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.
March 8, 1936 ~ Guitarist Gábor Szabó, full name Gábor István Szabó, born in Budapest, Hungary ~ Leader and sideman. Drew from jazz, pop, rock and tradional Hungarian folk. Wrote and first recorded Gypsy Queen, which was notably covered by Santana. Worked with Chico Hamilton, Gary McFarland, Ron Carter, Paul Desmond, Coke Escovedo, and Charles Lloyd ~ Szabó passed away in 1982
March 8, 1935 ~ Jazz, hard bop, post-bop saxophonist George Coleman, full name George Edward Coleman, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Parker. Active since the early 1950s, backing musicians such as Ray Charles, BB King, Gene Ammons, Johnny Griffin. Best known for his work with Miles Davis, including on albums such as My Funny Valentine and Four & More, and Herbie Hancock, including on albums such as Maiden Voyage. Also present on albums by Lee Morgan (City Lights), Booker Little, Max Roach, Jimmy Smith (The Sermon), Frank Strozier, Howard McGhee, Slide Hampton (Exodus), Duke Pearson, Nina Simone, Lee Morgan, Elvin Jones Horace Silver, Johnny Hartman, and Charles Tolliver. Has also recorded as a leader or co-leader from the mid 1970s onwards, especially acclaimed for the albums Meditation and At Yoshi'sMarch 8, 1934 ~ Classical, TV, film composer John McLeod born in Aberdeen, UK ~ Had numerous of his works premiered by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Others who performed his compositions include the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Hallé Orchestra, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Well known works include Out Of The Silence, Percussion Concerto, Symphonies Of Stone And Water and Viola Concerto ~ McLeod passed away in 2022
March 8, 1931 ~ Drummer Lloyd Knibb born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Considered one of the most important and influential Jamaican drummers, credited with helping shape ska. Best known as longtime member of the Skatalites, starting in the 1960s. Got his start in music playing in jazz and swing bands, notably backing artists such as Val Bennett and Eric Dean. In-demand session musician, sought after by producers such as Coxsone Dodd, Prince Buster, Sonia Pottinger, and Duke Reid ~ Knibb passed away in 2011
March 8, 1927 ~ Jazz pianist, organist, director, arranger, composer Dick Hyman, full name Richard Hyman, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Especially known as an conductor, pianist, composer for a number of Woody Allen films. To pop audiences best known for the single The Minotaur, which reached the Billboard top 40 in 1969. Has worked with Joe Newman, Benny Powell, Frank Wess, Oscar Pettiford, Harry Sweets Edison, Coleman Hawkins, Hank Jones, Marian McPartland, Bob Wilber, Ruby Braff, Soprano Summit, Buddy Tate, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Urbie Green, Enoch Light, Wes Montgomery, Louie Bellson, Ruth Brown, JJ Johnson, and Bette MidlerMarch 8, 1900 ~ Jazz pianist Joe Robichaux born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with Tig Chambers, Papa Celestin, Earl Humphrey, Lee Collins, the Black Eagles, Jones & Collins Astoria Hot Eight, Christina Gray, Eugene Ware, Alfred Guichard, Gene Porter, Ward Crosby, Chick Bullock, and George Lewis ~ Robichaux passed away in 1965
March 8, 1893 ~ John Smith Hurt, commonly known as piedmont blues, country blues, delta blues guitarist, singer Mississippi John Hurt, born in Teoc, Mississippi, USA ~ Known for songs such as Salty Dog, Candy Man, Ain't No Tellin', Frankie and Spike Driver Blues. Had his songs covered by Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk, Jerry Garcia, Beck, Doc Watson, John McCutcheon, Taj Mahal, Bruce Cockburn, Gillian Welch, and Josh Ritter ~ Hurt passed away in 1966