April 23, 1986 ~ Indie rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Yannis Philippakis, full name Yannis Barnabas Emanuel Philippakis, born in Karpathos, Greece ~ Co-founding member, lead singer of UK indie rock outfit Foals, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with the acclaimed Anitdotes released in 2008. The band merges dance-rock, new wave, and post-rock and is best known for songs such as My Number and Mountain At My Gates
April 23, 1983 ~ Singer Taio Cruz born in Sussex, UK ~ Cruz was part of Tricky Stewart's songwriting collective, responsible for hits such as Will Young's 2004 Your Game, before releasing his solo debut, Departure, in 2008. Cruz has also written or co-written songs for David Guetta (Little Bad Girl, Without You), Jennifer Lopez (I'm Into You), Olly Murs (Kiss Me), Tinchy Stryder (Never Leave Me), and for Cheryl (Stand Up)
April 23, 1979 ~ Alternative rock singer Lauri Ylönen, full name Lauri Johannes Ylönen, born in Helsinki, Finland ~ Co-founder, frontman of alternative rock outfit the Rasmus, known for Finnish No.1 hits such as F-f-f-falling, Heartbreaker/Days, No Fear, and Living In A World Without You. Their In The Shadows single released in 2003 would also reach top 10 across Europe
April 23, 1979 ~ Bassist, guitarist, singer Ryan Sinn born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Bassist for the Distillers, joining the band in 2000 replacing Kim Chi and first appearing on the band's Sing Sing Death House sophomore album. After departing the band in 2005 joined Angels & Airwaves, present on We Don't Need To Whisper. Has also worked with the Innocent, Blackpool, and Bhorelorde
April 23, 1976 ~ Twin brothers Aaron Dessner and Bryce Dessner born in USA ~ Both brothers are members of indie rock band the National, known best for the singles The System Only Dreams In Total Darkness, The Day I Die and You Had Your Soul With You. Aaron is also known for forming the duo Big Red Machine with Justin Vernon, as well as in-demand producer and songwriter for Taylor Swift, Frightened Rabbit, Ben Howard, Lisa Hannigan, and others. Bryce has worked with artists such Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Paul Simon, Sufjan Stevens, Nico Muhly, Jonny Greenwood, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Alejandro González Iñárritu, Justin Peck, Ragnar Kjartannson, Caroline Shaw, Kelley O'Connor, the Cloggs, and others
April 23, 1976 ~ Keyboardist Aron Magner born ~ Classically trained as a pianist. Influenced by jazz and classical music as well as by the likes of David Bowie, Pink Floyd, and the Doors. Co-founding member of Disco Biscuits, a band credited with bringing improvisational electronic music to the forefront of the live music scene.
April 23, 1975 ~ Jon Por Birgisson, commonly known as post-rock singer, guitarist, bassist, banjoist, keyboardist Jónsi, born in Iceland ~ Known for his use of a cello bow on guitar. Lead singer and instrumentalist for post-rock outfit Sigur Rós. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with 2010's Go, and collaborated with Alex Somers, Carl Michael Von Hauswolff, and others
April 23, 1974 ~ Christian techno, trance, electronic DJ, producer Andy Hunter born in UK ~ Active as a sound engineer since the early 1990s, working with artists such as Suede and Wonder Stuff. As a solo artist has recorded about a dozen albums since the early 2000s, especially noted for his 2002 Exodus album
April 23, 1972 ~ Singer Amira Medunjanin born in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina ~ Described as one of the great voices of sevdalinka, a traditional form of regional folk music. First gained attention guesting on the Mostar Sevdah Reunion's 2003 A Secret Gate album. Would released her Rosa solo debut album in 2005 and has recorded consistently since, with over half a dozen albums to her name
April 23, 1965 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal, nu metal guitarist, singer, songwriter Al B Romano born in Yonkers, New York, USA ~ Taught to play the guitar by Mountain's Leslie West. Briefly a member of Belladonna, fronted by former Anthrax singer Joey Belladonna. Co-founded supergroup Sun Red Sun, known for their sole eponymous Sun Red Sun album. Romano has also worked with Ian Gillan, John McCoy, and the Dali Gaggers, and is a vintage collector with guitars previously owned by Jimi Hendrix. Ace Frehley, Eddie Van Halen, and Eric Clapton in his collection
April 23, 1965 ~ Guitarist John McBain born in New Jersey, USA ~ Member of Monster Magnet, known for their 1991 Spine Of God album. Co-founded Hater, which also included Brian Wood and Soundgarden's Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd. Briefly played with the Queens Of The Stone Age, for whom he also co-wrote Regular John of their eponymous Queens Of The Stone Age debut album. Co-founded Wellwater Conspiracy. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with The In-Flight Feature released in 2006
April 23, 1961 ~ Jazz drummer Gene Calderazzo born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of the Partisans, alongside Julien Siegel, Phil Robson, and Thad Kelly. Also worked with Steve Lacy, Steve Grossman, Eddie Henderson, NDR, Mike Gibbs, Bheki Mseleku, UMO, Sting, Radiohead, James Moody, Phil Woods, Benny Golson, Ulf Wakenius, Gary Husband, Wayne Krantz, Bobby Watson, Eddie Gomez, Evan Parker, Randy Brecker, and with his brother Joey Calderazzo
April 23, 1960 ~ Indie rock, indie pop, alternative rock, jangle pop singer, guitarist David Gedge born in Bramley, UK ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, primary songwriter for Wedding Present, known best for a string of early 1990s hits including the UK top 20 hits Three, Silver Shorts, Come Play With Me, Loveslave, and Sticky. Also formed Cinerama, initially a duo with Sally Murrell, known for merging soundtrack-like arrangements with string and woodwind accompaniment and later gravitating more toward a rock-oriented sound
April 23, 1960 ~ Jazz alto saxophonist Jamie Talbot, full names James Robert Talbot, born in London, UK ~ Worked with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Clark Tracey, Stan Tracey, Jack Sharpe, Johnny Dankworth, Colin Towns, Guy Barker, Richard Niles, Shorty Rogers, Michael Nyman, Bud Shank, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, George Michael, Mel Tormé, Nelson Riddle, Gil Evans, Quincy Jones, and others
April 23, 1960 ~ Hard rock, glam metal, heavy metal guitarist Steve Clark, full name Stephen Maynard Clark, born in Hillsborough, UK ~ Member of Def Leppard from 1978 until his death of alcohol poisoning in 1991. Present on most of the band's best known including the acclaimed albums Pyromania and Hysteria. Co-wrote songs such as Bringing On The Heartbreak, Photograph, Love Bites, and Pour Some Sugar On Me ~ Clark passed away in 1991
April 23, 1959 ~ Pianist, songwriter Guy Allison born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Touring keyboardist for the Doobie Brothers from 1996 through 2015, also appearing on the band's Sibling Rivalry album released in 2000. Has also worked with Lodgic, the Moody Blues, World Trade, Air Supply, Unruly Child, Don Henley (Building The Perfect Beast), Boz Scaggs, Bobby Kimball, Nick Kamen, Carlene Carter, and others
April 23, 1958 ~ Jazz singer, guitarist Kendra Shank born in Woodland, California, USA ~ Mentored by Shirley Horn. Over half a dozen albums to her name, starting with Afterglow released in 1994 featuring Larry Willis and Gary Bartz. Has also worked with Peter Leitch, Ben Monder, John Stowell, and Geoffrey Keezer
April 23, 1958 ~ Pianist, guitarist, singer Yul Anderson born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Son of singer John Kassandra. Influenced by Mahalia Jackson, BB King, Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Johann Sebastian Bach. Opened for Earthquake, Eddie Money and Ray Charles while still in his early teens. Known for merging gospel, blues, R&B, adding elements of classical music. Social activist, organized several intercultural events. Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 ~ Anderson passed away in 2021
April 23, 1953 ~ Bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Gareth Williams, full name Gareth John Williams, born in Cardiff, UK ~ Best known as member of experimental rock, punk outfit This Heat, present on the band's eponymous This Heat debut album. Has subsequently played with the Flaming Tunes and Mind The Gap ~ Williams passed away in 2001
April 23, 1951 ~ Engineer, producer, label executive Rob Fraboni, full name Robert Alan Fraboni, born ~ Active since the early 1970s. Considered one of the most important engineers, producers in the history of rock. Has worked with labels such as Elektra Records, Warner Bros Records, Arista Records, RSO Records, and Island Records. Notable credits include engineering the soundtrack to the Band concert film The Last Waltz and accompanying album. Has also worked with the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones (Goat's Head Soup), Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker, Wayne Shorter, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt (Green Light), Tim Hardin, Melissa Etheridge, U2, John Martyn, Phoebe Snow, Ivan Neville, Keith Richards, Hubert Sumlin, and others
April 23, 1949 ~ John Errington, commonly known as rock, pop rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist John Miles, born in Jarrow, UK ~ Member of local band the Influence, which also included future Roxy Music-drummer Paul Thompson and future Geordie-guitarist Vic Malcolm. Active as a solo artist since the eary 1970s, best known for Highfly, Slowdown and Music, the latter a UK top 10 hit in 1975 and a radio staple since. Would go on to back artists such as Tina Turner, Joe Cocker, and Stevie Wonder ~ Errington passed away in 2021
April 23, 1949 ~ Bassist, producer Mans Groundstroem born in Finland ~ Rose to prominence as member of a number of pivotal Finnish rock bands, notably the Blues Section, Tasavallan Presidentti and Wigwam. Would go on enjoy a lengthy and prolific career as producer and engineer for artists such as Jukka Tolonen, Jim Pembroke, Pejje Phojola, Dave Lindholm, Albert Järvinen, the Hurriganes, Kaseva, and others
April 23, 1948 ~ Sandra Elayne Hurvitz, commonly known as avant-garde jazz, folk-jazz, blues singer, pianist, guitarist, mandolinist Essra Mohawk, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Signed to Reprise Records after being discovered by label executive Mo Ostin, which resulted in the highly acclaimed Primordial Lovers album released in 1970, featuring top-notch backing musicians such as Doug Hastings, Dallas Taylor, and James Zitro. Though never becoming a household name, Mohawk has recorded well through the 2000s to critical acclaim and a devoted following. Best known for songs such as Sufferin' Till Suffrage and Interjections. Songs written or co-written by Hurvitz have been recorded by the likes of Vanilla Fudge, Bobby & the Midnites (Haze), Cyndi Lauper (Change Of Heart), Tina Turner, Lorrie Morgan, Diana Ross, and Rita Coolidge (What's It Gonna Be) ~ Hurvitz passed away in 2023
April 23, 1947 ~ Jazz pianist Alan Broadbent born in Auckland, New Zealand ~ Leader, sideman, arranger. Has worked with Charlie Haden, Woody Herman, Chet Baker, Irene Kral, Sheila Jordan, Natalie Cole (won a Grammy for arranging Cole's When I Fall In Love), Warne Marsh, Bud Shank, Putter Smith, Frank Gibson Jr, Joe LaBarbera, Peter Erskine, Michael Feinstein, Scott Hamilton, Percy Faith, Barbra Streisand, Lee Ritenour, Toots Thielemans, and Karrin Allyson
April 23, 1947 ~ Country songwriter Kent Robbins, full name Kent Marshall Robbins, born in Mayfield, Kentucky, USA ~ Songs written or co-written by Robbins were recorded by Barbara Mandrell, Trace Adkins (Every Light In The House), Gary Allan, John Anderson (Straight Tequila Night), the Judds (Love Is Alive), Janie Fricke, Kathy Mattea, Ronnie Milsap (I'm A Stand By My Woman Man), Willie Nelson, Charley Pride, George Straitt (Write This Down), Tanya Tucker, Steve Wariner (Heart Trouble), Don Williams, Trisha Yearwood, and Shania Twain ~ Robbins passed away in 1997
April 23, 1945 ~ Pop, classical, orchestral guitarist, singer Peter Brideoake, full name Peter Arthur Brideoake, born in Adelaide, Australia ~ Member of 1960s pop group the Twilights, with whom he scored hits such as Needle In A Haystack and What's Wrong With The Way I Live. Following the band's disbandement in the late 1960s, Brideoake returned to college to formally study music and has since established himself as a songwriter and university lecturer ~ Brideoake passed away in 2022
April 23, 1941 ~ Pianist, clarinetist, violinist Elizabeth Walton Vercoe born in Washington DC, USA ~ Worked with the Memphis Chamber Orchestra, the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra, the Berkshire Symphony Orchestra, the New York Virtuoso Singers, and other renowned orchestras and ensembles
April 23, 1939 ~ Composer, arranger, conductor Patrick Williams born in Bonne Terre, Missouri, USA ~ Oscar-nominated, Emmy- and Grammy-winning film and television composer, conductor, arranger responsible for composing music for TV shows such as Columbo, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Streets Of San Francisco, and Sports Challenge. Composed jazz and orchestral works, including Concerto In Swing for clarinetist Eddie Daniels, Romances For Jazz Soloist And Orchestra for saxophonist Tom Scott and Theme For Earth Day for John Williams and the Boston Pops ~ Williams passed away in 2018
April 23, 1939 ~ Traditional pop singer Ray Peterson born in Denton, Texas, USA ~ Best known for songs such as The Wonder Of You which was later covered by Elvis Presley, the smash hit Tell Laura I Love Her, the Phil Spector produced Corrina Corrina and the Barry Mann & Gerry Goffin-written dramatic ballad I Could've Loved You So Well ~ Peterson passed away 2005
April 23, 1936 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Roy Orbison, full name Roy Kelton Orbison, born in Mayfield, Kentucky, USA ~ Defined a number of rock & roll archettypes, most notably the hopeless romantic, and praised for his passionate, swooning vocal style, complex song structures and depths of his ballads. Dubbed by some “the Enrico Caruso of Rock” for his operatic style. Best known for a number of early to mid-1960s hits, mostly self-written or co-written, including Only The Lonely, Running Scared, Crying, In Dreams and his best-known Oh Pretty Woman. Resurged in the 1980s shortly before his death, both as a solo artist and as co-founding member of supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, which also included George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne. The single I Got You, co-penned by U2's Bono, would be released one month after Orbison's death and be a global hit, including reaching top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 ~ Orbison passed away in 1988
April 23, 1935 ~ Vernice Green, commonly known as jazz alto saxophonist Bunky Green, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by Charlie Parker, Steve Coleman, Greg Osby. Worked with Charles Mingus, Sonny Stitt, Louie Bellson, Andrew Hill, Yusef Lateef, Ira Sullivan, Elvin Jones, Fontella Bass, Herb Lance, the Soulful Strings, Clark Terry, and others
April 23, 1935 ~ Antonio de Souza, commonly known as bossa nova, jazz drummer Milton Banana, born ~ Credited with inventing the bossa nova drumming style. Present on pivotal albums such as João Gilberto's Chega De Saudade debut album, and the Stan Getz and Gilberto collaboration Getz/Gilberto. De Souza has also recorded as a leader and collaborated with João Donato, Luiz Bonfá, Carlos Lyra, and Baden Powell ~ De Souza passed away in 1999
April 23, 1931 ~ Blues, jazz drummer Billy Davenport born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his association with Paul Butterfield, appearing on the 1966 East-West album. Has also worked with Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and Otis Rush ~ Davenport passed away in 1999
April 23, 1930 ~ Saxophonist Mikkel Flagstad born in Oslo, Norway ~ Son of cellist Ole Flagstad. Leader and sideman. Known for his cool jazz-influenced style. Has worked with the Be-bop Band, Tage Wilford, Hans Backe, Per Asplin, Karl Otto Hoff, Egil Monn-Iversen, Rolf Ericson, Simon Brehm, Atle Hammer, Kjell Karlsen, Erik Amundsen, and others ~ Flagstad passed away in 2005
April 23, 1928 ~ Trumpeter, bandleader Mike Daniels, full name Mike John Brett Daniels, was born in Norbiton, UK ~ Influenced by King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong. Best known for leading jazz ensemble the Delta Jazzmen for about three decades starting in 1948. Worked with sidemen such as Gordon Blundy, John Barnes, Keith Nichols, John Chilton, and others ~ Daniels passed away in 2016
April 23, 1924 ~ Jazz, swing, big band drummer Bobby Rosengarden, full name Robert Marshall Rosengarden, born in Elgin, Illinois, USA ~ Session and studio musician at NBC and ABC playing for a variety of TV shows. Member of a number of all-star ensembles, perhaps mosty notably Soprano Summit. Sideman on recordings by Stan Getz, Jimmy Smith, Sylvia Syms, Milt Hinton, Bob Wilber, Walter Wanderley, Kai Winding, and others ~ Rosengarden passed away in 2007
April 23, 1915 ~ Joseph P Lippman, commonly known as pop, jazz pianist, conduictor, arranger, composer Joe Lipman, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Composed and arranged for Bunny Berigan, Jimmy Dorsey, Sarah Vaughan, Charlie Parker, Glenn Miller (Blue Evening), Perry Como, and others. Has also worked with Benny Goodman, Vincent Lopez, Irving Aaronson, Artie Shaw, Nathaniel Shilkret, Nat King Cole, Mel Tormé, Eileen Barton, Kay Thompson, Vic Damone, Betty Madigan, Kay Armen, Bill Tabbert, Jan August, Ginny Gibson, Ella Mae Morse, Fran Warren, Bob Crosby, and others ~ Lippman passed away in 2007
April 23, 1905 ~ Songwriter Henry Tobias, full name Henry Hyman Tobias, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Brother of songwriters Charles Tobias and Harry Tobias, both regular collaborators. Probably best known for co-writing Miss You first recorded by Rudy Vallée in 1929 and covered by numerous artists including Bing Crosby, Bill Haley, and Dinah Washington. Other songs co-written by Tobias include Cooking Breakfast For The One I Love recorded by Fanny Brice, If I Had My Life To Live Over recorded by Larry Vincent, I Remember Mama recorded by the Andrews Sisters, and If I Knew Then What I Know recorded by the Ray Conniff Singers ~ Tobias passed away in 1997
April 23, 1895 ~ Jazz, Dixieland clarinetist Jimmie Noone born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Admired by Benny Goodman and Maurice Ravel, the latter reportedly basing his famous Boléro partly on one of Noone's live improvisations. One of the big three to emerge from the New Orleans music scene in the 1920s, the other two being Johnny Dodds and Sidney Bechet. Founded the Young Olympia Band with Buddy Petit. Also closely associated with Freddie Keppard, including in the Original Creole Band. Perhaps best known for leading the Apex Club Orchestra. Has also worked with Kid Ory, Papa Celestin, King Oliver, the Tuxedo Brass Band, and others ~ Noone passed away in 1944
April 23, 1894 ~ Charles Edward Davenport, commonly known as blues organist, singer Cow Cow Davenport, born in Anniston, Alabama, USA ~ Worked with Dora Carr, Tampa Red, and others. As a solo artist best known for the 1928 recording Cow Cow Blues containing an influential piano riff widely used in blues recordings since, up to and including in the Ahmet Ertegun-penned Mess Around, an early 1950s hit for Ray Charles. Davenport reportedly claimed to have written Arthur Crudup's Mama Don't Allow It and Louis Armstrong's I'll Be Glad When You're Dead (You Rascal You), but have sold the rights
April 23, 1756 ~ Composer, organist Alexander Reinagle, full name Alexander Robert Reinagle, born in Portsmouth, UK ~ Not to be confused with his nephew Alexander Reinagle, also an organist, composer. Influenced by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Muzio Clementi. Best known for his set of keyboard sonatas, often dubbed The Philadephia Sonatas for being the first sonatas composed in America ~ Reinagle passed away in 1809