BIRTHDAYS
19??     Gene "Daddy G" Barge, tenor sax/arranger/producer, b. Norfolk, VA, USA. Barge is perhaps best known as the 'Daddy G' playing sax on all those Gary U.S. Bonds and Jimmy Soul songs. However as an arranger/producer, he played a pivotal role in the development of such major recording artists as Natalie Cole and Gary "U.S." Bonds; introduced seminal acts on Stax Records and Chess Records; and shared scenes with movie stars Gene Hackman, Chuck Norris, Harrison Ford, and Steven Seagal in major motion pictures.
1959     Kurtis Blow, vocals, b. New York, NY, USA. né: Kurt Walker
1932     Peter Compo, violin, bass, d. April 28, 2003. Compo attended the Manhattan School of Music, and also studied with Slam Stewart, Phil Sklar (principal bass player for Arturo Toscanini's NBC Orchestra), and Homer Mensch (principal bassist with the New York Philharmonic). He began his professional career in 1950 when he started playing in New York's 'Central Plaza' with such Jazz stars as pianist Willie "The Lion" Smith, Henry "Red" Allen, and Conrad Janis among others. He subsequently worked with Ray Brown, "Slam" Stewart, "Stuff" Smith, Ray Nance, Sven Amundsen and Duke Ellington. He once told an interviewer that his best "education" was working with "Stuff" Smith. Interestingly, at just age 8, Compo began to study the classical violin, before switching to the Bass which became his major instrument for many years. Then later in his career, he returned to the violin. As a sideman Compo played and recorded with a Who's Who of Jazz, and also cut three CDs as a leader
1958     Greg Chaisson, heavy metal rock musician, (Badlands: Dreams in the Dark).
1934     Pinell Curry, drums, b. Greenville, MS, USA.
1942     Jack DeJohnette, Drums, piano, leader, b. Chicago, IL, USA.
1956     James Patrick Doyle, Composer, b. Fairmont, WV, USA, d. Jan. 8, 2002. He is perhaps best recalled for setting the original book of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to music. Among his collaborators was David Maxine. From ca. 1980, he began to use computers to compose music.
1953     Cathy Fink, C&W singer/guitarist/banjoist, b. Baltimore, MD, USA.
1890     A. C. Forehand, (gospel) guitar, b. Columbia, GA, USA.
1923     Rena Fulmer, vocals, b. East St. Louis, IL, USA. née: Rena Wright
1946     Pete Gavin, Drums. b. Lewisham, London, UK. Member groups: 'Heads Hands And Feet', 'Vinegar Joe'.
1946     Marinus Gerritsen, Member group: Golden Earring. 1974 single "Radar Love" charted UK No.7.
1962     Edsel Gomez, piano, b. Puerto Rico. Gomez began his piano studies at age five. He subsequently worked with a veritable Who's Who of Latin Jazz including such Latin stars as Marvin Santiago, Celia Cruz, Carlos "Potato" Valdes, Santitos Colon, Cheo Feliciano, Roberto Roena, Willie Colon, Ismael Rivera Jr., Luis "Perico" Ortiz, Olga Guillot, Lola Flores, Marco Antonio Mu&ncirc;iz, among many others. In 1985, he gained a Bachelor of Music Degree at Berklee College of Music with a Count Basie Award for outstanding musicianship. From 1986 to 1996, he worked in Brazil with such artists as Cauby Peixoto, Wilson Simonal, Paulinho da Viola, Amelinha, Caetano Veloso, Joao Bosco, Lucinha Lins, Angela Maria and Trombonist Raul de Souza. In 1997, he relocated to New York city where he recorded with saxophonist David Sanchez's group, the Prague Radio Symphony Orch., and Clarinetist Don Byron's group. Edsel remains very active and currently works as Dee Dee Bridgewater's pianist/arranger, along with other projects that include recording with Conrad Herwig, Jack DeJohnette's "Latin Project" featuring Giovanni Hidalgo, Don Byron, Luisito Quintero and Jerome Harris. He has also collaborated with vocalist Janis Siegel. Others with whom he has worked include such Jazzmen as Gary Burton, Claudio Roditi, Bill Pierce, Don Byron, Chick Corea and Jerry Gonzalez among many others.
1934     Bobby Hales, Trumpet/Leader, b: Avonlea, SK, Canada. né: Robert Arthur Hales. Raised in Regina where he first studied Trumpet. In 1952, relocated to Chilliwack, BC. During 1955-'57, was in Los Angeles, CA, studying with Dick Groves, and Ollie Mitchell at the Westlake College of Modern Music. Then relocated permanently to Vancouver, BC, and where he found work as a sideman and arranger for Dave Robbins' big band, then freelanced, and also led bands in local clubs. In 1963, worked as music director for CBC TV's 'Music Hop', and, in 1976-'67, for CTV's 'Rolf Harris Show'. For the CBC showss 'The Beachcombers' and 'The Manipulators', and for the CBC TV movie 'The Overlanders,' he composed theme and incidental music. In 1965, The Bobby Hales Big Band, was heard nightly on the CBC's 'Jazz Canadiana' and 'Jazz Radio-Canada,' during the Pacific National Exhibition. 1977 also saw Hales in various concerts and workshops in British Columbia and Alberta. All during the 1970s, and the 1980s, as Bobby Hales Big Band, it was Vancouver's leading Jazz and Dance orchestra. In 1988, his suite, "The Beginning of the End", was heard at the closing ceremonies of the 'Calgary Winter Olympics'. Hales has also served as President of Local 145, AFM the Vancouver Musicians' Association.
1939     Billy Henderson, vocals. (some sources claim b. Sept. 6, 1939, Detroit, MI, USA). d. Feb. 2, 2007, Daytona Beach, FL, USA. Member group: 'The Detroit Spinners', 1980 UK No.1 and US No.2 single "Working My Way Back To You". The "Detroit Spinners" were formed in 1955 at Ferndale High School, near Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., and originally known as 'The Domingos', 'The Detroit Spinners' were originally comprised of: Henry Fambrough (b. 10th May 1935, Detroit, MI, USA.), Robert 'Bobbie' Smith (b. April 10, 1937, Detroit, MI, USA.), Billy Henderson (b. Sept 8, 1939 (some claim b. Sept. 8), Detroit, MI, USA. d. Feb. 2, 2007, Daytona Beach, FL, USA, Pervis Jackson, (b. May 17, 1938) and George Dixon. Later, Philippé Soul Wynn (a.k.a. Phillip Walker. b. April 3, 1941, Detroit, MI, USA. d. July 14, 1984, Oakland, California, USA.), and G.C. Cameron (b. Jackson, Mississippi, USA.) joined. Although not a member, producer and songwriter Harvey Fuqua b. July 27, 1929, Louisville, Kentucky, USA. sang lead on the group's single, 'That's What Girls Are Made For', which reached number 5 in the USA R & B charts and reached the Pop Top 30. Edgar 'Chico' Edwards then replaced Dixon in 1963, and in 1970. G.C. Cameron replaced Chico Edwards.
CAUTION: THERE ARE THREE BILL HENDERSONS
** Bill Henderson (1). Blues/Pop singer, is variously credited as b. March 19, 1930 or on August 9, 1926, -both in Chicago, IL, USA.
** Bill Henderson (2). Canadian Folk/Rock singer-songwriter/producer, who is credited as b. Nov. 6, 1944, Vancouver, Canada.
** Bill Henderson (3) aka: Billy Henderson, vocals with the 'Spinners' (aka: 'Detroit Spinners', aka: 'Motown Spinners') is variously credited as b. August 9, 1939, while others claim he was born Sept 8, 1939 - both in Detroit, MI, USA, and also claimed as b. August 9, 1939, Indianapolis, Indiana, d. February 2, 2007, Daytona Beach, Florida, USA.
1941     Wille Henderson, tenor sax/arranger/producer, b. Pensacola, FL, USA.
1963     Whitney Houston, Award winning vocalist, b. Newark, NJ, USA. 11 US No.1 singles.
1918     Nat Jaffe, piano, b. New York, NY, d. August 5, 1945, New York, NY, USA. Between 1921-'32, his family lived in Berlin, Germany, and then returned to the U.S.A. In 1938, Nat was with the Charlie Barnet band; '39-'40 with Jack Teagarden; Led his own combos (including such men as Don Byas and Charlie Shavers) that played the clubs on New York's famed 52nd Street.
1934     Merle Kilgore, C&W singer-songwriter/guitarist, b. Chickasha, OK, USA, d. Feb. 6, 2006, Mexico, (congestive heart failure, while undergoing treatment for advancing cancer). Co-composer of such No. 1 Country hits as "Wolverton Mountain" (for singer Claude King), "Ring Of Fire" (for Johnny Cash) and More and More (for Webb Pierce), among many others. He is also remembered as the manager of his long time friend Hank Williams Jr.
1906     Rev. George W. Killens, (gospel) piano, b. Alto, LA, USA.
1965     Kyle Kyle, rock bassist, b. Kensington, PA, USA. Member group: 'Bang Tango': 'Dancin' on Coals'.
1932     Sammy Lewis, harmonica, b. Memphis, TN, USA.
1947     Barbara Mason, vocals, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. Best recalled release: "Yes, I'm Ready".
1913     Harry Mills, vocals, b. Piqua, OH, USA. Member: Mills Brothers.
1926     William James "Bill" Napier, clarinet, b. Asheville, NC, USA, d. April 30, 2003
1955     Benjamin Orr, bass guitar/vocals, d. Oct. 3, 2000. né: Benjamin Orzechowski. Member group: 'The Cars'. 1978 single "My Best Friend's Girl" charted UK No.3, and 1985 single "Drive" charted UK No.4.
1944     Vic Prince, drums, b. Loughborough, England, UK. Member group: 'Pretty Things'. 1964 single "Don't Bring Me Down" charted UK No.10
1951     Hugh Ragin, trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet, pocket trumpet, b. Houston, Texas, USA. He began playing trumpet in eighth grade, and shortly thereafter began taking private lessons. Among his schoolboy honors in music was a trip to England and Wales with the 'Houston All-City High School Orchestra'. He subsequently attended the University of Houston, where he received his bachelor's degree in music education. Ragin next attended Colorado State University, receiving his master's in classical trumpet performance. In late 1978, he attended the Creative Music Studio in Woodstock, New York, where he studied composition with Roscoe Mitchell. During the summer of 1979, he played at the annual jazz festival in Moers, Germany, with the "Roscoe Mitchell/Leo Smith Creative Orchestra". Later that year, he toured with Anthony Braxton. Since then, Ragin has periodically traveled to Europe, - performing and teaching. In 1985, saxophonist David Murray brought him to New York to play in his band. The two men have been close musical associates ever since, with Ragin playing in several of Murray's large bands.
1972     Arion Salazar, Member group: Third Eye Blind. 1997 single "Semi-Charmed Life" charted US No.4 and UK No. 33.
1908     Robert Shaw, (Barrelhouse) Piano, b. Staffons, TX, USA, d. May 16, 1986, Austin, Texas, USA. (Heart Attack). All during the 1920s and '30s, Shaw's barrelhouse piano was greatly responsible for the distinctive regional piano style around Houston, Fort Worth, and Galveston, Texas. Alas, he was little recorded. His wonderful 1963 album for the Almanac label, later reissued on Chris Strachwitz's Arhoolie label, remains his principal recorded legacy.
1954     Pete Thomas, music producer/composer/saxophone, b. Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, UK. Member group: 'The Attractions'
1911     Odell Thompson, banjo, b. Mebane (Orange County), NC, USA.
1924     Martin Williams, Writer/critic, b. Richmond, VA, USA, d. April 13, 1992. Authored "The Art Of Jazz"
         Notable Events on this date include:
1910.    A.J. Fisher, of Chicago, IL, USA, received a patent for the electric washing machine, a device which replaced the old washboard, that previously had also found some use as a musicial instrument.
1932.    Helen Morgan, backed by the Victor Young orchestra, recorded "Bill", a tune first heard in Jerome Kern's Broadway musical "Showboat".
1964.    Charlie Hooker, harmonica, died in Chicago, IL, USA. Age: 33.
1972.    Andre Ekyan, alto and tenor sax, clarinet, vocal, died
1974.    Bill Chase, trumpet leader, died in Jackson, Minnesota, USA. (Airplane crash)
1976.    Jesse Ashlock, songwriter/fiddle player with the "Texas Playboys" died in Austin, TX, USA. Age: 61.
1980.    "Big Chief Jolley" (né:George Landry), vocals, died in New Orleans, LA, USA. Age: 63.
1983.    Don Ewell, piano, died in Pompano Beach, Florida, USA. (b. Nov 14, 1916 in Baltimore, Maryland, MD, USA)
1992.    Bill Russell, violin/writer/producer/educator, died in New Orleans, LA, USA. Age: 87. Bill was one of the most important writers and historians involved in the New Orleans Revival of the 1940s. Besides his writing, Russell was a violinist with extensive study in both performance and composition, From 1934-'40, he played with 'The Red Gate Shadow Players' becoming enamored with New Orleans Jazz. Through the Hot Record Exchange, a shop that he started in 1935, he bought and sold records. In the mid 1930s, as a journalist, he contributed three chapters to the 1939 book Jazzmen, and was writing articles for Jazz Hot. In 1942, Russell helped discover, and recorded, the forgotten cornetist Bunk Johnson. From 1944-'57, using his American Music label. Russell documented a variety of famous and obscure New Orleans musicians. (The GHB label has since released many of those sessions.) Living in New Orleans during 1958-65, Russell worked as the curator of the Tulane University Jazz archive, and by his interviews helped document the early history of Jazz. Beginning in 1967, Bill Russell played violin with the New Orleans Ragtime Orchestra. His love of Dixieland Jazz never wavered, and throughout his life, he worked hard to save the details of Jazz's early history for posterity.
1994.    Clarence Ford, Tenor-baritone sax, died in New Orleans, LA, USA. Age: 64.
1995.    Jerry Garcia, guitar, died in Rest Knolls, CA, USA. Age: 53. Member: 'Grateful Dead'
1998.    Bobby McBay, bass player in Bob Wills' Texas Playboys, died Texarkana, Texas, USA. Age: 60 (stroke).
1998.    Calo Scott, cello, died
2001.    Steve Runkle, age 49, singer/songwriter, died in Nashville, TN .
2003.    Gregory Hines, dancer, singer, died in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
2004.    David Raksin, composer, arranger, conductor, in Van Nuys, California, USA. Age: 92
2004.    Sam Hogin, songwriter, twice nominated for the CMA's Song of the Year award, died in Nashville, TN, USA.
         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
1909     "Dill Pickles (Rag)", Arthur Pryor's Band
1916     "I Ain't Got Nobody Much", - Marion Harris voc.
1917     "Over There", Victor (Records) Band (Geo. M. Cohan tune)
1920     "Wang Wang Blues", - Paul Whiteman Orch.
1928     "Anita", - Joe Green Orch.
1929     "If I Had A Talking Picture of You", - Earl Burtnett Orch.
1929     "I'm A Dreamer Aren't We All", - Earl Burtnett Orch.
1929     "Doing The Boom Boom", - Earl Burtnett Orch.
1932     "Bill", - Helen Morgan vocal. (From Broadway show "Showboat"
1932     "Bahama Mamas", - Paul Whiteman Orch., with the Rhythm Boys voc.
1932     "Lost In Your Arms", - Paul Whiteman Orch., with the Rhythm Boys voc.
1932     "Goodbye To Love", - Bert Lown Orch.
1932     "I'm Yours For Tonight", - Bert Lown Orch.
1933     "Tomorrow (My Honey's Coming Home)", - Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians Orch.
1934     "Pop Goes Your Heart", - Raymond Paige Orch.
1939     "Rose Room", - John Kirby Orch.
1940     "Show Me The Way To Go Home", - Tiny Hill Orch.
1940     "Six Lessons From Madame La Zonga", - Jimmy Dorsey
1940     "God Bless America", - Smith, Kate
1945     "I'm Gonna Love That Gal", - Perry Como
1945     "Til The End Of Time", - Perry Como
1946     "Fla Ga La Pa", - Count Basie Orch.
1969     "Green River", - Creedence Clearwater Revival
1969     "I'll Never Fall In Love Again", - Tom Jones
1980     "One In A Million You", - Larry Graham
1980     "Upside Down", - Diano Ross
1986     "Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)", - The Glass Tiger
1986     "Stuck With You", - Huey Lewis & The News
1986     "Love Zone", - Billy Ocean