BIRTHDAYS
1938     Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, singer-songwriter, trumpet, sax, keyboard, bandleader, politician. b. Abeokuta, Nigeria, d. Aug. 2, 1997, Lagos, Nigeria (heart failure, and other complications arising from AIDS). (née: Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti, Born to Yoruban parents, Fela was a man with great influence in the African music world, and one of Africa's most controversial musicians. In 1954, Kuti sang with the 'Cool Cats' (a "highlife" band ("highlife" music was the rage of Lagos (and the rest of Africa) at that time. The "Bulowayan Highlife and Sweet Music Orchestra" was perhaps the best known such band.). He soon developed his own 'sound' which he described as 'highlife-jazz'. In 1968 Kuti morphosed that into a rhythm he called 'Afro-beat'. During 1969, Kuti spent 10 months touring the USA promoting his sound. While Americans were influenced with his sound, Kuti was influenced by American Jazz. Returning to his homeland he opened a nightclub (the Shrine), and changed the name of his band to 'Africa 70' (and later to 'Egypt 80'). His bands blended African rhythms and Jazz horn lines, - with politicized song lyrics. The bands typically included very large line-ups of many singers and dancers, numerous saxophonists, trumpeters, drummers, percussionists, and many guitarists. The music was intricate with entire recordings often consisting of much time in just 'jamming' a few songs. This led to disinterest by U.S. audiences who wanted to hear recognizable hits. In 1979, after a change in government, Kuti began his own political party - MOP (Movement of the People). Unfortunately, in 1983, the military returned to power and within the year Kuti was sentenced to five years in prison on a spurious currency smuggling charge. In 1986, after yet another change of government, he was released. News of the 58 year old Nigerian star's death was announced at a news conference by his brother, Doctor Ilikoye Ransome Kuti. The African music world will sorely miss his musical presence. He was one of Africa's most controversial musicians, who, In addition to making music, throughout his life fought for the rights of the common man (and woman) despite vilification, harassment, and even imprisonment by the government of Nigeria.
1942     Chris Andrews, singer/songwriter/guitar, b. Romford, Essex, England. Originally lead singer in the early 1960s band 'Chris Ravel And The Ravers'. His initial fame came as a composer for other acts. After he was signed by manager Eve Taylor, Chris composed hits for her artists including Adam Faith ("The First Time", "We Are In Love", "If He Tells Me", "I Love Being In Love With You", "Stop Feeling Sorry For Yourself", "Someone's Taken Maria Away"), and for Sandie Shaw ("Girl Don't Come", "Long Live Love" and "Message Understood"). In late 1965, he became a hit performer with his single "Yesterday Man" (his own composition), which reached No. 3 on the British Charts. At the end of 1965, he again placed in the Top Twenty with his single "To Whom It Concerns" (Mo. 13), and 1966 saw him score three additional, smaller Top Fifty entries with "Something on My Mind," "What'cha Gonna Do Now," and "Stop That Girl." No further hits were forthcoming, although he occasionally recorded additional solo singles. He subsequently continued his career as a songwriter.
1938     Chris Andrews, vocals, b. Great Britain. One time member of "the Fleur de Lys". Chris later used the name Tim Andrews to avoid confusion with Chris Andrews of "Yesterday Man" fame
NOTE: There are quite a few Chris Andrews, -don't get them confused - they include:
Chris Andrews (date unknown) b. Alpharetta, GA, USA.
Chris Andrews -rock Guitar ('90s)
Christopher Andrews -Rock Keyboards ('90s)
Chris Andrews -R&B Keyboards ('80s) and
Chris Andrews -Rock Writer/Producer ('60s)
1925     McHouston "Mickey Guitar" Baker, guitar/bass, b: Louisville, KY, USA. Member team: 'Mickey and Sylvia'.
1943     Ray Brown, bass, b. Hertford, England. Member: 'Harmony Grass'. the group consisted of Tony Rivers -Vocals; Tony Ferguson -Guitar, organ; Kenny Rowe -Bass, vocals; Tom Marshall -Guitar; Bill Castle -Drums; and Ray Brown -Bass. NOTE: Not to be confused with American Bassist Ray Brown was born Oct. 13, 1926, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. d. July 2, 2002.
1946     Richard Carpenter, vocals. b. New Haven CT, USA. Member: The Carpenters
1966     Bill Charlap, piano, b. New York, NY, USA. Bill comes from a very musical family. He is the Son of broadway composer Moose Charlap, (b. Dec. 19, 1928, Philadelphia, PA, USA, d. July 8, 1974, né: Morris I. Charlap) and singer Sandy Stewart (who worked with Bandleader Benny Goodman, among others). "Moose" died when Bill was just age 7. As a member of the Gerry Mulligan Quartet (2 years), be and Gerry appeared with the New York Philharmonic, under the direction of Zubin Mehta. In addition to sharing piano duet programs with Dick Hyman and Derek Smith, Bill also performed on several of Dick Hyman's 'Jazz In July' Series at New York city's "92nd Street YMHA". Bill has been featured on Marion McPartland's award winning series 'Piano Jazz' on National Public Radio. Bill has performed throughout Europe, Australia, Scandinavia and Japan, and has appeared at many of the world's major Jazz festivals.
1908     Herman "Ivory" Chittison, Piano, b. Flemingsburg, KY, USA. d. March 8, 1967, Cleveland, OH, USA.
1952     Bent Clausen, drums/vibes/composer, b. Copenhagen, Denmark.
1931     Freddy Cole, piano/vocals, b. Montgomery, AL, USA. Younger brother of famed singer Nat "King" Cole (né: Nathaniel Adams Coles, b. Mar. 17, 1915/1917/1919??, d. Feb, 15, 1965, Montgomery, AL, USA. Nat's daughter Natalie (b. Feb. 6, 1950) is also a singer). Freddy started playing piano at five or six. Music was all around him. In the Chicago home of his youth, visitors included Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Lionel Hampton. He has also credited singer Billy Eckstine as a major influence. As a teenager, he was already playing and singing in Chicago clubs, but continued his musical education at the Roosevelt Institute in Chicago. In 1951, Cole moved to New York where he studied at the Juillard School of Music. In 1952, he was working in local Washington, D. C. lounges before joining Al Smith's band touring Flint and Saginaw, Michigan.. He then got a job with singer Ruth Brown (1953) and toured with Ruth. (Her hit record at the time was "Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean.") Profoundly influenced by John Lewis, Oscar Peterson and Teddy Wilson, Cole pursued a Master’s degree at the New England Conservatory of Music, and then spent several months on the road as a member of an Earl Bostic band that also included Johnny Coles and Benny Golson. Back in New York, he developed a vast repertoire of songs while working in Manhattan bistros and concurrently began to supplement his live performances with television and radio commercial jingle work. A resident of Atlanta since 1972, Cole continues to lead a quartet made up of himself, guitarist Jerry Byrd, bassist Zachary Pride and drummer Curtis Boyd that regularly tours the US, Europe, the Far East and South America. Coles Telarc label releases have been well received, including "Merry Go Round" (2000), "Rio de Janeiro Blue" (2001), and "In the Name of Love" (2003), He has also recorded with vocalist Sandy Jordan. Cole and Peter Fish wrote a film score entitled A Tale of Two Pizzas , and Cole also has appeared in films, The Cole Nobody Knows (2005)
1946     Palle Danielsson, Bass, b. Stockholm, Sweden
1947     Chris De Burgh, guitar/vocals, b. Buenos Aires, Argentina. né: Christopher John Davidson. The de Burgh name is from his mothers side - Maeve Emil de Burgh. 1986 single "The Lady In Red" charted US No. 2, and UK No.1. Chris's family tree can be related back to England's 'King Richard the Lionheart'. The son of a UK diplomat, then serving in Argentina, De Burgh began writing pop songs while studying at Trinity College in Dublin, where he family had finally settled after having moved from Argentina to Malta, Nigeria and Zaire. In 1974. realizing he could earn his living by singing, de Burgh moved to London where A&M offered him a contract. "Flying", his first single, charted No. 1 for seventeen weeks in Brazil. It was followed by "Far Beyond These Castle Walls" which was inspired by his family home in Ireland, "Bargy Castle", a medieval castle which his father had turned into a hotel. After 11 years of touring and two dozen singles, De Burgh finally made it to the top of the UK charts in 1986 with the irresistibly romantic "The Lady In Red".
1934     Alan Elsdon, Trumpet/flugelhorn/leader, b. London, England
1938     Betty Farmer, Jazz singer, b. New Orleans, LA, USA, d. Sept. 11, 2001, New York, NY, USA (a victim of the terrorist attack on the New York city World Trade Center buildings). While still a teenager, Betty made her debut with a Dixieland band in her native New Orleans. It is interesting to note that in the 1960's and 1970's, Betty toured with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, and in 1972 performed with Ellington in his Carnegie Hall concert. Betty's daughter has recounted that once, when Mr. Ellington offered her a long-term contract, her free spirited mother turned it down saying "Duke, I love you, but I'd be bored out of my mind". Farmer, 62 and divorced, had lived in different cities (even owned a nightclub in Denver once). She came to New York city at the urging of some friends, and performed in various local venues. In New York, she had begun playing the guitar and, was preparing a comeback. After her demise, actor and comedian, David Jung, told reporters that Farmer had agreed to lend her lovely, sultry voice and gift for comedy to some sketches he was about to tape for a theatrical comedy show. Betty was inside the World Trade Center the day the Arab terrorists struck.
1946     David Holt, multi-instrumentalist/TV Host/story teller, b. Garland (or Gatesville), TX, USA. Holt performs traditional music and stories of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Early in his career, David wandered over the Appalachian Mountains speaking with old time musicians, and absorbing a wealth of folk music and rural wisdom. (One of those he spoke with was the 122 year-old 'washboard' player Susie Brunson.) Holt learned to play not only banjos, but many unusual instruments including the 'mouth bow', the bottleneck slide guitar and even the 'paper bag'. He has recorded with such stars as Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, "Doc" Watson, "Grandpa" Jones, Roy Acuff and Chet Atkins. Currently (2005) he tours the USA perfoming solo, with "Doc" Watson, and with his own band The Lightning Bolts. David is a four-time Grammy Award winner CAUTION: Do Not Confuse with David Holt, songwriter ("What Every Girl Should Know")/actor/author/publisher, b. August 14, 1927, Jacksonville, Florida, USA, d. Nov. 15, 2003, San Juan Capistrano, California, USA. (congestive heart failure).
1953     Tito Jackson, guitar, b.Gary, IN, USA. né:: Toriano Adaryll Jackson. Originally the guitarist for 'The Jackson Five', he now concentrates on his own solo career, playing the blues. Tito has three sons, Taj, Taryll, and TJ (Tito Joe), collectively known as 3T. The Jackson Family:
Father: Joseph Walter Jackson, guitar, crane operator, manager; (he managed 'The Jackson Five'.
Mother: Katherine Esther Jackson (née: Scruse)
Sister: Rebbie (aka: Maureen Jackson), vocals; born May 29, 1950; In 1968, she married Nathan Brown
Sister: LaToya; born May 29, 1956; On September 1989, she married manager Jack Gordon,; In 1991, she wrote book:' La Toya: Growing up in the Jackson Family'
Sister: Janet, singer; born May 16, 1966; two multi-million selling albums and a dozen Top Ten hits in 1980s
Brother: Sigmund Esco; born May 4, 1951 (aka: Jackie Jackson), former member of the Jackson Five;
Brother: Toriano Adaryl (aka Tito Jackson), guitarist, born October 15, 1953, former member of the Jackson Five;
Brother: Jermaine La Juane, singer, bassist; born December 11, 1954; In 1973, he married Berry Gordy's daughter Hazel; when the Jackson Five left Motown, he stayed with his father-in-law's label as a solo artist.
Brother: Marlon David, former member of the Jackson Five; born March 12, 1957
Brother: Stephan Randell (aka: Randy Jackson), bassist/vocals, former member of the Jackson Five; born October 29, 1961. In 1976, he replaced Jermaine when he left the group to stay with Motown; In November 1991, he was sentenced to two years' probation for beating his wife, Eliza Shaffy Jackson, and their 14-month old daughter, Steveanna,
1913     Thore Jederby, Bass, b. Stockholm, Sweden, d. Jan. 10, 1984, Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden.
1938     Marv Johnson, vocals, b. Detroit, MI, USA né: Marvin Earl Johnson. He was raised in a home where he could listen to the gospel music of the Baptist church mixed with the jump-jive sounds of Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five. Marv was also a seminal figure in the early history of Motown Records.
1916     Albert "Al" Killian, trumpet, b. Birmingham, AL, USA. d. Sept. 5, 1950, Los Angeles, CA, USA. (Murdered by a psychopathic landlord at his Los Angeles home). In 1939, he recorded with Slim Gaillard, in 1940 worked with Don Redman, Claude Hopkins. 1940-4 with Count Basie band; In 1943 and again in '45-6 with Charlie Barnet band; '45 with Lionel Hampton band. In 1947 toured with JATP and then joined Duke Ellington band (including European tour).
1909     "Texas" Jim Lewis", Guitar/vocals/leader, b: Meigs, GA, USA, d: January 23, 1990 né: James Lewis Jr.
1912     Nellie Lutcher, Vocalist, b. Lake Charles, LA, USA, (NOT 1915), d. June 8, 2007, Los Angeles, CA, USA, Age: 94.. Nellie's father was Isaac "Skinner" Lutcher, a bass player who worked for a packing company on the lakefront, and her mother was Susie Lutcher, who lost five of her 15 children to death during infancy. ( It is interesting to note that her father, and famed trumpter Bunk Johnson played together in the Clarence Hart Band.) At just age 8, Nellie was as assistant pianist at New Sunlight Baptist Church in Lake Charles under pastor was M.T. Jackson. Lutcher attended Second Ward School, in Lake Charles, and performed in the school orchestra. As a teenager, she played the piano briefly with the Imperial Orchestra, then the Southern Rhythm Boys, a local group of musicians from Texas and Louisiana. At age 11, she played piano for blues singer Ma Rainey. In 1935, Lutcher moved to Los Angeles, CA, where she played piano with various local groups. In 1947, she signed with Capitol Records, and. over the next few years, she exploded into R&B, having hits with her own material like "Hurry on Down", "Fine Brown Frame" and " He's a Real Gone Guy." By the end of 1947, she was the second biggest-selling R&B star in the country, second only to Louis Jordan. “Fine Brown Frame” was recorded during a marathon session at year-end 1947, during which Lutcher and her band cut two dozen tracks in preparation for a very bizarre year in the recording industry. Studios across the country were stockpiling in anticipation of a recording strike, called by Musicians’ Union,head James Petrillo, that began on January 1, 1948. That strike, the second in 6 years, lasted until Christmas. She also recorded for the Decca, Epic and Liberty labels. In 1952, she was honored on Ralph Edwards' NBC-TV show "This Is Your Life." Nellie was only African American woman to serve on the board of directors of the Los Angeles Musicians Union. She had been a member since 1947. Nellie's brother, saxophonist Joe Woodman Lutcher, made the 1948 charts with a 1947 recording called "Rockin' Boogie." In 1948, he again charted with "Shuffle Woogie." (Joe Lutcher later left secular music to become an evangelist. Legend has it that, in the late 1950's, Joe converted "Little Richard" to evangelism, and persuaded him to leave rock and roll. However one musicologist, Charles "Dr. Rock" White, who in 1981 had interviewed Lutcher, and who in 1983, co-wrote Little Richard's autobiography, claimed that it was not exactly true.) Nellie is also the aunt of latin jazz percussionist Daryl "Munyungo" Jackson.
1937     Barry McGuire, Singer/songwriter, b. Oklahoma City, OK, USA. Member group: 'The New Christy Minstrels'
1965     Dean Miller, C&W vocals. Dean is the son of famed singer-songwriter Roger Miller.
1931     Louis Nunley, Bass vocals, b. Sikeston, MO, USA. (raised in Anderson, IN). In 1948, he moved to Nashville, TN to attend David Lipscomb College, where he graduated in 1952, with a major in Mathematics. In 1949, while still in school, he made his first commercial recordings. In February 1953, Louis joined the famed "Anita Kerr Singers". His 50 year long career has included work in commercials, movie and in TV soundtracks. A regular on the "Statler Brothers Show", among many others, he has also appeared on most of the major network TV specials that originated in Nashville, including The CMA Awards Shows and The Music City News Awards Shows. While not well known, he is also a fine arranger, both for vocals and for musical instruments. For over forty-five years, Louis has filled in with "The Jordanaires" vocal group when needed, and remains active with them today (2005).
1960     Henrik Bolberg Pedersen, Jazz trumpet/flugelhorn, b.Copenhagen, Denmark
1926     John Plonsky, trumpet, b. St. Paul, MN, USA.
1903     Charles Remue, Alto Sax/clarinet, b. Brussels, Belgium, d. Feb. 5, 1971
1939     Joey Roccisano, Alto Sax/Leader, b. Springfield, MA, USA. d. Nov. 9, 1997
1896     Joe Sanders, Leader/Piano/Vocal, b. Thayer, KS, USA. d. May 14/15/16, 1965
1906     Victoria "Queen" Spivey, Vocal/Piano, b. Houston, TX, USA. d. 1976
1966     Dave Stead, drums, b. Great Britain. Member group: The Beautiful South, 1990 single "A Little Time" charted UK No.1 (over 15 other UK Top 40 singles).
1942     Don Stevenson, Drums/vocals. Member: Moby Grape
1946     Bo Stief, Bass, b. Copenhagen, Denmark
1917     Paul Tanner, Trombone, b. Skunk Hollow, KY, USA
1966     Douglas Vipond, drums/percussion, b. Johnstone, Scotland. Member group: Deacon Blue, -over 15 UK Top 40 singles. Deacon Blue, a 1980s pop and rock group were Ricky Ross -Vocals, Lorraine McIntosh -Vocals, James Prime -Keyboards, Ewan Vernal, -Bass and Dougie (Douglas) Vipond, -Drums.
1938     Robert Ward, (Blues) guitar, b. Luthersville, GA, USA. In the 1960s, while the leader of the 'Ohio Untouchables', he first used the Magnatone amplifier and developed a vibrato effect in his playing which is still heard in his recordings today.
1920     Morris Louis "Moe" Wechsler, piano, b. Jersey City, NJ. USA.
1881     P.G. Wodehouse, Lyricist/librettist
   Notable Events on this date include:
1914.    ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers) founded
1925.    'Grand Ole Opry' show started on radio in Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
1963.    Frank B. Walker, A&R/producer (Columbia Records), died in Little Neck, LI, USA. Age: 73
1964.    Cole Porter, composer, lyricist, died in Santa Monica, California, USA.
1965.    Orchestra leader Carl Hoff dies at age 60 .
1966.    Lee Blair, banjo, guitar, died
1972.    Conrad Lanoue, piano died
1973.    Hannah Sylvester, vocals, died in New York, NY, USA. Age: 73
1979.    Gus Cannon, banjo, died in Memphis, TN, USA. Age: 94 (Jug Stompers)
1980.    Bobby Lester, vocals, died in Louisville, KY, USA. Age: 50 co-lead of vocal group: "The Moonglows"
1986.    Al Stricklin, piano, died in Cleburne, TX, USA. Age: 78. Worked with: Bob Wills
1995.    Bill Tyson, producer/DJ, died in Chicago, IL, USA. Age: 60. Worked with: Jimmy Reed
   Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
      1942    "Der Fuehrer's Face", - Spike Jones Orch.
      1948    "On A Slow Boat To China ", - Kay Kyser Orch.
      1955    "He", - Al Hibbler
      1966    "Dandy ", - Herman's Hermits
      1966    "Born Free ", - Roger Williams
      1977    "Baby, What A Big Surprise ", - Chicago
      1977    "We're All Alone ", - Rita Coolidge
      1983    "Love Is A Battlefield ", - Pat Benatar
      1983    "Say Say Say ", - Paul McCartney
      1983    "Cum On Feel The Noize ", - Quiet Riot
      1988    "Waiting For A Star To Fall ", - Boy Meets Girl
      1988    "Look Away ", - Chicago
      1988    "Kissing A Fool ", - George Michael
      1988s    "Baby, I Love Your Way/Freebird Medley ", - Will To Power