BIRTHDAYS
1950     Tommy Aldridge, drums, b.Nashville, TN, USA. Member group: 'Whitesnake', 1987 single "Here I Go Again" charted US No.1 and UK No.9.
1894    Harry Akst, composer, b. New York, NY, USA d. March 31, 1963, Hollywood, CA. USA.
1933     Floyd Ashton, vocals, b. Atlanta, GA, USA Member: 'The Tams'.
1930     Jackie Brenston, Tenor Sax/vocals, b. Clarksdale, MI, USA. In 1951, Jackie Brenton was playing tenor sax and singing in Ike Turner's band in Memphis, TN. During one of the band's recording sessions, Turner gave the microphone to Brenton to record the tune "Rocket 88", which had been written by Turner. Some sources credit that 1951 release as the first "rock 'n' roll" record.
1911     "Buster" Brown, harmonica, b. Cordele, GA, USA. Worked with Fannie Brown
1934     Bobby Byrd, vocals/piano/organ, b. Toccoa, GA, USA
1951     Bobby Caldwell, vocals, b. New York, NY, USA. Best recalled release: "What You Won't Do For Love".
1908     Les Carew, trombone, bass trombone, vocal, b. England, UK.
1927     Joe Castro, piano, b. Miami, AZ. Brother and Sister were both active musically. He was raised in Pittsburg, CA, where from age 15 on, he was active as both a sideman and leader. Matriculated San Jose State College, and saw WW2 service (46-7) in US Army band. Then returned to college and formed group that toured entire west coast, and often to Hawaii. In 1952, played London's (UK) Palladium. From '53 on, led own West Coast groups with such sidemen as Chico Hamilton, Red Mitchell and June Christy warbling in '58-9.
1892     Sidney Clare, Lyricist, d. August 29, 1972
1953     Brendan Croker, Country vocals, b. Bradford, Yorkshire, England UK. Member group: 'Notting Hillbillies'
1935     Jim Dale, actor/vocals/DJ (for the BBC), b. Kettering, England. né: Jim Smith.
1974     Simon "Spike" Dawbarn, Member group: 911, 1998 single "More Than A Woman" charted UK No.2.
1956     Vinny DeNuzio, percission/harmonica/vocals. Member group: 'The Feelies'.
1956     Lorraine Desmarais, piano,composer, b. Montréal, Canada.
1933     Bill Dowdy, drums, b. Benton Harbor, MI, USA
1915     Morey Feld, drums, b. Cleveland, OH, USA. d. 1971
1941     Eddie Gale, trumpet, soprano sax, recorder, percussion, b. New York (Brooklyn), NY, USA.
1934     Georgy Garanyan, Alto Sax/leader, b.1934, Moscow, Russia. In November 1998, the 'Oleg Lundstrem Orchestra' became the first jazz orchestra to ever performed in the Big Concert Hall of the Moscow Conservatoire of Music. This orchestra introduced a number of the best Jazz (and Classics) musicians to the public. In 2001, saxophonist Georgy Garanyan got an invitation from Oleg Lundstrem and became the chief conductor of the orchestra. Garanyan gave a new impulse to the orchestra, that has given not less than a hundred of concerts both in Russia and abroad. Georgy Garanyan is the "People's Artist of Russia" and the only jazz musician who gives a series of seasonal concerts in the 'Large Hall of the Conservatoire of Music'. Garanyan is also the leader of the legendary Soviet Pop-music ensemble "Melody", and a member of the Union of the Composers an Cinematographists.
1903    Joe Garland, Arranger, Composer, tenor-baritone-bass sax, clarinet, b. Norfolk, VA, USA, d. 1977. né: Joseph Copeland Garland. He was musically educated at Shaw University, and the Aeolian Conservatory. Garland also studied at the New York School of Portraiture and Commercial Photography. Between 1920-1922, he was a member of the 'Cosmopolitan Brass Band' in Baltimore, OH, and between 1922 and 1929, 'The Excelsior Military Band' in Norfolk, Virginia. He was a saxophonist and arranger with Louis Armstrong, and also performed with small groups. Among his biggest hit compositions were "In The Mood" and "Leapfrog". Among his lesser known hits are "Serenade to a Savage", "Congo Caravan", "Harlem After Midnight", "Keep the Rhythm Going", "Jazz Martini", "Brown Sugar Mine", "Easy Go" and "What's Your Hurry?".
1954     Dennis Gonzalez, trumpet, pocket trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion, vocal, b. Abilene, Texas, USA
1972     Mike Graham, singer, Member group: Boyzone. 1996 single "Words" charted UK No.1.
1944     Willie Hale, "Soul" guitar, b. Forest City, AR, USA.
1903     Arthur "Monk" Hazel, Drums/Cornet, b. Harvey (near New Orleans), LA, USA, d. March 5, 1968, New Orleans, LA, USA.
1933     Bobby Helms, vocals, b. Bloomington, IN, USA. Best recalled release: "My Special Angel", and "Jingle Bell Rock".
1920     James Hendrix, (gospel) producer, b. Nashville, TN, USA.
1938     "Stix" Nesbert Hooper, drums, b. Houston, TX, USA. Member group: 'The Crusaders', 1979 single "Street Life", charted UK No. 5.
1961     Matt Johnson, guitar/vocals.
1889     Clarence W. Jones, (ragtime) piano, b. Wilmington, OH, USA.
1944     Frederick Knight, vocals/producer, b. AL, USA
1909     Johnny Lange, songwriter, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. Worked with Louis Jordan.
1945     "Little Beaver", guitar, b. Forrest City, AR, USA.
1925     Rose Maddox, C&W vocals, b. Boaz, AL, USA. d. April 15, 1998. née: Rosalea Arbana Maddox. member: 'The Maddox Brothers and Rose'.
1967     "MCA", rap vocals/bass. né: Adam Yauch. Member group: 'The Beastie Boys'
1925     George Morrow, Bass, b. Pasadena, CA, USA. d. May 26, 1992
1928     Bobby Orr, Drums, b. Cambuslang, Lanarkshire, Scotland. Bobby's father was a drum major, and his son became one of the true talents of British drumming, who spent the best part of 70 years playing the instrument. During his long career, he often played at Ronnie Scotts Club, backing top American jazz stars like Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Milt Jackson, and Dizzy Gillespie (Certainly not to be confused with the famous Canadian Hockey player Bobby Orr.)
1920     Pullman G. "Tommy" Pederson, b. Watkins, MN, USA.
1925     Oscar Emmanuel Peterson, Piano/organ/leader, b. Montreal, PQ, Canada
1945     Eddie Phillips, Lead guitar, b. Leytonstone, England. Member group: 'Creation'.
1925     Bill Pinckney, vocals, b.Sumter, SC, USA. Member group: 'The Drifters'. 1960 single "Save The Last Dance For Me" charted US No.1 and UK No.2 .
1931     Terry Jean Pollard, Vibes/piano, b. Detroit, MI, USA. She was a member of the 'Emmit Slay Trio'.
1941     Don Rich, C&W, songwriter, b. Olympia, WA, USA. né: Don Ulrich. (Worked with 'Buck Owens & his Buckeroos')
c.1914     Gail Reese, vocalist. Sang with Bunny Berigan (1937), and with Glenn Miller.
1932     Rita Robbins, C&W vocals/guitar, b. Claxton, GA, USA.
1933     Mike Seeger, Folk vocals/guitar, b. New York, NY, USA. One of the best American Folk music singers, he has mastered all the old-time musical instruments, and has worked as performer, collector, teacher, lecturer, and producer. Has worked with: Dock Boggs; John Cohen; Elizabeth Cotten; Hazel Dickens; David Grisman; Roscoe Holcomb; John Jackson; Calum, Ewan, Kitty and Neill MacColl; Sam McGee; Tim O'Brien; Jean Ritchie; Peggy, Penny and Pete Seeger; Tracy Schwarz; and Ralph Stanley. Member of: 'The New Lost City Ramblers', and 'Strange Creek Singers'
1883     "Cricket Smith", Cornet/Trumpet, b. Nashville, TN, USA. d. 1947
1881     Ted Snyder, Composer, b. Freeport, IL, USA. d. 1965, Hollywood, CA, USA
1943     Gunter "Baby" Sommer, Drums, percussion, b.1943, Dresden, Germany
1941     Johnny Thunder, vocals, b. Leesburg, FL, USA.
1898     Charles Tobias, composer, b. New York, NY, USA. d. July 7, 1970, Manhasset, LI, New York, USA. (liver disease).
1915     Gus Viseur, Accordion, b. Paris, France. Viseur helped create the jazz-accordion style known as "manouche". He began his career performing on the streets of Paris, eventually working his way into the cabaret and nightclubs. Before his career ended, he was backing singer Edith Piaf ("The sad little sparrow") and performing with the legendary 'Quintet of the Hot Club of France'.
1901     Ned Washington, composer. d, Dec. 20, 1976
1931     Nolan Washington, vocals, b. New Orleans, LA, USA. Member: 'The Zion Harmonizers'
1946     Jimmy Webb, singer/songwriter, b. Elk City, OK, USA. Among his tunes are "Up Up and Away", "By The Time I Get To Phoenix", "MacArthur Park", and many others.
1909     Hugo Winterhalter, Leader, b. Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA. d. Sept. 17, 1973, Greenwich, CT, USA
1942     Val Wiseman, Vocal, b.1942, West Bromwich, England
1967     Adam Yauch, bass guitar/lyrics, b. New York (Brooklyn), NY, USA. Member group: 'Beastie Boys'.
1942     Peter York, drums, b. Redcar, England. Member 'Spencer Davis Group', 1966 single "Keep On Running" charted UK No.1.
1916     Dieter Zimmerle, editor (Jazz Podium), b. Ulm, Germany
         Notable Events on this date include:
1877.    The World's first phonograph "record" when Thomas Edison records the words, "Mary had a little lamb" onto his phonograph in Menlo Park, New Jersey, USA.
1947.    John "Bugs" Hamilton, trumpet, died (Tuberculosis)
1958.    Bluesman "Big Bill" Broonzy died in Chicago, IL, USA. (cancer)
1961.    Vocalist Granville "Sticks" McGhee died in New York, NY, USA. Age: 44. (b. 1917, Knoxville. TN, USA) Worked with Wilbert "Big Chief" Ellis, Brownie McGhee and Gene Ramey, among others.
1963.    Wade Legge, piano, bass, died in Buffalo, New York, USA (Age: 29)
1965.    55,600 people attended a Beatles concert at New York city's Shea Stadium. However, this pop concert's world attendance and revenue record would be surpassed in 1969.
1969.    The first day of 1969's most famous musical event, -Woodstock. (Originally called The Woodstock Music and Arts Fair and it began in Bethel, NY USA).
1972.    Eddie Dawson, bass, died in New Orleans, LA88
1976.    Alburt Burbank, (Dixieland) clarinetist, died , New Orleans, LA, USA. (stroke related) (March 25, 1902, New Orleans, LA, USA. )
1988.    Rudy Collins, drums, died. (b,. July 24, 1934 in New York NY, USA. )
1988.    Jerry Fischer, co-owner: Mercury Records, died in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Age: 73
1989.    Woodstock had a twentieth-anniversary celebration, again drawing a large crowd. .
1995.    Jesse "Babyface" Thomas, guitar/songwriter, died in Shreveport, LA, USA. Age: 84
1995Jesse "Babtface" Thomas, guitar/piano/vocals, died in his hometown of Shreveport, LA, USA, ending a career that spanned seven decades. (heart attack)
1995.    Erbie Bowser, piano, died in Austin, TX, USA. Age: 77
1984.    Norman Petty, producer (for Buddy Holly), died in Lubbock, TX, USA. Age: 57
1993.    Fletcher Smith, piano, died. (b. Sept. 22, 1913, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA. )
         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
1915     "Down Home Rag", - The Six Brown Brothers. (Wilbur Sweatman tune)
1923     "Japanese Sunset", - Paul Ashe's Granada Orch.
1927     "Ida Sweet As Apple Cider", - Red Nichols Orch.
1927     "Dainty Miss", - Colonial Club Orch.
1928     "It Goes Like This", - Cliff Edwards (Ukulele Ike) vocal/Ukulele
1929     "Just Me Just You", - Al Goodman and his Orch.
1929     "Marianne", - Al Goodman and his Orch.
1930     "Little White Lies", - Earl Burtnett Orch.
1930     "Peach Pickin' Time Down In Georgia", - Jimmie Rodgers vocal.
1930    "Long Tall Mama Blues", - Jimmie Rodgers vocal.
1930     "No Hard Times - Blue Yodel", - Jimmie Rodgers vocal.
1933     "Gypsy Air Tango", - Xavier Cugat Orch.
1933     "Rancho Grande", - Xavier Cugat Orch.
1933     "My Shawl", - Xavier Cugat Orch.
1935     "Nobody's Darling But Mine", - Prairie Ramblers Orch.
1935     "Mrs Worthington", - Noel Coward vocal.
1935     "We Were So Young", - Noel Coward vocal.
1938     "You're The Very Last Word In Love", - Sammy Kaye Orch.
1939     "South Of The Border", - Kenny Baker vocal.
1939     "Two Blind Loves", - Kenny Baker vocal.
1939     "Stop Kicking My Heart Around", - Kenny Baker vocal.
1941     "Elmer's Tune", - Benny Goodman Orch.
1941     "Birth of The Blues", - Benny Goodman Orch., Peggy Lee vocal
1946     "To Each His Own", - Modernaires With Paula Kelly
1947     "Boulevard of Memories", - Woody Herman Orch.
1947     "Civilization", - Woody Herman Orch.
1964     "House Of The Rising Sun, The", - Animals
1970     "Lookin' Out My Back Door", - Creedence Clearwater Revival
1970     "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", - Ross, Diana
1970     "Julie, Do Ya Love Me", - Sherman, Bobby
1987     "I Heard A Rumour", - Bananarama
1987     "Touch Of Grey", - Grateful Dead
1987     "One Heartbeat", - Robinson, Smokey
1992     "She's Playing Hard To Get", - Hi-Five