BIRTHDAYS
1936     Max D. Barnes, C&W singer-songwriter. b. Hardscratch, IA, USA. While he has had a few minor hits himself (most notably the mid-'70s "Allegheny Lady"), it is as a songwriter that he has found his greatest success. Among the many C&W artists who have had great success with his songs are Conway Twitty ("Red Neckin' Love Makin' Night"), Vince Gill ("Look at Us"), Randy Travis ("I Won't Need You Anymore [Forever and Always]"), Waylon Jennings ("Drinkin' and Dreamin'"), George Jones ("Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes"), Keith Whitley ("Ten Feet Away"), Vern Godsin ("Way Down Deep," "Slow Burnin' Memory"), and Pam Tillis ("Don't Tell Me What to Do"), among others.
1906     Druie Bess, trombone. Druie received his first lessons from his father, Frank Bess, who played both cornet and trombone. Both eventually found work in Tom Howard's band. Later, Ed Duncan, gave Druie some lessons too. At age of five, Druie was already playing at picnics with his bandleader father. At 15, Druie was already a professional touring with the Dandy Dixie Minstrel Band, and followed that with several years in Herbert's Minstrels. In the mid-'20s, druie played in various Missouri territory bands, including the Newway Jazz Hounds, and Bill Lewis' Dixie Ramblers. In St. Louis, MO, April 27, 1927, Druie Bess recorded with Jesse Stone's Blues Serenaders (Albert Hinton and Oliver"Slick" Jackson, trumpets; Druie Bess, trombone; Glenn Hughes and Jack Washington, alto saxophones; Elmer Burch, tenor saxophone; Jesse Stone, piano; Silas Cluke, banjo; Pete Harrison, tuba; Max Wilkinson, drums). Leaving St. Louis for Kansas City, first worked with Chauncey Downs, before joining Walter Page's Blue Devils. In Kansas City November 10, 1929, Druie recorded with Walter Page's Blue Devils (Jimmy Rushing, vocal; James Simpson, Oran "Hot Lips" Page, and James LuGrand, trumpets; Druie Bess, trombone; Buster Smith, clarinet and alto saxophone; Ted Manning, alto saxophone; Reuben Roddy, tenor saxophone; William "Count" Basie, piano; Reuben Lynch, guitar; Walter Page, baritone saxophone, tuba, and bass;Alvin Burroughs, drums). He stayed with Page from 1929 until 1931 (when the band became simply - the 'Blue Devils'. In the 1930s, Druie worked with various midwest bands, perhaps the most notable of which was the Grant Moore-Pettiford Orchestra in Minneapolis, MN (for 2 years). After that, he returned to St. Louis, MO, and spent 3 years with Eddie Randle's Blue Devils . Druie next found steady work on the Mississippi Riverboats working with such bands as Cecil Scott, Eddie Johnson, Dewey Jackson and pianist Fate Marable (who took Bess to Pittsburgh, PA, for some gigs). He next worked with the Jeters Pillars Orchestra, and then spent 2 years (1944-'46) with Earl "fatha" Hines' orchestra. 1948 found Druie playing with the Ringling Brothers Circus Band. It wasn't 'Jazz', but it was a good, steady paying job. In the '50s, he worked with Joe Smith's Dixielanders. His work during the 1960s was all local gigs, but in the 1970s, was working in the band aboard the cruise liner 'mv Admiral' His date of demise is not known.
1942     Heinz Burt, bass. d. April 7, 2000. Member: The Tornados. 1962 single "Telstar" hit No.1 on both USA and UK charts.
1967     David Caceres, saxes/vocals, b. San Antonio, Texas, USA. . His grandfather, Emilio Caceres, was a well-known jazz violinist, and his grand-uncle, Ernie Caceres, played baritone saxophone with Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, and the Jim Cullum Jazz Band. The Caceres family is regarded as South Texas' musical royalty. David won a scholarship to Boston's Berklee College of Music and, in 1989, graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance. At Berklee, his studies included saxophone with Joe Viola and George Garzone, and he was a member of Herb Pomeroy's Recording Band. Currently (2006), David is homebased in Houston, TX, where he appears regularly at Cezanne's and Ovations. He occasionally leads his own swing band and trio.
1934     Rudy Collins, Drums, b. New York, NY, USA. d. Aug. 15, 1988. Best recalled for his work with Dizzy Gillespie quintet
1950     Tom Crawford, sax, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. Played with: Bobby Parker
1911     W.E. "Smoky Ducas", drums, b. Quinton, OK. Worked with Bob Wills,
1916     Bob Eberly, Singer, b. Mechanicsville, NY, USA. d. Dec. 17, 1981, Glen Burnie, Md, USA. (Cancer). né: Robert Eberle. Best remembered for his work with The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. Eberly helped popularize such songs as "Blue Champagne", "Green Eyes" and "The Breeze and I",
1953     Jon Faddis, Trumpet, b. Oakland, CA. USA
1917     Robert Farnon, Leader, b. Toronto, Ont., Canada.d. Apr.23, 2005. A Canadian, and world-class musician, Farnon has worked with such stars as: Tony Bennett; Eileen Farrell; Sarah Vaughan; Jose Carreras; Frank Foster; Frank Sinatra; George Benson; George Shearing; J.J. Johnson; Quincy Jones; Dizzy Gillespie; Derek Boulton; Torrie Zito; Roy Willox; Tommy Whittle; Hugh Webb; John Snyder; Anthony Pleeth; Charles Libove; Harry Lookofsky; Bill Geldard; Barry Galbraith, - to name just a few!
1947     Mick Fleetwood, R&R drums, b. London, England. U.K. Mick will always be recalled as the drummer of Fleetwood Mac, the wildly successful band he co-founded in 1967 with fellow John Mayall alumni Peter Green (guitar) and John McVie (bass).
1948     Joe Giardullo, soprano-alto-tenor sax/bass-clarinet/flute/piccolo/electronics, In 1979, this free jazz reed player released his first album, Gravity -- Music for Creative Chamber Group, and soon afterwards both the album and Giardullo vanished into obscurity. He resurfaced in 1991, when he met saxophonist Joe McPhee, and the two men recorded several albums together. Since then, Giardullo has participated in performances of music by composer Pauline Oliveros, and Oliveros' foundation has commissioned his works. Giardullo has recorded for the underground jazz labels CIMP, and Drimala.
1951     Lynval Golding, guitarist. b. UK. Member group: 'The Specials'
1957     Larry Gott, guitar, James, 1991 UK No.2 single Sit Down.
1915     Herbie Haymer, Tenor Sax, b. Jersey City, NJ, USA. d. 1949. né: Herbert Maximillum Haymer. At age 15, he began playing alto sax, switching to tenor five years later. Haymer began his professional career working with the Carl Sears-Johnny Watson Band, and later worked briefly with Rudy Vallee and Charlie Barnet. During 1935-'37, he worked with Red Norvo, 1937-'41 with Jimmy Dorsey, 1941-'42 with Woody Herman, and during 1942-'43 with Kay Kyser. Then, he very briefly worked with Benny Goodman before becoming a part of the Dave Hudkins band in Los Angeles, CA. In 1944, he became a member of the U. S. Navy, serving until World War II ended. After being de-mobilized, he worked mostly as a 'sessions' musician, but did occasionally gig again with Goodman and Nichols. In 1945, Herbie led an all-star recording date (a quintet with Charlie Shavers and Nat "King" Cole), and in 1946 recorded for the Keynote label. In 1949, Haymer was killed in a car accident while driving home from a Frank Sinatra recording session. In private correspondence, his son, Herbert Bruce Haymer, has said that his father was driving a convertible, and died when he was thrown into a utility pole. He was only 33 years old.
1909     "Washboard Willie" Hensley, washboard/drums, b. Phenix City, AL, USA.
1911     Arval Albert Hogan, C&W, b. Robbinsville, NC, USA.
1934     Jimmy Holiday, singer-songwriter, b. Sallis, MS, USA.
1956     Tim Horner, drums
1958     Mick Karn, vocals/bass/reeds/cello/keyboards/percussion, b. London, England, UK. né: Anthony Michelides. Karn first studied wood and wind instruments such as bassoon and clarinet. However, it is for his highly distinctive fretless bass voice for which he is now most renowned. In 1982, his single "Ghosts" charted UK No.5
1927     Ronnie Lang, Alto/baritone Sax/flute, b. Chicago, IL, USA.
1970     Jennifer Lopez, singer, actress, 2001 UK No.1 single Love Don't Cost A Thing, 2001 US No.1 single I'm Real.
1941     Barbara Jean Love, vocals, Member group: 'Friends of Distinction'.
1942     Len Lyons, Writer, b. Albany, NY, USA.
1938     Mike Mainieri, Vibes, b. New York, NY, USA.
1919     Peggy Mann, vocals. née: Margaret Germano. Worked with such bands as Ben Pollack; Benny Goodman; Gene Krupa; Teddy Powell; Larry Clinton, and Enoch Light.
1943     James "Iron Head" Mathews, piano/drums, b. Gloster, MS, USA.
1913     Johnny McAfee, vocals, b. Dallas, TX, USA. (Still living Age: 91 in 2004.) Perhaps, best recalled for his work on the 'Sammy Kaye Show'.
1939     Charles McPherson, Alto Sax, b. Joplin, MO, USA
1938     Konstantin (Georgyevich) Nosov, Trumpet, composer, b. Leningrad, Russia, d. June 29, 1984.
1913     Ray Pearl, leader.
1927     Benoit Quersin, Bass, b. Brussels, Belgium.
1959     Barry Romberg, drums, b. Canada. Romberg studied music at York University in Toronto and later took lessons from Stan Perry and Pete Magadini. In 1983, he toured with Dave Young, and in 1985, made his first recording behind Reg Schwager. He went on to form the Barry Romberg Group, which initially featured guitarist Geoff Young and bassist Jim Vivian (and briefly, guitarist Mark McCarron). In 1992, Romberg played on Brian Dickinson's Juno Award-winning In Transition. By then he was a very busy sessions musician, freelancing and recording with such artists as Moe Koffman, Al Henderson, Stefan Bauer, Nancy Walker, and also supporting such international stars as Gil Evans, Hank Jones, Kenny Wheeler, Joe Henderson, Sam Rivers, Don Byron, and Don Pullen, among others. During 1999-2001, he played regularly with Michael Occhipinti, appearing on his group Creation Dream's Juno-nominated Songs of Bruce Cockburn album. He had recorded with the MRC Trio (with violinist Hugh Marsh and cellist Rufus Cappadocia).whose debut, Tribal Dance, was released in 2002. Subsequently, Romberg was a part of Three Sisters, which included his longtime friend Geoff Young, co-guitarist Daryl Jankhe, and bassist Chris Tarry.
1933     Finn Savery, Piano, b. Gentofte, Denmark.
1930     Jack Sohmer, Jazz critic, reeds player, b. Atlanta, GA, USA. d. Dec. 9, 2001 in Miami, FL, USA. (after suffering two strokes in less than a week).
1921     Billy Taylor, Jr., Piano, b. Greenville, NC, USA. né: William Taylor, Jr.
CAUTION: Note that there are 3 well known 'Billy Taylors' - One Billy Taylor Sr, and two Billy Taylor Jr's.
There's this Pianist Billy Taylor Jr, born on July 24, 1921. Then there is bassist Billy Taylor, Sr,, (b. April 3, 1906), and finally, Billy Taylor Sr,, had a son, Billy Taylor Jr, (b. Dec. 30, 1925), who was also a bassist, and also very famous.
1909     Joe Thomas, Trumpet, b. Webster Groves, MO, USA. d. 1984.
1958     Pam Tillis, C&W vocals.
1904     Leo Vauchant(-Arnaud), Trombone, b. Cauzan, France.
1947     Alan Whitehead, drums, b. UK. Member group: Marmalade.
1936     Dick Whittington, piano
1910     "Cootie" Williams, trumpet, b. Mobile, Alabama, USA, d. Sept. 15, 1985, New York, NY, USA. né: Charles Melvin Williams One of the many curiosities of Jazz, is that for an artist as popular as "Cootie", - his birthdate remains unknown. He is variously described as being born June 24, or July 10, or July 24, - possibly in 1908, 1910, or 1911., Even his date of demise is variously listed as either Sept 14, or Sept. 15, 1985. However, while his birthdate still remains a mystery, Murray L. Pfeffer, of the Big Bands Database contacted "Woodlawn Cemetary", in New York city, where "Cootie" is buried, and they confirmed that he died on Sept. 15, 1985, and was buried on Sept 18, 1985. ( It seems most likely that Cootie was born July 24, 1910, in Mobile, Alabama, USA. )
A self-taught trumpeter, his first fame came in 1928, - and he will always be remembered for - when he joined Duke Ellington's orchestra (1929 to 1940), where he replaced Bubber Miley,.whose plunger mute and growl contributed to the Ellington band’s distinctive sound. Williams was able to expand on that role with his superior technique and has influenced players such as Wynton Marsalis. During this same time, he also recorded his own sessions both freelance and with artists such as Teddy Wilson, Billie Holiday, and Lionel Hampton or other Ellington sidemen. In 1940 he joined Benny Goodman's orchestra, for a year, which inspired the song "When Cootie Left The Duke". In 1941, formed his own orchestra, in which (over the years) he employed Bud Powell, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Charlie Parker, , Arnett Cobb, and Eddie Vinson, among others. In 1944, Williams co-composed (with Thelonious Monk) the song “Round Midnight,” introducing it when it also became his band’s theme song. In 1948 when times became tough for big bands, Williams reduced the group to a sextet that played the Savoy Ballroom for eleven years. During the late 1940s and into the 1950s, with the demise of the Big Bands era, he began to play more rhythm and blues with small groups. eventually falling into undeserved obscurity. In 1962 he rejoined Ellington and stayed with the orchestra till 1974, after Ellington's death, when son Mercer Ellington took over..
         Notable Events on this date include:
1725.   John Newton, an English slave ship's captain, was born today. Converted at age 22, he entered the Anglican ministry. Today, Newton is remembered as composer of several enduring hymns, including "Amazing Grace", and "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken".
1939.   Alexandre Stellio, clarinet, leader, died ( b. April 16, 1885, L'Anse du Four, Martinique ( Orchestre Antillais de Alexandre Stellio ))
1944.   O'neill Spencer, drums, died in New York, NY, USA. Age: 30. Played with John Kirby
1956.   The comedy team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis called it quits after performing their last show at New York City's famed Copacabana nightclub. Exactly 10 years after they had started together, the duo ended their relationship.
1964.   Billy Austin, songwriter, died in Hollywood, CA, USA. Age: 68. Played with Louis Jordan
1967.   Tommy Duncan, vocals, died in Tulsa, OK, USA. Age: 56. Played with Bob Wills
1972.   Bobby Ramirez, drums, died in Chicago, IL, USA.
1974.   "Lightnin' Slim", blues guitar/vocals, b. March 13, 1913, St. Louis, MO. USA. died in Detroit, MI, USA. Age: 61. né: Otis Hicks.
1974.   Singer Cass Elliot, formally with 'The Mamas and The Papas' vocal group, died, age 33, in London, England. The autopsy report stated death due to heart attack brought about by her overweight condition. Curiously, "Mama" Cass passed away in the same London flat where, four years later, another singer, Keith Moon, would die.
1986.   Clarence "Bon Ton" Garlow, guitar, died in Beaumont, TX, USA. Age: 75
1987.   Dick Wellstood, piano/arranger, died in Palo Alto, CA, USA. Age: 59
1988.   Priscilla Bowman, vocals, died in Kansas City, KS, USA. Age: 60
1991.   Tullio Mobiglia, alto sax, leader in Helsinki, Finland (b. April 12, 1911, Carezzano, Italy)
1995.   Charlie Rich, C&W singer, died in Hammond, LA, USA. Age: 62.(blood clot developed in his lung while he and his wife were traveling to Florida.)
1998.   Tal Farlow, guitar, died in Sea Bright, New Jersey, USA. (Cancer) Age: 77. ( b. Talmage Holt Farlow, June 7, 1921 Greensboro, North Carolina, USA.)
2002.   Joe Derise, piano, guitar, vocals, died in Shelton, Connecticut, USA. (Cancer) (b. Dec 2. 1925, New York, NY, USA.)
         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
      1912   "Moonlight Bay Melody", - Conway's Band.
      1913   "Peg O' My Heart", - Charles Harrison vocal.
      1924   "Charley My Boy", - Benny Krueger Orch.
      1924   "Toodle Ooo", - The Columbians.
      1924   "From One Till Two", - Paul Specht and his Orch.
      1924   "Josephine", - Brooke Johns and His Orch.
      1924   "Lazy", - The Brox Sister voc.
      1924   "Cover Me Up With The Sunshine of Virginia", - The Brox Sister voc.
      1928   "Jeannine, I Dream Of Lilac Time", - Ben Selvin and his Orch.
      1935   "So Nice Seeing You Again", - Phil Regan Orch.
      1936   "The Way You Look Tonight", - Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians.
      1936   "A Fine Romance", - Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians.
      1938   "Begin The Beguine", - Artie Shaw Orch. (Bluebird Records). A Cole Porter tune.
      1938   "Back Bay Shuffle", - Artie Shaw and his New Music.
      1938   "Any Old Time", - Artie Shaw Orch. voc/Billie Holiday (Her Only vocal with Artie Shaw band)
      1938   "Begin the Beguine", - Artie Shaw Orch. (Manny Klein, Charlie Margulis, tpts; Bobby Sherwood Guitar)
      1938   "Back Bay Shuffle", - Artie Shaw Orch.
      1939   "Indian Love Call", - Artie Shaw Orch.
      1939   "Siberian Sleigh Ride", - Hal Kemp Orch.
      1940   "Whispering Grass", - Orrin Tucker Orch.
      1941   "I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire", - Horace Heidt Orch.
      1942   "How Long Blues", - Count Basie Orch.
      1942   "Kalamazoo", - Glenn Miller
      1942   "Sweet Eloise", - Glenn Miller
      1945   "Troubles Over You", - Spade Cooley and His Orch.
      1961   "You Don't Know What You've Got (Until Yo", - Donner, Ral
      1961   "Don't Bet Money Honey", - Scott, Linda
      1965   "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me", - Carter, Mel
      1971   "Sweet Hitch-Hiker", - Creedence Clearwater Revival
      1971   "What The World Needs Now/Abraham, Martin", - Clay, Tom