April 27, 2023 ~ Charles William Harris, commonly known as rock & roll, pop singer Wee Willie Harris, passed away ~ Enjoyed popularity in his native UK during the 1950s and early-1960s, despite none of his singles reaching the charts. Dubbed “Britain's wild man of rock & roll” for his flamboyant appearance and stage presence. Became a popular performer on TV shows, though many in the media would express concern for the BBC promoting teenage decadence. Best known for his 1957 self-penned Rockin' At The 2 I's debut single. Harris would resurface in the 1970s as a nostalgia act after being referenced by Ian Dury in the song Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3. Harris would later record the album Twenty Reasons To Be Cheerful ~ Harris was born in 1933
April 27, 2022 ~ Singer Judy Henske, full name Judith Anne Henske, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Dubbed “the Queen of the Beatniks” by producer Jack Nitzsche. Joined the Whiskeyhill Singers in 1961, noted for their 1962 Dave Guard & The Whiskeyhill Singers album. Member of Rosebud. As a solo artist best known for her 1969 Farewell Aldebaran album drawing from folk, psychedelia and arty pop, with her then-husband Jerry Yester ~ Henske was born in 1936
April 27, 2020 ~ Obediah Donnell Jessie, commonly known as R&B, rock & roll, jazz singer, songwriter Young Jessie, passed away ~ Perhaps best remembered for penning and first recording Mary Lou, which he originally recorded in 1955. The song would later be notably covered by Billy Lee Riley, Steve Miller, Bob Seger, and Gene Clark. Founding member of Debonaires, with whom he recorded I Had A Love. The band also included Richard Berry, and would later be renamed the Flairs. Also briefly a member of the Coasters in 1957, providing harmony vocals to Searchin' and their best known Young Blood ~ Jessie was born in 1936
April 27, 2018 ~ Jazz pianist, organist Gildo Mahones, full name Hermengildo Mahones, passed away ~ Recorded sporadically as a leader, especially known for his 1965 The Great Gildo album. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Frank Foster, Les Jazz Modes (Jazzville), Julius Watkins, Bennie Green (Walkin' & Talkin'), Jimmy Witherspoon, Jon Hendricks, Lambert Hendricks & Ross, Charlie Rouse (Unsung Hero), Pony Poindexter (Pony's Express), Ted Curson, Frank Wess, Booker Ervin (The Blues Book), Lou Rawls, and Big Joe Turner ~ Mahones was born in 1929
April 27, 2018 ~ Rock & roll singer, pianist Roy Young, full name Roy Frederick Young, passed away in Oxford, UK ~ Toured with Chuck Berry. Sessioned on David Bowie's Low album, released in January 1977. Other notable associations include the John Barry Seven, Tony Sheridan, the Beat Brothers, Cliff Bennett & the Rebel Rousers, future Foreigner member Dennis Elliott, future the Average White Band member Onnie McIntyre, Long John Baldry, Ian Hunter, Howie Casey, John Gustafson, and Jimi Magnole ~ Young was born in 1934
April 27, 2012 ~ Singer Bob Dylan receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor awarded to a civilian, from President Barack Obama ~ The singer is presented with the Medal of Freedom, making him the 29th musician to receive this honor, previous recipients include Irving Berlin, Frank Sinatra, and Aretha Franklin. President Obama would remark the singer's gravely voice helped redefine “not just what music sounded like, but the message it carried and how it made people feel”
April 27, 2010 ~ Drummer, percussionist, keyboardist, songwriter, composer Morris Pert, full name Morris David Brough Pert, passed away in Balchrick, UK ~ Worked in jazz-rock, as a session musician, and as a contemporary classical composer composing symphonies, choral music and sonic landscapes. As a composer cites Arne Nordheim, Karlheinz Stockhausen and Iannis Xenakis as influences. Has worked with Stomu Yamashta, Isotope, Brand X, Paul McCartney, Andrew Lloyd Webber, John Williams, Kate Bush (The Kick Inside), Elkie Brooks, Chris De Burgh, Mike Oldfield (QE2), Marianne Faithfull (Broken English), Peter Gabriel, Jon Anderson, Elvis Costello (Punch The Clock), John Martyn, Bryan Ferry, Talk Talk (It's My Life), Rod Argent, Lucio Battisti, Colin Blunstone, Donovan, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Alexis Korner, and others ~ Pert was born in 1947
April 27, 2001 ~ Pub rock, roots rock, folk singer, guitarist Ernie Graham passed away in London, UK ~ First gained attention in the mid-1960s playing with Tony & the Telstars. Member of Eire Apparent, known for their 1969 sole Sunrise album produced by Jimi Hendrix. Released his sole solo album, Ernie Graham, in 1971. Graham has also worked with the People, Help Yourself, and Clancy ~ Graham was born in 1946
April 27, 2000 ~ Pop, R&B, disco singer Vicki Sue Robinson passed away in Wilton, Connecticut, USA ~ Best known for her 1976 disco hit Turn The Beat Around. Had previously worked as a stage actress, singer debuting on Broadway performing in the original 1970 production of Hair at age 16. Also played in the 1973 cast of Jesus Christ Superstar. Sang backup on Todd Rundgren's acclaimed 1972 Something/Anything album. Robinson would spend most of the 1980s recording as a solo artist, jingle singer, and as a session backing vocalist, notably on Irene Cara's 1980 hit Fame, as well as with artists such as Michael Bolton and Cher ~ Robinson was born in 1954
April 27, 1999 ~ Trumpeter Alois Maxwell Hirt, commonly known as Al Hirt, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best remembered for his 1964 smash hit Java and for the theme music to The Green Hornet. Hirt was given a trumpet at age 6, playing professionally at age 16. Studied with Dr Frank Simon, a former soloist with John Philip Sousa Orchestra. Did a stint in the US Army during World War II, playing the bugle. Performed with various swing bands following the war, including with Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, and with Ina Ray Hutton. Hirt also played with Horace Heidt and Monk Hazel before being signed as a bandleader himself by RCA-Victor. As a bandleader twenty-two of Hirt's albums made the Billboard charts ~ Hirt was born in 1922
April 27, 1995 ~ Virtuoso guitarist, composer Raphael Rabello, full name Rafael Baptist Rabello passed away in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Considered one of the best acoustic guitar players. Founded Os Carioquinhas. Worked with Camerate Carioca, Radamés Gnattali, Elizete Cardoso, Jaques Morelenbaum, Laurindo Almeida, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Ney Matogrosso, Paulo Moura, Paco de Lucia, Armandinho, Romero Lubambo, Déo Rian, and others ~ Rabello was born in 1962
April 27, 1992 ~ Singer, songwriter kd Lang releases Constant Craving, lead single off her Ingénue sophomore album ~ The song earned Lang a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Performance. In 1997, Lang and co-writer Ben Mink were given co-writing credit for the Rolling Stones single Anybody Seen My Baby, initially credited solely to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Jagger and Richards claimed they had not heard Lang's song before, not consciously anyway, but their refrain was practically similar. Richards would later explain in his Life memoir: “My daughter Angela and a friend were at Redlands and I was playing the record and they start singing this totally different song over it. They were listening to Constant Craving. It was Angela and her friend that recognized it.”
April 27, 1990 ~ Pop singer, guitarist, keyboardist, trumpeter Robin Bengtsson born in Svenlujunga, Sweden ~ First gained attention in 2008 as contestant on the Swedish edition of talent show Idols, finishing in third place behind winner Kevin Borg and runner-up Alice Svensson. Would subsequently reach the Swedish top 20 with his debut single Fields Of Gold and its follow-up Another Lover's Gone. Internationally best known for representing Sweden in the 2017 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 5th place with I Can't Go On
April 27, 1984 ~ Arzell Hill, commonly known as blues, soul singer ZZ Hill passed away in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Active since the mid-1960s, encouraged by Otis Redding. Influenced by Sam Cooke, BB King, Bobby Blue Bland. Known for songs such as Don't Make Me Pay For His Mistakes, Ain't Nothing You Can Do, Love Is So Good When You're Stealing It and Cheating In The Next Room ~ Hill was born in 1935
April 27, 1982 ~ Drummer Alex Carapetis born in Adelaide, Australia ~ Perhaps best known as member of Voidz. Has also worked with Wolfmother, Nine Inch Nails, Julian Casablancas, Phoenix, Juliette & the Licks, Jimmy Barnes, Amel Larrieux, and Kelis
April 27, 1981 ~ Jazz, pop singer, songwriter Hilde Marie Kjersem born in Ålesund, Norway ~ Started in jazz and progressed into pop. Debuted in 2008 with the full-length A Killer For That Ache album. Has worked with Sivert Høyem, Peder Kjellsby, Jørgen Munkeby, Jon Eberson, the TUB Quartet, Christer Knutsen, and others
April 27, 1979 ~ Alternative rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Travis Meeks, full name Travis Shane Meeks, born in Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA ~ Co-founding and sole constant member of alternative rock, acoustic rock band Days Of The New, known best for their acclaimed 1997 Days Of The New (Yellow) debut album spawning the singles Touch Peel & Stand, The Down Town and Shelf In The Room
April 27, 1978 ~ James Edward Olliges Jr, commonly known as guitarist, singer Jim James born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Lead singer, guitarist, primary songwriter of rock band My Morning Jacket, known for songs such as Holdin' On To Black Metal, Friends Again and It Makes No Difference featuring Brittany Howard. Also known as solo artist and collaborator, usually going by the moniker Yim Yames, and in-demand collaborator of artists such as Jay Farrar, the Monsters Of Folk, Dr Dog, and others
April 27, 1976 ~ Indie pop, chamber pop, alternative rock singer, cellist, pianist, songwriter Isobell Campbell born ~ Rose to prominence as member of Belle & Sebastian from 1996 through 2002. Has recorded as a solo artist, initially going by the moniker Gentle Waves. Notably teamed up with grunge icon Mark Lanegan resulting in the collaborative albums The Ballad Of The Broken Seas, Sunday At Devil Dirt and Hawk
April 27, 1975 ~ Jazz guitarist, songwriter, producer Fabrizio Soti born in Padova, Italy ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Ares Tavolazzi, Mauro Beggio, Lathun, Cassandra Wilson, Kyrsten, Foxxy Brown, Half Pint, K'naan, Tony Grey, Alberto Pizzo, Francesco Lomagistro, Nicola Sorato, Alessandra Salerno, Mondo Marcio, and others
April 27, 1973 ~ Jazz singer, guitarist Lionel Loueke born in Cotonou, Benin ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by George Benson, Kenny Burrell, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery. Worked with Terence Blanchard, Wayne Shorter, Avishai Cohen, Charlie Haden, Francisco Mela, Gretchen Parlato, Brian Blade, Terri Lyne Carrington, Vinnie Colaiuta, Kenwood Dennard, George Garzone, Roy Hargrove, Marcus Miller, Dianne Reeves, Santana, Sting, Jeff Tain-Watts, Cassandra Wilson, and others
April 27, 1972 ~ Musical actor, singer Bobby Howes, full name Charles Robert William Howes, passed away in London, UK ~ Leading figure in London's West End theatres during the 1930s and 1940s. Would continue to star in musicals, including on Broadway, and work for film and TV until retiring from the entertainment industry by the late-1960s. Perhaps best known for his leading role in a 1960 production of Finian's Rainbow ~ Howes was born in 1895
April 27, 1970 ~ Rock, alternative rock bassist John Collins, full name John Andrew Collins, born ~ Best known as co-founding member of Powderfinger, along with guitarist Ian Haug. Also worked with several of his bandmates other bands and side projects such as with Haug and Steven Bishop in the Predators and with Darren Middleton in Drag
April 27, 1967 ~ Jazz, swing, classical saxophonist Tommy Smith, full name Thomas William Ellis Smith, born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, Terje Gewelt, John Scofield, Eddie Gomez, Jack DeJohnette, Arild Andersen, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Kenny Wheeler, Murray McLachlan, Joe Lovano, Hue & Cry, Kurt Elling, and others
April 27, 1962 ~ Drummer, songwriter Brian MacLeod born ~ Closely associated with Sheryl Crow, appearing on the Tuesday Night Music Club and co-writing several of her best known songs including Everyday Is A Winding Road, Strong Enough and A Change Would Do You Good. Has also worked with Group 87, Wire Train, Toy Matinee, Madonna, Leonard Cohen, Tears For Fears, Seal, Chris Isaak, Melissa Etheridge, P!nk, Christina Aguilera, Kevin Gilbert, Jewel, Stevie Nicks, Ziggy Marley, Rosanne Cash, Sara Bareilles, John Hiatt, Ronan Keating, Shelby Lynne, and Ilse de Lange
April 27, 1962 ~ Robin Stone, commonly known as house, dance-pop singer Robin S born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Best known for her 1993 Show Me Love debut single, which reached top 20 across Europe, top 10 in both the UK and America. Subsequent singles, notably the sophomore Luv 4 Luv, would chart reasonably well in Europe but fail to reach top 40 in the USA
April 27, 1959 ~ Saxophonist, flutist Scott Robinson bornm in Pompton, New Jersey, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Lionel Hampton, Anthony Braxton, John Scofield, Joe Lovano, Ella Fitzgerald, Paquito d'Rivera, Sting, Maria Schneider, Elton John, Buck Clayton, the New York City Opera, Ruby Braff, John Fedchock, Marty Grosz, Keith Ingham, Frank Kimbrough, Bob Mintzer, John Pizzarelli, Frank Mantooth, Joe Roccisano, Randy Sandke, Louie Bellson, Rebecca Kilgore, Paquito d'Rivera, James Chirillo, Carol Sloane, Jim McNeely, Lea DeLaria, Tom Postilio, Peter Ecklund, Dave Van Ronk, Ron Carter, David Bowie, Rufus Reid, and others
April 27, 1959 ~ Sheena Shirley Orr, commonly known as pop singer, songwriter Sheena Easton born in Bellshill, UK ~ One of the most popular female British singers of the 1980s. Known for songs such as Modern Girl, Morning Train (9 To 5), the James Bond-theme For Your Eyes Only and a number of high-profile duets such as Me Gustas Tal Como Eres with Luis Miguel, We've Got Tonight with Kenny Rogers and U Got The Look with Prince
April 27, 1957 ~ Guitarist Adrian Utley born in Bristol, UK ~ Best known as member of trip hop, electronica band Portishead. Also known as producer, film composer, and in-demand collaborator. Has worked with Marilyn Manson, Jeff Beck, Torres, Perfume Genius, Alain Bashung, and Marianne Faithfull
April 27, 1956 ~ Rock singer, guitarist Bryan Harvey, full name Bryan Taber Harvey, born in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Formed House Of Freaks with percussionist Johnny Holt, the duo recording four albums through the early-1990s including the acclaimed Tantilla released in 1989. Harvey has subsequently worked with indie supergroup Gutterball, which also included Steve Wynn. Harvey, his wife, and their two daughters were killed in a home invasion ~ Harvey passed away in 2006
April 27, 1956 ~ Douglas Pearce, commonly known as singer, guitarist Douglas P, born in Woking, UK ~ Member of UK punk band Crisis from 1977 through 1980. Founded Death In June with Crisis bandmates Tony Wakeford and Patrick Leagas. Pearce continues to perform and record under the Death In June moniker to this day, serving as its sole constant member since 1985
April 27, 1955 ~ Folk, pop, punk-pop bassist Alastair Donaldson born in Edinburgh, UK ~ Co-founding member of folk outfit Silly Wizard. Perhaps best known as member of the Rezillos, notably present on songs such as My Baby Does Good Sculptures and Flying Saucer Attack. As a solo artist known for the 1982 single Security Of Noise released under the moniker William Mysterious ~ Donaldson passed away in 2014
April 27, 1954 ~ Volydymyr Palamarchuk, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Wally Palmer, born ~ Best known as guitarist, lead singer, founding member of the Romantics, known for What I Like About You of their 1980 Pete Solley-produced eponymous The Romantics debut album and for their 1983 hit Talking In Your Sleep. Palmar would tour with Ringo Starr & his All-Star Band in the early-2010s and co-founded the Empty Hearts, teaming up with drummer Clem Burke, bassist Andy Babiuk, guitarist Elliot Easton and pianist Ian McLagan
April 27, 1953 ~ Singer, actress, director, model Arielle Dombasle born in Hartford, Connecticut, USA ~ Broke through appearing in the 1983 film Pauline At The Beach. Would go on to appear in numerous stage productions, films and TV series, direct several movies and record about ten albums as a singer, starting with Liberta released in 2000
April 27, 1951 ~ Paul Daniel Frehley, commonly known as hard rock, heavy metal guitarist, bassist, singer Ace Frehley, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member, lead guitarist of Kiss, remaining with the band through 1982 and present on hits such as Rock & Roll All Nite, Beth, Calling Dr Love, and perhaps their best known I Was Made For Lovin' You. Frehley would rejoin the band in 1996. As a solo artist well over half a dozen albums to his name, starting with the eponymous Ace Frehley album released in 1978
April 27, 1949 ~ Bassist Clive Taylor born in Cardiff, UK ~ Member of late-1960s pop, rock outfit Amen Corner, known for songs such as Bend Me Shape Me, If Paradise Is Half As Nice and Hello Susie. After the band disbanded Taylor would go on to co-found the short-lived Fair Weather, known for their UK top 10 hit Natural Sinner, and subsequently join the Strawbs
April 27, 1949 ~ Singer Herb Murrell born in Lane, South Carolina, USA ~ Member of the Percussions. Subsequently co-founding member of 1970s R&B hit machine the Stylistics, known for Billboard top 10 hits such as You Are Everything, Betcha By Golly Wow, I'm Stone In Love With You, Break Up To Make Up and You Make Me Feel Brand New
April 27, 1948 ~ New wave, rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Kate Pierson, full name Catherine Elizabeth Pierson, born in Weehawken, New Jersey, USA ~ Key member of new wave outfit the B52's, serving as singer and the band's primary keyboardist in the early years. Best known for her wide-ranging voice, a trademark of the band's sound. Guested on the Ramones's Chop Suey, REM's Shiny Happy People and duetted with Iggy Pop on the 1990 hit Candy. Released her Guitars And Microphones solo debut album in 2015
April 27, 1947 ~ R&B, soul, Memphis soul singer Ann Peebles, full name Ann Lee Peebles, born in East St Louis, Illinois, USA ~ Sang in her her father's church as a child, with the sibling group the Peebles Choir which opened for Mahalia Jackson and the Soul Stirrers, and with bandleader Oliver Sain before being signed by Hi-Hat Records-executive and producer Willie Mitchell. Released her full-length debut album, This Is Ann Peebles, in 1969 and would score a number of the label's most emotive and lasting 1970s hits including Part-time Love, I Pity The Fool, Breaking Up Somebody's Home and her two best known I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down and I Can't Stand The Rain. Peebles co-wrote a vast amount of her material with staff songwriter Don Bryant, whom she would marry in 1974
April 27, 1947 ~ Pop, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Pete Ham, full name Peter William Ham, born in Swansea, UK ~ Co-founding member of mid-1960s rock outfit Iveys. Starting with their 1969 Paul McCartney-penned Come And Get It single the band would go by the name Badfinger. Well known hits include No Matter What, Day After Day, Baby Blue and Without You, penned by Ham and Tom Evans. The latter would be covered by over 180 artists, including notably Harry Nilsson. Despite commercial succes Ham would suffer dire financial straits, ripped off by music management, and broke, depressed and disappointed with the music industry Ham committed suicide at age 27. The emotional scar of his death would also be a factor in bandmate Evans' suicide some eight years later ~ Ham passed away in 1975
April 27, 1946 ~ Singer, pianist, keyboardist Frank Robson born in Bradford-on-Avon, UK ~ Best known as member of Tasavallan Presidentti. Has also worked with other Finnish acts including Mosaic, the Blues Section, and has released about half a dozen solo albums starting with Robson in 1974
April 27, 1946 ~ Bassist Gordon Haskell born in Bournemouth, UK ~ School friend of Robert Fripp, with whom he also worked. First gained serious attention as member of Les Fleur De Lys. Subsequently briefly played with King Crimson, appearing on the albums In The Wake Of Poseidon and Lizard. As a solo artist best known for the 2001 hit How Wonderful You Are ~ Haskell passed away in 2020
April 27, 1945 ~ Free jazz bassist Dominic Duval born ~ As a leader has well over two dozen albums to his name, notably 2008's The Last Dance Volumes 1 & 2 featuring Cecil Taylor. Has also worked with Trio X, Joe McPhee, Matthew Shipp, Steve Swell ~ Duval passed away in 2016
April 27, 1944 ~ Singer Cuba Gooding Sr born in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of Main Ingredient, remaining with the band through 1977. Sang lead on some of the band's greatest hits including Everybody Plays The Fool and Just Don't Want To Be Lonely. Gooding joined the band as a backing singer and took over lead vocals after lead singer Donald McPherson passed away of leukemia in 1971. Gooding released two solo albums in the late-1970s through early-1980s ~ Gooding passed away in 2017
April 27, 1944 ~ Country, bluegrass, progressive bluegrass, folk rock, country rock guitarist, banjoist, singer Herb Pedersen born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Closely associated with Chris Hillman, bandmate in the Desert Rose Band. In-demand collaborator. Has worked with John Fogerty, Mudcrutch, the Pine Valley Boys, Michael Martin Murphey, Earl Scruggs, the Dillards, the Kentucky Colonels, Old & In The Way, David Grisman, Peter Rowan, Country Gazette, Vassar Clements, Gram Parsons (Grievous Angel), Emmylou Harris (Pieces Of The Sky, Elite Hotel), Skip Battin, Tony Rice, Dan Fogelberg, Stephen Stills, Laurel Canyon Ramblers, the Bluegrass Reunion, Linda Ronstadt, Kris Kristofferson, John Prine, Jackson Browne, John Denver, John Jorgenson, Leland Sklar, Rita Coolidge, and others
April 27, 1942 ~ Drummer Jim Keltner born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Highly in-demand session drummer. Member of the Wrecking Crew. Member of supergroups Little Village and the Traveling Wilburys. Appears on recordings by John Lennon (Imagine), George Harrison, Carly Simon, Delaney & Bonnie, Randy Newman, the Bee Gees, Jackson Browne (For Everyman), Derek & the Dominos, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Dylan, Jack Bruce, Steely Dan (Aja), the Steve Miller Band, JJ Cale, Richard Thompson, John Lee Hooker (Mr Lucky), Chris Isaak (Silvertone), Sheryl Crow, JD Souther, Delbert McClinton, Don Henley (The End Of Innocence), Neil Young, Gillian Welch, Céline Dion, Charlie Watts, Todd Snider, Keb' Mo, Michael Bublé, Melody Gardot (The Absence), John Mayer, Beth Orton, Michelle Branch, and others
April 27, 1940 ~ Drummer Freddie Waits, full name Frederick Douglas Waits, born in Jackson, Mississippi, USA ~ Worked with Max Roach's M'Boom, McCoy Tyner, Kenny Barron, Andrew Hill, Gene Harris, Joe Zawinul, Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan, Horace Arnold, Billy Hart, Roy Ayers, Ray Bryant, Kenny Burrell, Jack DeJohnette, Bunky Green, Richard Groove Holmes, Willis Jackson, Clifford Jordan, James Moody, Pharoah Sanders, Shirley Scott, and Curtis Fuller ~ Waits passed away in 1989
April 27, 1938 ~ Country singer, songwriter Julie Daraîche born in Saint-François-de-Pabos, Canada ~ Considered Quebec's “Queen of Country Music,” actively performing and recording since the mid-1960s. Known for songs such as Noël Dans Mon Village, Un Verre Sur La Table, and Mon Hommage. Has worked with Paul Brunelle, Marcel Martel, Willie Lamothe, and others ~ Daraîche passed away in 2022
April 27, 1933 ~ Guitarist Calvin Newborn born in Whiteville, USA, USA ~ Active since the mid-1950s. Equally at home in jazz and blues. A fluid player praised for his blues sensibility and smooth execution, though somewhat overlooked next to his more famous brother and regular collaborator pianist Phineas Newborn Jr. Has recorded about half a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, noted especially for Up City released in 1998. As a sideman, Newborn is present on albums by Booker Little, Earl Hines (Earl's Pearls), Jimmy Forrest, Wild Bill Davis, Al Grey (Having A Ball), Lou Donaldson, Billy The Kid Emerson (Little Healthy Thing), Hank Crawford, Jimmy Witherspoon (Midnight Lady Called The Blues), Big Walter Horton, and Jerry McCain ~ Newborn passed away in 2018
April 27, 1931 ~ Krysztod Trzcinski, commonly known as jazz pianist, composer Krzysztof Komeda, born in Poznán, Poland ~ Perhaps best known for his film scores, notably for Rosemary's Baby, and for his 1965 album Astigmatic, generally considered one of the most important European jazz albums ~ Trzciński passed away in 1969
April 27, 1931 ~ Country singer Maxine Brown, full name Ella Maxine Brown, born in Campti, Louisiana, USA ~ One third of 1950s country outfit the Browns, alongside siblings Jim Ed Brown and Bonnie Brown, known for songs such as I Take The Chance, I Heard The Bluebirds Sing and perhaps their biggest hit The Three Bells. The trio disbanded in 1967 after which Maxine recorded a sole solo album Sugar Cane County ~ Brown passed away in 2019
April 27, 1927 ~ Conrad Henry Kirnon, commonly known as jazz drummer Connie Kay, born in Tuckahoe, New York, USA ~ Member of the Modern Jazz Quartet for nearly two decades, replacing Kenny Clarke in 1955 and remaining with the band until their dissolution in 1974. To R&B, rock & roll audiences perhaps best known as a session musician for Atlantic Records, including on Big Joe Turner's Shake Rattle & Roll and Ruth Brown's Mama He Treats Your Daughter Mean. Other notable associations include Jim Hall, Randy Weston (Piano A La Mode), Ray Charles, Sonny Rollins, Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane (Coltrane Plays The Blues), Sonny Stitt, Van Morrison (Astral Weeks), and Red Norvo ~ Kirnon passed away in 1994
April 27, 1917 ~ Drummer Denzil Best, full name Denzil DaCosta Best, born in New York, New York, USA ~ In-demand jazz, bebop drummer most active during the 1950s. Worked with Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Illinois Jacquet, Chubby Jackson, George Shearing, the Birdlanders, Lennie Tristano, Lee Konitz, Artie Shaw, Erroll Garner, Phineas Newborn Jr, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Tyree Glenn, Sheila Jordan, and others ~ Best passed away in 1965
April 27, 1914 ~ Kathleen Twomey, commonly known as songwriter, arranger Kay Twomey, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Co-wrote Sammy Kaye's 1947 No.3 hit Serenade Of The Bells, also recorded by the Fleetwoods, Carl Mann, Gene Pitney, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Vinton, and others. Wrote or co-wrote a number of well known Elvis Presley songs, including Put The Blame On Me, In The Beginning and Wooden Heart. Other artists who recorded her songs include Jo Stafford, Doris Day, Eddy Arnold, Eartha Kitt, Johnnie Ray, Brian Hyland, Perry Como, the Sandpipers, the Statler Brothers, Lucille Starr, David Houston, Teresa Brewer, and Nat King Cole ~ Twomey passed away in 1995
April 27, 1909 ~ Country, bluegrass singer, guitarist, songwriter Jimmie Skinner born in Blue Lick, Kentucky, USA ~ Wrote Let's Say Goodbye Like We Said Hello, a 1946 hit for Ernest Tubb. As a recording artist Skinner is best known for a number of late-1950s, early-1960s recordings including What Makes A Man Wander, Dark Hollow, I Found My Girl In The USA, The Riverboat Gambler, and Reasons To Live. Though largely forgotten today, Skinner has notably influenced Johnny Cash, who covered Skinner's Doing My Time. Others who recorded his songs include Ray Campi, Hank Williams (When The Book Of Life Is Read), the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tony Rice, and Travis Tritt (Don't Give Your Heart To A Rambler) ~ Skinner passed away in 1979
April 27, 1907 ~ Julian Clifton Matlock, commonly known as dixieland, jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Matty Matlock, born in Paducah, Kentucky, USA ~ Played with Ben Pollack, joining the band in 1929 as replacement for Benny Goodman. Joined Bob Crosby's band in 1935, working with both Crosby's main band and the smaller the Bobcats ensemble. Also worked with Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Heindorf, Beverly Jenkins, and others ~ Matlock passed away in 1978
April 27, 1904 ~ Label executive Syd Nathan born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Founded King Records. Discovered James Brown. Artists signed to King or its subsidiaries would include Bull Moose Jackson, Lucky Millinder, Tiny Bradshaw, Earl Bostic, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Wynonie Harris, the Dominoes, Little Willie John, Bill Doggett, Hank Ballard, the Delmore Brothers, the Stanley Brothers, Moon Mullican, Cowboy Copas, Grandpa Jones, and others ~ Nathan passed away in 1968