BIRTHDAYS
1973    "Anastacia", vocals, b. Chicago, IL, USA. née: Anastacia Newkirk. Her 2000 single "I'm Outta Love" was a big hit, and she also recorded the song "Love is a Crime" that was featured on the sound track of the film "Chicago".
1929    Sylvester "Sil" Austin, tenor sax/composer/leader, b. Dunnellon, FL, USA. d. Sept. 1, 2001, New York, NY, USA. By age 12, he had his first saxophone. He later relocated to New York City to study music. There, Austin landed a gig, while still a teenager, with bandleader Roy "Little Jazz" Eldridge. Following that, he joined the Cootie Williams' band at the 'Birdland' club, where he often worked with such musicians as Charlie "Yardbird" Parker, Miles Davis, Max Roach and Dizzy Gillespie. Over the next 15 or so years, he recorded (over 30 albums) for many independent labels, in settings ranging from full orchestra to small Nashville-based 'Country/Western' groups. In 1973, Austin and his wife, -the Rev. Vernice Austin, moved to her hometown of Atlanta, GA. During these last years of his life, Austin was a part of the Chris Chandler band, and then with his own group, Sil Austin and Friends. Both groups were often on stage at the Sambuca Jazz Cafe in Atlanta. In July, Sil made his last appearance at 'Manny's' in Union City, NJ. In 1997, he survived a bout with prostate cancer, and in 1999 survived both a heart attack and stroke. In July of 2001, his cancer returned and he died at Portsbridge Hospice in Riverdale, NY. USA.
1926    Bill Black, C&W vocals/strings, d. Oct. 21, 1965. né: William Patton Black. Member: 'Blue Moon Boys and his own Bill Black Combo'
1931    Eddie Burks, harmonica, b. Rising Sun, MS, USA.
1901    Floyd Campbell, drums/vocals, d. Sept. 30, 1993
1906    "Blind" James Campbell, guitar, b. Nashville, TN, USA.
1937    Phil Cracolici, vocals, b. New York (Brooklyn), NY, USA. Member: 'The Mystics'
1937    Joe Cocuzzo, drums. Joe has backed (1985) Susannah McCorkle (vocals), with a group that included himself on drums, Al Cohn (tenor saxophone); Gene Bertoncini (guitar); Ben Aronov (piano); and Steve LaSpina (bass). He has also worked with singer Barbara Carroll, Debby Boone, John Pizzarelli, Dianne Reeves, Brian Stokes Mitchell featuring Scott Hamilton, Bucky Pizzarelli, Warren Vaché, John Oddo Joe Cocuzzo, Jay Leonhart, George Rabbai, Mark Vinci and Larry King. Among others with whom he has worked (on the CD 'Simpatico') are Gabor Szabo (g,vcl); Sam Brown (g); Richard Davis (b); Joe Cocuzzo (d); Gary McFarland (vib,vcl); Tommy Lopez, Barry Rodgers (perc). And, - this does not exhaust the list of stars with whom he has worked.
1969    Adam Devlin, guitar, b. England. Member group: 'The Bluetones', 1996 single "Slight Return" charted UK No.2. Bluetones consisted of Devlin -guitar, Scott Moriss -bass, Mark Morris (b. Jan 15, 1963) -vocals/percussion, and. Ed Chesters on drums.
1933    Jim Karolides, vocals, b. Peabody, MA, USA. He first worked as rhythm guitarist and singer with the 'K-Mors', vocal group that toured New England area colleges and nightclubs. Subsequently, he has played bass and sung with Al Muise's Dixieland band, and .toured New Englend with pianist Lou Silvestri. In between, he enjoyed a full time two-decades long career as a US Treasury ATF agent..
1930    Theo Loevendie, Tenor Sax, b. Amsterdam, Netherlands
1933    Dorothy Loudon vocals, b. .Boston, MA, USA, d. Nov. 15, 2003, New York, NY, USA. (cancer). Age: 70 Her mother, a department store piano player, taught Dorothy to play the piano and to sing. Although she first attended Syracuse University on a drama scholarship, she soon transferred to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. In 1954, Dorothy began her professional career as a nightclub singer, but was soon using her torchy vocal style to parody everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Shirley Temple in her act. She quickly became a staple in all the best New York city clubs and cabarets, from the 'Ruban Bleu' to the 'Blue Angel', and, in the early 1960s, often appeared on Garry Moore's TV show. In 1962, she made her Broadway debut in the musical "Nowhere to Go But Up", and promptly won a Theatre World Award. Her 1979 sitcom "Dorothy" proved short-lived and she made only two movies during the course of her career. Over the years, on the New York cabaret circuit and on Broadway, Dorothy earned numerous prizes, topped by her Tony Award for playing the shrew·like 'Miss Hannigan' in "Annie" in 1977. In 1980, she replaced Angela Lansbury in musical play "Sweeney Todd". In 1981, she played opposite Katharine Hepburn in "West Side Waltz". In 1983, she appeared in the raucous slapstick farce "Noises Off", In the last year of her life Dorothy suffered from cancer, and in 2002, she was forced to leave the Broadway production of "Dinner at Eight"
1927    Earl Charles Barrington May, bass, b. New York, NY, USA
1926    "Brother Jack" McDuff, Organ, b. Champaign, IL, USA, d. Jan. 23, 2001, age 74. né: Eugene McDuffy
1895    William "Bill" McKinney, Drums/Leader, b. Cynthiana, KY, USA, d. Oct. 14, 1969, Cynthiana, KY, USA. Best recalled for his band -McKinney's Cotton Pickers. The band went on to better things under different Leaders, such as Don Redman who drilled the band to perfection, but always as McKinney's Cotton Pickers. Worked with: Benny Carter, James P. Johnson, Coleman Hawkins, Quentin Jackson, Hilton Jefferson, Claude Jones, Don Redman, Todd Rhodes, Tench Robinson, Rex Stewart and Fats Waller.
1940    LaMonte McLemore, vocals. member: 'The Fifth Dimension'. 1969 single "Aquarius", charted US No.1 and UK No.11.
1923    Leon Merian, Trumpet, leader, b. South Braintree, MA, USA d. August 15, 2007, Bradenton, FL, USA. ( né: Vahan Leon Megerdichian )
1976    Maile Misajon, vocals, b. b. Oahu (North Shore -Waialua), Hawaii. Member group: 'Eden's Crush', 2001 single "Get Over Yourself" charted US No.8. The all-girl vocal group, 'Eden's Crush', consists of Maile Misajon, and Nicole Scherzinger (b. June 29, 1978, Hawaii).
1902    Louis "Big Eye" Nelson, Trombone, b. New Orleans, LA, USA. d. April, 5, 1990, New Orleans, LA, USA. Played with: Sidney Desvigne, George Lewis, Punch Miller, Kid Rena, and Kid Thomas. Active in the New Orleans jazz scene of the 1920's, Nelson first played the alto sax before permanently switching to trombone. He played in the 'Original Tuxedo Orchestra', and for 15 years with Sidney Desvigne's big band. He was closely associated with 'Kid Thomas' Valentine (starting in 1944), and George Lewis. In the 1960's he was still playing with the many musicians at the Preservation Hall in New Orleans. In addition to touring and recording with the "Legends of Jazz", Nelson, starting in 1964, began recording as a leader for the G.H.B., LaCroix, Nola and other small labels. An erratic trombonist, Louis Nelson would often play one great chorus, and then slip completely out of tune on the next chorus. While detractors saw little value in his playing, to his fans he could do no wrong.
1929    Curtis Peagler, alto sax, b. Cincinnati, OH, USA. d. Dec. 19, 1992. Beverly Hills, CA, USA. This popular Saxist played with: Count Basie, Ray Charles, Harry Sweets" Edison, Jimmy Smith, and Frank Wess. He was an important player in the 'Sweet Baby Blues Band' of Jimmy and Jeannie Cheatham.
1930    St. Clair Pinckney, tenor sax, b. Charleston, SC, USA.
1917    Al "Dr. Horse" Pittman, vocals, b. Vinnia, GA, USA.
1938     Perry Robinson, Clarinet, b. New York, NY, USA. (definitely not August 17)
1918    Hubert Rostaing, Tenor Sax, b. Lyons, France, d. June 10, 1990 Paris, France.
1952    Steve Sanders, Bluegrass vocals/strings, d. June 10, 1998. member: 'The Oak Ridge Boys'
1923    Ralph Sharon, Piano/Arranger/Composer, b. London, England. Pianist in Frank Weir's orch. in which George Shearing played accordion. Sharon had his own sextet at London Stork Club. For four years, he won the Melody Makers magazine 'Britain's No. 1 Pianist' award. 1953 to the USA playing at the 'Embers' in New York. Became an American citizen. Then accompanied singer Chris Connor. 1957-'60 was MD and pianist for singer Tony Bennett. He also wrote all Bennett's vocal arrangements for the Basie Orch. recordings, as well as some instrumentals for the Basie band. (In 1965, he and Bennett split up, but in 1979 they got back together and have since remained together.) Sharon has played with such men as: Johnny Claes, Victor Feldman, Ted Heath, and Harry Lewis. Sharon has also led various groups and made many recordings as a leader.
1950    'Fee Waybill', vocals. né: John Waldo. Member group: 'The Tubes'
1923    "Hank" Williams (Sr.), C&W vocals/guitar/composer, b. Mount Olive West, AL, USA, d. Jan. 1, 1953 (Cardiac Arrest hastened by his Alcoholism). né: Hiriam King Williams. (His son Hank Williams Jr, was born in May and is on our May Cal.) When Hiram made his debut with the Grand Ole Opry in 1949, the audience called him for many encores of his song "Lovesick Blues" The success of that tune's recording led to his contract with the 'GOO' and he stayed with them until August 1952, - when he was fired for perpetual drunkeness. On 1953's New Year's day, he died of Cardiac Arrest brought on by his drinking.
1946    David "Happy" Williams, Bass, b. Trinidad, BWI
1957    Timothy F. Williams, trombone, In 1982, Tim graduated from Berkley College of Music. He has subsequently played with such stars as Sting, The Count Basie Orchestra, DeAngelo, Erica Badu, The Manhattans, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and more.
         Notable Events on this date include:
1931.    A curious situation. RCA Victor began demonstrating a very early version of their Long-Playing (LP), 33~1/3 RPM phonograph record. 17 Years later, RCA introduced the very short-lived 45RPM phonograph record, which was soon obsolesced by Columbia Records own introduction of "their" 33~1/3 RPM phonograph record.
1951.    Jimmy Yancey, piano, died in Chicago, IL, USA. Age: 53
1958.    Herbie Fields, sax, died in Miami, FL, USA. Age: 39
1959.    Omer Simeon, clarinet, saxes, died in New York, NY, USA. ( throat cancer )
1977.    Lou Hooper, piano, died in Charlottetown, Newfoundland, Canada. Age:83
1987.    Kenny "Rudy" Trietsch, leader (Hoosier Hot Shots), died in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Age: 84
1988.    Brenda Bell, vocals, died in New York (Staten Island), NY, USA. Age: 34
1994.    John Delafose, (zydeco) accordion, died in Lawtell, LA, USA. Age: 55
1996.    Jesse Hill, vocals, died in New Orleans, LA, USA. Age: 63.
2002.    Jazz pianist Michael "Dodo" Marmarosa died of a heart attack at age 76. He died at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Pittsburgh, PA. USA. In 1941, at age 15, he had joined the Johnny "Scat" Davis Orchestra. He next played with Gene Krupa's band, Charlie Barnet's big band, and with "Dizzy" Gillespie. In 1944, he was a part of the Dorsey's band which included Buddy DeFranco, Sidney Block and Buddy Rich. Later that same year, Marmarosa joined Artie Shaw's band. In 1947, Esquire magazine selected Marmarosa as one of the nation's top Jazz artists. By the early 1950s, - after a series of personal tragedies and a stint in the U. S. Army, Marmarosa had largely disappeared from public view.
2005.    Jack Lesberg, bass, violin, died in Englewood, NJ, USA. ( complications of Alzheimer’s disease )
         Songs Recorded/Released this date include:
1907    By The Watermelon Vine, -Arthur Pryor's Band. Tune: Aallen Thomas
1908    Polka Po Wykupie - the king bee, -Kopacz Piotr (Pryor's Band). Tune: Smith
1908    That Rag, -Arthur Pryor's Band. Tune: Harry Browne
1917    That's It, - Joseph Smith and his orch. Tune: H.Creamer-T.Layton
1917    Umbrellas To Mend, -Joseph Smith and his orch. Tune: Mel Kaufman
1923    Midnight Rose, -Benson orch. of Chicago. Tune: Mitchell-Pollack
1925    I'm a Back Bitin' Mama, -Maggie Jones voc. Tune: Tom Delaney
1925    Bass Ale Blues, -Original Memphis Five
1926    Someday Sweetheart, - Savannah Syncopators. Tune: Spikes Bros.
1926    Brotherly Love, -Elgar's Creole orch.
1926    Nightmare, - Elgar's Creole orch.
1927    A Siren Dream, -Anglo-Persians (Katzman Orch.).
1927    Dancing Tambourine, -Anglo-Persians (Katzman Orch.).
1927    Wringin' and Twistin', - Frankie Trumbauer and his orch.
1928    King For a Day, -Regent Club orch (Haring Orch.). Tune: Lewis; Young; Fiorito
1929    I Can't Stand It, -Memphis Jug Band. Tune: Will Shade
1929    What's the Matter?, -Memphis Jug Band.
1929    Shadows of Love, - Blue Steele and his orch.
1930    The Penalty of Love, -Bubber Miley and the Mileage Makers. Tune: Heba Jannath-Donald Heywood
1932    Riddle Me This (voc.d.r.), -Abe Lyman and his orch. Tune: Lewis Gensler-E.Harburg
1932    A Shine on Your Shoes (voc. d.r.), -Victor Young and his orch.
1936    When my Dream Boat Comes Home, -Guy Lombardo Royal Canadians. Tune: Cliff Friend-Dave Franklin
1936    To You Sweetheart, Aloha, - Guy Lombardo Royal Canadians.
1939    Willow Weep for Me, -Harry James and his orch.
1939    I'll Walk Alone, -Martha Raye with Dave Rose orch.
1939    Body and Soul, - Martha Raye voc.
1939    All or Nothing At All, -Frank Sinatra with Harry James orch., Tune: Lawrence-Altman
1940    I just wanna play with you, - Horace Heidt musical knights
1940    Isn't that just like love, -Horace Heidt's musical knights
1940    Shadows on the Sand (voc.FS), -Tommy Dorsey and his orch.
1940    Two Dreams Met, -Tommy Dorsey and his orch.
1941    Mexican Hat Dance, -Les Brown and his orch.
1946    Sidewalks of Cuba, -Woody Herman & his Herd.
1946    Wicked Path of Sin, -Bill Monroe Bluegrass Boys. tune: Monroe
1948    Buttons And Bows, - Dinah Shore
1966    I've Got You Under My Skin, - Four Seasons
1966    Reach Out I'll Be There, - Four Tops
1966    96 Tears, - Question Mark and The Mysterians
1977    You Light Up My Life, - Debby Boone
1977    Brick House, - Commodores
1977    Heaven On The 7th Floor, - Paul Nicholas
1983    Suddenly Last Summer, - Motels
1983    Delirious, - Prince
1988    Groovy Kind Of Love, A, - Phil Collins
1988    Wild, Wild West, - Escape Club
1988    Never Tear Us Apart, - INXS
1988    Loco-Motion, The, - Kylie Minogue