles Mingus, Billy Eckstine, Horace Parlan, Jackie McLean, Sonny Clark and his own brother Stanley.
1919     William "Brother" Woodman, tenor sax
1967     Heath Wright, singer-songwriter, b. Vian, OK, USA. Best known tune: "Ricochet"
         Notable Events occuring this date include:
1968.    Steve Sholes, arranger/producer (for RCA Victor), died in Nashville, TN, USA. Age: 57
1975.    Walter Vinson, guitar, died in Chicago, IL, USA. Age: 74 Member: 'Mississippi Sheiks'
1980.    Rev. Louis Overstreet, guitar, died in Phoenix, AZ, USA. Age: 59
1983.    Emil Shalit, label owner (Blue Beat), died in London, UK. Age: 74
1983.    Earl "Fatha" Hines died in Oakland, CA, USA. Age: 79. This Jazz pianist/composer was a major influence on Teddy Wilson, Jess Stacy, Joe Sullivan and Nat King Cole.
1987.    Irving C. Ashby, guitar, died in Perris, CA, USA. Age: 66 Member: 'Nat "King" Cole Trio'
1990.    Joe Blue Little, guitar, died in Reno, NV, USA. Age: 55
1993.    Jimmy Bee, vocals/producer, died in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Age: 59
1993.    Big Ed Thompson, guitar, died in Cincinnati, CT, USA. Age: 58
1995.    Don Pullen, piano, died in East Orange, NJ, USA. Age: 53
1996.    Helen Keane, producer, died in New York, NY, USA. Age: 73
         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
      1944 "It's Love, Love, Love" - The Guy Lombardo Orchestra (vocal: Skip Nelson)
      1944 "Poinciana", - Bing Crosby
      1949 "Some Enchanted Evening", Perry Como
      1952 "Wheel of Fortune" - Kay Starr
      1952 "Anytime" - Eddie Fisher
      1952 "Be My Life's Companion" - The Mills Brothers
      1960 "Greenfields" - The Brothers Four
      1960 "The Theme from "A Summer Place" - Percy Faith
      1960 "Sweet Nothin's" - Brenda Lee
      1960 "He'll Have to Go" - Jim Reeves
      1968 "Honey" - Bobby Goldsboro
      1968 "Lady Madonna" - The Beatles
      1972 "I Didn't Get To Sleep At All (Last Night)", Fifth Dimension
      1972 "Morning Has Broken", Cat Stevens
      1976 "Drinkin' My Baby (Off My Mind)" - Eddie Rabbitt
      1976 "Disco Lady"- Johnnie Taylor
      1976 "Let Your Love Flow" - Bellamy Brothers
      1978 "On Broadway", Benson, George
      1978 "Shadow Dancing", Andy Gibb
      1978 "Too Much, Too Little, Too Late", Johnny Mathis
      1978 "It's A Heartache", - Bonnie Tyler
      1984 "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" - Phil Collins
      1984 "The Yellow Rose" - Johnny Lee with Lane Brody
      1989 "Patience", Guns N' Roses
      1989 "Where Are You Now",- Jimmy Harnen
      1989 "Close My Eyes Forever", - Lita Ford
      1989 "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)", New Kids On The Block