About maketodayrock.com: We celebrate musicians' birthdays, remember those we've lost, and highlight key moments in music such a release dates, chart peak dates, or anything else tied to a specific date. Pick any day from the menu in the top right. The front page shows recent obituaries.
December 27, 1931 ~ Pianist, composer Walter Norris born in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA ~ Considered a brilliant pianist, known for his harmonically complex yet melodic improvisations. Recorded about a dozen albums as a leader, notably Synchronicity and Winter Rose, the latter a collaborative effort with Aladár Pege. Over the course of his lengthy career, Norris has appeared on albums by Frank Rosolino, Jack Sheldon (The Quartet And The Quintet), Ornette Coleman, Pepper Adams (Julian), Chet Baker, Herb Geller, and Joe Pass. Norris relocated to Berlin, Germany, by the late 1970s, where he would spend the remainder of his life ~ Norris passed away in 2011
December 27, 1930 ~ Electric blues bassist, singer, songwriter Bob Stroger born in Hayti, Missouri, USA ~ Worked with Eddie King, Otis Rush, Jimmy Rogers, Eddie Taylor, Eddy Clearwater, Sunnyland Slim, Louisiana Red, Buster Benton, Homesick James, Mississippi Heat, Snooky Pryor, Odie Payne, Fred Below, Willie Big Eyes Smith, Billy Davenport, Willie Kent, Rufus Forman, and Mark Hummel
December 27, 1927 ~ Jazz bassist, tubist Bill Crow, full name William Orval Crow, born in Othello, Washington, USA ~ Best known for his longtime association with saxophonist Gerry Mulligan. Has also worked with Stan Getz, Bob Brookmeyer, Al Cohn, Clark Terry, Marian McPartland, JJ Johnson, Al Haig, Jimmy Cleveland, Milt Jackson, Benny Goodman, Mose Allison, Bob Wilber, Eddie Bert, and Jay McShann
December 27, 1919 ~ Mitchell W Wood, commonly known as jazz trombonist Booty Wood, born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Active since the late 1930s. Sporadically recorded as a leader. Closely associated with Duke Ellington and Count Basie, recording over half a dozen albums with each. Has also guested on albums by Willis Jackson, Jimmy Hamilton (Swing Low Sweet Clarinet), Johnny Hodges, Maria Muldaur, Ella Fitzgerald, and Lionel Hampton ~ Wood passed away in 1987
December 27, 1917 ~ John Landry Boudreaux, commonly known as saxophonist, clarinetist Buddy Boudreaux, born in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with Andy Williams, Bernadette Peters, Doc Severinsen, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Burt Bacharach, Johnny Mathis, the Four Tops, Bob Hope, George Burns, Joan Rivers, Tommy Dorsey, and Warren Covington ~ Boudreaux passed away in 2015
December 27, 1916 ~ Jazz violinist, double bassist Johnny Frigo, full name John Virgil Frigo, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Perhaps best remembered for writing Detour Ahead, a jazz standard recorded by Woody Herman, Billie Holiday, Patti Page, Irene Kral, and Anita O'Day. Has worked with Ken Nordine, Holly Cole, Audrey Morris, Claiborne Cary, Buddy Greco, Skeeter Davis, Monty Alexander, Skitch Henderson, Chad Mitchell, and Pee Wee King ~ Frigo passed away in 2007December 27, 1907 ~ Jazz pianist, arranger Eddie Wilcox born in Method, North Carolina, USA, USA ~ Arranger for Jimmie Lunceford from the 1920s until Lunceford's death in 1947. Took over the orchestra, serving as co-leader with Joe Thomas, through the early 1950s. Founded R&B Raecox label in the 1950s. Also worked as executive for Riviera Records and Derby Records ~ Wilcox passed away in 1968
December 27, 1902 ~ Pop, show tunes songwriter Sam Coslow born in New York, New York, USA ~ Known for songs such as Sing You Sinners (the Harlem Hot Chocolates, Susan Hayward, Tony Bennett), Jammin' (Abe Lyman, Mike Riley), The Moon Song (Kate Smith, Wayne King, Doris Day), I Guess It Had To Be This Way (Bing Crosby, Champ Butler), True Confession (Dorothy Lamour, Connee Boswell) ~ Coslow passed away in 1982
December 27, 1901 ~ Maria Magdalene Dietrich, commonly known as actress, singer Marlene Dietrich, born in Schoneberg, Germany ~ Rose to fame as a stage and silent film actress in 1920s Berlin before moving to Hollywood becoming one of the highest-paid stars of the era. As a singer known for songs such as Falling In Love Again (Can't Help It), See What The Boys In The Back Room Will Have and perhaps her best known Lili Marlene ~ Dietrich passed away in 1992
December 27, 1887 ~ Gertrude Mary Astbury, commonly known as music hall singer, dancer Gertie Gitana, born in Longport, UK ~ Enjoyed popularity from the early-1900s, while still only in her mid-teens, until retiring from performing by the late 1930s. Well known as the Forces sweetheart during World War I, entertaining the wounded in hospitals. Best known for her signature song Nellie Dean, written by Harry Armstrong and Richard H Gerard ~ Astbury passed away in 1957