BIRTHDAYS
1946     Paul Atkinson, guitar, b. Cuffley, Hertfordshire, England, d. April 5, 2004, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Age: 58. né: Paul Ashley Warren Atkinson. His career started with 'The Zombies', a group that, in the 1960s, had such hits as "She's Not There," "Tell Her No" and "Time of the Season." Later, he found work as an artists and repertoire executive, signing acts including 'ABBA', 'Bruce Hornsby' , 'Mr.Mister', 'Michael Penn' , 'Judas Priest' and 'Patty Smyth'.
1921     Harry Babasin, Bass/cello, b. Dallas, TX, USA, d. May, 21, 1988, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
1914     Joseph "Buster" Bennett, (Blues) saxophonist/vocalist, b. Pensacola, Florida, USA, d. July 3, 1980
1970     Gert Bettens, vocals, b. Belgium. Member group: 'K's Choice', a Belgian band formed by Sarah Bettens and her brother Gert.
1952     Chris Brubeck, piano/organ/vocals/trumpet/electric bass/bass/trombone/bass trombone, b. Los Angeles, CA, USA
1921     Martha Carson, Country gospel vocals, b. Neon, KY, USA. n´e: Irene Ambergay.
1912     Russ Case, leader, b. Hamburg, IA, USA. Later, musical arranger for the Jackie Gleason show orchestra.
1936     Wylie Dixon, singer-songwriter, b. Columbus, MS, USA. "Wylie & Simtec"
1960     Eliane Elias, Piano/keyboards/vocals, b: Sao Paulo, Brazil. Her mother, Lucy, was a classical pianist and the two often played Jazz records at home. She first studied at Sao Paulo's Free Center of Music Apprenticeship, then continued studying classical technique with Amilton Godoy and Amaral Vieria. In her teen yearss, Elias was already performing in Jazz clubs, and even composing her own pieces. In 1981, she toured Europe, where she met Jazz bassist Eddie Gomez, who encouraged her to visit New York. In 1982, she relocated to New York and studied privately with Olegna Fuschi at the Juilliard School of Music. In 1983 she recorded an album with 'Steps Ahead', a group that consisted of Mike Manieri, Michael Brecker, Peter Erskine, and Eddie Gomez. After leaving 'Steps Ahead', she began a collaboration with trumpeter Randy Brecker, that subsequently ended in their marriage. in 1986, Elias launched a career as a bandleader. Since then, she has toured with different trios, including one with Jack DeJohnette and Gomez, one with Erskine and Marc Johnson, and still another with Marc Johnson on bass and Satoshi Takeshi on drums. Her 1989 album Eliane Elias Plays Jobim, was a departure from her norm of insturmentals only, and featured her singing. From time to time, Elias has worked with Toots Thielman's Brasil Project, and has also served as musical director for Gilberto Gil's group. In 1993, she became one of the few artists to simultaneously release Classical and Jazz and albums, and she continues to explore those two distinct musical forms.
1950     Curtis Fowlkes, trombonist, b. New York, NY, USA Member: "The Lounge Lizards", led by saxophonist John Lurie, and brother Evan on piano, Arto Lindsay on guitar, Steve Piccolo on bass, and ex-Feelie Anton Fier on drums. The lineup appeared only on the band's self-titled 1981 all-instrumental debut. Lindsay and Fier left shortly thereafter, and, in 1983, the Luries recorded "Live From the Drunken Boat" with a different lineup. (Visitors may wish to view our Dec. 14 Calendar for more information on John Lurie.)
1959     Terry Hall, singer/songwriter, b. Coventry, England. Member groups: 'The Specials', 'Fun Boy Three', 'Colour Field', and 'Vegas'
1953     Jon Hammond, Organ/Piano/Accordion/Guitar, b. Chicago, Illinois, USA.
1917     Buster Harding, piano/arranger/composer, , b. Canada, d. 1965
1930     Bill Henderson, (Blues/Pops) vocalist, b. Chicago, IL, USA. né: William Randall Henderson. aka: Bill Handerson. In 1952, Bill started singing professionally. He performed in Chicago with Ramsey Lewis before moving to New York, where he started to record as a leader in 1958. During 1959-1961, he was recorded by the 'Vee-Jay' label working with such sidemen as Ramsey Lewis, Yusef Lateef, Booker Little, and Eddie Harris. In 1963, he was featured on a MGM album accompanied by the Oscar Peterson Trio. In 1965, he was recorded on the Verve label. During 1965-1966, Henderson sang with the Count Basie band. He subsequently settled in Los Angeles where he found work primarily as an actor, but occasionally led a group that included both pianist Dave MacKay and pianist/vocalist Joyce Collins. In the 1970s, he recorded a couple of albums for the Discovery label. His appearances as a jazz singer are now rare events. Among his many credits is the part of 'Torpedo' in 'Dreams', a 1984 TV series, set in Philadelphia, PA, USA. that related the adventures of Gino, Martha, Phil, Albert, and Valerie, five young adults struggling to make it as a rock band called 'Dreams'. In 2002, he was seen (with Eric Comstock, and Dena DeRose) at the Oak Room of New York's famed Algonquin Hotel, with the Pop-Jazz revue, "Made for the Movies: A Hollywood Songbook". Mr. Henderson was nominated for a Grammy Award for 'Something's Gotta Give--A Tribute to Johnny Mercer'.
CAUTION: THERE ARE THREE BILL HENDERSONS
** Bill Henderson (1). Blues/Pop singer, is variously credited as b. March 19, 1930 or on August 9, 1926, -both in Chicago, IL, USA.
** Bill Henderson (2). Canadian Folk/Rock singer-songwriter/producer, who is credited as b. Nov. 6, 1944, Vancouver, Canada.
** Bill Henderson (3) aka: Billy Henderson, vocals with the 'Spinners' (aka: 'Detroit Spinners', aka: 'Motown Spinners') is variously credited as b. August 9, 1939, while others claim he was born Sept 8, 1939 - both in Detroit, MI, USA, and also claimed as b. August 9, 1939, Indianapolis, Indiana, d. February 2, 2007, Daytona Beach, Florida, USA.
1937     Clarence "Frogman" Henry, R&B vocals, b. Algiers, LA, USA.
1938     Walter Jackson, vocals, b. Pensacola, FL, USA
1896     Steve Lewis, piano/composer, b. New Orleans, LA, USA, d. 1941, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
1939     Mike Longo, pianist, b. Cincinnati, OH, USA. His first teacher was Oscar Peterson, and his second was "Dizzy" Gillespie. He worked as Gillespie's pianist and music director for several years.
1952     Derek Longmuir, drums, b. Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. Member group: 'Bay City Rollers'
1942     Robin Luke, vocals, b. USA. Best recalled release: "Susie Darlin'"
1894     Moms Mabley, b. Brevard, NC, USA. d. May, 23, 1975, White Plains, NY, USA. née: Lorette Mary Aiken. (aka Jackie Mabley)
1928Henry Ford Maddox, Vocals/Mandolin/Guitar, b. Boaz, AL, USA, d. 1974. Member: "Maddox Brothers & Rose" (Rose: Roselea Arbana Maddox, Vocals/Bass/Snare Drum, b. August 15, 1925, Boaz, Alabama, USA, d. April 15, 1998)
1921     Bobby McFerrin Sr., vocals, b. Marianna, AR, USA, d. Nov. 17, 2006, (suburban) St. Louis, MO, USA. Age: 85. (heart attack). Bobby was one of eight children of a strict Baptist minister who forbade his son to sing anything but gospel music. However,in 1936, when McFerrin moved to St. Louis, a music teacher recognized and encouraged his talent. In the late 1940s and early '50s, McFerrin sang on Broadway, performed with the National Negro Opera Company and the New York City Opera Company. In 1953, McFerrin won the Metropolitan Opera national auditions. His 1955 debut with the Metropolitan Opera as Amonasro in Aida made him the first black male member of the company. Interestingly, just three weeks previously, on Jan. 7, 1955, contralto Marian Anderson had made her historic debut as the first Black to sing a principal role at the Met. McFerrin went on to perform in 10 operas over three seasons. Another interesting sidelight on his career is that McFerrin also provided the vocals for Sidney Poitier in the 1959 movie "Porgy and Bess". In 1973, he moved back to St. Louis. In 1989, he suffered a stroke, which did not affect his singing voice, and he continued to perform for many years afterward. Sadly, in June 2003, when he was honored by 'Opera America', doctors suspected he had Alzheimer's disease. His son, pianist, composer, and vocalist Bobby McFerrin Jr., (b. March 11, 1950, New York, NY, USA) is best-known for the eclectic 1980s hit, "Don't Worry, Be Happy", while McFerrin's daughter, Brenda McFerrin, is also a recording artist, and he sang with both children. In 1993, father and son appeared with the St. Louis Symphony, with Robert McFerrin Sr. as soloist, and his son as guest conductor. In 1949, McFerrin married Sara Copper, a Washington, DC-born singer. The marriage produced two children, Robert, Jr., and Brenda McFerrin, both of whom went on to musical careers. McFerrin often credited Sara for being the primary support for the family while he developed his career. Additionally, she served as his accompanist and helped him study new operatic roles. Regretfully, they divorced, and in 1994, he married his second wife, Athena. In a 2003 newspaper interview, 'Opera Theatre of Saint Louis' general director Charles MacKay called McFerrin's baritone voice "beautiful, virile, strong, and sensitive."
1925     Doug Mettome, Trumpet, b. Salt Lake City, UT, d. 1964.
1919     "Little" Walter Mitchell, harmonica, b. New Orleans, LA, USA.
1942     Jeff Neighbor, bass. Member group: 'Joy Of Cooking'.
1928     Tom Paley, banjo/guitar/vocals, b. New ;York, NY, USA. Member: 'New Lost City Ramblers'
1928     Clarence Paul, arranger/producer/songwriter, b. Winston Salem, NC, USA.
1946     Ruth Pointer, vocals, b. Oakland, CA, USA. Member group: 'The Pointer Sisters'
1938     Charley Pride, vocals/guitar, b. USA. Best recalled release: "Kiss An Anger Good Mornin'"
1953     Michele Rosewoman, piano,
1917     "Curly" Russell, Bass, b. New York, NY, USA, d. 1986.
1922     Brian Rust, Discographer, b. London, England
1948     David Schnitter, Tenor Sax, b. Newark, NJ, USA.
1940     Keith Smith, Trumpet, b. London, England
1904     Tampa Red, guitar/vocals, b: Smithville, GA, USA, d: 1981. né: Hudson Whittaker, or Hudson Woodbridge. Historians can't determine which is correct.
1929     Gene Taylor, Bass, b. Toledo, OH, USA.
1919     Lennie Tristano, Piano, b. Chicago, IL, USA. d. Nov. 18, 1978 né: Leonard Joseph Tristano
1935     James Van Buren, piano, b. Arrow Rock, MO, USA
1916     Joe Wick, Leader, b. Siegburg, Germany, d. 1978
1953     Rick Wilson, guitar, b. Athens, GA, USA. d. Oct. 12, 1985 (AIDS). Member group: 'The B-52's'
1928     Lem Winchester,Vibes, b. Philadelphia, PA. USA. d: Jan 13, 1961, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA (died while unsuccessfully demonstrating a trick with a loaded revolver)
1969     Josh Workman, guitar, b. Stanford, California, USA
         Notable Events occuring this date include:
1941.    Jimmy Dorsey orchestra recorded "Green Eyes" featuring vocalists Helen OConnell and Bob Eberly.
1945.    Clyde Hart, piano, died in New York, NY, USA. Age: 35
1977.    Armand Hug, pianist, died in New Orleans, LAm USA. (b. Dec 6, 1910, New Orleans, LA, USA)
1981.    "Tampa Red", guitar/piano/kazoo/songwriter, died in Chicago, IL, USA. Age: 77
1987.    Tony Smith, label owner (Charisma/Genesis), died on the Isle of Jersey, UK. Age: 53
1988.    "Fiddlin'" Sid Harkreader died.
1988.    L. Michael Gray, (gospel) vocals, died in Newark, NJ, USA. Age: 35
1989.    Lenny Payton, guitar/arranger, died in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Age: 67
1991.    "Bee" Houston, guitar, died in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Age: 52
2001.    Randall Hylton, Bluegrass singer-songwriter, died in Nashville, TN, USA (aneurysm). Age: 55
         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
     1955   "Ballad Of Davy Crockett", - "Tennessee Ernie" Ford
     1966   "Sure Gonna Miss Her", - Gary Lewis & The Playboys
     1966   "Soul & Inspiration, (You're My)", - Righteous Brothers
     1977   "I Wanna Get Next To You", - Rose Royce
     1983   "She Blinded Me With Science", - Thomas Dolby
     1983   "Beat It", - Michael Jackson
     1983   "Little Red Corvette", - Prince
     1988   "Pink Cadillac", - Natalie Cole
     1988   "Electric Blue", - Icehouse