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.
February 27, 1941 ~ Double bassist John Williams, full name John B Williams Jr, born in New York, New York, USA ~ In-demand sideman from the 1960s through the 1990s. Has backed artists such as Mose Allison, Roy Ayers, Count Basie, Kenny Burrell, Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby Hutcherson, Harold Land, Hugh Masekela, Zoot Sims, Kai Winding, Benny Carter, Billy Cobham, Michael Wolff, Art Farmer, and Gerald Wilson
February 27, 1940 ~ Jazz, pop drummer Harold Jones born in Richmond, Indiana, USA ~ Best known for his associations with Tony Bennett and Count Basie. Has also worked with Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, Herbie Hancock, BB King, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Natalie Cole, Bunky Green, Red Callender, Marlena Shaw, Benny Carter, Marian McPartland, Gene Harris, Bruce Broughton, Elvin Bishop, and João Gilberto
February 27, 1938 ~ John Philip Thackray, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Jake Thackray born in Monmouth, UK ~ Hard to categorise storyteller known for a number of late 1960s, early 1970s recordings. Drew comparisons to Noël Coward, a comparison he resisted but acknowledged. Influenced by chansoniers such as Georges Brassens, Jacques Brel and Charles Trenet, and songwriters such as Randy Newman. Admired by later singers such as Jarvis Cocker, Morrissey and Alex Turner ~ Thackray passed away in 2002
February 27, 1938 ~ Rockabilly, rock & roll saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist William Martin Willis, full name William Martin Willis Jr, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ In-demand session and touring musician, helpful in the development of rock & roll, drawing from jazz, blues, and country. Present on quintessential 1950s songs including recordings by Conway Twitty, Billy Lee Riley, Roy Orbison (The Fools' Hall Of Fame), Bill Black (Smokie Part 2), Charlie Rich, and Jerry Lee Lewis (Hang Up My Rock & Roll Shoes). Willis retired from music by the mid 1960s, to eventually become a successful entrepreneur in the hotel business ~ Willis passed away in 2018
February 27, 1929 ~ Jazz pianist Betty Loo Taylor born ~ Dubbed Hawaii's “First Lady of Jazz” best known for her regular performances at the Trappers club alongside longtime musical partner Jimmy Borges in the 1970s and 1980s and the Kahala Hotel & Resort during the 1990s and 2000s ~ Taylor passed away in 2016February 27, 1928 ~ Raymond Eustis Montrell, commonly known as R&B guitarist Roy Montrell, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ In-demand session musician, perhaps most notably for Little Richard (Lucille) and for Fats Domino. First recorded and co-wrote Everytime I Hear That Mellow Saxophone, later covered by numerous artists including the Stray Cats ~ Montrell passed away in 1979
February 27, 1923 ~ Charles Jagelka, commonly known as jazz guitarist, banjoist Chuck Wayne, born in New York, New York, USA ~ The guitarist had started on the mandolin in a Russian balalaika band, but abandoned the instrument in favor of the guitar. Influenced by saxophonists Charlie Parker and Coleman Hawkins, whose warm legato sax play he tried to transcend to the guitar. Although underappreciated, he was held in the highest regards by critics and peers and considered one of the earliest guitarists in bebop. The guitarist would become particularly known for appearing on several key Dizzy Gillespie tracks, including Groovin' High and Blue 'n Boogie, and for his association with Woody Herman, including on the three-part composition Summer Sequence. Wayne has also worked with George Shearing, served as Tony Bennett's musical director in the mid 1950s, and has worked extensively for CBS TV shows through the early 1970s. As a leader, Wayne recorded from the 1950s onward, and is especially acclaimed for his Tapestry album released in 1963. Over the course of his lengthy career, Wayne has also appeared on albums by George Wallington, Red Norvo, Benny Goodman, Milt Jackson, Gil Evans, Joe Bushkin, Clifford Jordan, Joe Puma, Duke Jordan, and Frank Wess ~ Jagelka passed away in 1997
February 27, 1923 ~ Jazz, swing, bebop, hard bop saxophonist Dexter Gordon born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Considered one of the most influential early bebop artists, particularly influential on John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins. Known for his humurous and communicative stage presence. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall, Gordon was sometimes referred to as “Long Tall Dexter” or “the Sophisticated Giant”. Early on in his career, played with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Billy Eckstine, and Dizzy Gillespie, prior to establishing himself as one of the premier leaders. As a leader or co-leader, Gordon has recorded well over 50 albums since the late 1940s, especially noted for albums such as Go, Body And Soul, and The Apartment. Gordon was nominated for an Academy Award for his lead role in the 1986 Round Midnight film, a fictionalized tale loosely inspired by the lives and careers of saxophonist Lester Young and pianist Bud Powell ~ Gordon passed away in 1990
February 27, 1922 ~ John Joseph Kelson Jr, commonly known as saxophonist Jackie Kelso, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Active since the 1940s, initially in jazz backing the likes of Barney Bigard, Lucky Thompson, Kid Ory, Benny Carter, Benny Goodman, and Lionel Hampton, later venturing into other genres. To rock & roll audiences perhaps best known for his assocation with Gene Vincent, playing on several of the singer's key late 1950s recordings including Say Mama, She She Little Sheila, and Ac-centu-ate he Positive. Kelso also provided the flute solo, though uncredited, on Walk Away Renee by the Left Banke, backed Elvis Presley on his Elvis '68 Comeback Special, took part in the 1971 all-star The Concert For Bangladesh charity concert organized by George Harrison, and worked with Johnny Otis, Lowell Fulson, Shuggie Otis (Here Comes Shuggie), Rita Coolidge, Todd Rundgren (Something/Anything), Albert Hammond, Bobby Blue Bland, Kris Kristofferson, José Feliciano, the Four Tops, John Prine, the Manhattan Transfer, Steely Dan (Aja), Mink DeVille, Dr John, Christopher Cross, and Michael Omartian ~ Kelson passed away in 2012
February 27, 1920 ~ Swing clarinetist, saxophonist Abe Most, full name Abraham Most, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Brother of flautist Sam Most. Influenced by Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman. Recorded a handful of albums as a leader, especially noted for Swing Low Sweet Clarinet released in 1984. In-demand sideman, including outside of jazz circles, present on albums by Paul Smith, Ella Fitzgerald (Sings The Rodgers And Hart Song Book), Johnny Mandel, Van Alexander, Frank Sinatra (Nice 'n Easy), Rosemary Clooney, Nancy Wilson, Ray Conniff, Randy Newman (Sail Away), Maria Muldaur, Joni Mitchell, Earth Wind & Fire (All 'n All), BB King, Ted Gärdestad, and Madonna ~ Most passed away in 2002
February 27, 1907 ~ Mildred Eleanor Rinker, commonly known as singer Mildred Bailey born in Tekoa, Washington, USA ~ Sister of Al Rinker. Married to Red Norvo, with whom she also worked, from 1933 to 1942. Dubbed “the Queen of Swing” and known for songs such as For Sentimental Reasons, It's So Peaceful In The Country, Doin' The Uptown Lowdown, Trust In Me, Where Are You, I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart, Small Fry, Please Be Kind, Darn That Dream, Rockin' Chair, Blame It On My Last Affair, and Says My Heart. Has worked with the Three Ickkies, Bing Crosby, the Rhythm Boys, Paul Whiteman, Eddie Lang, the Dorsey Brothers, Benny Goodman, and Joe Marsala ~ Bailey passed away in 1951February 27, 1890 ~ Bandleader, cornetist Freddie Keppard born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Brother of jazz guitarist Louis Keppard. Founded the Olympia Orchestra in the early-1900s, a band that also featured Alphonse Picou. Has also worked with Frankie Duson, the Original Creole Band, Doc Cook's Dreamland Orchestra, Jimmie Noone, Johnny Dodds, Erskine Tate, Lil' Armstrong, John Wyycliffe ~ Keppard passed away in 1933
February 27, 1887 ~ Composer Alexander Borodin, full name Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin, passed away in St Petersburg, Russia ~ One of several prominent 19th-century composers collectively known as the Five, a group dedicated to producing a “uniquely Russian” kind of classical music. A doctor and chemist by training and trade, Borodin is best known as a composer though he regarded medicine and science as his primary occupations. Has composed symphonies, string quartets, and operas including Prince Igor which is considered by some as one of the most important historical Russian operas ~ Borodin was born in 1833