BIRTHDAYS
1927     Ahmed Abdul-Malik, né: Sam Gill, Bass/Oud, b. New York, NY, USA. d. Oct. 2, 1993 Age:66. Studied Violin at age 7 at Vardi's Conservatory. During Junior High School joined group playing for Greek, Syrian and Gypsy Weddings. His father, from the Sudan, used to sing and play "Oriental" music. After graduating from New York City High School of Performing Arts, (Where he played in All-City High School Symphony Orch.), he worked, in 1945 (and again in 1948), with Art Blakely; 1946 with Don Byas; in 1954 with Sam "The Man" Taylor; in 1957 with Randy Weston; '57-58 with Thelonius Monk; from 1956 to '58 he played with various groups playing Oriental music. Played concert of Oriental music in 1957 at the Nonagon Art Gallery (NYC). In April 1958, he appeared on the Dave Garroway television show.
1909     Sam Allen, Piano, b. Middleport, OH, USA. d. Sept. 19, 1963
1943     Marty Balin, vocals. né: Martin Buchwald. Member groups: Jefferson Airplane; Jefferson Starship
1940     Jerry Bradley, C&W producer (RCA), b. Nashville, TN, USA.
1904     Dana Neal Brown, Bass (brass/string)/trombone/photographer, b. (on a farm near Syracuse) North Pitcher, NY, USA, d. Oct. 10, 1974, New York, NY, USA. Attended Colgate Univ. in New York, and became a member of the "Colgate Collegians" orch. The band later became known as Lloyd Huntley and the Isle O' Blues Orchestra. Brown was with the band during their European tour, and was with the band when they returned to the USA, and played the Coral Gables Country Club, which catapulted the band into national fame.
1928     Ruth Brown, R&B vocals, b. Portsmouth, VA, USA. d. Nov. 17, 2006, Henderson, (near Las Vegas, NV, USA) (Age: 78. Death due to complications of a Stroke and Heart Attack following surgery). née: Ruth Alston Weston. In the 1950s, Ruth brought a popular music style to rhythm and blues in a series of hit songs for Atlantic Records. Her father, a dockhand, directed the local church choir, but the young Ruth showed more of an interest in singing at USO shows and nightclubs. In 1945, Brown ran away from home in Portsmouth with trumpeter Jimmy Brown, whom she soon married, and began singing in bars and clubs. She then spent a month with Lucky Millinder's orchestra, but was fired after she brought drinks to the band for free, and was left stranded in Washington, D.C.. Blanche Calloway, Cab Calloway's sister, also a bandleader, arranged a gig for Brown at a Washington nightclub called Crystal Caverns and soon became her manager. Willis Conover, a local DJ, caught her act and recommended her to Atlantic Records bosses, Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Brown was unable to audition as planned though, because of a serious car accident that resulted in a nine-month hospital visit. In 1948, however, Ertegun and Abramson drove to Washington from New York City to hear her sing in the club. Although her repertoire was mostly popular ballads, Ertegun convinced her to switch to rhythm and blues. His productions for her, however, retained her "pop" style, with clean, fresh arrangements and the singing spot on the beat with little of the usual blues singer's embroidery. In her first audition, in 1949, she sang "So Long", which ended up becoming a hit. This was followed by "Teardrops from My Eyes" (1950), "I'll Wait for You" (1951), "I Know" (1951), "5-10-15 Hours" (1953), "(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean" (1953), "Oh What a Dream" (1954), "Mambo Baby" (1954) and "Don't Deceive Me" (1960). She also became known as Little Miss Rhythm and the girl with the teardrop in her voice. "Miss Rhythm," as she was crowned, faded from view in the mid-1960s. Comedian Redd Foxx helped her re-emerge in the late '70s, after she worked as a domestic servant, cook and bus driver. Brown came back hard in the 1980s, appearing in John Waters' "Hairspray " and winning a Grammy and Tony in 1989 for "Blues on Broadway " and "Black and Blue," respectively. Brown lived in Las Vegas, on and off, since the 1950s, and then settled in Henderson, Nev., in the mid-1990s. Despite her stroke in 2000, she retained her upbeat and spunky character in public. In all, she was on the R&B charts for 149 weeks from 1949 to 1955, with 16 top 10 blues records including 5 number ones, and became Atlantic's most popular artist, earning Atlantic records the proper name of "The House that Ruth Built." Brown later became pivotal in fighting for royalties music companies owed artists.
1958     Karen Carroll, vocals
1928     Dorothy Love Coates, vocals, b. Birmingham, AL, USA. Member: 'The Harmonettes'
1951     Phil Collins, singer/songwriter. b. Great Britain. Member: 'Genesis'
1929     Cleveland Crochet, Cajun/Creole/Folk Fiddler/Leader, b: Hathaway, LA, USA. Was the fiddler with the Hillbilly Ramblers on their 1961 recording "Sugar Bee," released on the Goldband label. It was the first 'Cajun' song (though performed in English) to make the Billboard Hot 100. It peaked at No. 80.
1957     Gregory Davis, trumpet. Member: 'The Dirty Dozen'
1943     Sandy Deane, vocals, b. New York, NY, USA. né: Sandy Yaguda. Member group: 'Jay & the Americans'
1959     Mark Eitzel, singer-songwriter, b. Walnut Creek, CA, USA. Member: 'American Music Club'
1911     Roy "Little Jazz" Eldridge, Trumpet, b. Pittsburgh, PA, USA. d. Feb. 26, 1989, NY, USA. né: David Roy Eldridge
1934     Melvin Endsley, singer-songwriter, b: Drasco, AK, USA. While success as a vocalist has eluded him, Endsley's songs have been recorded by such C&W artists as Johnny Cash, Stonewall Jackson and Ricky Skaggs, and by Pop artists such as Guy Mitchell, Andy Williams, Paul McCartney, and Marty Robbins. Endsley developed a love of Country music as a child, -listening on the radio while in a hospital recovering from Poliomyelitis.
1931     Gene Gammage, Drums, b. Atlanta, GA, USA.
1948     Galen Gart, vocals, b. New York, NY, USA. Member: 'First Pressing', 'Big Nickel'
1934     Tammy Grimes, actress/vocals. b. Lynn, MA, USA.
1912     Bob Harrington, Piano, Vibes, drums, arranger, b. Marshfield, WI, USA.
1935     'Tubby' Hayes, Tenor Sax/flute/vibes, b. London, England, UK, d. June 8, 1973, London, England, UK (Heart trouble). Age: 38. All during the 1950s and '60s, this hard bop stylist was one of England's top jazz musicians. During 1951-1955 (age 15), he played with Kenny Baker and in the big bands of Ambrose, Vic Lewis, and Jack Parnell. In 1956, he led his own group, and started doubling on vibes. Between 1957-1959, Hayes and Ronnie Scott co-led the 'Jazz Couriers'. During 1961-1965, he appeared in the U.S. a few times. In 1964, he was seen at several European Jazz festivals, sat in with Duke Ellington's Orchestra, and very briefly led his own big band in London. During 1969-1971, heart troubles greatly limited his playing, and eventually caused his tragically early demise.
1935     Ingfried Hoffman, Piano/Organ, b. Stettin, Germany
1944     Roger Humphries, drums
1936     Horst Jankowski, Leader/Piano, b. Berlin, Germany, d. June 29, 1998, Bonn, Germany.
1938     Norma Jean, C&W Vocals, b. (near) Wellston, OK, USA. née: Norma Jean Beaser. Best remembered as Porter Wagoner's partner before he was paired with Dolly Parton; she is best known for her many "Hurtin' and Cheatin' songs and about the joys and tribulations of being a blue-collar worker.
1916     Rome Johnson, (Western) vocals, b. Winchester, KY, USA. Member: 'Sons of the Pioneers'
1956     Doug Kahan, Bass Guitar, b. Detroit, MI, USA. Member: "The Gibson/Miller Band," formed 1990, and comprised of Dave Gibson (né: David Lowell Gibson, Lead Vocals, Guitar b. October 1, 1956 El Dorado, Arkansas, USA), Bill "Blue" Miller ( né: William Mueller, Lead Guitar, Lead Vocals, b. July 15, 1952, Detroit, Michigan, USA), Steve Grossman Drums, Percussion b. April 3, 1962 West Ipswich, New York, USA), Bryan Grassmeyer (left 1992, Bass Guitar, Vocals, b. June 6, 1954, Nebraska, USA), and Mike Daly (Steel Guitar, b. June 11, 1955, Cleveland, Ohio, USA), and Doug Kahan (joined 1992, bass guitar, b. January 30, 1956. Detroit, Michigan, USA)
1949     William King, vocals, b. Alabama, USA. Member group: 'The Commodores'
1951     Ralph Lalama, tenor sax
1902     Jim Lanigan, Bass/Tuba, b. Chicago, IL, USA. d. April 9, 1983
1928     Mitch Leigh, Bassoon/flute/composer, b. Brooklyn, NY, USA.
1921     Bernie Leighton, Piano, b. West Haven, CT, USA. d. Sept. 16, 1994, Coconut Creek, Florida, USA. né: Bernard Lazaroff. Bernie moved to New York City in 1930, and by age 20 was already working professionally in 'Kelly's Stables', a '52nd Street' club with such Jazzmen as Bud Freeman, Pee Wee Russell and others. Sadly, Bernie is not as well remembered today as he should be. He worked, and recorded, with all the greats of Jazz. Among those with whom he recorded are Benny Goodman, Dave Tough, Roy "Little Jazz" Eldridge, CHarlie "Yardbird" Parker, and trumpeter Joe Thomas. (In later years, pianist/leader Earl "Fatha" Hines credited Joe Thomas as his principal Jazz mentor (not Hines' good friend Louis Armstrong, as some suggest). Leighton also recorded leading his own Quintet (Keynote Label). Among the many singers that he backed include Maxine Sullivan, Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra.
1940     Tony Levin, Drums, b. Much Wenlock, Shropshire, England. Levin is, without doubt, one of the UK's top Jazz drummers, Tony has played with a veritable who's who of world famous Jazz musicians, and has well over 60 recordings documenting his musical skill. In 1965, he became a member of the Tubby Hayes Quartet. Beginning in 1968, Tony appeared at Ronnie Scotts London club where he played with a host of American and European Jazzmen including AI Cohn, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Zoot Sims, Hank Mobley, Lee Konitz, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Dave Holland, Toots Thielemanns, Mick Pyne, Clifford Jordan, Joe Henderson, Gary Burton, Kenny Wheeler, Tony Coe, Ron Mathewson, and Ronnie Scott, among others. In 1969 he was amember of the Alan Skidmore quintet, and also worked with the Humphrey Lyttleton band. In 1970, he was the drummer for pianist John Taylor's trio and sextet. In the 1970s, he toured Europe with lan Carr's 'Nucleus', and was a member of both the Stan Sulzmann quartet and Gordon Beck's 'Gyroscope'. In 1975, he joined John Surman for a duet recording of a Moers Festival concert. In 1979, Levin played with three European bands, - 'Third Eye', 'Trumpet Summit', and 'The European Jazz Ensemble'. In 1980, Tony began playing with saxophonist Paul Dunmall and together they appeared in various groups including the band 'Mujician' (with Keith Tippett and Paul Rogers). In 1983 he recorded with Dutch pianist Rob Van Den Broeck in his trio. Between 1984 and 1991 Levin, together with bassist Chris Bolton, ran the hugely successful 'Jazz Club Friday'. Among the UK and American Jazzmen who appeared at the club's weekly concerts were Red Rodney, Tal Farlow, Bobby Shew, Dick Morrisey, Peter King, Stan Tracey, Don Weller, Jim Mullen, Tony Coe, John Taylor, Kenny Wheeler, lain Ballamy, Simon Purcell, Julian Arguelles,and Mark Lockheart. In the early 1990s, Tony was the drummer in Belgian guitarist Philip Catherine's trio and quartet (often touring with Philip in later years). In 1991, he and bassist Paul Rogers were a part of the Sophia Domancich Trio that extensively toured throughout the world until 2000. Tony then became a member of Philip Aerts Trio and Quartet, which also featured American saxophonist John Roucco and trumpeter Bert Joris. Tony Levin currently (2004) continues to be in great demand on the Jazz scene.
CAUTION: Do not confuse THIS Tony Levin, drummer, with the American bass player of the same name. Tony Levin, Bass, b. June 6, 1946, Boston, MA, USA - raised in the suburb of Brookline, MA, USA).
1938     Jerry Lott - (The Phantom), Rockabilly vocalist, b: Pritchard, AL, USA, d: Sept. 4, 1983, Vernal, MS, USA,
1927     Hank Marr, organ, b. Columbus, OH, USA. d. March 16, 2004, Columbus, OH, USA. In 1947, 2 years after graduating high school in his home town, Hank joined the U. S. Army, where he played in the 'Army Combo Band'. Upon his service discharge, he joined 'Charlie Brantley and the Honeydippers' (not to be confused with the more popular 'Joe Liggins and the Honey Drippers'). In the early 1950's, Hank worked with Rusty Bryant's band (the then-unknown girl singer was Nancy Wilson). In 1957, when Bryant's band played in Atlantic City, NJ, Hank first heard Jazz organist Jimmy Smith. Very soon afterwards, Hank began playing the Hammond B-3 organ. Circa 1961, He recorded seven albums for the King Records label. During 1961 to 1969, Marr led his own group touring the United States, Canada, and Germany. From 1969 to 1978, he was musical director for impressionist George Kirby, performing in Las Vegas, NV, and TV shows. In 1981, Hank joined the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, and in that same year, accepted a teaching position at his alma mater, Ohio State Univ. In 2000, Hank retired from OSU but soon returned to teaching. In the 1990's, he cut three records for the Double-Time label, and in 2000 cut his final album for the Jamey label. On his demise, Hank Marr was recognized as one of the world's masters of the Hammond B-3 organ.
1947     Steve Marriott, singer/bandleader, b. Great Britain. Member groups: 'Small Faces'; 'Humble Pie'.
1930     Buddy Montgomery, Piano/Vibes, b. Indianapolis, IN, USA. né: Charles F. Montgomery. The Montgomery Brothers
1931     Harold Ralph Morrison, (bluegrass) banjo/guitar/steel guitar/dobro/comedian, b. Highlonseome, MO, USA. d. Dec. 21, 1993, Springfield, Missouri, USA.
1957     Paul Mundy, sax
1937     Jeanne Pruett, C&W singer-songwriter, b. Pell City, AL, USA. née: Norma Jean Bowman. Best recalled for her chart-topping hit release "Satin Sheets".
1951     Marv Ross, guitar, b. Portland, OR, USA. Member group: 'Quarterflash', a group formed in early 1980, with Rindy and Marv Ross (both ex 'Seafood Mama') and Jack Charles, Rick DiGiallonardo, Rich Gooch, and Brian Willis (all ex 'Pilot'). Starting in 1981 The band would release four albums, but by 1984, they had run out of new ideas.
1964     Angie Stone, singer-songwriter/keyboardist (self-taught), b. Columbia, SC, USA. Member group: 'Vertical Hold'
1941     Joe Terranova, baritone-bass vocals, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. Member group: 'Danny and the Juniors', an R&B/Doo Wop group comprised of Terranova, Danny Rapp (lead tenor), Frank Maffei (second tenor), Bill Carlucci (), and Dave White Tricker (tenor). In early 1958, their biggest hit "At the Hop" (composed by Dave White and John Madara) went Gold. Most of their subsequent releases were all in the Top-40 range.
1961     Jody Watley, vocals, b. Chicago, IL, USA. Member group: 'Shalamar' In 1987, Jody's eponymous debut solo album sold a million copies and produced three Top Ten hits -- "Looking for a New Love", "Don't You Want Me", and "Some Kind of Lover", and won Watley the Grammy 'Award for Best New Artist of 1987'. In 1989, Her second album, "Larger than Life" went gold. That album included the number two Pop hit "Real Love", and the 'Top 10' hit "Friends" and "Everything".
1911     Frank Weir, alto sax/clarinet/leader, b. England, UK, d. May 12, 1981. One of the great "Light Music" bands of the 1940s-'70s. Perhaps his most famous release was "The Happy Wanderer". During WWII, Frank's orchestra often played in London, where blind pianist George Shearing appeared with the band, - but NOT as a pianist. Shearing played the accordion. (Shearing also played piano with 'Harry Parry's Radio Rhythm Band', during the WWII years in London.)

         Notable Events occuring this date include:
1976.    Mance Lipscomb, guitar/vocals, died in Navasota, TX, USA. Age: 80
1980.    Professor Longhair (né: Henry Roeland Byrd) piano, died in New Orleans, LA, USA. Age: 61
1982.    'Lightnin' Hopkins died in Houston, TX, USA. Age 69.
1984.    C. C. Richardson, guitar, died in Charleston, W. VA, USA. Age: 65
1988.    Eddie Cano, piano died
1990.    Johnson "Fat Cat" Mcree Jr., producer, died in Manassas, VA, USA. Age: 66
1994.    Ernestine "Tiny" Davis, trumpet, died in Chicago, IL, USA. Age: 86
1994.    Byron "Slick" Gipson, vocals, died in Peoria, IL, USA. Age: 64. Member: 'The Sliders'
1995.    George James, tenor sax, died in Columbus, OH, USA. Age: 88. Worked with Clyde Bernhardt
1996.    Bob Thiele, producer, died in New York, NY, USA. Age: 73
2004.    Malachi Favors, bass, died
2004.    Frank Mantooth, piano, arranger, leader, composer, educator, died

         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
       1942    Blues In The Night, - Jimmie Lunceford
       1948    Beg Your Pardon, - Frankie Carle
       1954    I Get So Lonely, - Four Knights
       1954    From The Vine Came The Grape, - Gaylords
       1954    Make Love To Me!, - Jo Stafford
       1961    Pony Time, - Chubby Checker
       1961    Baby Sittin' Boogie, - Buzz Clifford
       1961    Where The Boys Are, - Connie Francis
       1961    Spanish Harlem, - Ben E. King
       1965    Jolly Green Giant, - Kingsmen
       1965    My Girl, - Temptations
       1965    Tell Her No, - Zombies
       1982    Pac-Man Fever, - Buckner & Garcia
       1982    Mirror, Mirror, - Diana Ross
       1982    That Girl, - Stevie Wonder
       1988    Endless Summer Nights, - Richard Marx
       1988    Just Like Paradise, - David Lee Roth