BIRTHDAYS
1958    Afrika Bambaataa, (hip hop) vocals, b. New York (Bronx), NY, USA
1914    Marvin Ash (Ashbaugh), Piano, b. Lamar, CO, USA. d. 1974. Raised in Kansas where he worked with local bands including Wally Stoeffer. In early 1930s worked with Herman Waldman, Connie Conrad, and Jack Crawford. .In 1936, settled in Tulsa, OK, working on local radio station staff. In 1942, relocated to Los Angeles, CA where he played with Wingy Manone and at the Hangover Club.
1927    Walter F. Bishop, Jr., Piano, b. New York, NY, USA. d. Jan. 24, 1998, New York, NY, USA. age 70 - son of famed ASCAP composer
1948    Gary Brunotte, piano, keyboards, b. St. Paul, MN, USA. At just age 9, Gary was learning, and playing polkas and waltzes on the accordion. During his teenage years, he performed in various rock bands before developing a fondness for what composer Alec Wilder called, "American Popular Song". In his early twenties he joined a touring band and traveled the United States. Gary first studied at Boston's famed Berklee College of Music, and then became a faculty member. 1980 saw him living, and leading his own big band, in New York City. During that time, be performed at several night clubs and restaurants in the Hudson Valley area and was also awarded a grant, from the 'National Endowment for the Arts', for the composition and performance of a big band Jazz suite. In 1987, he returned to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he performed in concert halls, night clubs, and the classroom. He also formed his own music publishing company, -Summit Music Publishing. 1993 saw the release of his debut CD ("Yesterday's Dream") on the Altenburgh record label. In 1997, he moved to North Carolina, where he currently (2004) performs regularly at both Jazz clubs and concert settings in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area. Over the years, Gary has performed with such notables as Mark Whitfield, Lionel Hampton, Tom Harrell and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. Gary, although continuing to specialize in "American Popular Songs" by such composers as George Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Henry Mancini, Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, Antonio Jobim, Jimmy Van Heusen and many others, also continues to perform his own Jazz originals.
1950    Patti Cathcart, vocals, b. San Francisco, CA, USA Member: 'Tuck & Patti', Patti Cathcart (vocals); Tuck Andress (guitar, and her husband).
1909    Noel Chiboust, Trumpet, b. Thorigny-sur-Marne, France, d. 1994
19??    Larry Cohn, producer/writer, b. New York, NY, USA. Produced for the Sony Music/Legacy Recordings’ award-winning Roots 'N' Blues series. In 1994, Cohn's book "Nothing But The Blues: The Music And The Musicians" won the Ralph J. Gleason Book Award, given jointly by BMI and Rolling Stone Magazine. He also won ASCAPs coveted Deems Taylor Award. Cohn, originally trained as a lawyer, has been a Vice-President at CBS/Epic Records, where he was responsible for signing Billy Joel, Cheap Trick, REO Speedwagon, Edgar Winter, Johnny Winter, and Johnny Otis among others.
1944    Larry Collins, (rockabilly) guitar, b. Tulsa, OK, USA. Member: "Collins Kids"
1945    Clifton D. Davis, actor/singer-songwriter, b. Chicago, IL, USA. (One of his hit releases was "That's My Mama, Amen")
1944    Marlena Davis-Easley, vocals, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. Member: 'The Orlons'
1909    Rupert Edward Lee "Buddy" Featherstonhaugh, Reeds, b. Paris, France, d. July 12, 1976. Studied in Sussex, UK schools and in 1924 debuted in Herndon UK with Pat O'Malley combo. In 1930-'31 recorded with Spike Hughes Orch, in 1932 toured with Louis Armstrong band; 1935 recorded with Valaida Snow; and with Benny Carter in '37. In 1943-5 his own sextet toured Iceland, was recorded (HMV) and also heard on BBC Radio. Then basically left music and earned a living as an Auto salesman. In 1956 he was again active working in Clubs and recording for Pye-Nixa Records. In 1957 toured the Middle East for British War Office
1944    Edgar "Eddie" Gómez, bassist, b. San Juan, Puerto Rico (raised in New York city). Before graduating from New York's famed Juilliard School of Music, Eddie had played the Newport Festival Youth Band during 1959-1961. Subsequently, he has played with such stars as Marian McPartland, Chick Corea, Gerry Mulligan, Rufus Jones' sextet, Paul Bley, Giuseppe Logan, Gary McFarland, Jack DeJohnette, Benny Wallace, 'Steps Ahead', and Joanne Brackeen, among others. Perhaps his biggest fame came during 1966-'67 when he worked with the Bill Evans Trio. As a leader, Gomez has recorded for Columbia, ProJazz, and Stretch.
1937    Lloyd Green, C&W steel guitar (session musician), b. Mobile, AL, USA.
1922    Ake "Stan" Hasselgard, clarinet, b. Bollnas, Sweden, d. Nov. 23, 1948, (near) Decatur, IL, USA (auto accident).
1915    Borge Roger Henrichsen, Piano/Trumpet/Bandleader/Composer, b. Copenhagen, Denmark
1960    Greg Hubbard, C&W keyboard, b. Orlando, FL 1960. Member: "Sawyer Brown". Original members included lead vocalist Mark Miller, keyboardist Gregg (Hobie) Hubbard, drummer Joe Smyth and bassist Jim Scholten. The band was named for the street intersection where they rehearsed. They were one of the first country acts to use music videos, which often included famous guest stars, such as comedian Gallagher and comical weatherman Willard Scott. Instead of straight performances, their videos were built around concepts.
1964    Robert Hurst, Bass, b. Detroit, MI, USA.
1964    Clay Jenkins, trumpet, b. Lubbock, TX, USA.
1942    Marshall M. Jones, piano/drums, b. Natchitoches, LA, USA. Worked with Ike Turner.
1957    Barbara Kooyman, guitar/vocals, b. San Antonio, TX, USA. Member group: 'Timbuk 3', 1987 single "The Future's So Bright I Gotta Wear Shades" charted UK No.21.
1944    Patti LaBelle. vocals, b. Philadelphia, PA, USA. ("LaBelles" - "Lady Marmalade")
1938    Mark Levine, Piano, b. Concord, NH, USA.
1959    Chris Lowe, Keyboards, b. Blackpool, Lancashire, England. Member: 'Pet Shop Boys'
1969    Mat Maneri, violin/viola, b. New York (Brooklyn), NY, USA. He is the son of Joe Maneri, and they often appear in performance together as a duo. Joe plays alto and tenor saxophone, clarinet and piano. They produce produce a type of experimental Jazz by improvising on chamber music. In this fashion, they are able to combine their passion for Jazz and Blues with lessons learned from Schoenberg, micro-tonalism, and various world music traditions.
1937    Pirkle Lee Moses Jr., lead vocals, b. Chicago, IL, USA. Member: 'El Dorados'
1910    Charlie Norman, Piano, b. Ludvika, Sweden. d. Aug. 11 or 12, 2005 (died at midnight) né Karl-Erik Albert Norman
1915    Francisco "Chino" Pozo, bongo-conga drums, b. Havana, Cuba, d. ca. 1977, Las Vegas, NV. USA. (Some sources claim d. 1980) Brother of Luciano Pozo y Gonzalez.   c. 1941, 'Chino' was playing and recording with 'Machito and his Afro-Cubans'. Later in the '40's, he participated in Jose Curbelo and Tito Puente recording sessions. In 1948, he recorded the album 'The Best of Blue Note", (Vol. 1) playing with such artists as Dave Burnes, Elmon Wright (tp) Ernie Henry (as) James Moody (ts) Cecil Payne (bars) James "Men Gates" Forman (p) Nelson Boyd (b) Art Blakey (d) Chino Pozo (bgo, vo) Gil Fuller (arr). c. 1950s, he played with Fats Navarro. In the 1950s, he also recorded the "Afro Cuban Jazz Suite" of Chico O'Farrill with Machito and his Afro-Cubans. In 1956, he was playing at New York City's Birdland, -part of an all-star lineup that included Uba Nieto on timbales, Candido on conga, Chino Pozo on various percussion instruments, and Frank Wess and Herbie Mann of flutes. On March 17, 1958, he was one of a group on the Leiber-Stoller produced recording of 'The Coasters' ("Stewball") Among the stars with whom he worked in the '50's are Perez Prado, Illinois Jacquet, los Jazz Modes, Chris Connor, Phineas Newborn and Dizzy Gillespie. In the 60's, he recorded with famed singer Peggy Lee, and orchestra leader Rene Touzet. Chino was on the recording session for the album 'Pachanga Differente!', with 'Rene Touzet, his Piano, Voices, & Orchestra'. It was an early stereo recording with two Son Montunos, many Pachangas, and more. The disk featured such players as Hector Rivera, Aguabella, Chino Pozo, Olguita, Johnny Rodriguez, and others. Still other stars with whom he warked are Louis Jordan And His Tympany Five, Hungarian born guitarist Gabor Szabo, Chico O'Farrill, and Clark Terry and The Tico All-Stars. In the '70's, he relocated to Las Vegas, NV, USA, and spent the last years of his life playing with vocalist Paul Anka.
1948    "Duke" Robillard, guitar, b. Woonsocket, RI, USA.
1961    Jon Secada, vocals, b. Havana, Cuba, Jon earned his Masters Degree in Jazz Vocal Performance from the University of Miami. After that, he took a teaching job at the Miami Community College. Emilio Estefan, after hearing one of Jon's demo tapes, soon had Jon composing and performing as a backup singer for Gloria Estefan and others. Jon co-wrote several songs for Gloria's "Into The Light" album, including "Coming Out Of The Dark". He also performed in her "Into The Light World Tour." He has since become a star in his own right, with millions of records sold worldwide.
1965     Neil Sims, drums, b. Great Yarmouth, England. Member group: Catherine Wheel The band was formed in 1990 by Rob Dickinson (vocals and guitar), Brian Futter (guitar), Dave Hawes (bass), and Neil Sims (drums).
1935    Cynthia Strother, Vocals/Songwriter, b. Kentucky, USA
1940    Steve Swallow, Bass, b. Fair Lawn, NJ, USA.
1937    Leon Thomas, Vocals, b. East St.Louis, MO, USA. d. May 8, 1999. (some sources say d. May 9). né: Amos Leon Thomas Jr.
1929    Leroy Van Dyke, C&W vocals, b. Spring Fork, MO, USA. (One of his hit releases was "Walk on By")
1926    C. V. Veal, vocals, b. Bobo, MS, USA.
1904    Greely Walton, Tenor-Bass-Baritone sax, clarinet, b. Mobile, AL, USA. d. Oct. 9, 1993. Worked with Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson.
1963    Lena Zavaroni, vocals, b. Rothesay, Isle of Bute, Scotland, d. Oct. 1, 1999 (anorexia nervosa).
         Notable Events on this date include:
1948.    Jan Savitt, leader, died in Sacramento, CA, USA.
1949.    Chris Smith, Afro-American songwriter, died in New York, NY, USA. Age: 69
1966.    Sherman Billingsley (Owner: Stork Club -NYC) dies. Age: 66
1966.   On this day, Edward Leveaux of Sussex, England, received a patent for his invention, - the 'Player Piano'. Other men received patents in other countries.
1967.    Folksinger Woody Guthrie passed away. (né: Woodrow Wilson Guthrie)
1968.    Pete "Mad Daddy" Myers, DJ, died in New York, NY, USA. Age: 40
1970.    Janis Joplin, (rock) vocals, died in Hollywood, CA, USA. Age: 27 (drug overdose). Member: 'Big Brother Holding Co'
1973.    Esther "Violet" Koehler, C&W mandolin, died. Age: 57 Member: "Coon Creek Girls", a sting band (instrumentalists/vocalists) quartet of Lily May Ledford on five-string banjo, sister Rosie on guitar, Violet Koehler on mandolin, and Daisy Lange on bass
1987.    Jimmy Springs, lead vocals, died in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Age: 76. Member: 'The 5 Red Caps'
1988.    Zenas "Daddy" Sears, DJ, died in Atlanta, GA, USA. Age: 75
1993.    Varetta Dillard, vocals, died in New York (Brooklyn), NY, USA. Age: 60
1994.    Danny Gatton, guitar virtuoso, died in Newburg, MD, USA. Age: 49 (self-inflicted gunshot wound).
1994.    Scoville Browne, alto sax, died
1994.    Bill Challis, arranger, died. Age: 90. Challis was the staff arranger for Jean Goldkette (1926) and Paul Whiteman (1927-1930), and as such was largely responsible for majority of the two big bands' most popular hits. It is absolutely safe to say that Challis .laid the ground work for the great Swing sound of the 1930s - '50s big bands. (Also, cornetist Bix Beiderbecke wrote several tunes for the piano, which were carefully notated by arranger Bill Challis, since Bix could not write music. Perhaps Bix's best known tune "In a Mist." - was a Challis arrangement.)
1996.    Jerry Rivers, fiddler for Hank Williams' Drifting Cowboys, died.
1999.    A. L. "Doodle" Owens, C&W songwriter, died.
1999.    Art Farmer, trumpet, flugelhorn, flumpet, died in New York, NY, USA.
2001.    John Collins, guitar, died in Los Angeles, CA, USA.Age: 83. His longest association was with Nat "King" Cole (1951-1965), but he worked with such other stars as Art Tatum, Roy Eldridge, Billie Holiday, and Lester Young.
CAUTION: Do not confuse with:
--- John Collins, Australian rocker and member of the heavy metal band 'Alaska', (a total of two albums).
--- John Collins, Canadian rocker and member of the Detroit, IL. USA. hard rock band.'MC5'.
--- John Collins, Ghanian (west Africa) musician, bandleader, studio-owner, writer and scientist. He is currently head of the department of music-sciences of the University of Ghana in Legon. He has researched, and written on the roots of 'Highlife' and other Ghanian popular music. He also plays in the band, "The Local Dimension", a group that played mostly in the 'Highlife' and 'Palm Wine' music genre.
Readers interested in a little more information on "High Life" and "Palm Wine" music may wish to read the Roberto Baden Powell,entry on our August 6, calendar page.
         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
1 939    "Many Dreams Ago", Orrin Tucker and his Orch. (recording date)
1939    "Would'ja Mind", Orrin Tucker and his Orch. (recording date)
1939    "Little Girl", Orrin Tucker and his Orch. (recording date)
1939    "Them There Eyes", Orrin Tucker and his orch. (recording date)
1924    "Red Hot Mama ", - The Brox Sisters vocal.
1940    "Practice Makes Perfect ", - Bob Chester Orch.
1940    "We Three ", - voc: The Ink Spots
1943    "Is you Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby", recorded this day by Louis Jordan band. Jordan vocal.
1945    "I'll Buy That Dream ", - Harry James Orch.
1945    "It's Been A Long, Long Time ", - Charlie Spivak Orch.
1946    "Pretending ", - voc: Andy Russell
1969    "Tracy ", - Cuff Links
1969    "Wedding Bell Blues ", - Fifth Dimension
1969    "Baby It's You ", - Smith
1975    "Way I Want To Touch You, The ", - Captain & Tennille
1975    "This Will Be ", - voc: Natalie Cole
1975    "Heat Wave ", - voc: Linda Ronstadt
1980    "I'm Coming Out ", - voc: Diana Ross
1980    "Lady ", - voc: Kenny Rogers
1980    "Master Blaster (Jammin') ", - voc: Stevie Wonder
1986    "Amanda ", - Boston
1986    "Word Up ", - Cameo
1986    "True Blue ", - Madonna