BIRTHDAYS
1943     Leny Andrade, Vocals, b. Brazil. Perhaps the foremost Brazilian Jazz vocalist, Leny has been bringing the music of Brazilian composers (such as her good friend, the late Carlos Antonio Jobim - creator of the Bossa Nova -- see below) to the world. Among the many musicians who have performed with Leny are Paquito D'Rivera, Luiz Eça, Dick Farney, João Donato, Eumir Deodato, and Francis Hime.
1919     Reg Arnold, (Jazz) Trumpet/cornet, b. England, d. Jan. 15, 1963
1891     Wellman Braud, Bass, b. St. James Parrish, LA, USA. d. Oct. 27 or 29, 1966, Los Angeles, CA, USA. The original spelling of his family name "Breaux". Sometime after 1904, while still in his 'teens, Braud was in New Orleans where he played the violin and bass fiddle, and even led his own trio in the 'Storyville' district. In 1917, when the U. S. entered WWi, and the U.S.Army closed the "red light" district, he, and a great many other New Orleans Jazzmen relocated to Chicago, IL. In 1923, he was doubling on bass and trombone as a member of the Plantation Orchestra that toured to London, England. On his return to the U.S., he first found work with Wilber Sweatman's orchestra in New York city, and then became a part of Duke Ellington's band. Braud's "Walking Bass" and his "Slap" style of playing the bass greatly distinguished Ellington's band during the late 1920s and early 1930s. It is not well recalled today, but we must credit Braud's style with bringing about the change from using a Brass Bass (tuba) to using a String Bass with modern orchestras. (But do remember that Braud did play the Brass bass, and even recorded playing it, with Ellington's band.) It should also be remembered that Braud was not "slap" bassist. George "Pops" Foster (1892-1969), a very creative musician, used the "Slap" style to drive the Luis Russell and Louis Armstrong bands. Another bassist, Al Morgan (1908-1974), also help greatly to popularize the "slap" style. (This writer urges readers to hear Morgan on the "Jones & Collins Astoria Hot 8" recordings ("Astoria Strut", and "Duet Stomp"). It should also be noted that "slap" style bass playing predates the recording process. Steve Brown, the New Orleans Rhythm Kings bassist played a 'slap' style bass, and when he left the NORK, his replacement, "Chink" Martin Abraham also played a "slap" style bass (although he best recalled today as a fine tuba player). And, there are others, too. In the early 1930s, Morgan's 'slap' bass helped to power the Cab Calloway orchestra. One of his routines can still be seen in reruns of the W. C. Field's film, 'International House'. In 1936 Braud and clarinetist Jimmie Noone co-managed the short-lived 'Vodvil Club' in Harlem club. When the club closed (the world was in the throes of a severe economic depression), he formed "The Spirits of Rhythm". Subsequently, Braud played with other New York bands including those of trumpeter "Hot Lips" Page, Kaiser Marshall, and another old New Orleans Jazzman, Sidney Bechet. In 1954, he rejoined Ellington. In 1956, he joined the another of his old New Orleans buddies, "tailgate trombonist" Kid Ory, remaining with Ory for some years.
1966     Mike Burch, drums/percussion. Member group: 'River Road', consisted of lead guitarist Tony Ardoin, lead singer and bass player Steve Grisaffe, keyboardist Charles Ventre, steel guitar player Richard Comeaux and drummer Mike Burch.
1948     Barbara J. Burton, drums, b. Chicago, IL, USA
1925     Barbara Carroll, Piano/vocal/arranger, b. Worcester, MA, USA.
1969     Kina Cosper, R&B vocals, b. Detroit, MI, USA. Member group: 'Brownstone', an all-girl R&B vocal trio of Mimi, Nicci, and Maxee formed in Los Angeles, 1993. In 1995, Mimi was forced to leave the group due to health problems; and was replaced by Kina Cosper. . Kina has told interviewers that her main influences were Lenny Kravitz, Smokey Robinson, the Rolling Stones, and Aretha Franklin.
1950     Michael Cotten, synths, b. Kansas City, MO, USA. Member group: 'The Tubes'. Cotten's original interest was in Art Designs. While making sound tracks for his own 16mm Art films, he discovered synthesizers. Soon, he and six of his friends formed 'The Tubes; as a theatrical rock group. They were the first to integrate rock music with video technology. In 1975, they signed with A&M records and toured and recorded for the next ten years. After the group disbanded, Cotten became resident in New York city, where he still lives and works in the field of Art designing.
1956     Andy Cox, guitar, b. Birmingham, England, UK. Member group: 'The Beat', 'English Beat', and 'Fine Young Cannibals'. The Cannabals, (formed in 1985) consisted of Andy Cox, Roland Lee Gift (vocals, b. May 28, 1962, Birmingham, UK), and David Steele (drums, b. 1960, Isle Of Wight, UK)
1962     Peter Coyle, vocals, b. Liverpool, England. Member group: 'Lotus Eaters', consisting of Peter Coyle, Jeremy Kelly (guitar), Mike Dempsey (bass), and Stephen Creese (drums).
1939     Robert M. W. Dixon, discographer, b. Nottingham, UK. He co-authored with William John Godrich (b. Nov. 29, 1926, France, d. Jan. 13, 2000, Swansea, England, UK - heart attack, his 2nd) and Howard W. Rye.
1957     Sophia Domancich, pianist/keyboards, b. Paris, France
1980     David Doruzka, guitar, b. Prague, Czech Republic
1925     "Rusty" Draper, C&W Singer-Songwriter/Guitar/Banjo/Impressionist/Actor, b. Kirksville, MO, USA. né: Farrell H. Draper
1920     Lloyd Ellis, Guitar, b. Pensacola, FL, USA.
1899     "Sleepy John" Estes, Blues Vocals, b. (near) Ripley, TN, USA. d. June 5, 1977, Brownsville, TN, USA (stroke).
1954     Richard Finch, Leader/vocals/songwriter, b. USA. Member group: 'K.C. & The Sunshine Band'
1922     Jack Fine, songwriter, b. Boston, MA, USA. Often worked with bandleader Louis Jordan
1963     Carl Fysh, vocals, b. England. Member group: 'Brother Beyond', a group consisting of Carl Fysh, Steve Alexander, Nathan Moore, and David White.
1938     Gennady (L'vovich) Gol'shteyn, Clarinet, b. Moscow, Russia
1929     Benny Golson, Tenor Sax/composer/arranger, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. He attended a Philadelphia high school with such other promising young musicians as Jimmy and Percy Heath, "Philly" Joe Jones, John Coltrane, Red Garland, and Red Rodney. After high school, he studied at Howard University (1947-'50) after which he joined (1951) "Bull Moose" Jackson's band (Tadd Dameron on piano) still in Philadelphia, PA. In 1953, he again played with Dameron. 1953-'54 with Lionel Hampton, 1954-'56 with Johnny Hodges and Earl Bostic. 1956-'58 with Dizzy Gillespie's globetrotting big band. During 1956-'60, Golson composed: "I Remember Clifford" (for the late Clifford Brown), "Killer Joe," "Stablemates," "Whisper Not," "Along Came Betty" and "Blues March". 1958-'59 with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. 1959-'62 he co-led the Jazztet with Art Farmer, following which he gradually drifted away from Jazz concentrating on more studio work. During 1964-'66, he was in Europe. In 1977, he recorded for Columbia, and has consistently recorded albums for many Japanese labels. Golson has recorded as a leader for the Contemporary, Riverside, United Artists, New Jazz, Argo, Mercury and Dreyfus labels.
1953     Malcolm Green, Drums, b. Auckland, New Zealand. Member group: 'Split Enz',the first New Zealand band to achieve worldwide success. In 1972 , Tim Finn (Keyboards, Vocals) and Phil Judd founded "Split Ends" in Auckland, New Zealand. In 1974, when keyboardist Eddie Rayner was added, they changed their name to "Split Enz". Green was a member of the group between 1976 to 1981.
1967     D. D. Jackson, piano, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. D. D. studied classical piano at 'Indiana University' for his Bachelor of Arts, and got his Master's degree at New York's 'Manhattan School of Music' where he turned to jazz. He also studied with Jaki Byard and Don Pullen. Interestingly, D.D.s 11th CD, "Suite for New York" (2003 Justin Time), was a large-scale work celebrating both Jackson's adoptive city (New York), and also a meditation on the tragic events of 9/11. The work combined his backgrounds of Jazz and of Classical music, and featured the James Spaulding on alto sax and flute, Metalwood's Brad Turner on trumpet, and a string section led by Jackson mainstay Christian Howes on violin, and the pianist�s longtime trio featuring Cuban-born Dafnis Prieto on drums' and bassist Ugonna Okegwo. In recent years, D.D. has been exploring the musical aspects of his heritage; -his father was African-American, his mother Chinese.
1938     Etta James, vocals, b: Los Angeles, CA, USA. née: Jamesetta Hawkins
1927     Antonio Carlos Jobim, Guitar/Composer, b. Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, d. Dec. 8, 1994, New York, NY, USA. Composer/guitarist/pianist who converted the Brazilian 'Samba' into the intimate 'Bossa Nova' (Trans: "new wrinkle" or "new wave"), which attracted a world-wide following in the 1960's. He worked extensively with Stan Getz on such of his tunes as "Ipanema"
1971     China Kantner, actress/vocalist. b. San Francisco, CA, USA. Daughter of Jefferson Airplane members Paul Kantner and Grace Slick, She has co-written a few songs for her dad's band "Jefferson Starship".
1896     Harry Link, Composer, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. d. July 5, 1956, New York, NY, USA.
1942     Graeme Lyall, Reeds, b. Melbourne, Australia
1942     Pete Magadini, Drums
1932     Sid Manker, Guitar/composer, b: Memphis, TN, USA, d: January 1974. Used the Royalty checks from his tune "Raunchy" to support his own Memphis Jazz Quartet. Was a member of the Son House band.
1912     "Dean" Robert Nolan, (gospel) piano, b. Cleveland, OH, USA. Worked with gospel singer Eva Jessye.
1947     Louis Overstreet Jr., guitar, b. De Quincy, LA
1911     Charles "Truck" Parham, Double Bass/drums, b. Chicago, IL, USA, d. June 5, 2002, Chicago, IL, USA (age: 90). Originally, Parham worked as a drummer before switching over to the "bull fiddle". During 1932-'34. "truck" first worked with Zack Whyte's band in Cincinnati, OH. From 1936-'38, he was resident in Chicago, IL, where he played regularly with Zutty Singleton and Roy Eldridge and occasionally with Art Tatum. From 1940-'42, Parham was a member of the Earl Hines orchestra, and then joined Jimmie Lunceford's Orchestra, remaining with Lunceford until 1947. Still in Chicago during 1950-'55, Parham was part of Muggsy Spanier's dixieland band. During 1956-57 he worked with Herbie Fields, and with the Earl Hines and Louie Bellson bands. In the 1960's, Parham played mostly played with pianist Art Hodes, ans with some other traditional Jazz groups. During his career, Parham recorded with many Jazzmen including Roy "Little Jazz" Eldridge, Earl "the fatha" Hines, Jimmy Lunceford, 'Muggsy' Spanier, Louie Bellson and Art Hodes. He had never recorded as a leader.
1882     Bebe Ridgley, Trombone, b. New Orleans, LA, USA.
1934     "Little" Mack Simmons, harmonica, b. Twist, AR, USA.
1917     Floyd Smith, Guitar, b. St.Louis, MO, USA. d. March 29, 1982. Best recalled for his work with Andy Kirk's orchestra.
1932     "Whispering" Smith, mouth harpist, b. West Brookhaven, MS, USA. Smith was an excellent performer who arrived in Crowley, LA, just a trifle after the 'heyday' of the "swamp blues sound". He worked with Lightnin' Slim and Silas Hogan before making his own fine singles for J.D. Miller, a Crowley, Los Aangeles, CA producer.
1950     Dave Storrs, drums
1958     Gary Tibbs, bass, b. Northwood, Middlesex, England. Member groups: 'Adam & the Ants', and 'Roxy Music'
1932     "Boogie" Bill Webb, vocals/songwriter/author, b. Hinds County, MS, USA.
1924     Wesley Webb "Speedy" West, pedal steel guitar, b. Springfield, MO, USA.
1973     Chris Wilkie, guitar, b. Gateshead, England. Member group: 'Dubstar', a trio of Chris Wilkie, Sarah Blackwood (vocals), and Steve Hillier (keyboards/songwriter, b. London, England).
1958     Lesley Wood, Vocals/Guitar, b. Leeds, England. Member groups: 'Au Pairs', (Leslie and bassist Jane Munroe), and 'The Darlings'
1922     Jimmy Wyble, Guitar, b. Port Arthur, TX, USA. Among the bands with whom Jimmy played are 'Spade Cooley band', 'The Red Norvo Quintet', and 'Benny Goodman Band'. He has appeared on the Flip Wilson Show and Kraft Music Hall. Studied classical guitar with Laurindo Almeida. His film recordings include The Wild Bunch, Oceans Eleven, and Kings Go Fourth. LP albums include The Swing Era, Windjammer, Red Norvo Plays the Blues, and The Sound of Music. He has also written several Guitar instruction books.

         Notable Events occuring this date include:
1964.    Marian Distler, label co-owner (Folkways), died in New York, NY, USA. Age: 45
1965.    Chico Derrick, bass, died in Chicago, IL, USA. Age: 38
1976.    Chris Kenner, singer-songwriter, died in New Orleans, LA, USA. Age 46. This vocalist wrote a number of tunes, including his best known "I Like It like That".
1985.    Willie "Earthquake" Blackmon, drums, died in St. Louis, MO, USA. Age: 50
1986.    Albert Grossman, label owner (Bearville), died in London, UK. Age: 59
1987.    Harry Dial, drums, died in New York, NY, USA. Age: 79
1989.    Alvin Robinson, guitar, died in New Orleans, LA, USA. Age: 51
1989.    Laura Lee McBride, C&W vocalist, died. Laura was Bob Wills' first female vocalist.
1993.    Bert Andrews, photographer (Apollo Theatre), died in New York, NY, USA. Age: 63
1995.    Theo Uden Masman, piano, leader, died
1996.    Rusty Davis, vocals, died in St. Louis, MO, USA. Age: 62. Member: 'The Davis Brothers Band'
1997.    Seldon Powell, reeds, flute, died
1998.    Ray Porter, drums, died

         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
       1937    "This Year's Kisses", Teddy Wilson Orch. (Billie Holiday voc.)
       1937    "Why Was I Born", Teddy Wilson Orch. (Billie Holiday voc.)
       1937    "I Must Have That Man", Teddy Wilson Orch. (Billie Holiday voc.)
       1938    "Love Is Here To Stay", - Jimmy Dorsey Orch.
       1945    "Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive", - Bing Crosby
       1945    "Don't Fence Me In", - Horace Heidt
       1945    "Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive", - Artie Shaw
       1960    "Beyond The Sea", - Bobby Darin
       1960    "Let It Be Me", - Everly Brothers
       1960    "Theme From A Summer Place", - Percy Faith
       1964    "I Want To Hold Your Hand", - Beatles
       1964    "Java", - Hirt, Al
       1969    "This Magic Moment", - Jay & The Americans
       1969    "Baby, Baby Don't Cry", - Miracles
       1969    "You Showed Me", - Turtles
       1975    "Can't Get It Out Of My Head", - E.L.O.
       1986    "Secret Lovers", - Atlantic Starr
       1986    "King For A Day", - Thompson Twins
       1992    "Good For Me", - Amy Grant
       1992    "To Be With You", - Mr. Big