April 13, 2022 ~ Pop bassist Lennart Hegland passed away ~ Co-founding member of the Hep Stars, known for songs such as Farmer John, Cadillac and Bald Headed Woman all of which would top the charts in the band's native Sweden. The band would also be noted for including Benny Anderson of future ABBA fame. By the time the band broke up in the early 1970s Hegland was the sole remaining original member ~ Hegland was born in 1943
April 13, 2022 ~ Rock, post-hardcore bassist Tim Feerick passed away ~ Best known as member of Dance Gavin Dance, initially as a touring member starting in 2009. Feerick became an official full-time member in 2013. The band is best known as thriving force behind and regular headliner of Swanfest music festival and for their 2016 Mothership album which reached top 20 on the Billboard Hot 200 album charts ~ Feerick was born ca.1988
April 13, 2020 ~ Antônio Carles Moreira Pires, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Moraes Moreira, passed away in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ One of the most versatile songwriters in Brazilian rock, drawing from rock, samba, choro, balão and classical music. Co-founding member and along with Pepeu Gomes principal songwriter of Novos Baianos, a band especially acclaimed for their 1972 landmark Acabou Chorare album which is considered one of the greatest Brazilian rock albums of all time. Well over two dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with the eponymous Moraes Moreira album released in 1975 ~ Moreira was born in 1947
April 13, 2020 ~ Jazz fusion guitarist, bandleader, composer Ryo Kawasaki passed away in Tallinn, Estonia ~ Leader and sideman. One of the first to develop and popularize jazz fusion. Worked with Gil Evans, Elvin Jones, Chico Hamilton, Ted Curson, Joanne Brackeen, Carlos Santana, Gato Barbieri, Clint Houston, Takeshi Inomata, Steve Marcus, Shigeharu Mukai, Masahiko Satoh, Cedar Walton, and others ~ Kawasaki was born in 1947
April 13, 2019 ~ Keyboardist, guitarist Paul Raymond, full name Paul Martin Raymond, passed away ~ Best known as member of UFO and the Michael Schenker Group. Previously worked with Plastic Penny, Chicken Shack replacing Christine McVie, Savoy Brown, and Danny Kirwan ~ Raymond was born in 1945
April 13, 2018 ~ Cornelis Tol, commonly known as guitarist Cees Tol, passed away ~ Best known as member of BZN from 1966 through 1988. Co-wrote songs such as Pearlydumm, Just An Illusion and Amore. Formed the duo Tol & Tol with his brother Thomas Tol, known for the 1990 hit Eleni. Has also written for Jan Smit ~ Tol was born in 1947
April 13, 2016 ~ Jazz flutist Jeremy Steig passed away in Yokohama, Japan ~ Leader and sideman. Sampled by the Beastie Boys, the song Howling For Judy provides the main instrumental part of the Beastie song Sure Shot. Steig recorded as a leader since 1963. Has collaborated with Tommy Bolin, Hank Crawford, Art Farmer, Urbie Green, Mike Mainieri, Idris Muhammad, Lalo Schifrin, Peter Walker, and with Johnny Winter ~ Steig was born in 1942
April 13, 2016 ~ Mariano Alberto Martinez, commonly known as tango pianist, composer, conductor Mariano Mores, passed away in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Member of La Cuyanita. Member of the Trio Mores. Has also worked with Roberto Firpo, Valdo Sciammarella, Francisco Canaro, Enrique Santos Discépolo, Cátulo Castillo, and others ~ Martinez was born in 1918
April 13, 2016 ~ Jazz saxophonist Pete Yellin, full name Peter Michael Yellin, passed away in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Chick Corea, Lionel Hampton, Buddy Rich, Tito Puente, Joe Henderson, Mario Bauzá, Charles Earland, Maynard Ferguson, Sam Jones, George Benson, Eddie Palmieri, Bob Mintzer, and others ~ Yellin was born in 1941
April 13, 2013 ~ Producer, bandleader, arranger, songwriter Vincent Montana Jr passed away in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA ~ Sometimes referred to as “the Godfather of Disco”. Founding member of MFSB. Founding member of the Salsoul Orchestra. Active since the late 1940s, working with jazz giants such as Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughan, Clifford Brown, Red Garland. Also worked with Frankie Avalon (Venus), Chubby Checker, Bobby Rydell, and others. Teamed up with Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell by the 1970s to play a key role in the development of disco. Has worked with the Intruders, the Delfonics, the Spinners, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, the O'Jays, the Trammps, Eddie Kendricks, William Devaughn, Billy Paul, Lou Rawls, the Stylistics, Teddy Pendergrass, and numerous others ~ Montana was born in 1928
April 13, 2009 ~ Numa Smith Moore, commonly known as jazz, R&B saxophonist Pee Wee Moore, passed away ~ Not to be confused with Sol Moore, who at times would also go by Pee Wee. Worked with Lucky Millinder, Louis Jordan, Wynonie Harris, Illinois Jacquet, James Moody, Dizzy Gillespie, Mary Lou Williams, Bill Doggett, and others ~ Moore was born in 1928
April 13, 2005 ~ Clyde Johnnie Johnson, commonly known as jazz, blues, rock & roll pianist Johnnie Johnson passed away in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Particularly known for backing Chuck Berry. Posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for breaking racial barriers in the military ~ Johnson was born in 1924
April 13, 2005 ~ Salvador Camarata, commonly known as trumpeter, producer, composer, arranger Tutti Camarate, passed away in Burbank, California, USA ~ Worked with Benny Goodman, Jimmy Dorsey (arranged Tangerine, Green Eyes, Your), Tommy Dorsey, Glen Gray, the Casa Loma Orchestra, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Nancy Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and others ~ Camarata was born in 1913
April 13, 2004 ~ Richard Joel Rosenblatt, commonly known as songwriter, producer Ritchie Cordell passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Wrote and produced several songs for Tommy James & the Shondells, including the hits I Think We're Alone Now and Mony Mony. Also co-produced Joan Jett's smash hit I Love Rock 'n Roll and the Ramones 1983 Subterranean Jungle album. Funny thing, in 1987 a cover of one of Rosenblatt's Shondells hits, Tiffany's I Think We're Alone Now, replaced another, namely Billy Idol's Mony Mony, at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 ~ Rosenblatt was born in 1943
April 13, 2003 ~ Tenor, alto saxophonist Allen Eager passed away in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA ~ Started at 15 briefly playing with Woody Herman. Went on to play with artists such as Bobby Sherwood, Sonny Dunham, Shorty Sherock, Hal McIntyre, Tommy Dorsey, Johnny Bothwell, and others. His recording debut as a leader was for Savoy Records in 1946, backed by pianist Edwin Finckel, bassist Bob Carter and drummer Max Roach. Eager would go on to work with Coleman Hawkins, Fats Navarro, Charlie Parker, Red Rodney, Stan Getz, Tadd Dameron, Gerry Mulligan, Terry Gibbs, Buddy Rich, and others ~ Eager was born in 1927
April 13, 2002 ~ Alessandro Guido Baroni, commonly known as pop singer, balladeer Alex Baroni, passed away ~ Released four albums during his lifetime, starting with Fuorimetrica in 1994 ~ Baroni was born in 1966
April 13, 2000 ~ Nii Lante Augustus Kwamiah Quaye, commonly known as jazz singer, pianist Cab Kaye, passed away in London, UK ~ Mixed blues, stride piano and scat singing with his Ghanaian heritage. Son of Doris Balderson, an English music hall singer, and bandleader, pianist, percussionist Ernest Mope Desmond. Trailblazer for black British musicians and racial equality in the music business. Led All-Coloured Band, led the Latin-American Band. First gained attention in a song contest winning a touring spot with Billy Cotton. Has also worked with Doug Swallow, Hal Swain, Ivor Kirchin, Ken Snakehips Johnson, Don Mario Barretto, Roy Eldridge, Sandy Williams, Slam Stewart, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Willie The Lion Smith, Leslie Hutchinson, the Cabinettes, Ronnie Ball, Mona Baptiste, Vic Lewis, Tadd Dameron, Django Reinhardt, Don Byas, Rupert Nurse, Deacon Jones, a very young Shirley Bassey, Mary Lou Williams, Dizzy Reece, Denis Rose, Eartha Kitt, Ken Moule, Wally Bishop, Jack Good, Ronnie Scott, Humphrey Lyttelton, Kenny Ball, and others ~ Quaye was born in 1921
April 13, 1999 ~ Singer, songwriter Marcel Martel passed away ~ Known for songs such as La Chaine De Nos Coeurs and Souvenir De Mon Enfance. Has frequently collaborated with his wife Noëlla Therrien, his daughter Renée Martel, and with country singer Paul Brunelle ~ Martel was born in 1925
April 13, 1986 ~ Dorothy Jeanne Thompson, commonly known as harpist Dorothy Ashby, passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Leader and sidewoman. Hailed in her day as one of the most accomplished jazz harpists, establising the harp as a valid improvisational instrument. Has worked with Jimmy Cobb, Ed Thigpen, Frank Wess, Louis Armstrong, Woody Herman, Bill Withers, Minnie Riperton, Stevie Wonder (Songs In The Key Of Life), Sonny Criss, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Womack, and others ~ Thompson was born in 1932
April 13, 1985 ~ Jon Kevin Freeman Jr, commonly known as hip hop rapper, producer, songwriter Jon Connor, born ~ Has been releasing mixtapes since the mid-2000s. Best known for his 2013 full-length Unconscious State debut album. Has collaborated with the likes of Statik Selektah, Keke Palmer, Dr Dre, Chris Webby, and Locksmith
April 13, 1985 ~ Tyrone William Griffin Jr, commonly known as producer, rapper, singer, songwriter Ty Dolla $ign, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ First gained attention as featured vocalist, producer and co-writer on YG's 2010 hit Toot It And Boot It. Released his full-length Free TC solo debut album in 2015. As a solo artist best known for songs such as Paranoid, Or Nah and Blasé. Has worked, in one capacity or another, with artists such as Young Jeezy, Wiz Khalifa, BoB, Trey Songz, E-40, Damian Marley, Lupe Fiasco, Fifth Harmony (Work From Home), Chris Brown, Omarion, Rihanna, Jason Derülo, and others
April 13, 1984 ~ Singer Nicole Holness born in Toronto, Canada ~ Member of X-Quisite. Released her solo album, Unreleased, in 2011
April 13, 1983 ~ Charles Mitchell Coker, commonly known as jazz pianist Dolo Coker, passed away ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Sonny Stitt, Gene Ammons, Lou Donaldson, Art Pepper, Philly Joe Jones, Dexter Gordon, Xanadu All-Stars, Jimmy Heath, Frank Morgan, Blue Mitchell, Harold Land, Leroy Vinnegar, Junior Cook, Sonny Criss, Harry Sweets Edison, and others ~ Coker was born in 1927
April 13, 1982 ~ Pop, rock singer Marcel Veenendaal born in Ede, the Netherlands ~ Best known as frontman, lead singer of Di-rect since 2009, replacing original member Tim Akkerman. Appears on hits such as The Times Are Changing, This Is Who We Are and The Chase, all of which reached top 30 in the Netherlands. Had previously gained attention as runner-up in the talent show Sterrenjacht aired by AVRO in 2004 and starred in Dutch theater productions of musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wiz, Hair and Tommy
April 13, 1979 ~ Pop singer, songwriter Tony Lundon, full name Anthony William James Lundon, born in Galway, Ireland ~ Best known as member of Liberty X, a group formed through the 2001 talent contest Popstars. The group would score a string of UK hits, including the top 10 hits Thinking It Over, Just A Little, Got To Have Your Love, Holding On For You, Being Nobody featuring Richard X, Jumpin', Song 4 Lovers, A Night To Remember, before disbanding in 2006
April 13, 1975 ~ Guitarist Johan Hallgren born in Sweden ~ Best known as member of progressive rock, hard rock band Pain Of Salvation. Has also worked with Crypt Of Kerberos
April 13, 1975 ~ David Lubega, commonly known as singer, songwriter Lou Bega, born in Munich, West Germany ~ Best known for his single Mambo No.5, an international hit in 1999
April 13, 1973 ~ Jazz trumpeter Lammar Wright Sr passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Worked with Bennie Moten, the Missourians, Cab Calloway, Don Redman, Claude Hopkins, Cootie Williams, Lucky Millinder, Sy Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Arnett Cobb, Count Basie, the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, George Shearing, and others ~ Wright was born in 1907
April 13, 1973 ~ Jazz pianist, drummer, bandleader Sonny Clay passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Played with Charlie Green, Jelly Roll Morton, Reb Spikes, Camille Allen, Kid Ory. As a leader his sidemen included Ivie Anderson, Teddy Buckner, and Les Hite ~ Clay was born in 1899
April 13, 1972 ~ Nu metal, alternative metal, post-grunge, alternative rock, country rock, alternative country singer, guitarist Aaron Lewis born in Turland, Vermont, USA ~ Best known as lead singer, rhythm guitarist, co-founding member of nu metal band Staind, acclaimed for their 2011 eponymous Staind. Has also recorded as a solo artist, focusing on country music, starting with the 2011 Town Line EP featuring guests such as George Jones, Charlie Daniels, and Chris Young. Guested on Limp Bizkit's No Sex of their 1999 Significant Other album. Has also worked with Linkin Park, Sevendust, Cold, Fred Durst, and others
April 13, 1967 ~ Clifton George Bailey III, commonly known as reggae, dancehall singer Capleton, born in Islington, Jamaica ~ Emerged in the late 1980s. Best known for songs such as Bumbo Red, Number One On The Look Good Chart, Alms House, Music Is A Mission, Tour and Prophet
April 13, 1967 ~ Olga Teresa Tañón Ortiz, commonly known as singer Olga Tañón, born ~ Rose to fame as a member of merengue group Chantelle, present on their biggest hit Aunque Tu No Quieras. Has recorded about a dozen solo albums since, starting with Sola. Well known for songs such as Presencie Tu Amor, Entre La Noche Y El Dia, Basta Ya, Me Subas Me Bajas, Como Olcidar, and Asi Es La Vida. Also notably known for her 2006 collaborative recording Nuestro Himo with Pitbull, Carlos Ponce and Wyclef Jean, a Spanish translation of the United States national anthem The Star-Spangled Banner in support of Latin American immigrants
April 13, 1966 ~ Guitarist Marc Ford born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Lead guitarist of the Black Crowes, first appearing on the band's 1992 sophomore Southern Harmony & The Musical Companion album and remaining with the band through 1996. Also worked with Bunring Tree, Magpie Salute, Ben Harper, Izzy Stradlin, Gov't Mule, and others
April 13, 1966 ~ Jazz pianist, guitarist, saxophonist, bassist Miles Black born in Port Alberni, Canada ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Skywalk, Glenda Rae, Altered Laws, Carl Allen, Gaye Delorme, Harry Sweets Edison, Jim Ferguson, Maynard Ferguson, Rob Frayne, Johnny Frigo, Oliver Gannon, Slide Hampton, Paul Horn, Jeff Hyslop, Chuck Israels, Ernie Krivda, Sam Masich, Ann Mortifee, Houston Person, Max Roach, Claudio Roditi, Lew Tabackin, Shari Ulrich, Von Freeman, Rodney Whitaker, and others
April 13, 1964 ~ British pop group the Hollies record Here I Go Again at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Written by Mort Shuman and Clive Westlake. Produced by Ron Richards. The band's first original single, the previous four all covers. Released the following May, b/w Baby That's All, it would reach top 10 in their native UK. The American release, featuring a cover of Little Richard's Lucille on the flipside, would fail to chart
April 13, 1964 ~ Guitarist, violinist Tetuzi Akiyama born ~ Founded the improv group Madhar and the classical ensemble the Hikyo String Quartet. Has also worked with Keiji Haino, Takashi Matsuoka, Jozef van Wissem, Günter Müller, David Sylvian, and others
April 13, 1962 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Art Alexakis, full name Arthur Paul Alexakis, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as guitarist and founding member of Everclear, teaming up with Craig Montoya and Scott Cuthbert. Also worked with the Easy Hoes, Colorfinger, and others. Alexakis is known as a political activist involved in charities relating to child abuse, drug awareness and support for veterans
April 13, 1962 ~ Funk rock, punk rock, alternative rock guitarist, sitarist, singer Hillel Slovak born in Haifa, Israel ~ Co-founding member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, departing the band before the recording of their debut album, rejoining for the next two albums Freaky Styley and The Uplift Mofo Party Plan. Following Slovak's overdose death at age 26 the band have written several Pepper songs as tributes to him, including Knock Me Down, My Lovely Man, and Feasting On The Flowers ~ Slovak passed away in 1988
April 13, 1961 ~ Actress, singer Liz Callaway born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for providing the singing voices for female characters in a number of animated feature films including Anastasia, Swan Princess, The Beauty And The Beast, Pocahontas and perhaps most notably the singing voice of Jasmine in the Aladdin sequels The Return Of Jaffar an Aladdin And The King Of Thieves
April 13, 1960 ~ Jazz singer Beverly Kenney passed away in Greenwich Village, New York, USA ~ Worked with Tony Tamburello, the Dorsey Brothers, George Shearing, Don Elliott, Kai Winding, Lester Young, Johnny Smith, Julius Watkins, Billy Bauer, and others ~ Kenney was born in 1932
April 13, 1957 ~ R&B, soul keyboardist Wayne Lewis born in White Plains, New York, USA ~ Member of Atlantic Starr, known for 1980s, 1990s Billboard top 10 hits such as Secret Lover, Always and Masterpiece
April 13, 1956 ~ Rock, progressive rock guitarist, singer, author Davor Slamnig born in Zagreb, Croatia ~ To music audiences best known as a member of cult band Buldozer, present on the band's 1980 Izlog Jeftinih Slatkisa album. Co-wrote songs such as Karlo, Slovinjak Punk, and Zene I Muskarci. Released his Mira Furlan I Orkestar Davora Slamniga solo debut album in 1982. Also well known as an author, noted for his Topli Zrak novel published in 2002
April 13, 1955 ~ Bassist, songwriter Louis Johnson born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Brothers Johnson, known for 1970s hits such as I'll Be Good To You, Strawberry Letter 23 and Stomp. In-demand session musician, notably present on songs such as Michael Jackson's Don't Stop Till You Get Enough and Billie Jean, Michael McDonald's I Keep Forgetting Every Time You're Near, and George Benson's Give Me The Night. Also appeared on albums by Billy Preston, Bobby Womack, Grover Washington Jr (Feels So Good), Bill Withers, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, the Pointer Sisters, the Crusaders, Patti Austin (Every Home Should Have One), the Passage, Lee Ritenour, Donna Summer, James Ingram, Peabo Bryson, the Jacksons (Victory), Aretha Franklin (Who's Zoomin' Who), the Isley Brothers, George Duke, and Brian McKnight ~ Johnson passed away in 2015
April 13, 1955 ~ Christian singer, guitarist, pianist Steve Camp born in Wheaton, USA ~ Revered Christian singer with about two dozen albums to his name, starting with Sayin' It With Love released in 1978. Duetted with Michele Pillar on Love's Not A Feeling, and with BeBe Winans on Do You Feel Their Pain. Also frequently collaborated with Rob Frazier, Scott Wesley Brown, and with keyboardist Michael Omartian
April 13, 1954 ~ James Mollica, commonly known as keyboardist, songwriter, producer Jimmy Destri, born ~ Best known as key member of punk pop, new wave act Blondie. Wrote or co-wrote a vast amount of the band's material including Look Good In Blue, Picture This, Atomic and Maria
April 13, 1953 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion guitarist, composer Grant Geismann born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Played guitar on the theme of comedy drama TV series Monk. Has worked with Gerald Wilson, Louie Bellson, Chuck Mangione, Pete Christlieb, Sheila E, Miki Howard, Quincy Jones, Diane Schuur, Van Dyke Parks, David Benoit, Ringo Starr, Robbie Williams, Liza Minnelli, and others
April 13, 1953 ~ Drummer Tom Olstad born in Gjovik, Norway ~ Worked with Harald Gunhus, Guttorm Guttormsen, Atle Hammer, Carl Magnus Neumann, Odd Riisnæs, Christian Reim, Karin Krog, Brinck Johnson, Merethe Mikkelsen, Sverre Kjelsberg, Magni Wentzel, Kjell Karlsen, Paul Weeden, Art van Damme, Benny Bailey, Art Farmer, Kenny Drew, James Moody, Eddie Harris, and others
April 13, 1952 ~ Latin jazz, jazz singer, guitarist Rosa Passos born in Salvador, Brazil ~ Debuted in 1979 with the Recriação album and has recorded to critical acclaim and international succes since with some two dozen albums to her name. The 2004 rerelease of her sophomore Amorosa album would earn her attention in America. Has worked with Lula Galvao, Ron Carter, Paquito d'Rivera, and others
April 13, 1951 ~ Drummer Max Weinberg born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Influenced by Elvis Presley-drummer DJ Fontana. Best known as longtime member of Bruce Springsteen's backing unit the E Street Band.
April 13, 1951 ~ R&B, soul singer Peabo Bryson born in Greenville, South Carolina, USA ~ Especially known for a number of romantic duets with female singers including Natalie Cole, Minnie Riperton, Melissa Manchester, Roberta Flack (Tonight I Celebrate My Love), Chaka Khan, Regina Belle, and others. As a solo artist known for songs such as Feel The Fire, I'm So Into You and perhaps his best-known If Ever You're In My Arms Again, the latter reach Billboard top 10 in 1984
April 13, 1947 ~ Athanasios Mikroutsikos, commonly known as entekhno pianist, composer Thanos Mikroutsikos, born in Patra, Greece ~ Considered one of the most important contemporary Greek composers. Known for his left-leaning politics and activism, persecuted by the Greek military junta, serving as politician including as Deputy Minister of Culture after the restoration of democracy. As a recording artist released his Politika Tragoudia debut album in 1975. Would continue to record to critical acclaim and become an in-demand composer, his songs recorded by the likes of Maria Dimitriadi, Haris Alexiou, Manolis Mitsias, Dimitris Mitropanos, George Dalaras, Vasilis Papakonstantinou, and others ~ Mikroutsikos passed away in 2019
April 13, 1946 ~ Singer Al Green born in Forrest City, Kansas, USA ~ Influenced by Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, Mahalia Jackson and Elvis Presley. Mentored and guided by Willie Mitchell. Became one of the leading figures of early 1970s soul and arguably the biggest star on Mitchell's Hi-Records label scoring hits such as Tired Of Being Alone, Call Me (Come Back Home) and Let's Stay Together. Like many before him, rooted in the Church, Green struggled between the sacred and the sinful. By the end of the decade sales dropped, he would pursue a career as minister, leave Hi-Records and turn exclusively to gospel music for about a decade. He returned to secular music, and the charts, in the late 1980s, notably a duet with Annie Lennox, Put A Little Love In Your Heart. Green would continue to collaborate with a wide variety of stars including Lyle Lovett, Queen Latifah, Corinne Bailey Rae and John Legend
April 13, 1946 ~ Linda Hoile, commonly known as jazz rock singer, songwriter Linda Hoyle, born in London, UK ~ Member of short-lived jazz rock outfit Affinity, acclaimed especially for their eponymous Affinity album released in 1970
April 13, 1946 ~ Singer, guitarist Roy Loney born ~ Influential on punk and power-pop. Original lead singer of the Flamin' Groovies, remaining with the band from 1965 through 1971. Present on the band's first three critically acclaimed albums, namely Supersnazz, Flamingo and Teenage Head ~ Loney passed away in 2019
April 13, 1945 ~ Singer, guitarist, sitarist, flutist, saxophonist, songwriter Lowell George, full name Lowell Thomas George, born in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Active since the mid-1960s. Member of the Factory, known for their Smile Let Your Life Begin single. Backed Frank Zappa as member of the Mothers Of Invention. Best known for co-founding and fronting Little Feat, acclaimed for a string of 1970s albums including Little Feat, Sailin' Shoes, and Dixie Chicken ~ George passed away in 1979
April 13, 1944 ~ Bassist, guitarist, keyboardist Brian Pendleton born in Wolverhampton, UK ~ Co-founding member of the Pretty Things, remaining with the band through 1966. Present on the band's first two album's, The Pretty Things and its follow-up Get The Picture. Noted for his slide guitar playing and Rosalyn, the band's 1964 debut single ~ Pendleton passed away in 2001
April 13, 1944 ~ John William Casady, commonly known as bassist Jack Casady, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Member of the Jefferson Airplane from shortly after its inception in 1965 remaining with the band through 1972. Present on the band's best known including the era-defining Somebody To Love and White Rabbit of the seminal 1967 Surrealistic Pillow album. Co-founded Hot Tuna with Airplane bandmate Jorma Kaukonen in 1969
April 13, 1943 ~ Electric blues, soul blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Floyd Miles born in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA ~ In-demand backing musician. Worked with Arthur Conley, Erma Franklin, Curtis Mayfield, Eddie Floyd, Percy Sledge, Clarence Carter, and others. Released his solo debut album, Crazy Man, in 1992 which featured backing from longtime friends Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts ~ Miles passed away in 2018
April 13, 1943 ~ Producer, band manager Guy Stevens born in East Dulwich, UK ~ Label executive for British Sue Records. A&R executive for Island Records. Came up with the band names for Procol Harum and Mott The Hoople. Produced acts such as Alex Harvey, Larry Williams, Lee Dorsey. Managed and produced Hapshash & the Coloured Coat. Co-produced the Clash's London Calling album ~ Stevens passed away in 1981
April 13, 1942 ~ Producer, bassist, guitarist Alvin Ranglin born in May Pen, Jamaica ~ Member of the Maytones, including on the 1969 hit Loving Reggae. Founder of the GG Records label and member of house band the GG All-Stars, known for the hit Man From Carolina. Has also worked with artists such as Eric Donaldson, Max Romeo, the Ethiopians, U-Roy, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Barrington Levy, and others
April 13, 1942 ~ Composer, conductor Bill Conti, full name William Conti, born in Providence, Rhode Island, USA ~ Best known for his film and TV scores including Rocky and some of its sequels, Karate Kid and all of its sequals, the Bond film For Your Eyes Only, the soap opera Dynasty and the 1983 feature film The Right Stuff. The latter earned Conti an Academy Award for Best Original Score
April 13, 1942 ~ Singer, lutenist, guitarist, songwriter Martin Best born ~ Known for his renditions of Renaissance music, minstrel songs and French troubadour songs, often in relation to the works of writer William Shakespeare. Closely associated with the Royal Shakespeare Company, serving with the company as actor, singer, composer for three decades starting in the mid-1960s
April 13, 1942 ~ Isham Russell Jones II, commonly known as Rusty Jones, born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA ~ Worked with Judy Roberts, George Shearing, Marian McPartland, Adam Makowicz, Larry Novak, Patricia Barber, Frank D'Rone, Art Hodes, Ira Sullivan, JR Monterose, Stéphane Grappelli, Buddy DeFranco, Art van Damme, Kai Winding, Curtis Fuller, Lee Konitz, Wild Bill Davison, Anita O'Day, Mark Murphy, Flip Phillips, Morgan King, Red Holloway, Eddie Higgins, Ike Cole, Clifford Jordan, Franz Jackson, Bobby Enriquez, Monty Alexander, Catherine Whitney, and others ~ Jones passed away in 2015
April 13, 1941 ~ Soprano Margaret Price, full name Margaret Berenice Price, born in Blackwood, UK ~ First gained attention in the early 1960s as a member of the Ambrosian Singers, remaining only briefly with the ensemble. Would go on to work with the Royal Opera House, initially as an understudy yet rising to fame overnight filling in for Teresa Berganza in the role of Cherubino in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's The Marriage Of Figaro. Has also worked with the English Opera Group, the Cologne Opera, the Bavarian State Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, and others ~ Price passed away in 2011
April 13, 1940 ~ Harmonica player Lester Chambers born ~ Best known as member of psychedelic soul band the Chamber Brothers, known for incorporating elements of traditional gospel and blues, psychedelica and rock into soul, scoring a Billboard top 20 hit with the eleven-minute single Time Has Come Today in 1968
April 13, 1940 ~ Pianist, organist, composer Neal Creque born in St Thomas, Virgin Islands ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Pucho & the Latin Soul Brothers, Mongo Santamaria, Stanley Turrentine, Teresa Brewer, Leon Thomas, Harold Ousley, Bernard Pretty Purdie, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Grant Green, Eric Kloss, Johnny Lytle, Melvin Sparks, and others ~ Creque passed away in 2000
April 13, 1940 ~ Ralph Thomas Williams, commonly known as soul singer, songwriter Tony Clarke, born in New York, New York, USA ~ As a recording artist known for his 1965 hit The Entertainer. Also wrote Pushover and Two Sides To Every Story, hits for Etta James ~ Williams passed away in 1971
April 13, 1940 ~ Composer, conductor, violinist Vladimir Cosma born in Bucharest, Romania ~ Composed for stage, opera, symphony, orchestra, chamber ensembles, voice. Especially known as a composer for film and TV, with in excess of 300 scores to his name
April 13, 1938 ~ Jazz drummer Eddie Marshall born in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by Max Roach and Art Blakey. Worked with Charlie Mariano, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Mike Nock, Stan Getz, Sam Rivers, Dionne Warwick, the Fourth Way, Jon Hendricks, the Pointer Sisters, Almanac, Bebop & Beyond, Kenny Burrell, John Handy, Bobby Hutcherson, Archie Shepp, Art Pepper, and others ~ Marshall passed away in 2011
April 13, 1938 ~ Composer, pianist Frederic Rzewski, full name Frederic Anthony Rzewski, born in Westfield, Massachusetts, USA ~ Considered one of the most admired composers of his day, best known for the minimalist Coming Together and The People United Will Never Be Defeated, the latter regarded as a modern classic ~ Rzewski passed away in 2021
April 13, 1937 ~ Colin Frederick Jacobsen, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Col Joye, born in Sydney ~ Known for songs such as Bye Bye Baby, Rockin' Rollin' Clementine, Oh Yeah Uh Huh, Yes Sir That's My Baby and Heaven Is My Woman's Love
April 13, 1936 ~ Singer Stan Robinson born in Salford, UK ~ Worked with Allan Ganley, Keith Christie, Phil Seamen, the Downbeat Big Band, Tubby Hayes, John Burch, Long John Baldry, Sandy Brown, Humphrey Lyttelton, Kenny Clarke, the BBC Radio Orchestra, Dick Morrisey, Al Gay, Paul Carroll, Ian Carr, Kenny Wheeler, Greg Bowen, Don Rendell, Trevor Tomkins, Peter Shade, Maynard Ferguson, King Curtis, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, Andy Williams, Tony Bennett, the Charlie Watts Orchestra, Geoff Castle, Frank Holder, and others ~ Robinson passed away in 2017
April 13, 1934 ~ Jazz pianist Kirk Stuart, full name Charles Kinchelow Stuart, born in Charleston, Virginia, USA ~ Worked with Billie Holiday, Della Reese, Sarah Vaughan, Al Grey, Joe Williams, and others ~ Stuart passed away in 1982
April 13, 1934 ~ Composer, conductor, music director Siegfried Matthus born in Mallenuppen, Prussia ~ One of Germany's most performed contemporary composers. Perhaps best known for his 1991 opera Judith. Founder and music director of the the Kammeroper Schloss Rheinsberg Festival ~ Matthus passed away in 2021
April 13, 1932 ~ Yosef Banai, commonly known as singer, actor, dramatist Yossi Banai, born in Tel Aviv, Israel ~ Best known as an actor, working with most of the active theater companies in Israel and particalurly associated with playwright Nisim Aloni, starri9ng in numerous of the latter's plays. As a singer known for his smoky voice, and as a fine interpreter of usually translated works of Jacques Brel and Georges Brassens. Banai's son is Yuval Banai, lead singer of influential pop rock band Mashina ~ Banai passed away in 2006
April 13, 1931 ~ Songwriter, music publisher Maurice Abrahams passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing Bob Roberts's Ragtime Cowboy Joe and Fred Douglas's He'd Have To Get Under (Get Out And Get Under) ~ Abrahams was born in 1893
April 13, 1928 ~ Theodore Charles Cohen, commonly known as vibraphonist, pianist, drummer Teddy Charles born in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, USA ~ Worked with Miles Davis, Charles Mingus, Shelly Manne, Dion, Willy Bo Walker, Danny Flam, Bob Brookmeyer, Thad Jones, Eric Kloss, Teo Macero, and the Metronome All-Stars ~ Cohen passed away in 2012
April 13, 1923 ~ Jazz trumpeter, cornetist Don Joseph, full name Donald Frederick Joseph, born ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Manny Albam, Buddy Rich, Alvino Rey, Lucky Millinder, Bill Triglia, Red Mitchell, Chuck Wayne, Gerry Mulligan, Art Mardigan, Jackie Paris, and others ~ Joseph passed away in 1994
April 13, 1921 ~ Jazz, contradance, danzón bandleader, pianist Frank Emilio Flynn, full name Francisco Emilio Flynn Rodriguez, born in Havana, Cuba ~ Considered a pioneer of Afro-Cuban jazz, active since the 1940s in a number of forms of Cuban music including danzas, danzones, filin, and descarga. Founder and director of a number of seminal ensembles including Loquibamba, Los Modernistas, and the Quinteto Instrumental de Musica Moderna, the latter later evolving into Los Amigos ~ Flynn passed away in 2001
April 13, 1920 ~ Jazz clarinetist, composer John Laporta, full name John Daniel Laporta, born ~ Leader and sideman. Fused jazz with classical. Worked with Bob Chester, Woody Herman, Teo Macero, the Jazz Composers Orchestra, the Boston Pops, Leonard Bernstein, Leopold Stokowski, Igor Stravinsky, Kenny Clarke, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Buddy Rich, Lester Young, Charles Mingus, and others ~ LaPorta passed away in 2004
April 13, 1920 ~ Singer Ken Nordine born in Cherokee, Iowa, USA ~ Best known as narrator and voice-over artist featured in commercials and movie trailers. To music audiences known for his association with the beat and jazz-and-poetry movements. Notably present as the voice-over on Billy Vaughn's Shifting Whispering Sands, a Billboard top 10 hit in 1962 ~ Nordine passed away in 2019
April 13, 1913 ~ Western swing, country fiddler, singer Wade Ray, full name Lyman Wade Ray, born in Griffin, Illinois, USA ~ Early Western swing fiddler, singer, bandleader noted for including sidemen such as Kenneth Carllile and Curly Chalker early on in their careers. First to record Let Me Go Devil, penned by Jenny Lou Carson inspired by Hank Williams' battle with alcoholism and premature death. It would be instantly covered, using the original title, by Georgie Shaw, Johnny Bond and by Tex Ritter. It would become a jazz, pop standard after being rewritten to Let Me Go Lover at the insistence of producer Mitch Mitchell who felt the original “devil” would be too depressing for pop audiences ~ Ray passed away in 1998
April 13, 1906 ~ Lawrence Freeman, commonly known as saxophonist Bud Freeman born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ One of the most influential tenor saxophonists of the big band era ~ Freeman passed away in 1991
April 13, 1905 ~ Jazz saxophonist John Overton Williams born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Married to pianist Mary Lou Williams from 1926 through 1940, who also played piano in Williams' band the Synco Jazzers. Also closely associated with Andy Kirk. Has also worked with Terrence Holder, Cootie Williams, and Earl Hines ~ Williams passed away in 1996
April 13, 1902 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader, singer Del Porter, full name Delmar Smith Porter, born in Newberg, Oregon, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity from the 1930s onwards. Sang on Broadway, toured with Glenn Miller, recorded with Bing Crosby, Dick Powell and with Red Nichols ~ Porter passed away in 1977
April 13, 1883 ~ Wilhelm Levkowitz, commonly known as vaudeville singer Willie Howard, born in Neustadt, Germany ~ Formed the sibling duo the Howard Brothers with his younger brother Eugene Howard. The duo were among the earliest openly Jewish performers and known for their burlesque and vaudeville performances and appeared in several Broadway revues, most notably The Passing Show series starting in the early 1910s and the George Gershwin-penned Girl Crazy musical in 1930 ~ Levkowitz passed away in 1949