BIRTHDAYS
1947     Ian Anderson, flute/vocals, b. Blackpool, England. UK. Member group: 'Jethro Tull', 1969 single "Living In The Past" charted UK No.3.
1948     Patti Austin, vocals, b. New York, NY, USA. 1983 single with James Ingram "Baby Come To Me" charted US No.1 and UK No.11.
1968     Michael Bivins, vocals, b. NJ, USA. Member: 'New Edition', and other groups
1950     Eric Braunn, guitar. b. Boston, MA, USA. Member: 'Iron Butterfly'. (He was the guitarist on 'Iron Butterfly's' "In-a-Gadda-da-Vida".)
1949     James Campbell, clarinet. b. Leduc, Alberta, Canada. Well regarded by both his Jazz and Classical music peers.
1910     Ernest Ray "Jim" Carter, vocals/guitar, b. Tioga, TX, USA. né: Ernest Carter. Member group: 'The Chuck Wagon Gang'
1964     Neneh Cherry, vocals, b. Stockholm, Sweden. Member groups: 'Buffalo Stance', 'Manchild', '7 Seconds' (with Youssou N'Dour) .
1946     Mick Clarke, Member group: The Rubettes, 1974 single "Sugar Baby Love" charted UK No.1.
1918     Arnett Cleophus Cobb, Tenor Sax, b. Houston, TX, USA. d. March 24, 1989, Houston, TX, USA. Originally studied piano with his grandmother, and later also studied violin, trumpet C-Melody sax, and finally settled on the Tenor sax. Pro debut in 1933 with Frank Davis band. Then played in Chester Boone band (1934-36) and Milt Larkins (1936-42), replaced Illinois Jacquet in Lionel Hampton's Orchestra (1942-47). In 1947, Cobb formed his own group which disbanded in 1948 when he underwent an operation on his spine. In 1951, he formed a new band, but, in 1956, his career was again interrupted, this time by a terrible auto accident that crushed Cobb's legs leaving him on crutches for the remainder of his life. During 1959-60, Cobb was playing and recording with his own 16 pc band in his home (Houston, TX). Throughout the '60s, he played mostly in Texas. In 1973, he again began touring more widely. In 1978, he toured Europe with the Lionel Hampton Big Band. Other members of that band included trumpet stars like Wallace Davenport, Joe Newman, the great 'Cat' Anderson. Curtis Fuller on trombone, and Illinois Jacquet on sax for some special concerts. The organist was "Wild" Bill Davis, but another young organist, T. C. Pfeiler (b. Jan. 1, 1958, Salzburg, Austria), also toured with the group and often sat in on sessions when "Wild" Bill was absent. Cobb, -one year before his demise, also appeared with Jimmy Heath and Joe Henderson on a 1988 European tour.
1949     Andy Cresswell-Davis, Member group: The Korgis, 1980 single "Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime" charted UK No.5.
1934     Jerry Crutchfield C&W drummer/producer, b. Paducah, KY, USA.
1928     Jimmy Dean, C&W vocals, b. Seth Ward (nr. Plainview), TX, USA. né: Jimmy Ray Dean. 1961 single "Big Bad John" charted US No.1 and UK No.2.
1906     Robert De Kers, Trumpet/Leader, b. Antwerp, Belgium, d. 1987
1962     Dan Donovan, rock musician Member group: 'Bad'.
1961     Jon Farriss, drums/vocals. Member group: 'INXS', 1988 UK No.2 and US No.1 single "Need You Tonight".
1907     Leo Fender, Guitar manufacturer, b. Fullerton, CA, USA. d. March 21, 1991, Fullerton, CA, USA. (cardiac arrest). né: Clarence Leonidas Fender. Leo invented the first mass-produced electric guitar. Interestingly, Leo himself never learned to play guitar (although he had played saxophone in high school).
1928     Eddie Fisher, vocals, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. né: Edwin Jack Fisher. He married Debbie Reynolds (their daughter is Carrie Fisher of 'Star Wars' fame); Eddie divorced Debbie to marry Elizabeth Taylor, and Elizabeth divorced him to marry producer Mike Todd. Then Todd died, and Elizabeth married 5 of 6 other guys... and so it went. (In her later years, publisher Malcomb Forbes presented her with her very own Harley Davidson motorcycle. Cute.)
1962     Julia Fordham, singer/songwriter, b. Partsmouth, Hampshire, England, UK. One time member of Mari Wilson's Wilsations and backing singer for Kim Wilde, 1988 UK No.27 single Happy Ever After.
1903    Geraldo, Leader, b. No. London, UK, d. May 4, 1974. nee Geraldo Bright
1948     Nancy Gilkyson, vocals, b. Hollywood, CA, USA.
1943     James Griffin, singer-songwriter/guitar, b. Cincinati, OH, USA (raised in Memphis, TN). d. Jan. 11, 2005, Franklin (near Nashville) TN, USA, (complications from cancer). Member group: 'Bread', a group originally comprised of Griffin, Robb Royer, Jim Gordon and David Gates, with Michael Botts and Larry Knechtel joining shortly thereafter.. In 1977, 'Bread' disbanded and Griffin returned to solo recording and songwriting. He also teamed with Terry Sylvester (ex 'The Hollies') recording as 'Griffin and Sylvester' for the Polydor label. In the late '80s, Griffin, Randy Meisner and Billy Swan formed the Country trio 'Black Tie'. Very early in his career, his friendship with the brothers Dorsey and Johnny Burnette led Griffin to follow the them to Los Angeles, CA. There he signed a deal with the Reprise label who, in 1963, released his first album, "Summer Holiday". (The project producer was Jimmy Bowen, who went on to head the country divisions of Warner Bros., MCA and Capitol Records.) Subsequently, Griffin gained acclaim as a songwriter, when some of his work was recorded by such stars as Rudy Vallee, Ed Ames, Lesley Gore, Bobby Vee among others. He also had some small movie roles in the 1964 film "For Those Who Think Young", and the 1965 film "None but the Brave". In 1991, Griffin, Richard Mainegra and Rick Yancey formed 'The Remingtons' and signed to the newly established RCA sub-label, BNA Records. Throughout the 1990s, occasionally performed with Sylvester, and John Ford Coley as 'Soft Rock Cafe'. In 1997, Griffin reunited with 'Bread' for a successful world tour. Among the songs he wrote are Conway Twitty's, "Who's Gonna Know", Restless Heart's, and "You Can Depend On Me". For 'The Carpenters', he wrote "For All We Know". Jimmy was a founding member of the group 'Bread', who performed his "Baby I'm-a Want You" and "Everything I Own", while the group 'The Remingtons' did his "A Long Time Ago" and "Wall Around Her Heart" and 'Black Tie' performed his "Learning The Game". He also worked with noth Lynn Bryant, who sang his "Can We Still Be Friends", and with Terry Sylvester.
1890     Robert Hampton, (ragtime) piano, b. Tuscumbia, AL, USA.
1940     Bobby Hatfield, vocals, b. Beaver Dam, WI, USA, d. Nov. 5, 2003, Kalamazoo, MI, USA. Member: 'Righteous Brothers'
1936     Charles H. "Chuck" Israels, bass, b: New York, NY, USA.
1913     Alfred "Snuff" Johnson, Blues vocals/guitar, b. Cedar Creek, TX, USA.
1872     Bill Johnson, Bass, b. Talledega, AL, USA. d. Dec. 3, 1972, New Braunfels, Texas, USA.. (some sources say b. 1874). né: William Manuel Johnson. Johnson's brother Ollie "Dink" Johnson was also a fine musician, and his sister Anita Gonzales was common-law wife of Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton during his stays in California. Johnson is also remembered as the founder and manager of 'The Original Creole Orchestra', the first Jazz band to leave New Orleans and tour widely in the 1910s. In the early 1920s he assembled King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band In Chicago, then considered one of the best of the early ensemble style Dixieland Jazz bands. He taught younger Chicago musicians (like Milt Hinton) his "slap" style of string bass playing. In the late 1920s, Johnson was often recorded in Chicago, and he continuted gigging with various jazz bands and orchestras into the early 1950s (sometimes under other names). At one time, he also worked in the import/export business along the USA-Mexico border.
CAUTION: Do not confuse with :
--- Bill Johnson, Broadway musical vocalist who died in 1957 (He sang "The Girl I Marry" in the hit musical 'Annie Get Your Gun'.)
--- Bill Johnson, alto sax, died July 5, 1960
1949     Gene Johnson, vocals, Member vocal group: 'Diamond Rio'
1940     Jerry Kennedy, C&W guitar, b. Shreveport, LA, USA.
1907     Brian Lawrence, violin, bass, banjo, vocal, leader, b. England, UK, d. Sept. 11, 1983 Brian Lawrence was an active British musician all through the 1930s and up. As a leader, be recorded as 'Brian Lawrence and His Lansdowne House Sextette', (for example: "Miss Annabelle Lee" on the Champion label- 40095 A). It is believed that the members were Brian Lawrence (violin and vocals), Frank Gregori (accordion), Jim Easton (baritone sax), Harold Hood (piano), Mark Sheridan (guitar) and Harry Wilson (bass). In 1934, Lawrence toured the British variety theatres leading 'The Quaglino Quartette' (one of the members was a young Nat Gonella ). He also recorded as 'Brian Lawrence and His Quartet' (for example: Champion 40034A and B sides, "Ain't She Sweet", and the flip side had "Somebody Stole My Gal") The fine British violinist later left Britain and settled in Australia. As a singer, Lawrence sang with 'Carroll Gibbons and The Savoy Hotel Orpheans' in 1935, and with the Lew Stone orchestra (whose other vocalists included 'The Radio Three', Sam Browne, Brian Lawrence, and Sam Costa (whom Maurice Winnick had converted from a pianist to a vocalist. Stanley Black, was a member of the 1935 band and provided many of the wonderful musical scores.)
CAUTION: Do not confuse with other bassists such as:
-- Brian Lawrence, bassist, with 'The Eagle Jazz Band' (England).
-- Brian Lawrence, electric bassist residing in Cape Town, South Africa
-- Brian Lawrence, a heavy metal guitarist (active ca. mid 1980s)
-- Brian Lawrence, Baseball player .
1953     Jennifer Jane Leitham, bassist, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. Born as a physical Male, John Leitham became aware that he was suffering from - to use the current terminology - GID, Gender Identity Disorder. Early in 'her' career, he was known as John Leitham. Noted Jazz critic Leonard Feather once called her the "left-handed virtuoso of the upright bass." Jennifer has performed as a featured artist or group member at virtually every major North American Jazz festival, and many overseas. Among the stars with whom she has worked are Pete Rugolo, Woody Herman, Cleo Laine, Louis Bellson, Gerry Mulligan, Peggy Lee, Joe Pass, and Bill Watrous, among many others. 1987 saw the start of her long association with famed vocalist Mel Torme. She remained with Mel until August 1996, when he suffered a severe Stroke, eventually resulting in his demise. During her tenure with Mel, she recorded 10 CDs with him, appeared nine times with him at The Hollywood Bowl, played nine performances at New York City's famed Carnegie Hall, performed with almost every major symphony in North America, and made many TV appearances. Currently, Jennifer tours with Doc Severinsen, but in the past she worked in Benny Carter's Quintet, Woody Herman's Thundering Herd, Bob Cooper's Quartet, and The Bob Cooper Conte Candoli Quintet. Today (2003), she continues to tour the USA and the world as a very vibrant member of the music community.
1943     Mike Mantler, Trumpet/Composer, b. Vienna, Austria
1960     Andy Martin, trombone, b. Los Angeles, CA, USA Martin comes from a very musical family. He grew up listening to his father, Dave Martin, play trumpet. His brother Stan Martin is an accomplished trumpet player, his other brother Scott Martin is a great Saxophonist and Woodwind player (who was a member of the 'Pancho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band' for over 13 years). Martin is well-known for his work as a lead player, and featured soloist, with virtually every big band in L.A., including Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, the Bill Holman Big Band, and Tom Kubis’ band, and has also appeared in bands led by Jack Sheldon, Louis Bellson, Quincy Jones, Matt Cattingub and Bob Curnow, among others. Andy has long been one of L.A.’s first call trombonists for commercial recordings, television and motion pictures, and live theater. He has contributed on albums for many popular artists, including the Pussycat Dolls, Coldplay, and Michael Buble. His television credits include every major awards show: the Grammys, the Emmys, the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. He has also appeared regularly on the soundtracks of hit TV shows like "American Idol," "Dancing With The Stars," "Family Guy," "American Dad," "King of the Hill," and "Invasion." Andy’s motion picture credits include the soundtracks of over 75 major film.
1927     James Henry Martin, C&W guitar, b. (near) Sneedville, TX, USA.
1902     Louise Massey, singer-songwriter, b. Midland, TX, USA. Member: "Louise Massey & the Westerners"
1925     Berta Leah Lea Mathews, voc, b. McAlester, OK, USA
1909     Dan "Slamfoot" Minor, Trombone, b. Dallas, TX, USA d. 1982, USA
1893     Douglas Stuart Moore, b. Cutchogue, NY, USA. composer of "Good Night Harvard".
1940     Joni Mosby, C&W vocals, b. Van Nuys, CA, USA. née: Janice Irene Shields
1910     Sal Pace, Clarinet/saxophone, b. White Plains, NY, USA
1967     Lorraine Pearson, vocals.
1959     Mark Price, drums. Member group: All About Eve, 1988 single "Martha's Harbour" charted UK No.10.
1980     Lydia Salnikova, C&W vocals/keyboards, b. Russia. Member: 'Bering Strait'
1970     Will Sexton, vocals, b. San Antonio, TX, USA.
1943     Ronnie Spector, vocals, b. New York, NY, USA. vocals, née: Veronica Bennett. Member group: 'The Ronettes', 1963 single "Be My Baby" charted UK No.4.
1909    Claude Thornhill, Piano/Leader, b. Terre Haute, IN, USA d. 1965 USA
1905     Larry Threaks, guitar, b. Laurens, SC, USA.
1905     Nat Towles, Bass/Leader, b. New Orleans, LA, USA d. 1963
         Notable Events on this date include:
1913.    "Snuff" Johnson, guitar, died in Cedar Creek, TX, USA
1948.    Lucille Bogan, (née: Lucille Anderson b. Amory, Monroe County, MS), vocals, died in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Age: 51
1965.    Freddie Slack, piano, died in Hollywood, CA, USA. Age: 55
1976.    Jerry Gray, composer, arranger, leader, died in Dallas, Texas, USA. (b. July 3, 1915, East Boston, Massachusetts, USA )
1976.    Gus Gossert, doo-wop producer/DJ, died in Knoxville, TN, USA. Age: 31
1981.    Henrietta Waddy, vocals, died in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Age: 81. Member: 'Clara Ward Singers'
1987.    A Chorus Line celebrated its 5,000th performance. An estimated 25 million theatre goers saw the musical since it's opening in 1975.
1991.    Buster Smith, alto sax/guitar/arranger, died in Dallas, TX, USA. Age: 86
1992.    Annisteen Allen, vocals, died in New York (Harlem), NY, USA. Age: 71. Worked with Lucky Millinder
1993.    Edward Roberts, vocals, died in Akron, OH, USA. Age: 57 One of the 4 male members of: "Ruby & The Romantics". (The female was Ruby Nash Curtis, b. Nov. 12, 1939 in Akron Ohio, USA)
1994.    Bil Baker, vocals, died in New Haven, CT, USA. Age: 58. Member: 'Five Satins'
         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
1920     "My Little Bimbo Down On The Bamboo Isle", Aileen Stanley voc.
1920     "Crazy Blues", recorded by 'Mamie Smith And Her Jazz Hounds' in New York City. (OKeh #4169).
1925     "Prairie Blues", - Seger Ellis (piano)
1925     "Ash Can Blues", - Seger Ellis (piano)
1926     "I'de Love To Meet That Old Sweetheart of Mine", - The Radiolites (aka: Ben Selvin Orch)
1931     "Give Me Your Affection", - Paul Tremaine Orch.
1932     "You Gave Me Everything But Love", - Adelaide Hall vocal release
1934     "It Happened When Your Eyes Met Mine", - Eddie Jackson Orch. (aka: Freddy Martin Orch.)
1938     "Tutti Frutti", - Gene Krupa Orch.
1939     "Comes Love", - Benny Goodman Orch.
1939     "There'll Be Some Changes Made", - Benny Goodman Orch.
1939     "Jumpin' At The Woodside", - Benny Goodman Orch.
1939     "Honky Tonk Train Blues", Bob Zurke Piano
1939     "Melancholy Mood", Bob Zurke Piano
1939     "I've Found A New Baby", - Bob Zurke and his Band
1939     "Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea", - Bob Zurke and his Band
1940     "Tea For Two", - Alec Templeton (Blind pianist - piano/voc)
1940     "A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody", - Alec Templeton (piano/voc)
1951     "Whispering", - Les Paul
1951     "World Is Waiting For The Sunshine, The", - Les Paul
1959     "I Want To Walk You Home", - Fats Domino
1959     "Baby Talk", - Jan & Dean
1963     "My Boyfriend's Back", - Angels
1963     "If I Had A Hammer", - Trini Lopez
1963     "Monkey Time, The", - Major Lance
1963     "Hey, Girl", - Freddie Scott
1963     "Hello Mudduh, Hello Fadduh! (A Letter From Home)", - Allan Sherman vocal.
1968     "You're All I Need To Get By", - Marvin Gaye
1968     "1, 2, 3, Red Light", - Nineteen-Ten Fruitgum Co.
1974     "Clap For The Wolfman", - Guess Who
1974     "Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe", - Barry White
1985     "Money For Nothing", - Dire Straits
1991     "I Adore Mi Amor", - Color Me Badd
1991     "Good Vibrations", - Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch
1991     "Shiny Happy People", - Rem