April 10, 1990 ~ Jane Awindor, commonly known as singer, songwriter, actress Efya, born in Kumasi, Ghana ~ First gained attention as contestant on the Stars Of The Future talent contest, reaching 2nd place and subsequently landing a record deal. Released the Unveiled album, a collaborative album with the show's winner Irene Logan, in 2009. Would continue to perform and record a number of mixtapes, leading up to her full-length Janesis debut album in 2016
April 10, 1990 ~ Country, country pop singer, songwriter Maren Morris, full name Maren Larae Morris, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Member of Highwomen, which also includes Brandi Carlisle, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby. As a solo artist known for her 2016 Hero major label debut. Well known songs include My Church, 80s Mercedes and Rich
April 10, 1987 ~ Indie folk, folk rock singer, guitarist, banjoist, pianist, bassist, songwriter Will Stratton born in Yolo County, California, USA ~ Influenced by Nick Drake, Sufjan Stevens, John Fahey, Leo Kottke. Over half a dozen albums to his name, starting with What The Night Said released in 2007. Especially acclaimed for his 2021 The Changing Wilderness album
April 10, 1984 ~ Amanda Leigh Moore, commonly kknown as pop, dance-pop, folk rock, country singer, songwriter, actress Mandy Moore, born in Nasha, New Hampshire, USA ~ Debuted in 1999 with the album So Real and has recorded steadily since. As a singer best known for I Wanna Be With You, a modest hit in 2000
April 10, 1983 ~ Indie pop, indie rock, baroque pop singer Andrew Dost, full name Andrew Paul Dost, born in Cass City, Michigan, USA ~ Member of Anathallo from 2003 through 2007. Rose to prominence as member of indie rock band .fun, known best for the hits We Are Young featuring Janelle Monáe, Some Nights and Carry On all taken of the band's 2012 Some Nights sophomore album
April 10, 1980 ~ Alternative rock bassist, singer Bryce Soderberg, full name Bryce Dane Soderberg, born in Victoria, Canada ~ Member of Lifehouse, joining the band in 2004 as replacement for original bassist Sergio Andrade. First appeared on the band's eponymopus Lifehouse, their third studio album which included the moderate hit You And Me. Co-wrote and sings lead on Wrecking Ball of their 2010 Smoke & Mirrors album
April 10, 1980 ~ Joseph Rosenberg, commonly known as gypsy jazz guitarist Jimmy Rosenberg, born in Helmond, the Netherlands ~ Child prodigy. Guitar virtuoso. Worked with the Gypsy Kids, Johnny Rosenberg, Rinus Steinbach, the Hot Club de Norvege, Ola Kvernberg, Stian Carstensen, Romane, Jon Larsen, Andreas Oberg, Biréli Lagrène, Angelo Debarre, Frank Vignola, Willie Nelson, and others
April 10, 1980 ~ Kendall Payne Tschudi, commonly known as singer, songwriter Kendall Payne, born in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Actively recording since her late teens, releasing her Jordan's Sister debut album in 1999. Had a number of her songs used in film and TV series, such as Closer To Myself in the romantic comedies Never Been Kissed and Someone Like You and Scratch and I Will Show You Love in Grey's Anatomy
April 10, 1979 ~ Electric blues singer Shemekia Copeland born in New York, New York, USA ~ Daughter of blues guitarist, singer Johnny Copeland, for whom she has also opened. Debuted in 1998 with the album Turn The Heat Up. Acclaimed for her 2000 sophomore album Wicked. Has built a steady following since with subsequent albums produced by Dr John and Steve Cropper
April 10, 1979 ~ Singer, model, songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor born in London, UK ~ First gained attention as lead singer of late 1990s indie rock band Theaudience. Would reach mainstream succes as a solo artist in the early 2000s, drawing from pop, disco, nu-disco and dance-pop, debuting in 2001 with the Read My Lips album. Best known for hits such as Murder On The Dancefloor, Get Over You, Mixed Up World and Catch You
April 10, 1977 ~ Alternative rock guitarist Stuart MacLeod, full name Stuart Leslie MacLeod, born in Fremantle, Australia ~ Co-wrote and jammed with close friend Kavyen Temperley's band Freud's Pillow prior to forming the band Eskimo Joe with Temperley in 1997. The band would reach top 20 in their native Australia with singles such as Black Fingernails Red Wine, Sarah, and Foreign Land
April 10, 1976 ~ Jan Werner Danielsen, commonly known as pop singer Jan Werner, born in Nord Odal, Norway ~ Known for his impressive vocal range of four and a half octaves. At the time of his death one of the most popular singers in Norway. Represented Norway twice in the Eurovision Songfestival contest, with Elisabeth Andreassen in 1994 with the song Duet reaching 6th place, and as a solo artist in 2000 performing One More Time reaching 2nd place. Over the course of his career Werner has sung pop, rock and classical songs and collaborated with Karin Krog, Benedicte Adrian, the Secret Garden, Sølvguttene, Tommy Körberg, and Øivind Blunck ~ Danielsen passed away in 2006
April 10, 1975 ~ Singer, guitarist Chris Carrabba, full name Christopher Ender Carrabba, born in West Hartford, USA ~ Lead singer for emo band Dashboard Confessional, especially acclaimed for their sophomore The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most album released in 2001. Founded the folk rock group Twin Forks. Has also notably worked with Further Seems Forever, including on the band's 2001 The Moon Is Down debut album
April 10, 1974 ~ Pianist, clarinetist, guitarist, cellist, violinist, composer, film composer Helen Jane Long born in Hampshire, UK ~ Assisted Howard Shore on the film score for The Lord Of The Rings trilogy. Composed the soundtracks for The Only Hotel and Surveillance 24/7. Released about half a dozen contemporary classical albums starting in the 2000s, especially acclaimed for 2007's Porcelain and 2010's Ember
April 10, 1973 ~ Singer Aidan Moffat, full name Aidan John Moffat, born in Falkirk, UK ~ Formed Arab Strap with Malcolm Middleton. Released his solo debut album, Hypnogogia, in 2002 going by the moniker Lucky Pierre. Has also worked with the Reindeer Section, the Angry Buddhists, Bill Wells, and guested on the Mogwai song R U Still In 2 It
April 10, 1971 ~ Jazz, bebop organist, trumpeter, saxophonist Joey DeFrancesco born in Springfield, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Son of organist John DeFrancesco, brother of blues guitarist Johnny DeFrancesco. Signed his first record deal at age 16. Revived the organ as a viable jazz instrument. Well over two dozen albums to his name as a leader, especially acclaimed for his 1989 All Of Me debut album and its follow-up Where Were You released a year later. In-demand sideman, both on record and tour. Has worked with Miles Davis, Houston Person, John McLaughlin. Other notable collaborations include Ray Charles, Bette Midler, Jimmy Smith and Van Morrison ~ DeFrancesco passed away in 2022
April 10, 1970 ~ R&B, soul singer, songwriter Kenny Lattimore born in Washington DC, USA ~ Lead singer of Maniquin. As a solo artist best known for regularly reaching the Billboard R&B charts starting in the mid-1990s with songs such as Never Too Busy, For You and If I Lose My Woman. In-demand collaborator worked with his wife Chanté Moore, Ray J, Heather Headley, Brian Culbertson, Musiq, Kim Waters, and others
April 10, 1970 ~ Jonathan William Davis, commonly known as rapper, producer Q-Tip, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Noted for his jazz-influenced style of hip-hop production. Best known as member of seminal late 1980s, 1990s band A Tribe Called Quest, especially acclaimed for the albums Peoples Instinctive Travels & The Paths Of Rhythm, The Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders. Co-founded production team Ummah. Has also recorded as a solo artist and ventured into acting
April 10, 1969 ~ Guitarist, songwriter, producer George Pajon born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Key member of Black Eyed Peas, wrote or co-wrote several of the band's biggest hits including the Grammy-winners Where Is The Love, Let's Get It Started, and Don't Phunk With My Heart. Pajon is also particularly known as a songwriter and producer for a host of artists including Fergie, Carlos Santana, Sting, Ricky Martin, will.i.am, Macy Gray, Candy Dulfer, the Lonely Boys, Cheryl, Kelis, Nas, Damian Marley, Sérgio Mendes, J-Period, John Legend, Jully Black, Venus Brown, Matt Pokora, Klaus Badelt, and Slim Kid Tre
April 10, 1965 ~ Jazz pianist, marimba player, composer Omar Sosa born in Carmaquey, Cuba ~ Well over two dozen albums to his name as solo pianist, leader or co-leader, starting in the mid-1990s. Merges Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz with jazz, avant-garde jazz and classical influences. Especially acclaimed for the albums Live A FIP and Afreecanos. Has collaborated with the likes of John Santos, Gustavo Ovalles, Paolo Fresu, Adam Rudolph, Greg Landau, Mark Weinstein, Seckou Keita, and Yilian Cañizares
April 10, 1965 ~ Timothy W Alexander, commonly known as drummer, guitarist Tim Herb Alexander, born in Cherry Point, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known as on-and-off drummer for alternative metal, funk metal, progressive rock outfit Primus, present on the band's best known albums including Frizzle Fry, Sailing The Seas Of Cheese, Pork Soda, and Tales From The Punchbowl. Alexander has also worked Major Lingo, with Tool-frontman Maynard James Keenan in the bands Puscifer and A Perfect Circle, with Blue Man Group, Into The Presence, Net Of Indra, and others
April 10, 1960 ~ Progressive rock, post-punk, psychedelic rock singer, guitarist Fabio Golfetti born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Lead singer, guitarist, sole constant member of Violeta De Outono, especially acclaimed for their eponymous 1987 Violeta De Outono debut album. Golfetti has also worked with the Invisible Opera Company, Zero, Gong, and others
April 10, 1959 ~ Guitarist Brian Setzer born in Massapequa, New York, USA ~ Spearheaded two revivals, first with his rockabilly outfit the Stray Cats in the 1980s scoring hits such as Rock This Town, Stray Cat Strut and She's Sexy + 17, and again in the 1990s fronting his swing revival ensemble the Brian Setzer Orchestra. Appeared as Eddie Cochran in the 1987 biopic La Bamba about the life of Chicano rock & roller Ritchie Valens. Has also worked with the Bloodless Pharaohs and guested on recordings by Twisted Sister, Bob Geldof, Warren Zevon, Dave Edmunds, Rickie Lee Jones, Los Lobos, Dan Hicks, and others
April 10, 1959 ~ Rock, roots rock guitarist, singer, songwriter Davy Carton born in Dundalk, Ireland ~ Co-founding, and along with Leo Moran the only other constant member of the Saw Doctors. The band is known for songs such as I Useta Lover, About You Now, and Hay Wrap, all of which topped the charts in the band's native Ireland
April 10, 1959 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Kenneth Babyface Edmonds born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Dubbed “Babyface” by Bootsy Collins. Member of Manchild, known for the 1977 hit Especially For You. Member of the Deele alongside LA Reid. Wrote Slow Jam for Midnight Starr in 1983. Would go on to become a hugely successful producer and songwriter from the late 1980s onward, working with artists such as Bobby Brown, Karyn White, Pebbles, the Whispers, Johnny Gill, After 7, Damian Dame, Sheena Easton, TLC, Usher, Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Tevin Campbell, Patti Labelle, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Janet Jackson, Eric Clapton, Mary J Blige, Sisqó, Dru Hill, the Backstreet Boys, Mariah Carey, Lil' Wayne, Xscape, En Vogue, NSYNC, Jordin Sparks, and others
April 10, 1954 ~ Saxophonist Lenny Pickett born in Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA ~ Member of Tower Of Power from 1973 through 1981, present on most of the band's best known including the 1973 eponymous Tower Of Power album which spawned the singles This Time It's Real, What Is Hip and perhaps their best known So Very Hard To Go, the latter reaching top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100
April 10, 1950 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal singer, bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Burke Shelley, full name John Burke Shelley, born in Tiger Bay, UK ~ Critically compared to Rush-bassist Geddy Lee. Co-founding member, frontman of Budgie since 1967, one of the earliest heavy metal bands and held in the highest regard by critics. The band has been cited as a major influence by later artists such as Iron Maiden, Metallica, Van Halen, Alice In Chains and Soundgarden and best known for their mid-1970s albums In For The Kill and Bandolier. Their 2010 tour would be cancelled as Shelley was hospitalised with an anyreusm, following surgery the band de facto ceased to exist ~ Shelley passed away in 2022
April 10, 1950 ~ Funk, funk rock, soul, psychedelic rock guitarist Eddie Hazel, full name Edward Earl Hazel, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Quintessential and hugely influential funk guitarist. Closely associated with George Clinton, member of the Parliaments, Parliament and Funkadelic and especially noted for his guitar solo on the latter's Maggot Brain ~ Hazel passed away in 1992
April 10, 1949 ~ Keyboardist Eric Troyer born ~ Best known as a co-founding member of ELO Part II and its successor the Orchestra, also writing or co-writing a vast amount of the band's material. In-demand collaborator, notably with Céline Dion. Has also worked with Plácido Domingo, Kiss, James Taylor, Artful Dodger, Aerosmith, Carly Simon, Johnny Winter, Michael Bolton, Scritti Politti, Meat Loaf, Billy Joel, Lou Reed, Barry Manilow, Sisters Of Mercy, and others
April 10, 1949 ~ Singer, actress Jane Clifton born ~ Best known as an actress, notably portraying the role of Margo Gaffney in the TV series Prisoner aired on the Australian Network Ten channel. As a singer has worked with Jo Jo Zep & the Falcons, and released her sole solo album, Marriage Of Style in 1993
April 10, 1948 ~ Bassist Fred Smith born in New York, New York, USA ~ Original member of Blondie, departing the band in 1975 to join Television replacing Richard Hell. Present on all of the band's albums, including the acclaimed Marquee Moon album released in 1977. Smith has also appeared on bandmates Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd's solo albums. Has also collaborated with the Roches, Willie Nile, the Peregrins, the Revelons, and others
April 10, 1948 ~ Progressive rock, pop rock guitarist, singer Steve Nardelli, full name Stephen Louis Nardelli, born in London, UK ~ Influenced by the Beatles, the Who, the Animals. Founded High Court, renamed to the Syn. The band, which also included a then-unknown Chris Squire, was considered a precursor to Yes. Best known for the mid-1960s singles Grounded and 14 Hour Technicolour Dream, both considered some of the best psychedelic songs ever to come out of Britain. Nardelli would depart the band in 1968 to pursue a career in fashion and sports industry, recording from time to time as a solo artist and eventually reforming the band in the 2000s
April 10, 1947 ~ Neville O'Riley Livingston, commonly known as reggae singer, percussionist Bunny Wailer, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Founded the Wailers with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, remaining with the band from 1963 through 1974. As a solo artist best known for songs such as Cool Runnings, Crucial and Bald Head Jesus ~ Livingston passed away in 2021
April 10, 1947 ~ Actor, singer, guitarist Wayne Massey, full name Donald Wayne Massey, born in Glendale, California, USA ~ Best known as an actor, notably on the ABC daytime soap opera One Life To Live portraying the role of country, rock singer Johnny Drummond. Released two albums as a solo singer and one duet album, When Love Is Right, with Charly McClain, his wife since 1984. Enjoyed considerably more chart success dueting with his wife than as a solo artist, notably with the country top 10 singles With Just One Look In Your Eyes and You Are My Music (You Are My Song)
April 10, 1946 ~ Bassist, singer, actress, producer, label executive Caterina Caselli born in Modena, Italy ~ First gained attention in 1966 with Mi Puo Giuducare, a song rejected by Adriano Celentano. Caselli's version would sell a million copies. A full-length debut album, Casco Doro, would follow later the same year. Also known for other hits up till the end of the decade, notably Il Volto Della Vita (a cover of David McWilliams's The Days Of Pearly Spencer), Perdono and the Paolo Conte-penned Insieme A Te Non Ci Sto Piu. Married label executive Piero Sugar in 1970 and would eventually rise to become head of Sugar Music herself, discovering and signing artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Giun Russo, Elisa, Negramaro, and others
April 10, 1945 ~ Shirley Ann Rogers, commonly known as conductor, film arranger, orchestrator, composer Shirley Walker, born in Napa, California, USA ~ One of the first female film composers in Hollywood. Known for the scores to Escape From LA, True Lies, and Batman: Mask Of The Phantasm. Collaborated with Danny Elfman, John Carpenter, Lolita Ritmanis, Brad Fiedel, Richard Band, and Carmine Coppola ~ Walker passed away in 2006
April 10, 1938 ~ Jazz, experimental drummer, percussionist David Earle Johnson born ~ About half a dozen albums to his name as a leader, starting with Time Is Free in 1978. In-demand sideman present on albums by Billy Cobham, Jan Hammer, Lenny White, Oregon, Miroslav Vitous, the Players Association, Sea Level, Taj Mahal, Bob Belden, and George Tandy ~ Johnson passed away in 1998
April 10, 1938 ~ Jazz pianist, keyboardist, composer Denny Zeitlin born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman with over 100 compositions to his name. Wrote the soundtrack for the 1978 scifi film The Invasion Of The Body Snatchers. Has worked with Ira Sullivan, Wes Montgomery, Charlie Haden, Joe Farrell, Wilbur Ware, Bob Cranshaw, David Friesen, David Grisman, Jeremy Steig, and others
April 10, 1936 ~ R&B singer Bobbie Smith, full name Robert Steel Smith, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Longtime member of the Spinners, at times known as the Detroit Spinners or the Motown Spinners. Sang lead or co-lead on several of the band's best known including That's What Girls Are Made For, I'll Always Love You, Could It Be I'm Falling In Love, the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Then Came You with Dionne Warwick, and Games People Play. The band would be inducted in the 2023 class of the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, acknowledging them as “one of the most beloved R&B vocal groups in the world, (who) came to define the Philadelphia sound despite their Motor City origins.” ~ Smith passed away in 2013
April 10, 1932 ~ Poet, painter, bassist, songwriter Adrian Henri born in Birkenhead, UK ~ To music audiences best known as founding member of poetry-rock group the Liverpool Scene, a darling of radio DJ John Peel who also produced the band's 1967 debut album, The Incredible New Liverpool Scene. Despite growing a devoted cult following with their merger of rock and poetry, opening for Led Zeppelin, and a performance at the 1969 the Isle Of Wight Festival, the band never achieved much commercial success. Nevertheless, especially as a poet Henri's characterisation of popular culture in verse helped to widen the audience for poetry among British youth of the late 1960s ~ Henri passed away in 2000
April 10, 1932 ~ Lead singer Nate Nelson born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of doo-wop outfit the Flamingos, joining the band in late 1954 as replacement for Sollie McElroy. First appeared on the 1955 single I'm Yours. Has also worked with the Platters, joining the group in 1965 replacing Paul Robi ~ Nelson passed away in 1984
April 10, 1930 ~ Pianist, bandleader, composer Claude Bolling born in Cannes, France ~ Especially known as a film composer with over 100 scores to his name. Worked with Lionel Hampton, Roy Eldridge, Kenny Clarke, Jean Pierre Rampal, Alexandre Lagoya, Pinchas Zukerman, Maurice André, Yo-Yo Ma, and others ~ Bolling passed away in 2020
April 10, 1928 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, pianist Fraser MacPherson, full name John Fraser MacPherson, passed away in Vancouver, Canada ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Ray Norris, Dave Robbins, Paul Ruhland. First-call session musician throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Especially acclaimed for the 1979 Live At The Planetarium album, his first album as a leader ~ Macpherson passed away in 1993
April 10, 1928 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Jerzy Matuszkiewicz born in Jaslo, Poland ~ Dubbed “the Father of Polish Jazz” for his pioneering role in post-World War II jazz. Best known as leader of Melomani. After the band disbanded in 1958 Matuszkiewicz would perform as a solo artist and from the mid-1960s forward focus on composing for film ~ Matuszkiewicz passed away in 2021
April 10, 1927 ~ Baritone singer David Daniels born ~ Performed opera and musical comedy. Perhaps best remembered for introducing the song Young & Foolish alongside Gloria Marlowe in the 1955 Broadway-musical Plain & Fancy. The song, written by Albert Hague and Arnold B Horwitt, would become a standard, covered by over 150 artists including the McGuire Sisters, Gogi Grant, the Lettermen, Tony Bennett, and Lesley Gore ~ Daniels passed away in 2002
April 10, 1927 ~ Jazz guitarist George Freeman born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Brother of Von Freeman and Eldridge Freeman, uncle of Chico Freeman. Sideman and leader. Began in 1940s as sideman for Joe Morris, Tom Archia, Lester Young, and for Charlie Parker. Continued in the 1950s with Richard Groove Holmes, Gene Ammons, Shirley Scott. Released his debut, Birth Sign, on Delmark in 1969, backed by Sonny Burke and Robert Piere. Over the course of his career, continuing well into the 2010s, Freeman has also worked artists such his brother Von, Kenny Barron, Maurice Brown, Bob Cranshaw, Sonny Criss, the Deep Blue Organ Trio, Kurt Elling, Johnny Griffin, Red Holloway, Illinois Jacquet, Harold Mabern, René Marie, Les McCann, Jimmy McGriff, Sonny Stitt, Ben Webster, Buddy Williams, and Eldee Young
April 10, 1911 ~ Pianist, percussionist, bandleader, conductor Martin Denny born in New York, New York, USA ~ Generally considered “the Father of Exotica”, merging lounge jazz, Hawaiian music, Latin rhythms, bird calls, and then-exotic instruments. Best known for his 1959 surprise hit Quiet Village, which sold over a million copies. Denny recorded well over two dozen albums, and is especially acclaimed for Hypnotique, Afro-Desia, and Quiet Village. Denny is also known for launching the careers of vibist Arthur Lyman and of Julius Wechter, the latter later reaching mainstream success with the Tijuana Brass and the Baja Marimba Band. Denny's song Firecracker is said to have inspired Haruomi Hosono to establish the Yellow Magic Orchestra ~ Denny passed away in 2005
April 10, 1911 ~ Singer, saxophonist Victor Lombardo born in London, Canada ~ Original member of family outfit the Royal Canadians alongside Carmen Lombardo, Lebert Lombardo, and the most famous brother Guy Lombardo. Although the group was viewed by some in the jazz and big band community as “boring, mainstream pop”, the group would be immensely popular, especially during the 1940s and 1950s. Trumpeter Louis Armstrong has repeatedly named the group as his favorite orchestra. Victor would take over leadership of the group after his brother Guy's death in 1977 ~ Lombardo passed away in 1994
April 10, 1902 ~ Conductor, cornetist, composer Harry Mortimer born in Hebden Bridge, UK ~ Son of conductor Fred Mortimer. Considered one of the premier cornetists of his day. Has worked with the Luton Brass Band, the Morris Concert Band. the Hallé Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC Northern Orchestra, the Coventry Band, the Men O'Brass, and others ~ Mortimer passed away in 1992