August 13, 2023 ~ Music manager, label executive Clarence Avant, full name Clarence Alexander Avant, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Dubbed “the Black Godfather” for his influence on music. Served as manager for artists such as Little Willie John, Sarah Vaughan, Luiz Bonfá, Freddie Hubbard, Jimmy Smith, and film composer Lalo Schifrin. Founded Sussex Records, for whom he signed artists such as Bill Withers, Dennis Coffey, and Gallery. Founded Avant Garde Broadcasting, known for operating the first African-American owned FM radio station KAGB-FM airing from Inglewood, California ~ Avant was born in 1931
August 13, 2023 ~ Melvin Barcliff, commonly known as rapper Magoo, passed away ~ Best known for his association with Timbaland, scoring late 1990s, early 2000s hits under the moniker Timbaland & Magoo such as Up Jumps Da Boogie featuring Missy Elliott & Aaliyah, Clock Strikes featuring Skillz, and All Y'All featuring Tweet. Has also worked with Swing Mob, Jodeci, DeVante Swing, Playa, and others ~ Barcliff was born in 1973
August 13, 2021 ~ Music director, academic Jean-Pierre Pichard passed away in Lorient, France ~ Promoter of the culture of Brittany. Co-founded the Celtic festival Festival Interceltique De Lorient in 1971, serving as its director until 2007 ~ Pichard was born in 1945
August 13, 2021 ~ Folk, country folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Nanci Griffith, full name Nanci Caroline Griffith passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Actively recording since the late 1970s. Best known for a number of 1990s albums, notably 1993's Other Voices Other Rooms and 1994's Flyer. First to record From A Distance, later popularized by Bette Midler. Similarly, Griffith wrote or co-wrote and first recorded songs later hits for others such as Love At The Five And Dime which was covered by Kathy Mattea and Outbound Plane which would later be one of Suzy Bogguss' biggest hits ~ Griffith was born in 1953
August 13, 2020 ~ Jazz fusion, hard bop saxophonist Steve Grossman passed away ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Miles Davis, Elvin Jones, Don Alias, Gene Perla, Marcio Montarroyos, Jan Hammer, Alessio Urso, Patrice Caratini, Mark Egan, Marcus Miller, Lenny White, Jiuni Boot, Joe Chambers, Hugh Lawson, Cedar Walton, Walter Booker, Masahiro Yoshida, Art Taylor, Tom Harrell, Cecil McBee, Harold Land, Johnny Griffin, Alvin Queen, the Stone Alliance, Elvin Jones, Art Taylor, McCoy Tyner, Willie Pickens, Harold Land, Johnny Griffin, and others ~ Grossman was born in 1951
August 13, 2016 ~ Jazz pianist Connie Crothers passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sidewoman. Studied under Lennie Tristano and founded the Lennie Jazz Foundation in his honour. Has worked with artists such as Max Roach, Richard Cabris, Cameron Brown, Roger Mancuso, Lenny Popkin, Bob Casanova, Jessica Jones, Pauline Oliveros, and others ~ Crothers was born in 1941
August 13, 2015 ~ Jazz tenor saxophonist, flutist Harold Ousley, full name Harold Lomax Ousley, passed away in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, Gene Ammons, Jack McDuff, George Benson, Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and others ~ Ousley was born in 1929
August 13, 2014 ~ Shelby Gene Jones, commonly known as bluegrass singer, guitarist Buddy Jones, passed away in Barton, Vermont, USA ~ Best known as a member of the Rainbow Valley Boys, releasing the albums The Rainbow Valley Bluegrass Boys, Authentic Bluegrass and Sing And Pick Bluegrass Favorites between 1963 and 1973 ~ Jones was born in 1937
August 13, 2013 ~ Beatrice Bertha Benjamin, commonly known as jazz, vocal jazz, soul jazz singer Sathima Bea Benjamin, passed away in Cape Town, South Africa ~ Active since the 1950s. Influenced by Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald. Closely associated with Duke Ellington. Worked with Arthur Klugman, Kippie Moeketski, Carlos Ward, Stephen Scott, Kenny Barron, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Ben Riley, and with her husband Dollar Brand ~ Benjamin was born in 1936
August 13, 2013 ~ Thomas Paul Glaser, commonly known as country singer, guitarist Tompall Glaser passed away ~ Member of sibling outfit Glaser Brothers, known for songs such as California Girl And The Tennessee Square, Rings and Ain't It All Worth Living For ~ Glaser was born in 1933
August 13, 2011 ~ Pekka Erkki Juhani Tammilehto, commonly known as singer Topi Sorsakoski, passed away ~ Well-known for his association with the Agents during the mid- to late 1980s, with whom he recorded the albums In Beat, Besamo Mucho, Pop, and Half And Half. Sorsakoski has also recorded as a solo artist and worked with Kulkukoirat ~ Tammilehto was born in 1952
August 13, 2007 ~ Jerome Haynes, commonly known as guitarist Jah Jerry, passed away ~ Worked woth the Jocelyn Trott Orchestra, Val Bennett, Prince Buster, Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, King Edwards, Lyndon Pottinger, the Skatalites, Rico Rodriguez, Tommy McCook, Supersonics, Fred Locks, Cornell Campbell, the Abyssinians, the Drumbago All-Stars, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Desmond Dekker, Millie Small, Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson, Toots & the Maytals, Derrick Morgan, Stranger Cole, and others ~ Haynes was born in 1921
August 13, 2005 ~ Singer Francine Peaches Hurd passed away ~ Best known as the original “Peaches” in Peaches & Herb, present on late 1960s recordings such as Let's Fall In Love, Close Your Eyes, For Your Love and Love Is Strange. During this period Hurd also issued a number of solo recordings, using the moniker Francine Barker, including Angels In The Sky and Mister DJ ~ Hurd was born in 1947
August 13, 2003 ~ Singer, songwriter Ed Townsend passed away in San Bernardino, California, USA ~ Has made some records of his own, notably the 1958 hit For Your Love, but is primarily known as a songwriter and producer responsible for songs made famous by Jimmy Holiday (How Can I Forget), Theola Kilgore (The Love Of My Man), and most notably Marvin Gaye (Let's Get It On) ~ Townsend was born in 1929
August 13, 1999 ~ Singer, actress Lennon Stella, full name Lennon Ray Louise Stella, born in Oshawa, Canada ~ Portrayed Maddie Conrad on the musical-drama TV series Nashville. Half of Lennon & Maisy with her sister Maisy Stella. Released a debut EP, Love Me, in 2018. Her full-length debut album, Three Two One, followed in 2020
August 13, 1996 ~ Experimental pianist, composer David Tudor, full name David Eugene Tudor, passed away in Tomkins, New York, USA ~ One of the leading performers of avant garde piano. Premiered Pierre Boulez's Piano Sonata No.2 in the US. Had Karlheinz Stockhausen dedicate his Klavierstuck VI to him. Closely associated with John Cage, premiering several of Cage's works including Music Of Changes, Concert For Piano And Orchestra, and 4'33. Tudor also gave early performances of works by Morton Feldman, Earle Brown, Christian Wolff, and La Monte Young ~ Tudor was born in 1926
August 13, 1988 ~ Frederick Below Jr, commonly known as blues, rock & roll drummer Fred Below, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his work with Chess Records helping define Chicago blues. Closely associated with Little Walter. Backed Chuck Berry on pivotal recordings including School Days, Roll Over Beethoven, Rock & Roll Music and Johnny B Goode. Member of the Aces, which also included blues harpist Junior Wells and brothers Louis Myers and Dave Myers. Has also worked with Bo Diddley, Elmore James, Otis Rush, Howlin' Wolf, Roosevelt Sykes, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and others ~ Below was born in 1926
August 13, 1984 ~ James Morrison Catchpole, commonly known as soul, pop rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist, songwriter James Morrison, born in Rugby, UK ~ Influenced by Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, Van Morrison, Al Green. Debuted in 2006 with the single You Give Me Somehing and the full-length album Undiscovered. In-demand songwriter and collaborator. Has worked with or written for Nelly Furtado, Demi Lovato, Olly Murs, Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Marco Carta, Jason Mraz, Ryan Tedder, Dan Wilson, Martin Terefe, Martin Brammer, Chris Braide, Steve Robson, and others
August 13, 1982 ~ Joseph Arrington Jr, commonly known as singer Joe Tex, passed away in Navasota, Texas, USA ~ Popular Southern soul singer, drew from funk, country, gospel and R&B. Best known for songs such as Hold What You've Got, Skinny Legs And All, I Gotcha and Ain't Gonna Bump No More With No Big Fat Woman ~ Tex was born in 1933
August 13, 1981 ~ Punk rock, garage rock, rock & roll singer, guitarist, bassist, pianist, drummer Dan Sartain, full name Daniel Fredrick Sartain, born ~ Active since the early 2000s. Self-released a number of recordings prior to his Dan Sartain Vs The Serpientes major label debut album in 2005. Has opened for the White Stripes and the Hives ~ Sartain passed away in 2021
August 13, 1974 ~ Harold Floyd Brooks, commonly known as hard bop, blues, funk tenor saxophonist, composer Tina Brooks, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Brother of Bubba Brooks. Harold was active from the early-1940s onwards and has played with artists such as Sonny Thompson, Lionel Hampton, Kenny Burrell, Freddie Hubbard, Jackie McLean, Freddie Redd, Howard McGhee, Jimmy Smith, and others ~ Brooks was born in 1932
August 13, 1973 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Andy Griggs, full name Andrew Griggs, born in Monroe, Louisiana, USA ~ Released his You Won't Ever Be Lonely debut album in 1999, which included the Billboard Country top 10 hits You Won't Ever Be Lonely, I'll Go Crazy and She's More. Subsequent well known singles include Tonight I Wanna Be Your Man, She Thinks She Needs Me and If Heaven. Duetted with Martina McBride on the 2002 single Practice Life
August 13, 1971 ~ Curtis Montgomery, commonly known as saxophonist King Curtis, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ In-demand collaborator, session musician. Helped shape rock & roll and R&B. As a solo artist best known for the hits Soul Twist and Memphis Soul Stew. Has worked with Buddy Holly, the Coasters (Yakety Yak), Nat Adderley, Aretha Franklin (RESPECT), Ruth Brown, Lionel Hampton, Donny Hathaway, Waylon Jennings, Lavern Baker, John Lennon, and others ~ Curtis was born in 1934
August 13, 1969 ~ Jacob Pick Bittencourt, commonly known as bandolinist, songwriter Jacob do Bandolim, passed away ~ Led the Epoca De Ouro orchestra. Revered choro songwriter and virtuoso mandolinist, choosing his stage name (“Mandolin Jacob”) after the instrument he plays. Known for songs such as Noites Cariocas, Receita De Samba, Doce De Coco and Assanhado ~ Bittencourt passed away in 1918
August 13, 1968 ~ Soul singer Joe Hinton, full name Joseph Hinton, passed away in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Started as a gospel singer in the Blair Gospel Singers. As a solo artist turned to R&B and known for early 1960s singles such as You Know It Ain't Right, Better To Give Than Receive and his biggest hit his R&B rendition of the Willie Nelson-penned Funny How Time Slips Away ~ Hinton was born in 1929
August 13, 1968 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Tal Bachman, full name Talmage Charles Robert Bachman, born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Best known for the single She's So High of his 1999 Tal Bachman debut album
August 13, 1965 ~ Keyboardist John Goetchius born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known for his association with seminal ska-core outfit the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, with whom he recorded half a dozen albums including the acclaimed Question The Answers album released in 1994. Briefly a member of the Cherry Poppin' Daddies, filling in for Dustin Lanker during his hiatus from the band and present on the band's 2000 Soul Caddy album. Goetchius has also worked with the Dogmatics, Matweeds, Atomic Cocktail, and Pat Johnson
August 13, 1962 ~ Athanasios Kalliris, commonly known as singer Thanos Kalliris, born in Athens, Greece ~ Son of guitarist Titos Kalliris. Member of 1980s pop outfit Bang, internationally best known for representing Greece in the 1987 Eurovision Songfestival where they reached 10th place with the song Stop. Ventured out on his own in the early 1990s, scoring hits with songs such as Giortazo, Poios and Agapi Kalokairini
August 13, 1959 ~ Singer Brenda Lee records Sweet Nothin's ~ Written by Ronnie Self. Produced by Owen Bradley. Released as a single the next month, paired with Weep No More My Baby on the flipside, it would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100
August 13, 1959 ~ Pop punk bassist, keyboardist Michael Bradley born in Derry, Northern Ireland ~ Member of the Undertones, known for late 1970s, early 1980s songs such as Jimmy Jimmy, My Perfect Cousin and Wednesday Week
August 13, 1958 ~ Punk pop, new wave, pop singer, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Feargal Sharkey born in Derry, Northern Ireland ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1985 A Good Heart hit single. Member of the Undertones, known for songs such as Jimmy Jimmy, My Perfect Cousin and Wednesday Week. Guest vocalist on the Assembly's only single, Never Never released in 1983
August 13, 1958 ~ Drummer Pete King born ~ Member of punk band the Flys. Member of the Rayders. Member of After The Fire including on the band's biggest hit Der Kommissar ~ King passed away in 1987
August 13, 1957 ~ Singer Frank Sinatra records All The Way at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California ~ Written by Jimmy van Heusen and Sammy Cahn. Introduced in the film Joker Is Wild, for which it received an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Sinatra also sang Chicago That Toddlin' Town in the movie which wound up as the single's flipside. All The Way has since become a standard, covered by numerous artists including Brenda Lee, Sam Cooke, Billie Holiday, Neil Sedaka, James Brown & the Dee Felice Trio, Lou Rawls, Trisha Yearwood, Bob Dylan, and others
August 13, 1956 ~ Singer Elvis Presley records Hound Dog in RCA/Victor Studios, New York, USA ~ Backed by his regular band of Scotty Moore on lead guitar, Bill Black on bass, DJ Fontana on drums, and the Jordanaires on backing vocals, Presley records Hound Dog, Don't Be Cruel and Any Way You Want Me. The single Hound Dog with Don't Be Cruel would be released later the same month and become Elvis' best-selling single of the year, selling over four million copies
August 13, 1955 ~ Pop, rock, folk guitarist, singer Mackey Feary born ~ Key member of Kalapana from 1973 through 1976 merging traditional Hawaiian folk, pop music with 1970s pop-rock, present on the band's first two albums Kalapana I and Kalapana II ~ Feary passed away in 1999
August 13, 1955 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, educator Mulgrew Miller born in Greenwood, Mississippi, USA ~ Influenced by Ramsey Lewis, Oscar Peterson, McCoy Tyner. Accompanied Betty Carter. Played with Woody Shaw, Art Blakey, Tony Williams. Debuted as a leader in 1985 with the Landmark release The Keys To The City, backed by bassist Ira Coleman and drummer Marvin Smith. Continued to record up to a year before his death, employing sidemen such as bassists Charnett Moffett, Reggie Workman, Peter Washington, Christian McBride, Derrick Hodge, saxophonists Kenny Garrett, Joe Henderson, Oliver Lake, Steve Wilson, percussionists Terri Lyne Carrington, Kenny Washington, Lewis Nash, and numerous others ~ Miller passed away in 2013
August 13, 1954 ~ Clarinetist Wolfgang Meyer born in Crailsheim, West Germany ~ Brother of clarinetist Sabine Meyer. Worked with Dagmar Becker, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, the Trio Di Clarone, the Zemlinsky Trio, Carmina Quartet, Quatuor Mosaiques, Peter Lehel, and others ~ Meyer passed away in 2019
August 13, 1952 ~ R&B singer Big Mama Thornton records Hound Dog at Radio Recorders Annex, Los Angeles, California ~ Twelve-bar blues written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Produced by Johnny Otis. It would become Thornton's sole hit, topping the Billboard R&B charts and selling 500,000 copies. The song would become best-known as covered by Elvis Presley in 1956, making his rendition one of the all-time best selling singles with over an estimated 10 million copies sold globally
August 13, 1952 ~ Singer, guitarist, banjoist, pianist, songwriter Dave Carter, full name David Robert Carter, born in Oxnard, California, USA ~ Best known for his association with Tracy Grammer, recording three critically albums as a duo from the late 1990s until his death in 2002. The duo were hailed as “the new voice of folk music” and were admired by peers. Had his songs recorded by Joan Baez (The Mountain), Darryl Purpose, Chris Smither (Crocodile Man), Rani Arbo, Ellis Paul, Full Frontal Folk, Lucy Kaplanski (Cowboy Singer), Diane Zeigler, Bryan Bowers, the Kennedys, Pat Wictor, Sense Of Wonder, Ronny Cox, Richard Shindell, Julia Ecklar, Judy Collins ~ Carter passed away in 2002
August 13, 1951 ~ Alberto de Castro Guedes, commonly known as rock, psychedelic rock, progressive rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Beto Guedes, born in Minas Gerais, Brazil ~ Co-founding member of Clube da Esquina. Member of 14 Bis. Debuted as a solo artist in 1977 with the album A Pagina Do Relampago Eletrico. Best known for Amor De Indio of his 1978 sophomore album of the same name
August 13, 1951 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, pianist, mandolinist, songwriter Dan Fogelberg, full name Daniel Grayling Fogelberg, born in Peoria, Illinois, USA ~ Known for songs such as Part Of The Plan, Longer, Same Old Lang Syne and The Leader Of The Band ~ Fogelberg passed away in 2007
August 13, 1951 ~ Hubert Dwane Hester, commonly known as bluegrass, country fiddler Hoot Hester born near Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Member of the Bluegrass Alliance. Co-founding member of Western swing outfit the Time Jumpers. Longtime member of the Grand Ole Opry staff band. In-demand backing musician for acts such as Alabama, Hank Williams Jr, Conway Twitty, Randy Travis, Vern Gosdin, Earl Scruggs, and others. Outside country circles has also worked with Ray Charles and with the Manhattan Transfer ~ Hester passed away in 2016
August 13, 1951 ~ Rock, progressive rock, metal drummer Ric Parnell, full name Richard J Parnell, born in London, UK ~ Perhaps best known for portraying the role of drummer Mick Shrimpton in the rock parody This Is Spinal Tap. Son of jazz drummer Jack Parnell. Has worked with acts such as Horse, Atomic Rooster, the Tritons, Nova, Toni Basil, Jon Anderson, the Deviants, Zoo Drive, and others ~ Parnell passed away in 2022
August 13, 1949 ~ Bassist Cliff Fish, full name Clifford Victor Fish, born in Ripley, UK ~ Core member of Paper Lace, with whom he scored the UK hits Billy Don't Be A Hero, The Black-Eyed Boys, and The Night Chicago Died. All three would reach top 20 in the band's native UK, the latter would also top the American Billboard Hot 100 ~ Fish passed away in 2023
August 13, 1948 ~ Soul drummer Jerome Teasley born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Worked with Junior Walker & the All-Stars, Al Green (Back Up Train), Jimi Hendrix, Wilson Pickett, Tina Turner, Bill Carr, Sonny Stitt, and others ~ Teasley passed away in 2016
August 13, 1942 ~ Conductor, arranger, songwriter Nurit Hirsh born ~ Wrote over a 1,000 hebrew songs. Internationally best known for co-writing, along with Ehud Manor, A-ba Ni-bi, 1978 Eurovision Songfestival winner as performed by Izhar Cohen & the Alphabeta
August 13, 1940 ~ Jazz drummer Allen Blairman born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ To rock audiences perhaps best known as a member of 1970s jazz-rock group Embryo. Has also worked with Charles Mingus, Chet Baker, Archie Shepp, Mal Waldron, Albert Ayler, Karl Berger, and others ~ Blairman passed away in 2022
August 13, 1940 ~ Folk, country, rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Jim Sullivan born ~ Appeared as an extra in the cult film Easy Rider. Released two albums, 1969's UFO and 1972's eponymous Jim Sullivan, before disappearing in Mexico, never to be seen again. Over time has attracted a cult following, partly because of his albums' rarity and obscurity. Sullivan's disappearance at age 34 remains a mystery and source for speculation, some claiming he was murdered, committed suicide, and even some saying he was abducted by aliens ~ Sullivan disappeared in 1975
August 13, 1940 ~ Singer John Stokes born ~ Founding member of the Bachelors, known for 1960s hits such as Diane, I Wouldn't Trade You For The World, Marie, and Sound Of Silence
August 13, 1938 ~ David Cortez Clowney, commonly known as organist, pianist, singer Dave Baby Cortez, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Best known for his instrumental 1959 Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit The Happy Organ, the first pop, rock hit to feature the organ as a lead instrument. As a singer known as a member of 1950s doo-wop outfits such as the Pearls and the Valentines
August 13, 1938 ~ Classical, jazz, avant garde composer, pianist Michael Joseph Smith born in Tiline, Kentucky, USA ~ Gave his first public performance at age 6. Would have his compositions recorded by the likes of Jonas Hellborg, Steve Lacy, Michael Shrieve, and Danny Gottlieb ~ Smith passed away in 2022
August 13, 1932 ~ Howard Richard Allen, commonly known as drummer Richard Pistol Allen, was born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Influenced by Max Roach, Buddy Rich, Benny Benjamin. Member of Motown house band the Funk Brothers. Present on recordings by Martha & the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Four Tops, and others ~ Allen passed away in 2002
August 13, 1931 ~ Allen Verner Levy, commonly known as singer Solomon King, born in Lexington, Kentucky, USA ~ Best known for his 1968 hit single She Wears My Ring, an international hit written by Boudleaux Bryant and Felice Bryant, featuring the Jordanaires as the backing singers ~ Levy passed away in 2005
August 13, 1930 ~ Donald Tai Loy Ho, commonly known as singer Don Ho, born in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ~ Best known for songs such as Pearly Shells, Tiny Bubbles and others, charting on both the pop and the easy listening charts in the mid- to late-1960s ~ Ho passed away in 2007
August 13, 1930 ~ Composer, conductor John Cacavas, full name John Harry Cacavas, born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, USA ~ Best known for his work for TV and film including on TV series such as Hawaii Five-O, The Bionic Woman and Kojak, as well as television films such as Superdome, The Time Machine and The Executioner's Song ~ Cacavas passed away in 2014
August 13, 1927 ~ Guitarist Joe Puma born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Has worked with Joe Roland, Cy Coleman, Louie Bellson, Artie Shaw, Eddie Bert, Herbie Mann, Mat Mathews, Chris Connor, Paul Quinichette, Lee Konitz, Dick Hyman, Morgana King, Bobby Hackett, Gary Burton, the New York Jazz Ensemble, Carmen McRae, Chuck Wayne, and others ~ Puma passed away in 2000
August 13, 1925 ~ Ernest Harold Bailey, commonly known as clarinetist, trumpeter Benny Bailey, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Influential on later musicians such as Albert Ayler, Bob Cunningham, Bobby Few, Bill Hardman, and Frank Wright. Active since the early 1940s. Felt particularly at home in big band settings though he would occasionally play in smaller settings. Stuck around in Europe after a tour with Lionel Hampton. Also worked with Bull Moose Jackson, Scatman Crothers, the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, Lionel Hampton, Kenny Clarke, Quincy Jones, Freddie Redd, Eddie Harris, Count Basie, Eric Dolphy, Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Dexter Gordon, Charlie Rouse, Sahib Shihab, Jimmy Witherspoon, and others ~ Bailey passed away in 2005
August 13, 1925 ~ Contralto, mezzo-soprano Valentine Levko, full name Valentina Nikolayevna Levko, born in Moscow, Russia ~ Opera and chamber music singer best known for her association with the Bolshoi Theatre, serving as the company's soloist from 1960 through 1982 ~ Levko passed away in 2018
August 13, 1922 ~ Ragtime composer Tom Turpin, full name Thomas Million John Turpin, passed away ~ Early ragtime composer, dubbed “the Father of St Louis Ragtime” and known for songs such as Bowery Buck, Ragtime Nightmare, St Louis Rag, Buffalo Rag, and perhaps his best-known Harlem Rag. The latter is reportedly the first published rag by an African-American ~ Turpin was born ca.1871
August 13, 1921 ~ James David Walker Jr, commonly known as pianist, singer, songwriter Jimmy McCracklin, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Became a household name with the 1957 US top 10 hit The Walk. Wrote numerous songs recorded by others including Tramp, a hit duet for Otis Redding and Carla Thomas in 1967 ~ Walker passed away in 2012
August 13, 1919 ~ Robert Henry Warren, commonly known as blues singer, guitarist Baby Boy Warren, born in Lake Providence, Louisiana, USA ~ Leading figure on the 1950a Detroit blues scene. Active since the 1930s, first recording in the late 1940s. Perhaps best known for his 1954 single Stop Breakin' Down featuring pianist Boogie Woogie Red and guitarist Calvin Frazier ~ Warren passed away in 1977
August 13, 1919 ~ Pianist, composer George Shearing born in Battersea, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by Teddy Wilson and Fats Waller. Wrote or co-wrote over 300 songs, including the jazz standards Lullabye Of Birdland and Conception. Worked with Harry Parry, Stéphane Grappelli, Oscar Pettiford, Buddy DeFranco, Margie Hyams, Chuck Wayne, Toots Thielemans, John Levy, Denzil Best, the Montgomery Brothers, Marian McPartland, Brian Torff, Jim Hall, Hank Jones, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Kenny Davern, Nancy Wilson, Claude Bolling, Dave Brubeck, Michael Feinstein, Mark Isham, John Pizzarelli, Tito Puente, Joe Williams, and others ~ Shearing passed away in 2011
August 13, 1914 ~ Luis Mariano Eusebio Gonzalez Garcia, commonly known as tenor singer, actor Luis Mariano, born in Irun, Spain ~ Rose to prominence singing in the Francis Lopez-penned operette The Beautiful Lady Of Cadix. Has recorded and performed on stage and in well over a dozen films, mostly musical comedies, enjoying popularity in France and in his native Spain ~ Garcia passed away in 1970
August 13, 1913 ~ Anna Mae Darden, commonly known as jazz singer, bandleader Anna Mae Winburn, born in Port Royal, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known as bandleader of the all-female the International Sweethearts Of Rhythm, one of the few racially integrated dance-bands of the swing era ~ Darden passed away in 1999
August 13, 1913 ~ Bandleader, pianist, songwriter Jack Fina born in Passaic, New Jersey ~ Worked with Clyde McCoy, Freddy Martin, Harry Prime, Gil Lewis, and others ~ Fina passed away in 1970
August 13, 1912 ~ Jazz trombonist Big Chief Russell Moore born in USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Lionel Hampton, Eddie Barefield, Papa Celestin, Kid Rena, AJ Piron, Paul Barbarin, Ernie Fields, Harlan Leonard, Noble Sissle, Ruby Braff, Pee Wee Russell, Eddie Condon, Wild Bill Davison, Jimmy McPartland, Tony Parenti, Mezz Mezzrow, Sidney Bechet, Buck Clayton, Louis Armstrong, Eddie Wilcox, Cozy Cole, Keith Smith, and others ~ Moore passed away in 1983
August 13, 1912 ~ Romantic composer Jules Massenet, full name Jules Emile Frederic Massenet, passed away in Paris, France ~ Pupil of Ambroise Thomas. Wrote over 30 operas, of which Manon and Wrther remain popular to this day. Also composed oratorias, ballets, orchestral works and piano music ~ Massenet was born in 1842
August 13, 1912 ~ Jazz trumpeter Nate Kazebier born ~ Sideman. Played with Austin Wylie, Jan Garber, Slats Randall, Benny Goodman, Ray Noble, Seger Ellis, Lyle Murphy, Gene Krupa, Jimmy Dorsey, Ray Bauduc, and others ~ Kasebier passed away in 1969
August 13, 1907 ~ Edgar Clyde Ennis Jr, commonly known as jazz, pop singer, bandleader Skinnay Ennis, born in Salisbury, North Carolina, USA ~ Popular late 1930s, 1940s bandleader known for his work for Hollywood films. Originally nicknamed “Skinny” but after a label misprint on one of his recordings the new “Skinnay” stuck ~ Ennis passed away in 1963
August 13, 1904 ~ Charles Edward Rogers, commonly known as actor, trombonist, singer Buddy Rogers, born in Olathe, Kansas, USA ~ Known as “America's Boyfriend” during his heyday, the 1920s and 1930s, Rogers was not a bandleader in the usual sense of the word but a film actor who ‘fronted’ bands for publicity purposes ~ Rogers passed away in 1999
August 13, 1903 ~ Jazz trombonist Guy Paquinet, full name Guy Patrick Paquinet, born in Tours, France ~ Father of trombonist Andre Paquinet. Worked with Paul Gason, Lud Gluskin, Fred Mele, Don Parker, Alix Combelle, Django Reinhardt, Ray Ventura, Sidney Bechet, Dizzy Gillespie, Tony Proteau, and others ~ Paquinet passed away in 1981
August 13, 1879 ~ Composer John Ireland, full name John Nicholson Ireland, born in Bowdon, UK ~ Composed chamber music, choral and orchestral works, and fuilm scores. Well known for the short instrumental The Holy Boy, the hymn Love Unknown, and the choral motet Greater Love Hath No Man ~ Ireland passed away in 1962