BIRTHDAYS
1968     Eric Alexander, tenor sax.
1904     Kenneth Anderson, piano/alto sax/trumpet, b. Pittsburgh, PA, USA
1901     Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, Trumpet, b. New Orleans, LA, USA. d. July 6. 1971, New York, NY, USA. (Note: For many years, it was thought that Armstrong was born on July 4, but writer Gary Giddons discovered a birth certificate that had August 4 as Armstrong's birthday.) Many people have the notion that when the oldtime New Orleans Jazzmen left New Orleans, they took the Mississippi River boats up to Chicago. Unfortunately for this idea, the Mississippi River doesn't go to Chicago. In point of fact, all the old New Orleans Jazzmen went upstream a little ways by riverboat often playing as various towns en route, and eventually reached St. Louis, where they would board the Illinois Central RR to Chicago. They got off at the terminus... the Twelfth Street Station in Chicago. . In Aug. 1922, Joe "King" Oliver sent Louis Armstrong a telegram asking Satchmo to leave N.O. and to join King's 'Original Creole Jazz Band' in Chicago. 'Satchmo' quit his work with the 'Tuxedo Brass Band' (along with Kid Ory), and boarded the Illinois Central Railroad train. He got off at the 12th Street Station, - only 5 days after his 21st birthday. The rest is history.
1919     James Blackwood, C&W/Pop vocals, né: James Webre Blackwood. member: 'The Blackwood Brothers'
1962     Salvatore Bonafede, piano. His group has often included drummers Paul Motian (b. March 25, 1931, Philadelphia, PA, USA) and Adam Nussbaum (b. Nov 29, 1955, New York, NY, USA), bassist Marc Johnson (b. Oct 21, 1953, Omaha, Nebraska, USA) and Cameron Brown, and tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano (b. Dec 29, 1952, Cleveland, Ohio, USA)
1910     Floyd "Stumpy" Brady, Trombone, b. Brownsville, PA, USA. (Worked with Sam Price.)
1958     Ian Broudie, guitar, b. Liverpool, England. Member groups: Big In Japan; Original Mirrors, and Lightning Seeds.
1943     David Carr, rock keyboardist, b. (Leyton) Essex, England. Member group: 'Fortunes'
1905     Joseph "Red" Cayou (né: Caillou), piano, b. New Orleans, LA, USA. "Tuts" Washington credited this itinerant pianist as a prime influence on his early playing.
1965     Terry Lyne Carrington, drums
1969     Max Cavalera, guitar/vocals. b. Brazil. Member of pioneer metal band out of Brazil -'Sepultura'. 1996 single "Roots Bloody Roots" charted UK No.19. Then left 'Sepultura' and formed his own "Soulfly" group.
1968     Rob Cieka, drums, Member group: The Boo Radleys, 1995 single "Wake Up Boo" charted UK No.9.
1943     Tina Cole vocals/actress, b. Hollywood,, CA, USA. Member group: King Cousins
1904     Bill Coleman, Trumpet, b. Centreville, (near Paris) KY, USA. d. 1981 né: William Johnson Coleman. In 1926, settled in New York City, and played with both Charley Johnson and Cecil Scott. In 1933, with Lucky Millinder on European tour. '34-5, with Teddy Hill and Benny Carter bands. Nov. '26 - April 37, with Leon Abbey band in Bombay, India. Also, 1936 and '38, touring France with Willie Lewis band. In 1939, formed a Co-op group that played in Alexandria, Egypt for the wedding reception of the Shah of Iran and King Farouk's sister. In 1940, he was in the U.S.A. playing with Benny Carter orch., and with Teddy Wilson '40-'41 (at the famed Cafe Society Club). In Oct. '41, he was with Andy Kirk's orch., playing at the "Famous Door" club on 52nd Street. In 1942, toured South Africa with Noble Sissle's band. '43-4, with a trio in NYC. '45 with John Kirby band in California. In Dec. '45, in USO show that toured the Phillipines. In '46 for one month in Japan. '46-6 with Sy Oliver's band. Then went to France in Dec. '48 and took up permanent European residence. In 1954, he became resident at Paris' 'Trois Mailletz' but did tour to the USA in '54 and '58, and has toured both France, Germany, and North Africa. He has appeared on many French TV and Radio shows and also in 2 French films - 'Printemps a Paris' and 'Respectful Prostitute'.
1897     Bill Cox, C&W vocals, b. Kanawha County, WV, USA. Tag: "The "Dixie Songbird"
1960     Robbin Crosby (heavy metal rock) guitarist/vocals. Member group: "Ratt-Round & Round"
1903     Lew Davis, trombone, Recorded with Enoch Light, bassist, arranger, and British bandleader 'Spike' Hughes (b. Oct 19, 1908, London, England, d. Feb 2, 1987, London, England), and bandleader Jack Hylton among others.
1930     Hank DeVega, Clarinet, b. El Paso, TX, USA.
1921     Mitchell Herbert "Herb" Ellis, Guitar, b. Farmersville (near McKinley), TX, USA. A fine guitarist who played effortlessly at any tempo, yet could still conjure up a warm Blues-y sound. After attending North Texas State College, he first joined (1944) Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orch., and then worked with Jimmy Dorsey's band. Member of the "Soft Winds" instrumental/voice trio. In 1953, he replaced Barney Kessel in Oscar Peterson' trio, then toured with trio with 'Jazz At The Philharmonic', - both in the USA and Europe. Left Peterson in Nov. 1958. Worked with Ella Fitzgerald's acc. unit in 1959. Among his compositions are "I Told You I Loved You, Now Get Out" and "Detour Ahead".
1951     Roy Flowers, drums, b. Great Britain. Member group: 'Sweet Sensation', 1974 single "Sad Sweet Dreamer" charted UK No.1. CAUTION: Do not confuse with the American R&B vocal group of the same name of :"Sweet Sensations", consisting of 4 ladies, Mari Fernandez, Margie Fernandez, Sheila Bega, and Betty Lebron. (One of the most popular female groups in Latin freestyle (namely salsa and merengue) and hip-hop.)
1940     Frankie Ford, vocals, b. Gretna, LA, USA. né: Frank Guzzo Member group: 'Sea Cruise'
1950     Vicki Hackerman, C&W vocals, b. Louisville, KY, USA. Member: "Dave & Sugar".
1953     Jeff Hamilton, Drums, b. Richmond, IN, USA
1909     Manny Harmon, leader, b. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, d. March 5, 2003, Century City, California, USA. (natural causes) Age: 93. Manny, whose orchestras provided the music at venues ranging from presidential conventions and inaugurals to hotel ballrooms and cocktail parties, was active right up to the very end. Less than one month before his demise, he had appeared with his own trio, accompanying "The Ink Spots" vocal group, at a Jack Benny tribute party. He was the Musical director at all the U.S. Republican Party National Conventions from 1956-1992, and he also spent 17 years as orchestra manager for RKO Studios in Hollywood, and even found time to be the musical director of the 'Miss Universe' pageant for several years.
1915     Melvin E. "Mel" Henke, piano, b. Chicago. IL, USA, d. March 31, 1979, Canoga Park, California, USA.
1966     Andy Henderson, drums. b. UK. Member group: 'Echobelly'. 1995 single "Great Things" charted UK No.13.
1936     Elsberry Hobbs, vocals, b. New York, NY, USA. Member: 'The Drifters'
1928     Billy Hodges, trumpet, d. June 1, 2003
1939     "Big Dee" Irwin, singer-songwriter, b. New York, NY, USA. né: Defosca Ervin. member: Little Eva and Big Dee
1903     Helen Kane, vocalist. b. New York (Bronx borough), NY, USA, d. September 26, 1966, Age: 63.
1940     Larry Knechtel, guitar/keyboards, b. USA. Member group: Bread. 1970 single "Make It With You" charted US No.1 and UK No.5.
1942     Bubbu Knight, vocals, b. Atlanta, GA, USA. Sang with Gladys Knight and The Pips
1947     Paul Layton, guitar/bass/vocals, b. Beaconsfield, England. Member group: 'The New Seekers'. 1972 single "I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing" charted UK No.1.
1905     Frank Luther, Piano Vocals Songwriter, b. Kansas City, MO, USA né: Francis Luther Crow. Luther was raised in Bakersfield, California, and his first work was as a singer/pianist with Gospel quartets. He relocated to New York City in the late 1920s. Then, in 1928, Carson J. Robison broke up with his partner, Vernon Dalhart. Robison joined forces with the Luther Brothers, Frank and Phil Crow, and they became known as the 'Carson Robison Trio'. A little later, Phil left the group, and Frank and Carson continued as a duo, billed as 'Bud and Joe Billings', recording for the Victor, Conqueror and Decca labels during the late 1920s and early '30s. In 1929, as "Bud And Joe Billings", they released "Will The Angels Play Their Harps For Me?" and "The Wanderer's Warning". From 1933 through 1935, Frank was a regular guest on Ethel Park Richardson's Folk culture dramatizations on radio station WOR and the NBC network. He also appeared in some early Country music films. During the 30's and '40's, he cut some children's records and recorded, mostly for Decca, some stories, ballads and cowboy songs. He went on to become a lecturer on American music and wrote the book "Americans And Their Songs". Frank also recorded with his wife, Zora Layman, and with singing cowboy Ray Whitley. In the '50's, he worked as a music industry executive.
1919   Ken MackIntosh, leader/alto sax, Liversedge (West Yorkshire), UK, d. November 22, 2005, South London, England, UK. (heart attack) Age: 86.
1927     Howie L. Mann, drums, b. New York, NY, USA
1960     Graham Massey, songwriter/synth/producer, b. Manchester, England. Member group: 808 State.
1962     Mark O'Conno,guitar/vocals, b. Seattle, WA, USA.
1886     Charles Pace, Gospel vocals, b. Atlanta, GA, USA. Sang with the "Pace Jubilee Singers"
1929     Don Prell, Bass, b. Santa Monica, CA. USA
1954     George Price, guitar, b. Klamath Falls, OR, USA. Played in many west-coast bands before moving to Atlanta in 1983. Played with The Platters, The Coasters, Straight Up, Lola Gulley, Larry Griffith, Patrick Vining, Heaven Davis, Andrew Black, and his own bands 'George Price Band' (variety) and 'King George & The Blue Knights' (Blues, R&B).
1912     David Raksin, Composer, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA, d. August 9, 2004, Van Nuys, CA, USA. (Cardiac Arrest).
1962     Paul Reynolds, Member group: A Flock Of Seagulls, 1982 single "Wishing" charted UK No.10.
1890     Carson J. Robison, composer/leader, b. Oswego, KS, USA. d. March 24, 1957, Pleasant Valley, New York, USA. Age: 66. This Country-and-Western Singer-songwriter, was also radio's first "Cowboy". In the 1920's and '30s, he recorded a number of hit duets with such artists as Gene Austin, Vernon Dalhart and Frank Luther (b. Francis Luther Crow, 4 August 1905, Kansas, USA). Many of the tunes that he composed have since become "standards", such as "Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie" and "Blue Ridge Mountain Home." In 1947, 'Carson Robison and His Pleasant Valley Boys' recorded "Life Gets Tee-Jus, Don't It", which was successful for Robison as well as for others including 'Doc' Watson, Arthur Godfrey, 'Tex' Williams, Cal Tinney, and Peter Lind Hayes
1940     Robert Sacre, author/educator. Sacre is Maitre de Conferences in the Department of Music and at the Center for American Studies of the University of Liège (Belgium). He is well known as the author of books on the many different styles of American music, including R&B, Negro Spirituals, Cajun, Creole and Zydeco, Delta Blues and other styles.
1947     Klaus Schulze, guitar, b. Germany. Member group: 'Tangerine Dream'. 1974 album 'Phaedra' charted UK No.15.
1933     Sonny Simmons, Alto Sax/English Horn, b. Sicily Island, LA, USA
1924     Benny Sims, Bluegrass fiddler/session musician.
1944     Bobo Stenson, Piano, b. Vasteras, Sweden
1932     Scotty Stoneman, C&W Vocals/Fiddle/Banjo/Guitar, b. Galax, VA, USA. Member: 'The Stonemans', a group rormed in 1956 and comprised of Patsy Stoneman (Vocals, Guitar, Autoharp, Jew’s Harp, Tipel, née: Pattie Inez Stoneman, b. May 27, 1925 Galax, Virginia, USA), Scotty Stoneman (Vocals, Fiddle, Banjo, Guitar né:Calvin Scott Stoneman, b. August 4, 1932 Galax, Virginia, USA d. March 4, 1973, USA), Donna Stoneman (Vocals, Mandolin, Guitar, Fiddle née:Donna LaVerne Stoneman, b. February 7, 1934 Alexandria, Virginia, USA), Jimmy Stoneman (Vocals, Bass, Guitar, Fiddle né:Oscar James Stoneman, b. March 8, 1937 Washington, D.C, USA), Roni Stoneman (Vocals, Banjo, Guitar, Bass née:Veronica Loretta Stoneman, b. May 5, 1937 Washington, D.C, USA), and Van Stoneman (ocals, Guitar, Bass, Clawhammer and Bluegrass Banjo, Dobro né:Van Haden Stoneman, b. December 31, 1940 Washington, D.C, USA, d. June 3, 1995, USA). Over time, non-family members have included Johnny Bellar, Jimmy Case, Porter Church, David Daugherty, Chuck Holcomb, Lew Houston (aka Lew Childre), Jerry Monday, Johnny Bellar, and Eddie Mueller
1922     Earl Bowman Swope, trombone, b. Hagerstown, MD, USA. d. 1968
1924     Thomas Robert "Tom" Talbert, Leader, b. Crystal Bay, MN, USA. d. July 2, 2005
1914     Irving Taylor, songwriter, b. New York, NY, USA. Worked with Louis Jordan
1921     August "TNT" Tribble, drums, vocal, b. Ferrel, Pennsylvania, USA. "TNT" played in his brother's band called the Treble Clefs, before forming his own group. In 1949, Tribble joined Frank Motley's 'Motley Crew'. In 1952. he left the 'Motley Crew' and became an exclusive Gotham label artist. In 1955, he toured the eastern U.S. seaboard and Cuba, and in 1957 began recording for Miami's Chart label, Atlantic's East-West subsidiary in 1960, and the tiny Frandy label in 1961.
1965     John Webber, bass, b. St. Louis, MO, USA. Has played with such small groups as Peter Bernstein Quartet, Eric Alexander Quartet/Quintet, Jim Rotondi Quintet, Anthony Wonsey Quintet, Ryan Kisor Quartet, Joe Magnarelli Quintet, Jim Rotondi Quintet, and the Ryan Kisor Quartet. However, he is perhaps best recalled as member group: "Jimmy Cobb's Mob" (also includes: Peter Bernstein (guitar, b. Sept. 4, 1967, New York city.), and Richard Wyands (piano, b. July 2, 1928, Oakland, CA USA.)
CAUTION: Do not confuse with
** Chicago-based jazz pianist Jon Weber, b. March 18, 1961, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
** Joan Weber, an American popular singer. (b. Dec 12, 1935, Paulsboro, New Jersey, USA, d. May 13, 1981)
1945     Richard Weize, ceo (Bear Family Records), b. ?Vollersode, West Germany
1962     Paul Williams rock guitar. Member group: Flock of Seagulls
1943     Al "Blind Owl" Wilson, b. Boston, MA, USA. Member group: Canned Heat.
1963     Sam Yaffa, bassist. b. Finland. Member group: Hanoi Rocks. 1984 single "Up Around The Bend" charted UK No.61. Began his recording career with Finnish punk group 'Pelle Miljoona OY'. In 1980, Their album "Moottoritie on Kuuma" went gold. Later that year, at just age 16, Sam joined 'Hanoi Rocks' and recorded his first single.
1940     Rosemarie "Timi" Yuro, vocals. b. Chicago, IL, USA. Member group: 'Hurt'.
         Notable Events on this date include:
1927.    In Schenectady, NY, the General Electric Radio station 2XAG, later named WGY, began experimental operations with a 100,000-watt transmitter. Later, AM radio stations were not permitted to exceed 50,000 watts.
1962.    Jack Taylor, bass and tenor banjo, (b. Summershade area near Glasgow, KY, USA) died. Age 60. Memner: "The Prarie Ramblers"
1970.    George "Scoops" Carry, alto sax, died in Chicago, IL, USA. Age: 55. Played with Earl Hines Orch.
1973.    Famed Jazz guitarist Eddie Condon died in New York city. Age 68.
1975.    Fumio Nanri, trumpet, died Louis Armstrong called him the "Satchmo of Japan".
1978.    (C&W) "Fiddlin' Doc" Roberts died in Madison Country, KY, USA.
1980.    Duke Pearson, piano, died in Atlanta, GA, USA. Age: 47
1980.    Pekka Poyry. alto-tenor-sopr-saxes, clarinet, flute, piano, vocal, Member Finnish rock group: "Tasavallan Presidentti " (President of the Republic)
1982.    Tex Atchison, (Western Swing) Singer-Songwriter/Fiddle/Mandolin/Guitar/Banjo, died in Collinsville, IL, USA. Age: 70. "Often called "The best left-handed fiddler in the history of Country music).
1984.    Irving "Babe" Russin, tenor sax, died in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Age: 73
1987.    Kenny Price, (C&W) vocals died (heart attack). Age: 56. Tagged: "The "Round Mound of Sound"
1989.    Lucille James, piano, died in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Age: 70
1991.    Jazz singer Jeri Southern died in Los Angeles, CA. USA.
1992.    Ralph Cooper Sr., mc (Apollo Theatre), died in New York (Manhattan), NY, USA. Age: 80
1993.    Kenny Drew, piano, died in Copenhagen, Denmark, Age: 64 (His son is an active Jazz pianist.)
1997.    Roy Carter, (C&W) bass singer for "The Chuck Wagon Gang" died.
         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
1904   "Tenting On The Old Campground", - Haydn Quartet. (Kittredge/Walter tune)
1911   "The Cuckoo Song", - George Watson vocal release
1915   "Bon Ton - One Step", - Conway's Band (Lucketh Roberts tune)
1925   "That Charleston Baby of Mine", - Don Bestor Orch. (Bernie Grossman/Dan Dougherty tune)
1931   "This Is The Missus", - Ben Bernie Orch.
1931   "Sweet and Lovely", - Ben Bernie Orch.
1931   "I Apologize", - Ben Bernie Orch.
1932   "Sheltered By The Stars, Cradled By The Moon", - Gene Kardos Orch.
1932   "Same Old Moon (Same Old Sky)", - Bennie Krueger Orch.
1933   "Will There Be Any Cowboys In Heaven", - Lone Star Cowboys
1938   "Prelude To A Kiss", - Duke Ellington and His Famous Orch.
1938   "Lambeth Walk", - Duke Ellington and His Famous Orch.
1932   "Roamin' For Romance", - Sydney Pelton and his Orch.
1932   "Play Me A Frigid Air", - Village Barn Orch. (Sidney Pelton band)
1936   "You Can Depend On Me", - Fletcher Henderson Orch.
1938   "Je ne Sais Pa Pa", - Joseph Rines and his St. Regis Hotel Orch.
1941   "Afternoon of a Faun", - Jan Savitt and his Tophatters
1950   "Can Anyone Explain? (No! No! No!)", - Ames Brothers
1954   "Cara Mia", - David Whitfield
1956   "Don't Be Cruel", - Elvis Presley
1956   "Hound Dog", - Elvis Presley
1958   "Chantilly Lace", - Big Bopper
1958   "Rock-In Robin", - Bobby Day
1958   "Western Movies", - The Olympics
1958   "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)", - Domenico Modugno
1962   "You Don't Know Me", - Ray Charles
1973   "Gypsy Man", - War
1979   "Lonesome Loser", - Little River Band
1990   "Tonight", - New Kids On The Block