BIRTHDAYS
1936     Albert Ayler, alto-Tenor Sax, b. Cleveland Heights, OH, USA. d. (Apparently) Nov. 5, 1970, New York, NY, USA. Ayler was one of the 1960s musicians that were promoting something called "free jazz" It is now believed that he committed suicide by jumping off New York City's Statue of Liberty ferryboat as it neared Liberty Island. His body was found on Nov. 25, floating in the East River, at the foot of the Congress Street Pier. Ayler probably committed suicide although there are other theories for his death that remain speculation. For some time afterwards, rumors circulated that Ayler had been murdered due to his involvement in the 'black power' movement. Later, however, his live-in girlfriend, Mary Maria Parks. told interviewers that Albert had been depressed and feeling guilty, blaming himself for his brother's problems (In 1967, Donald had sufferered a nervous breakdown). She stated that, just before his death, he had several times threatened to kill himself, smashed one of his saxophones over their television set after she tried to dissuade him, then took the Statue of Liberty ferry and jumped off as it neared Liberty Island. He is buried in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
1939     Joe Barry, vocals, b. Cut Off, LA, USA. Best recalled for release: "I'm a Fool To Care"
1942     Stephen Jo Bladd, drums, b. USA Member group: The J Geils Band
1918     Al Bundy, piano, d. 2000
1964     Bill Carrothers, piano/vocal, b. Minneapolis, MN, USA. His musical training began at the age of five with lessons given to him by his church organist. At the age of 14, he began studying with local pianist Bobby Peterson, and at age 15, played his first gig. In 1982, he enrolled at North Texas State University in Denton, Texas on a music scholarship. He left a year later in order to pursue greener pastures. Over his 20 year career, Carrothers has been a leader on 9 recordings, and has worked with such artists as Buddy DeFranco, Lee Konitz, Toots Thielemans, Matt "Guitar" Murphy, Eric Gravatt, Dewey Redman, Tim Hagans,James Moody, Benny Wallace, Joe Beck, Billy Higgins, Scott Colley, Dave Douglas, Curtis Fuller, Drew Gress, Gary Peacock, Bill Stewart, Charlie Rouse, James Spaulding, and Ira Sullivan. Among the many venues he has played include New York city's 'Village Gate', 'Knitting Factory', and 'Birdland', the 'Blues Alley', 'New Morning' (Paris, France), the 'Jazz Middelheim', 'Audi Jazz Festival' in Brussels, the 'Nevers Jazz Festival' (shared the bill with Abbey Lincoln), the 'Montreal Jazz Festival', and the Marciac Festival in France. In October of 2000, he headlined the prestigious Rising Star Tour throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
CAUTION: Do not confuse with William "Will" Carruthers (b. Nov. 9, 1967, Chesterfield, England) who is best known for playing bass in the experimental rock bands 'Spacemen 3' and 'Spiritualized'. (He is currently -2006- performing under the name 'Freelovebabies'.)
1953     Greg Cohen, bass
1927     Ike Cole, piano/vocals, b. Chicago, IL, USA, d. 2001. (Nat "King" Cole's brother.)
1963     Norman Cook, DJ/Rock guitar/bass/vocals, b. Brighton, Sussex, England, UK. (Raised in Redhill, England). aka: "Fatboy Slim". né: Quentin Norman Cook. Started his career as a guitarist with the Socialist group 'The Housemartins'. Some ambiguity exists about his birth. Some sources claim he was born on July 16, and some sources claim he was born in Bromley.
1974     Deborah Cox, (R&B/House) vocals, b. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
1926     Michel DeVillers, Baritone Sax/clarinet, b. Villeneuve-Sur-Lot, France, d. 1992.
1961     Lawrence Donegan, bass, Member group: Lloyd Cole & The Commotions
1935     Pete Escovedo, vocals, percussion, leader, b. Oakland, CA, USA. Since the late 1960's, Escovedo has been at the forefront of Latin Jazz, as well as Pop music.
1921     Ernest Gold. Composer/arranger, b. Vienna, Austria, d. March 17, 1999 (Stroke Complications).
1942     Earl Grubbs, Tenor Sax, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. d. Oct. 6, 1989
1931     "Long John" Hunter, guitar, b. Ringgold, LA, USA.
1929     Pedro Iturralde, Saxophone/clarinet/flute/composer/arranger, b. Falces, Spain.
1895     Bradley Kincaid, C&W/Folk/Old Time Vocals, b. Garrard County, KY, d. Sept. 23, 1989, Springfield, OH. USA. né: William Bradley Kincaid. Born and raised in the Kentucky hill-country, Bradley acquired a wealth of folk tunes and mountain ballads. He always referred to himself (correctly) as a folksinger. While still attending college (in Chicago), he began to appear regularly on the WLS Barndance (later National Barn Dance) show. In 1936 he discovered Lewis Marshall Jones whom he promptly renamed Grandpa Jones. Even though Kincaid stopped actively touring in 1953, he still played folk festivals and recorded occasionally. Interestingly, there was one stretch in 1963 when, over 4 days, he recorded 162 songs. (Bluebonnet Label)
1966     Gerald Levert, R&B/Soul vocals, b. Cleveland, OH, USA. Member the trio: 'Levert', a group originally formed by Levert, Marc Gordon and his brother Sean Gordon. Gerald's father is singer Eddie LeVert Sr. of 'The O'Jays'.
1900     George Lewis, Clarinet/leader, b. New Orleans, LA, usa, d. Dec. 31, 1968, USA. This famed old New Orleans clarinetist is one of a long line of Crescent City clarinet legends, and he is still perhaps the most widely imitated. Lewis' life and music parallel those of other second generation jazz pioneers who chose to remain in Louisiana during the 1920s while Armstrong, Joe Oliver, and Jelly Roll Morton, among others, moved on to much wider fame. He was born in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. Lewis was playing clarinet professionally by 1917. He played with Buddie Petit, Chris Kelly regularly, and sometimes with Kid Ory and many other band leaders, seldom traveling far from the greater New Orleans area. In 1942 some jazz fans and writers came to New Orleans to record the legendary older trumpeter Bunk Johnson, and Bunk picked Lewis for the recording session. Lewis, almost totally unknown outside of New Orleans, impressed many listeners, and he made his first recordings under his own name for American Music Records. In the late 1950s, Lewis began touring internationally. He also became a regular performer at Hew Orleans' famed Preservation Hall from its opening in 1961. After having been sick for many years, Lewis died on December 31, 1968.
1954     Louise Mandrell, vocals/bass, b. Corpus Christi, TX, USA. One of the Mandrell Sisters (Barbara, Irlean and Louise). At age of 15, Louise worked in sister Barbara's band, 'The Do-Rights', and, in the early 1970s, toured with Merle Haggard. In 1979, she married R.C. Bannon.
1942     Roger McGuinn, Rock Vocal/Guitar/Banjo, b. Chicago, IL, USA. né: James Joseph McGuinn, III. aka Tom McGuinn. Something of a child folk music prodigy, Roger and his trademark 12-string Rickenbacker guitar would pioneer folk - and country- rock, and along the way influenced everyone from the Beatles to acolytes like Tom Petty and R.E.M. Early on, McGuinn toured with the Limelighters, and in 1960 he was accompanist with Chad Mitchell's Trio, (recording and appearing Live at New York's Bitter End club). He next joined Bobby Darin's group when that singer moved from pop to folk. He worked on sessions for Hoyt Axton, Judy Collins and Tom & Jerry (later known as Simon & Garfunkel). While playing solo dates locally in Los Angeles area, he formed the Jet Set with David Crosby and Gene Clark. Their single release, under the name 'the Beefeaters' failed, and bassist Chris Hillman and drummer Michael Clarke were added. The Jet Set name changed to the Byrds. Despite their success, internal strife caused the members to break up, leaving McGuinn as the only member of the band. During a flirtation with the Subud religion, James changed his first name to Roger, but kept 'the Byrds' name. He moved deeply into country/roots music before finally dissolving the band in February 1973. In 1991, the Byrds were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
1947     Larry McPeak, Bass Guitar/vocals, b. Wytheville, VA, USA.. né:: Larry James McPeak. member: The McPeak Brothers. Worked With such Bluegrass groups and musicians as: McPeak Brothers; Mike McPeak; Dewey McPeak; Rick Allred
1918     Erik Parker, Trumpet, b. Arhus, Denmark.
1920     Don Ralke, Composer, b. Battle Creek, MI, USA. d. Jan. 26, 2000, USA
1949     Tom Ranier, keyboards
1925     Adolph Sandole, Bari-sax/piano/arranger/composer. Younger brother of guitarist Dennis Sandole (see Sept. 29 Calendar) Both Adolph and Dennis Sandole were self-taught musicians, and the two began playing Philadelphia-area clubs during the 1930s. While Adolph first began playing the Baritone sax (self-taught), he went on to master the piano, bass, and other instruments. His book 'Blues Piano Method - By Adolph Sandole', was published by Theodore Presser Company.
1906     Harry Sosnik, bandleader, b. Chicago, IL, USA. Led studio band for the 'Jack Carter Show', and for 'Your Hit Parade'.
1908     Tim Spencer, d. April 26, 1974, né: Vernon Harold Spencer. Member of The Sons of The Pioneers (Country and Western Band).
1939     Gyorgy Szabados, Piano/Composer/arranger, b. Budapest, Hungary.
1965     Neil Thrasher, C&W vocals. b. USA.
1942     Jay "Bird" Uzzell, vocals, b. La Grange, NC, USA. Member: 'The Corsairs'
1928     Leroy Vinnegar, Bass, b. Indianapolis, IN, USA. d. August 3, 1999
1926     Bengt-Arne Wallin, Trumpet/arranger/composer, b. Linkoping, Sweden.
1949     David Wilcox, guitar/vocals/composer. b. Montreal, Que., Canada.
1915     "Hucklebuck" Williams, tenor/bari sax, b. Lewisburg, KY, USA.
1915     Paul Williams, Leader/saxophone/composer, b. Birmingham, Al. USA., d. 2002, USA, In 1946, played with Clarence Dorsey. In 1947, made his recording debut with King Porter for Paradise before forming his own band later that year. Saxophonists Noble "Thin Man" Watts and "Wild" Bill Moore, trumpeter Phil Guilbeau, and vocalists Danny Cobb, Jimmy Brown, Joan Shaw, and Connie Allen were among Williams' band members. In 1949, Williams song "The Huckle Buck", based on Charlie Parker's "Now's the Time", was one of the first big hits of the R&B era, as well as the biggest-selling record in the Savoy label's 60-year history, topping the R&B charts for 14 weeks. In thre 1960s, Williams was a part of the Atlantic Records lanbel' house band and directed the Lloyd Price and James Brown orchestras until 1964. In 1968, he briefly left the music business, opening a booking agency in New York City. Among his other Top 10 hits were "35-30" (1948), and "Walkin' Around" (1949.)
         Notable Events on this date include:
1946.    Riley Puckett, guitar, died in East Point, GA, USA. Age: 52
1949.    Eddie DeLange, leader,vocal, lyricist died in Los Angeles, CA, USA. (b. Jan. 12, 1904, New York (Long Island City neighborhood), NY, USA.)
1957.    Wessel Ilcken, drummer died. ( b. Dec. 1, 1923. b. Hilversum, Netherlands,)
1958.    Paul Ash, leader, violin died in New York, New York, USA. (b. Feb. 11,1891, Germany )
1970.    Joe Cuoghi, Label owner: Hi Records, died in Memphis, TN, USA. Age: 48
1970.    L. Wolfe Gilbert. composer died in July 13, 1970, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Age: 83
1973.    During a concert at the John Wayne Theatre, in Buena Park, CA. USA, Phil Everly walked off the stage in the middle of the show. It was the end of ' The Everly Brothers' duo, although they did reunite, briefly, a decade later.
1982.    Otis "Candy" Finch, drums, died in Seattle, WA, USA. Age: 49
1984.    Philippe Wynne, vocals, died in Oakland, CA, USA. Age: 43. Member: 'The Spinners'
1986.    Coke Escovedo, drums, died in Montebello, CA, USA. Age: 45
1992.    Ben Keeton, vocals, died in Rochester, NY, USA.
1994.    Annie Ophelia, voccals, died in Louisville, KY, USA.
1994.    Eddie Boyd, piano/songwriter, died in Helsinki, Finland, Age: 79
1996.    Pim Jacobs, paino, died in Tienhoven, Utrecht, Netherlands. (cancer). (b. September 29, 1939, Hilversum, Noord-Holland, Netherlands )
2002.    Jerry Fuller, drummer died. in Toronto, ON, Canada ( passed away in his sleep. Age: 63). (b. Calgary, Alberta on April 5, 1939)
2005.    Pierre Michelot, bassist, died in Paris, France. Age: 77 (b. March 3, 1928, France)
         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
1908   "Be Sweet To Me Kid", - Billy Murray vocal.
1916   "Hello Hawaii How Are You", - Deiro Pietro's Band
1926   "My Cutey's Due at Two-To-Two Today", - Billy Jones and Ernie Hare (the Happiness Boys).
1932   "Listen To The German Band", - George Olsen Orch., with Ethel Shutta voc.
1934   "You're A Builder Upper", - Richard Himber Orch.
1934   "What Can You Say In A Love Song", - Richard Himber Orch.
1935   "Some Day Sweetheart", - Benny Goodman Orch.
1935   "Body And Soul", - Benny Goodman Orch.
1939   "An Apple For The Teacher", - Horace Heidt and his Musical Knights
1939   "Love With A Capitol You", - Kay Kyser Orch.
1942   "Massachusetts", Gene Krupa Orch., Anita O'Day vocal
1951   "Because Of You", - Les Baxter
1959   "Just A Little Too Much", - Ricky Nelson
1959   "Sweeter Than You", - Ricky Nelson
1959   "Big Hunk Of Love, A", - Elvis Presley
1963   "Blowin' In The Wind", - Peter, Paul & Mary
1963   "Devil In Disguise, (You're The)", - Elvis Presley
1968   "Hello, I Love You", - The Doors
1968   "Classical Gas", - Mason Williams
1968   "Turn Around, Look At Me", - The Vogues
1974   "Call On Me", - Chicago
1974   "Please Come To Boston", - Dave Loggins
1974   "Night Chicago Died, The", - Paper Lace
1974   "Tell Me Something Good", - Rufus
1985   "Summer Of '69", - Bryan Adams
1991   "I Can't Wait Another Minute", - Hi-Five
1991   "3 A.M. Eternal", - KLF
1991   "Crazy", - Seal