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.
November 22, 1930 ~ Jazz trombonist Mel Wanzo, full name Melvin Wanzo, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Best known for his longtime association with Count Basie, serving as a member of Basie's orchestra from 1969 through 1980. Has also worked with Cannonball Adderley, Ruth Brown, Big Joe Turner, Woody Herman, and the Capp-Pierce Juggernaut ~ Wanzo passed away in 2005
November 22, 1927 ~ Jazz trombonist Jimmy Knepper, full name James Minter Knepper, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Playing professionally since his mid-teens, working in big bands led by Freddie Slack, Roy Porter, Charlie Spivak, Charlie Barnet, Woody Herman, and Claude Thornhill. Well known for backing Charles Mingus, including on the quintessential Mingus Ah Uhm and Blues & Roots albums. Has also appeared on albums by Clark Terry (Color Changes), Eric Dolphy, Miles Davis (Sketches Of Spain), Mose Allison, Al Kooper, Robin Kenyatta, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Astrud Gilberto, and the Mingus Dynasty. As a leader best known for a string of mid- to late 1970s albums, including Cunningbird and Tell Me ~ Knepper passed away in 2003November 22, 1927 ~ Bandleader Paul Whiteman records Among My Souvenirs at Victor Studios, Chicago, Illinois ~ Written by Edgar Leslie and Lawrence Wright. Presumed to be originally recorded by the Kit-Cat Band in 1927. Recorded by and a No.1 hit for Paul Whiteman shortly thereafter, featuring Washboard Blues on the flip side. The song would be covered by a wide array of artists, notably Connie Francis in 1959 who took it to the top 10 on Billboard Hot 100 charts and by Marty Robbins in 1976 who would reach No.1 on the Billboard Country charts
November 22, 1925 ~ Conductor, hornist, flutist, composer Gunther Schuller, full name Gunther Alexander Schuller, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with the American Ballet Theatre, the Cincinnati Symphony, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, John Lewis, the Houston Grand Opera, Dizzy Gillespie, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Charles Mingus, Gerard Schwarz, Gigi Gryce, Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Johnny Mathis, Gerry Mulligan, and Julius Watkins ~ Schuller passed away in 2015
November 22, 1913 ~ Pianist, conductor, composer Benjamin Britten, full name Edward Benjamin Britten, born in Lowestof, UK ~ Quintessential to 20th-century British music. As a child showed a keen interest in music, taking piano lessons from his mother from a young age, and composing his first compositions at age five. Well known for works such as Peter Grimes, War Requiem, and The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra ~ Britten passed away in 1976
November 22, 1912 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Doye O'Dell, full name Allen Doye O'Dell, born in Plainview, Texas, USA ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1952 recording Diesel Smoke Dangerous Curves, in retrospect considered a quintessential forerunner of the trucking country subgenre. Has worked with Johnny Bond, Texas Jim Lewis, Roy Lanham, and the Sons Of The Pioneers. Appeared in several Western movies alongside Roy Rogers and Tex Ritter ~ O'Dell passed away in 2001November 22, 1911 ~ Ernesto Caceres, commonly known as jazz saxophonist Ernie Caceres, born in Rockport, Texas, USA ~ Brother of violinist Emilio Caceres and pianist Pinero Caceres. Active since the late 1920s. As a co-leader known for the 1970 album Ernie & Emilio with his brother Emilio. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Mildred Bailey (The Rockin' Chair Lady), Frank Sinatra (The Voice), Bobby Hackett, Ella Fitzgerald (Lullabies Of Birdland), Sidney Bechet, Ruby Braff, Barbara Lea (Lea In Love), Teresa Brewer, Dick Cary, Jimmy McPartland, and Sidney Bechet ~ Caceres passed away in 1971
November 22, 1905 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, bandleader Cecil Scott born in Springfield, Ohio, USA ~ Brother of drummer Lloyd Scott, with whom he regularly collaborated. Active since the 1920s, Scott has worked with a long list of the top swing bands, backing artists such as Fletcher Henderson and Billie Holiday. Other notable associations include Hot Lips Page, Willie The Lion Smith, Alberta Hunter, Rex Stewart, Red Allen, and Teddy Wilson ~ Scott passed away in 1964
November 22, 1900 ~ Composer Arthur Sullivan, full name Arthur Seymour Sullivan, passed away in London, UK ~ Wrote operas, orchestral and choral works, ballets. Best known for co-penning a number of operas with dramatist WS Gilbert, notably HMS Pinatore, The Pirates Of Penzance, and The Mikado, the duo paving the way for the musical theater of the 20th century ~ Sullivan was born in 1842
November 22, 1899 ~ Hoagland Howard Carmichael, commonly known as pianist, bandleader, songwriter Hoagy Carmichael born in Bloomington, Indiana, USA ~ Revered songwriter. Wrote or co-wrote classics such as Stardust (the Chocolate Dandies, Benny Goodman, Erroll Garner, Willie Nelson), Georgia On My Mind (Frankie Trumbauer, Billie Holiday, Ray Charles), The Nearness Of You (Chick Bullock, Glenn Miller, Sarah Vaughan), Heart And Soul (Larry Clinton, Sue Raney, Jan & Dean, Betty Carter), Lazy Bones (Glen Gray, Kay Starr, the Supremes, Leon Redbone), Skylark (Gene Krupa, Dinah Shore, Earl Hines), Ole Buttermilk Sky (Kay Kyser, Paul Weston, Connee Boswell), and In The Cool Cool Cool Of The Evening (Dean Martin, Bing Crosby, Henry Mancini) ~ Carmichael passed away in 1981