April 26, 1984 ~ Jazz singer, pianist, autoharp player Andrea Rydin Berge born in Oslo, Norway ~ Fronts the Andrea Kvintett, which also includes Svein Magnus Furu, Harald Lassen, Kim-Erik Pedersen, and Christian Meaas Svendsen. The ensemble is known for their 2012 eponymous Anrea Kvintett and its follow-up Russian Dream released the following year
April 26, 1984 ~ Lilian Alice Hiatt, commonly known as rock, country singer, guitarist, songwriter Lilly Hiatt, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Daughter of singer John Hiatt. Member of Shake Go Home before venturing out on her own. Released her full-length Let Down solo debut in 2012, produced by Doug Lancio, and has recorded consistently since
April 26, 1981 ~ Caroline Esmeralda van der Leeuw, commonly known as jazz, pop singer Caro Emerald, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Broke through with her A Night Like This single of the Deleted Scenes From The Cutting Room Floor. The song was originally written for a Martini commercial and was inspired by a scene from the Bond-film Casino Royale. Other well known songs include Back It Up, Tangled Up, Liquid Lunch and Stuck
April 26, 1981 ~ Niomi Arleen McLean-Daley, commonly known as singer, rapper, songwriter, producer Ms Dynamite, born in Crawley, UK ~ First appeared as featured vocalist on DJ, producer Sticky's Ms Dynamite single, a 2001 single which reached the UK top 20 and is considered one of the best UK garage tracks by critics. Would subsequently release her full-length A Little Deeper which spawned the hit singles It Takes More and Dy-Na-Mi-Tee. Has recorded throughtout the 2000s to critical acclaim and international commercial succes
April 26, 1979 ~ Jamal Phillips, mononymously known as rapper, producer Jamal, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Formed the early 1990s rap duo Illegal with Dallas Austin. As a solo artist known for his sole album, 1995's Last Chance No Breaks spawning the modest hit Fades 'Em All. Has also collaborated with Shyheim, Coolio, MC Breed, Method Man, Busta Rhymes, the DOC, and others
April 26, 1977 ~ Svavar Pétur Eysteinsson, commonly known as singer, songwriter Prins Póló, born ~ Co-founding member of alternative rock outfit Skakkamanage, known best for their 2008 All Over The Face sophomore album. Has also enjoyed a parallel solo career, recording half a dozen albums, starting with Jukk released in 2010 ~ Eysteinsson passed away in 2022
April 26, 1976 ~ Drummmer, producer, songwriter Adam Deitch, full name Adam David Deitch, born ~ Hip-hop, jazz, funk drummer. Member of Lettuce, member of Break Science. Has also worked with Talib Kweli, Soulive, the Average White Band, guitarist John Scofield, rappers such as Wax, 50 Cent, Pharoahe Monch, Redman & Xzibit, and with R&B and jazz singer Ledisi
April 26, 1976 ~ Folk, rock singer, guitarist, mandolinist, keyboardist, songwriter Declan O'Rourke born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Has recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with Since Kyabram released in 2004. Admired by peers, counting the likes of Ronnie Wood, Chris Rea, Paul Brady, and Paul Weller, the latter once exclaiming O'Rourke's Galileo (Someone Like You) was the song he most wished he'd written
April 26, 1976 ~ Drummer José Antonio Pasillas II born in Calabasas, California, USA ~ Influenced by 311's Chad Sexton, the Police's Stewart Copeland, Primus's Tim Alexander. Drummer, co-founding member of alternative rock band Incubus, known for songs such as Drive, Megalomaniac, Anna-Molly and Love Hurts. Self-taught, Pasillas has never received any formal drum training which he considers has both positives and negatives
April 26, 1975 ~ Heavy metal, nu metal, progressive metal drummer Joey Jordison, full name Nathan Jonas Jordison, born in Des Moines, Iowa, USA ~ Cited Keith Moon, John Bonham, Peter Criss, Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich as main influences. Best known as co-founding member of Slipknot, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums including the acclaimed Slipknot and Vol.3 (The Subliminal Verses). Has also worked with Ministry, Murderdolls, Scar The Martyr, Vimic, and Sinsaenum ~ Jordison passed away in 2021
April 26, 1973 ~ Country, bluegrass singer Melonie Cannon born in Jackson, Tennessee, USA ~ Daughter of songwriter, producer Buddy Cannon, sister of songwriter Marla Cannon Goodman. Sang backup for artists such as John Michael Montgomery, George Jones, and Kenny Chesney starting at age 14. Duetted with Sammy Kershaw on Cry Cry Darling at age 16. Released eponymous debut LP, Melonie Cannon, in 2004 featuring guests including Stuart Duncan, Dan Tyminski, Barry Bales, Rob McCoury, Rob Ickes, Randy Kohrs, Jerry Douglas. Has also worked with Willie Nelson, Ronnie Bowman, Sonya Isaacs, Adam Steffey, Randy Kohrs, Tim Stafford, Wyatt Rice, Aubrey Haynie, Jody King, Deanie Richardson, and others
April 26, 1971 ~ Giorgia Todrani, mononymously known as singer, songwriter Giorgia, born in Rome, Italy ~ One of the most popular Italian singers praised for her vocal range spanning 4 octaves, drawing comparisons to Whitney Houston. Regarded as an ambassador for Italian pop fairly well known across Europe, Canada and Latin America. Major hits include Come Saprei, Un'ora Sola Ti Vorrei, Girasole, and Di Sole E D'Azzurro, the latter penned by Zucchero
April 26, 1970 ~ Cory McKay, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Cormega, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ First gained attention in the early 1990s, appearing on tracks by Hot Day (Going Straight Up), and Blaq Poet (Set It Off). About half a dozen albums to his name, starting with The Realness released in 2001. Well known for his 2005 The Testament album, initially recorded for Def Jam Records in the mid-1990s intended as his debut album but the project would be shelved
April 26, 1970 ~ Pop singer Ruth Ann Boyle born in Sunderland, UK ~ Formed the band Olive with producers Tim Kellett and Robin Taylor Firth, known for the 1997 single You're Not Alone. Also worked with Enigma, singing lead vocals on Gravity Of Love and Silence Must Be Heard. Also worked with Grand Theft Audio and with Kojak. Released a solo album, What About Us, in 2007, available only on iTunes
April 26, 1970 ~ Drummer Shane Evan born ~ Original drummer of Collective Soul. Fired from the band in 2005. Previously a member of Marching Two Step, alongside Michele Rhea Caplinger, Ed Roland and Matt Serletic
April 26, 1970 ~ Tionne Tenese Watkinds, commonly known as singer, actress Tionne T-Boz Watkins, born in Des Moines, Iowa, USA ~ Best known as a member of TLC, known for hits such as Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg, What About Your Friends, Creep, Waterfalls, and No Scrubs. As a solo artist known for songs such as Touch Myself and My Getaway, as well as for collaborations with Da Brat (Ghetto Love), the Society Of Soul (Changes), Keith Sweat (He Say She Say), Raphael Saadiq (Different Times), and Paula Cole (Be Somebody)
April 26, 1969 ~ José Henrique Castanho de Gody Pinheiro, commonly known as producer, DJ Zé Gonzales, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ First gained attention as DJ for Planet Hemp, one of the top hip hop acts to come out of Brazil in the 1990s. Also well known for his collaboration with Sam Spiegel on the NASA project, the moniker an acronym of “North America South America” to reflect the duo's different origins. Both with and without Spiegel, Gonzales would go on to work with the likes of Sepultura, Kanye West, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, John Frusciante, MIA, and Major Lazer
April 26, 1968 ~ House, techno singer, songwriter, producer Curtis Jones, full name Curtis Alan Jones, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Active since the early 1990s under various monnikers including Cajmere and Green Velvet. Best known for his 1992 Percolator and the Dajae-collaboration Brighter Days the same year. Released his full-length Constant Chaos debut album in 1999
April 26, 1967 ~ Rock, alternative rock, indie rock drummer, percussionist Darrin Mooney, full name Darrin Shane Mooney, born in Merton, UK ~ Best known as a member of Primal Scream, joining the band in 1997 as replacement for Paul Mulreany. First appeared on the XTRMNTR album released in 2000. Has also worked with Martin Barre, Babylon Zoo, Colin Blunstone, Gary Moore, Bent, Deepest Blue, Dust Galaxy, and Dionne Bromfield
April 26, 1966 ~ Blues, R&B, rock, rock & roll drummer, guitarist, singer John Calarco born in Milwaukee, USA, USA ~ Worked with a number of Milwaukee based bands. Perhaps best known for backing Willy Porter, including co-writing several tracks of the acclaimed 1994 Dog Eared Dream album. Other notable collaborations include Daryl Stuermer, Greg Koch, and Mike Keane. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Pure released in 2002
April 26, 1965 ~ Radio DJ, TV personality Eddy Temple-Morris, full name Edward Owen Kayvan Temple-Morris, born in Cardiff, UK ~ Best known as a VJ and radio DJ for stations such as MTV, Channel 4, Virgin Radio UK and notably London radio station XFM, presenting The Remix for 15 years. Also forms the remixer duo the Losers with Tom Bellamy from the Cooper Temple Clause, the duo has remixed for Gossip, Rage Against The Machine, the Presets, and Placebo
April 26, 1964 ~ Trumpeter, pianist, composer Axel Dörner born in Cologne, Germany ~ Key figure in Berlin's improvisational and experimental music scene since the mid-1990s. Leader and sideman. Forms the trio TOOT with Phil Minton and Thomas Lehn. Has also collaborated with the likes of Otomo Yoshihide, die Anreicherung, Ig Henneman, Ken Vandermark, the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, and Alexander von Schlippenbach
April 26, 1964 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Jimmy Stafford born ~ Best known as lead and rhythm guitarist for Train, remaining with the band from its inception in 1994 through 2014. Present on most of the band's best known including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me), Hey Soul Sister, and Drive By
April 26, 1964 ~ Jazz, jazz-pop, pop singer Rebecka Törnqvist born in Uppsala, Sweden ~ Over a dozen albums to her name, starting with A Night Like This released in 1993. More of a pop singer with heavy jazz influences Törnqvist is nonetheless credited with reviving interest in female jazz singers in the 1990s. With the exception of her 2001 Vad Jag Vill album Törnqvist usually sings in English. Also noted for her collaborative albums with Sara Isaksson1, resulting in the 2006 Sara Isaksson & Rebecka Törnqvist Sing Steely Dan album, and with Johan Lindström on the Home Secretary collaborative album released in 2017
April 26, 1962 ~ Arjen de Vreede, commonly known as DJ, producer DJ DNA, born in the Netherlands ~ Pioneering DJ. Member of Urban Dance Squad. Member of JMX. Member of Stuurbaard Bakkebaard. Has remixed for Junkie XL and for de Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig. Also worked with Palinckx, the POW Ensemble, and with Defunkt. Had Kurtis Blow, Pax, Torre Florim and Janne Schra guest on Sum Of The Sound, his 2012 solo debut album
April 26, 1960 ~ Pianist, organist, composer Peter Schindler born in lternsteig, West Germany ~ Active mostly in musical theatre. Has worked with the Staatstheater Stuttgart, the Wurttembergische Landesbuhne Esslinge, Saltacello, Pipes & Phones and his own the Peter Schindler Combo
April 26, 1960 ~ Pop, new wave, synth-pop drummer Roger Taylor, full name Roger Andrew Taylor, born in Nechells, UK ~ Member of pop outfit Duran Duran from their inception in the late 1970s until 1985 and again from 2001 onwards. Present on most of the band's best known hits, including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Hungry Like The Wolf, Is There Something I Should Know, Union Of The Snake, New Moon On Monday, and The Reflex, the latter their first US No.1 hit. Taylor has also worked with Arcadia, Freebass, and formed the electro house Funk Face with Jake Roberts
April 26, 1959 ~ Keyboardist, composer, producer, engineer Jay Oliver born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Worked with Maynard Ferguson, Sheryl Crow, the Eagles, Jimmy Buffett, Wynonna Judd, Glenn Frey, Peabo Bryson, Chick Corea, Dave Weckl, Russ Kunkel, Jay Graydon, Céline Dion, and others
April 26, 1959 ~ Hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal singer, guitarist John Corabi in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Perhaps best known for fronting Mötley Crüe from 1992 through 1996 during Vince Neil's hiatus. Present on the band's eponymous 1994 Mötley Crüe album. Has also worked with Scream, Angora, Union, ESP, RATT, Twenty 4 Seven, Zen Lunatic, Brides Of Destruction, Angel City Outlaws, and fronted supergroup the Dead Daisies
April 26, 1959 ~ Athanasios Papakonstantinou, commonly known as singer Thanassis Papakonstantinou, born in Tyrnavos, Greece ~ Regarded as one of the most original singers in Greek music drawing from traditional folk while still remaining fresh, vibrant and relevant to his own time. Has collaborated with Giannis Aggelakas, Melina Kana, Sokratis Malames, Lizeta Kalimeri, and Nikos Papazoglou
April 26, 1957 ~ Conductor Rosa Briceño Ortiz born ~ First woman to lead the Banda Marical Caracas. In 1983 also became the first woman to lead a Venezuelan symphony orchestra, namely the Orquesta Sinfonica Simon Bolivar ~ Ortiz passed away in 2018
April 26, 1952 ~ Blues-rock drummer, singer Ralph Kinsey born in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Member of the Kinsey Report, which included his brothers Donald Kinsey and Kenneth Kinsey, family friend Ron Prince and led by patriarch Big Daddy Kinsey. The band recorded about half a dozen albums in the 1980s and 1990s, starting with 1988's Edge Of The City, and has toured with Albert King, and Muddy Waters
April 26, 1951 ~ R&B, jazz, gospel singer, songwriter Billy Newton-Davis born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Member of the Nylons. As a solo artist best known for songs such as Deeper, Find My Way Back, I Can't Take It and the Céline Dion duet Can't Live With You Can't Live Without You. Has also worked with the Boomtang Boys, Deadmau5, and with Nino Anthony
April 26, 1951 ~ Miguel Atilio Boccadoro Hernandez, commonly known as pop singer, guitarist, trumpeter, bandoneon player Diego Verdaguer, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Married to singer Amanda Miguel. Well over a dozen albums to his name, known best for songs such as Volveré, Corazón De Papel, Usted Qué Haria, La Ladrona, and Voy A Coonquistarte ~ Boccadoro passed away in 2022
April 26, 1949 ~ Singer, harmonica player, saxophonist Jimmy Hall born in Birmingham, Alabama ~ Lead singer of Southern rock outfit Wet Willie, known for songs such as Street Corner Serenade, Weekend and perhaps their best known song the 1974 hit Keep On Smiling. Has had moderate success with the solo singles Be Happy That Love Has Found You and Fool For Your Love. Guested on Jeff Beck's 1985 album Flash and toured with Hank Williams Jr playing sax and harmonica
April 26, 1945 ~ Drummer, songwriter Garry Peterson born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Member of the Guess Who. The band is best known for their 1970 American Woman single which would reach No.1 both in the USA and their native Canada. Other Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits included These Eyes, Laughing, No Time, No Sugar Tonight, and Share The Land
April 26, 1945 ~ Keyboardist, organist, singer Mike Finnigan, full name Michael Kelly Finnigan, born in Troy, Ohio. USA ~ Played with Jimi Hendrix, Joe Cocker, Etta James, Sam Moore, Crosby Stills & Nash, Buddy Guy, the Manhattan Transfer, Taj Mahal, Michael McDonald, Maria Muldaur, Peter Frampton, Cher, Ringo Starr, Leonard Cohen, Tower Of Power, Rod Stewart, David Coverdale, Tracy Chapman, the Lonely Boys, Bonnie Raitt, and Saving Escape ~ Finnigan passed away in 2021
April 26, 1943 ~ Singer, keyboardist, songwriter Gary Wright, full name Gary Malcolm Wright, born in Creskill, New Jersey, USA ~ Helped establish the synthesizer as a leading instrument in pop and rock. As a solo artist best known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles Dream Weaver and its follow-up Love Is Alive, both taken of his 1976 Dream Weaver album. On-and-off member of Spooky Tooth from its inception in 1967 through the mid-1970s, notably present on albums such as Spooky Two and You Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw. Guested on George Harrison's acclaimed 1970 All Things Must Pass album, marking the beginning of a longtime friendship. Also played with Ringo Starr & his All-Starr Band ~ Wright passed away in 2023
April 26, 1942 ~ Robert Louis Ridarelli, commonly known as pop, rock & roll singer, drummer, actor Bobby Rydell born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Early 1960s teen idol best known for songs such as Wild One, Swingin' School and Volare, all of which reached Billboard Hot 100 top 10. Appeared in the 1963 feature film Bye Bye Birdie based on the stage play of the same name ~ Ridarelli passed away in 2022
April 26, 1941 ~ Singer, songwriter Claudine Clark born in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for her sole hit, the self-penned Party Lights, which reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1962
April 26, 1940 ~ Producer, songwriter, film composer Giorgio Moroder, full name Giovanni Giorgio Moroder, born in Ortisel, Italy ~ Pioneering producer and songwriter dubbed “the Father of Disco” and best known for his association with Donna Summer, producing the majority of her work including Love To Love You Baby, I Feel Love, Bad Girls, On The Radio. Also known for a number of pivotal electronic albums, notably 1977's From Here To Eternity, and for composing soundtracks including the Academy Award-winning Midnight Express, American Gigolo, Scarface and Neverending Story
April 26, 1938 ~ Guitarist Duane Eddy born in Coming, New York, USA ~ One of the most popular guitarists of the 1950s and 1960s, known for his distinctive twangy sound. Helped popularize surf music. Cited as an influence by artists as diverse as George Harrison, Dave Davies, Hank Marvin, John Entwistle, Bruce Springsteen, Adrian Belew, and Mark Knopfler. Well known songs include Rebel Rouser, Cannonball, Forty Miles Of Bad Road, Because They're Young, and Dance With The Guitar Man
April 26, 1938 ~ Doo-wop, vocal R&B singer Maurice Williams born in Lancaster, South Carolina, USA ~ Best known for fronting the Zodiacs, previously named the Royal Charms and the Gladiolas, known for the 1960 Billboard No.1 hit Stay. At 1:36 it would be the shortest charttopper in Billboard history. The song would notably be covered by the Hollies in 1963, earning the band their first UK top 10 single, by the Four Seasons the same year and by Jackson Browne in 1978. The original Zodiacs version would be included on the soundtrack of the 1987 film Dirty Dancing, leading to a renewed interest and chart success
April 26, 1932 ~ Composer Francis Lai, full name Francis Albert Lai, born in Nice, France ~ Best known as a film composer, notably scoring the multiple award-winning soundtrack to Love Story
April 26, 1932 ~ Frank Caldarone, commonly known as jazz singer, guitarist Frank D'Rone, born in Brockton, Massachusetts, USA ~ Active during 1950s and 1960s, starting with the 1959 album Frank D'Rone Sings. Best known for his 1960 single Strawberry Blonde (The Band Rocked On) ~ Caldarone passed away in 2013
April 26, 1928 ~ Bebop pianist Herman Foster born in Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Eric Dixon, Dick Carter, Herbie Jones, Lou Donaldson, King Curtis, Bill English, Seldon Powell, Al Casey, Gloria Lynne, Earl May, Frankie Dunlop, Grassella Oliphant, Herman Wright, Bruno Carr, Jeff Fuller, Victor Jones, Joan Shaw, Jean Dushon, Johnny Hartman, and others ~ Foster passed away in 1999
April 26, 1926 ~ Joseph Benjamin Hutto, commonly known as blues slide guitarist, singer JB Hutto, born in Blackville, South Carolina, USA ~ Known for songs such as Combination Boogie, Loving You and Dim Lights. Worked with Eddie Porkchop Hines, Earring George Mayweather, Johnny Dyer, Johnny Jones, Sunnyland Slim, and Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre. Took over Hound Dog Taylor's backing unit the House Rockers after Taylor's death in 1975 ~ Hutto passed away in 1983
April 26, 1925 ~ William Dermot Colleran, commonly known as bluegrass singer, mandolinist, guitarist Mac Martin, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Playing professionaly while still in high school, starting out duetting with Ed Brozi. Formed the Pike County Boys in the late 1940s, and due to the band consisting of three “Bills” changed his stage name to Mac. Perhaps best known for founding the Dixie Travelers, active for about two decades starting in 1957 ~ Colleran passed away in 2022
April 26, 1924 ~ Theodore Marcus Edwards, commonly known as tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards, born in Jackson, Mississippi, USA ~ Edwards played with a host of leading jazz musicians including Charlie Parker, Roy Milton, Wynonie Harris, Vince Guaraldi, Joe Castro, Ernie Andrews, Dexter Gordon (notably on the 1947 seminal album The Duel), Houston Person, Benny Goodman, rocker Tom Waits (with whom Edwards toured on the Heartattack And Vine tour), Sonny Criss, Richard Groove Holmes, Milt Jackson, Hank Jones, Julie London, Shelly Manne, Les McCann, Howard McGhee, Freddie Redd, Max Roach, Clifford Brown, Jimmy Smith, Leroy Vinnegar, and Gerald Wilson ~ Edwards passed away in 2003
April 26, 1921 ~ Joseph Francis Giuffre, commonly known as saxophonist, arranger, composer Jimmy Giuffre, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Leader an sideman. Worked with Jimmy Giuffre 3, Woody Herman (wrote The Four Brothers), Howard Rumsey, the Lighthouse All-Stars, Shorty Rogers, Shelly Manne, Jim Hall, Ralph Peña, Jim Atlas, Bob Brookmeyer, Buddy Clark, Steve Swallow, Kiyoshi Tokunaga, Randy Kaye, Herb Ellis, Lee Konitz, Paul Bley, Chet Baker, Elmer Bernstein, Ray Brown, Peggy Connely, Buddy DeFranco, Shelly Manne, Helen Merrill, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Lennie Niehaus, Anita O'Day, Bill Russo, Sonny Stitt, Duane Tatro, and others ~ Giuffre passed away in 2008
April 26, 1921 ~ Jazz saxophonist, bandleader Preston Love, full name Preston Haynes Love, born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Took up the saxophone at age 15 and was playing with Count Basie by his early twenties. Active in territory bands in the 1940s and 1950s, most notably with Nat Towles and Lloyd Hunter, before leading his own groups. As a leader noted for the Johnny Otis-produced Preston Love's Omaha Bar-B-Q album released in 1969. Love has also guested on albums by Frank Zappa (Freak Out), T-Bone Walker, Shuggie Otis (Here Comes Shuggie), Cal Tjader, and Lucky Millinder ~ Love passed away in 2004
April 26, 1919 ~ Saxophonist Don Raffell born in Washington DC, USA ~ Closely associated with arranger, conductor Nelson Riddle. Also worked with Benny Goodman, Sonny Burke, Johnny Burke, Charlie Barnet, Louis Armstrong, Ray Conniff, Mel Tormé, Skitch Henderson, Les Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, Johnny Mathis, Rosemary Clooney, Keely Smith, Nancy Wilson, Sammy Davis Jr, Anita O'Day, the Platters, Gerald Wilson, and others ~ Raffell passed away in 2003
April 26, 1915 ~ Blues guitarist, singer Johnny Shines, full name John Ned Shines, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Influenced by Robert Johnson, whom he also backed on tours. As a solo artist has recorded a number of records from the mid-1940s onwards which were all shelved. Would continue to play locally and release records from time to time though most were unsuccessful. Got his big break in 1966 when some of his performances were included on the Chicago/The Blues Today album series in the mid-1960s. Has released a number of fondly remembered albums since. Also backed musicians such as Big Walter Horton, Willie Dixon, and Robert Lockwood Junior ~ Shines passed away in 1992
April 26, 1907 ~ Dixieland, swing drummer Dave Tough, full name David Jarvis Tough, born in Oak Park, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Tommy Dorsey, Red Norvo, Bunny Berigan, Benny Goodman, Bud Freeman, Jack Teagarden, Eddie Condon, Mezz Mezzrow, Joe Marsala, Charlie Spivak, Claude Thornhill, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, Jerry Gray, Muggsy Spanier, Will Bradley, and others ~ Tough passed away in 1948
April 26, 1899 ~ Oscar Rabinowitz, commonly known as dance band, jazz saxophonist, violinist Oscar Rabin, born in Riga, Russian Empire ~ Eponym of the popular dance band the Oscar Rabin Band, which actually was led by Harry Davis as Rabin preferred to play the bass saxophone. Key sidemen in the ensemble included Ken Mackintosh, Eric Jupp, Kenny Clare, Jimmy Deuchar, and others ~ Rabinowitz passed away in 1958
April 26, 1895 ~ Flutist William Kincaid born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Principal flute of the Philadelphia Orchestra for four decades. Respected teacher. Students included Julius Baker, Joseph Mariano, Frances Blaisdell, Ann Cherry, Paul Lusting Dunkel, Doriot Anthony Dwyer, Katherine Hoover, John C Krell, George Ellers Morey, Claire Pollin, Elaine Shaffer, Felix Skowronek, John Solum, and Albert Tipton ~ Kincaid passed away in 1967
April 26, 1886 ~ Gertrude Pridgett, commonly known as blues singer Ma Rainey born in Columbus, Georgia, USA ~ Dubbed “the Mother of the Blues” and one of the first generation of blues singers to record. Bridged vaudeville and Southern blues. Worked with Will Rainey, the Rabbit's Foot Minstrel Show, the Tub Jug Washboard Band, Louis Armstrong, Reverend Thomas A Dorsey, the Georgia Jazz Band. Recorded over 100 songs in the 1920s including Bo-Weevil Blues, Moonshine Blues, See See Rider and Soon This Morning ~ Pridgett passed away in 1939