August 21, 2022 ~ Jazz guitarist Monnette Sudler passed away in Germantown, Pennsylvania, USA ~ As a leader over half a dozen albums to her name, including the acclaimed 1995 Time For A Change album. In-demand sidewoman, worked with Kenny Barron, Hamiet Bluiett, Arthur Blythe, Dameronia, Sonny Fortune, Dave Holland, Freddie Hubbard, Joseph Jarman, Hugh Masekela, Cecil McBee, David Murray, Sunny Murray, Trudy Pitts, Odean Pope, Don Pullen, Sam Rivers, Shirley Scott, Archie Shepp, Leon Thomas, Steve Turre, Cedar Walton, Grover Washington Jr, Reggie Workman, and others ~ Sudler was born in 1952
August 21, 2022 ~ Heavy metal, extreme metal guitarist Stuart Anstis passed away ~ Member of Cradle Of Filth from 1995 through 1999, present on the albums Dusk And Her Embrace and Cruelty And The Beast ~ Anstis was born ca.1974
August 21, 2021 ~ William Hundley Emerson, commonly known as banjoist Bill Emerson, passed away ~ Considered one of the best bluegrass banjoists in history. Founding member of the Country Gentlemen. Formed the duo Emerson & Waldron with guitarist Cliff Waldron. Also worked with Buzz Busby, Jimmy Martin, Red Allen, and others ~ Emerson was born in 1938
August 21, 2021 ~ Singer Don Everly, full name Isaac Donald Everly, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Formed the Everly Brothers with his brother Don Everly, known for hits such as Wake Up Little Susie, All I Have To Do Is Dream, Cathy's Clown, So Sad To Watch Good Love Go Bad, Crying In The Rain, and others ~ Everly was born in 1937
August 21, 2020 ~ Blues guitarist, singer Bryan Lee passed away ~ Influenced by Elmore James, Albert King, Albert Collins. Member of the Glaciers. Debuted as a solo artist with the Beauty Isn't Always Visual album in 1979 and has recorded to critical acclaim since ~ Lee was born in 1943
August 21, 2020 ~ Producer, engineer, label executive Ron Tudor, full name Ronald Stewart Tudor, passed away in Maldon, Australia ~ Founded Fable Records in 1969, serving as its CEO through the 1980s ~ Tudor was born in 1924
August 21, 2018 ~ Singer Enrico de Angelis passed away in Milan, Italy ~ Co-founded Quartetto Egie, teaming up with Tata Giacobetti, Iacopo Jacomelli, and Enrico Gentile ~ De Angelis was born in 1920
August 21, 2016 ~ Saxophonist Headley Bennett, full name Felix Headley Bennett, passed away ~ Session musician appeared on hundreds of Jamaican recordings since the 1950s. Worked with Lynn Taitt, the Jets, the Mighty Vikings, the Revolutionaries, the Sheiks, Bob Marley, Leslie Kong, the Abyssinians, Alton Ellis, Prince Far I, Ossie Scott, Adrian Sherwood, and others. Has released two solo albums as a main artist ~ Bennett was born in 1931
August 21, 2016 ~ Norwegian DJ, producer Kygo performs at 2016 Rio Olympics closing ceremony ~ Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll, commonly known as Kygo becomes the first house DJ, producer to perform at an Olympics Closing Ceremony. Kygo was joined by singer Julia Michaels for a live rendition of Caarry Me of his 2016 debut Cloud Nine album. The appearance harkened back to Dutch DJ Tiësto's performance who performed in the 2004 Athens Olympics Opening Ceremony
August 21, 2012 ~ Jazz vibraphonist, saxophonist Flavio Ambrosetti passed away in Ticino, Switzerland ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Rio de Gregori, Gil Cuppini, Hazy Osterwald, Raymond Court, George Gruntz, his son Franco Ambrosetti, Daniel Humair, Dexter Gordon, Phil Woods, and others ~ Ambrosetti was born in 1919
August 21, 2007 ~ Mezzo-soprano, soprano opera singer Rose Bampton passed away in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Enjoyed an international career during the 1930s and 1940s. Sang with the Metropolitan Opera from 1932 to 1950. Known for roles in operas composed by Richard Wagner as well her performances of works by Alban Berg, Arnold Schoenberg and Samuel Barber ~ Bampton was born in 1907
August 21, 2005 ~ Engineer, inventor, electronic music pioneer Robert Moog, full name Robert Arthur Moog, passed away in Asheville, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known for co-inventing the Moog synthesizer with Herbert Deutsch in 1964. Moog pursued his work as a hobby, and is regarded as a poor businessman. Commentators have speculated that he would have become extremely wealthy had he patented his designs, his only patent being the synthesizers filter design, yet their availability in the public domain helped the synthesizer industry flourish. Moog did receive a number of honors though, notably receiving a Technical Grammy Award in 2002 and inclusion in the National Inventors Hall Of Fame in 2013 ~ Moog was born in 1934
August 21, 1991 ~ Dimitra Papadea, commonly known as pop, R&B, dance pop singer, songwriter, actress Demy, born in Athens, Greece ~ Debuted in 2012 with her #1, which topped the Greek album charts and reached Platinum status in Greece and Cyprus. Known for songs such as Mono Mprosta, I Zoi (To Pio Omorfo Tragedi), I Alitheia Moaizzei Psema and This Is Love
August 21, 1991 ~ Walter D Williams Jr, commonly known as producer, label executive Dootsie Williams, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Leader of the Harlem Dukes in the 1940s. Would found the Blue Records label by the end of the decade. Has worked with Papa John Creach, the Penguins (Earth Angel), Redd Foxx, the Medallions, and others ~ Williams was born in 1911
August 21, 1991 ~ Singer, guitarist, drummer Jesse Rutherford, full name Jesse James Rutherford born in Newberry Park, California, USA ~ Lead singer of alt-pop outfit Neighbourhood, perhaps best known for the 2020 hit Sweater Weather
August 21, 1989 ~ Actress, model, singer Hayden Panettiere born in Palisades, New York, USA ~ Best known as actress, notably in the NBC TV series Heroes and the ABC/ CMT musical dramaseries Nashville
August 21, 1988 ~ Singer, guitarist, mandolinist, songwriter Kacey Musgraves, full name Kacey Lee Musgraves, born in Golden, Texas, USA ~ Strong and independent, sincere and often self-penned songs with a broad crossover appeal. Impressed with her 2013 debut Same Trailer Different Park album. Performs and records steadily since. Known for songs such as Merry-go-round, Follow Your Arrow and Arrow
August 21, 1987 ~ Jazz, modal jazz, hard bop, post-bop bassist Steve Davis passed away ~ Worked with John Coltrane, including on the 1961 album My Favorite Things. Has also worked with Kenny Dorham, Eddie Jefferson, Freddie McCoy, James Moody, McCoy Tyner, and others ~ Davis was born in 1929
August 21, 1985 ~ Heavy metal guitarist Jake Pitts born in Nampa, Idaho, USA ~ Influenced by Van Halen, Paul Gilbert, Randy Rhoads, Dio, Slayer, Mötley Crüe. Worked with Perfect Victim and 80 Proof Riot prior to joining the Black Veil Brides in 2010
August 21, 1979 ~ Kelis Rogers, mononymously known as singer Kelis, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Debuted in 1999 with the Kaleidoscope album, critically acclaimed and spawned the singles Caught Out Here, Good Stuff and Get Along With You. Subsequent releases would regularly reach top 10 in the UK and continental Europe, such as Milkshake, Trick Me, Millionaire and Acapella. Kelis has collaborated with Ol' Dirty Bastard, Guru, Foxxy Brown, Angie Martinez, Royce da 5'9", Busta Rhymes, Calvin Harris, and others
August 21, 1977 ~ Singer, guitarist Allen Bunn passed away ~ Original member of vocal group the Larks, known for early 1950s songs such as When I Leave These Prison Walls, Eyesight To The Blind and Little Side Car ~ Bunn was born in 1923
August 21, 1974 ~ John Kirkland Reid, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Johnny Reid, born ~ Debuted in 1997 with the album Another Day Another Dime. First gained attention with his eponymous sophomore album, 2000's Johnny Reid, which spawned the minor hits Given Up On Me, Runnin' Wild and She Don't Wanna Hear, all of which barely missed the Canadian country top 40. In 2004 You Still Own Me, lead single of Reid's Born To Roll, would be his first single to reach top 20. More would follow. Country-rockers Emerson Drive covered Reid's You Still Own Me in 2007
August 21, 1973 ~ Willard Palmer Harris, commonly known as jazz trombonist Bill Harris, passed away in Hallandale, Florida, USA ~ Worked with Benny Goodman, Charlie Barnet, Eddie Condon, Woody Herman, Charlie Ventura, Chubby Jackson, Flip Phillips, Charlie Parker, Ben Webster, and others ~ Harris was born in 1916
August 21, 1970 ~ Pop rock sibling outfit the Bee Gees record Lonely Days at IBC Studios, London, UK ~ Written by Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Maurice Gibb. Produced by the band and their manager Robert Stigwood. Reportedly one of the erliest songs, alongside How Can You Mend A Broken Heart written after their reunion, the band having broken up over a year earlier. Included on the 1970 2 Years On album. The single, paired with Man For All Seasons on the flipside, would be the first release to make it to the American top 5. Bary would re-record the song with Little Big Town for his 2021 Greenfield solo album
August 21, 1970 ~ Jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer Marlon Jordan born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Son of saxophonist Kidd Jordan and pianist Edvidge Jordan. Brother of flutist Kent Jordan, violinist Rachel Jordan and of jazz singer Stephanie Jordan. Worked with Branford Marsalis, Dennis González, Miles Davis, George Benson, Alvin Batiste, Maynard Chatters, Jonathan Bloom, and others
August 21, 1968 ~ Producer, multi-instrumentalist Jan Bang born in Kristiansand, Norway ~ Has released albums as a solo artist and has worked with artists such as Morten Harket, Sidsel Endresen, David Sylvian, Nils Petter Molvær, Arild Andersen, Bugge Wesseltoft, Arve Henriksen, Erik Honoré, Bertine Zetlitz, Bel Canto, Eivind Sarset, Tigran Hamasyan, and others
August 21, 1967 ~ Michalis Mytakidis, commonly known as rapper, producer BD Foxmoor, born in Athens, Greece ~ Known for co-founding Active Member, with whom he released the 1993 album Diamartyria which is considered the first Greek hip-hop album
August 21, 1965 ~ Jazz percussionist, composer Leon Parker born in White Plains, New York, USA ~ Played on Jacky Terrasson's first three albums. Toured with Charlie Hunter. Recorded with Dewey Redman, Jesse Davis, Brad Mehldau, Don Braden, James Carter, Franck Amsallem, Virginia Mayhew, and with Giovanni Mirabassi
August 21, 1965 ~ Heavy metal singer, songwriter Mike Howe born in Taylor, Michigan, USA ~ Member of Heretic, known for their sole album Breaking Point released in 1988. Member of the Metal Church from 1988, replacing David Wayne, through 1996 ~ Howe passed away in 2021
August 21, 1964 ~ Jazz drummer, pianist, vibraphonist Jorge Rossy born in Barcelona, Spain ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Woody Shaw, Kenny Wheeler, Jack Walrath, David Schnitter, Sal Nistico, Sean Levitt, Paquito d'Rivera, Mark Turner, Chris Cheek, Seamus Blake, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Brad Mehldau, Ethan Iverson, Reid Anderson, Avishai Cohen, Joe Martin, Freddie Bryant, the Bloom Daddies, Joshua Redman, Bill McHenry, Bruce Barth, Mike Kanan, Ben Monder, Nat Su, Steve Wilson, Larry Grenadier, Ben Street, Albert Sanz, Lee Konitz, Charlie Haden, Carla Bley, Joe Lovano, Chick Corea, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Peter Bernstein, Doug Weiss, and others
August 21, 1962 ~ DJ, producer David Morales born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Spent the 1980s DJ-ing at several New York, New Jersey clubs, including his own. Co-founded Def Mix Productions with renowned DJ Frankie Knuckles to manage their own work. Morales has remixed and produced numerous recording for artists including Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey (nominated for a Grammy Award for his work on Daydream), Eric Clapton, Seal, Pet Shop Boys, Jamiroquai, Jocelyn Brown, Roisin Murphy, Ultra Naté, Janice Robinson, and others
August 21, 1962 ~ Salsa, bolero singer, bandleader Gilberto Santa Rosa, full name Gilberto Santa Rosa Cortes, born in Santurce, Puerto Rico ~ Dubbed “the Gentleman of Salsa” with over two dozen albums to his name. Recorded with Mario Ortez Orchestra and La Grande Orchestra before venturing out on his own in the 1980s. Known for songs such as Good Vibrations, De Amor Salsa, Punto De Vista, Vivir Sin Ella and Perspectiva
August 21, 1961 ~ Country singer Patsy Cline records Crazy at Bradley Film & Recording Studio, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Written by Willie Nelson. Produced by Willie Nelson. Released the following October, featuring Who Can I Count On on the flipside. Reportedly Cline did not like the song very much but reluctantly recorded it anyway. It would reach No.2 on the country charts and become one of her best-known recordings
August 21, 1961 ~ Singer, songwriter Todd Stadtman, full name Todd Alan Stadtman, born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Active since the late 1970s. Member of Blitz. Member of the B Team. Fronted the Naked Into. Formed the duo Zikzak with David Rubinstein. Also known as a novelist ~ Stadtman passed away in 2021
August 21, 1958 ~ Pop, disco, funk, pop-rock singer, keyboardist, producer, songwriter Ellert Driessen born in Amsterdam ~ Brother of Fruitcake's Jan-Paul Driessen. Best known as keyboardist, singer, main songwriter of dance-pop, disco outfit Spargo, co-leading with Lilian Day Jackson, known for early to mid-1980s recordings such as Head Up To The Sky, One Night Affair, Just For You, Hip Hap Hop and their biggest hit Just For You. Has also worked as a solo artist and as a songwriter for the likes of Anita Meijer, Piet Veerman, and Rob de Nijs (Banger Hart)
August 21, 1957 ~ Rock, rock pop trumpeter, singer Mark Pender born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ In-demand session musician, member of the Miami Horns. Has worked with Southside Johnny, Little Steven, Bruce Springsteen, Max Weinberg, Diana Ross, Gary US Bonds, Joe Cocker, Darlene Love, Robert Cray, Bon Jovi, David Bowie, They Might Be Giants, Buster Poindexter, and others
August 21, 1954 ~ Jazz saxophonist Bodil Niska, full name Bodil Aileen Niska, born in Vadsø, Norway ~ Daughter of accordionist Aksel Niska. Formed the jazz trio Girl Talk with Tine Asmundsen and Elizabet Walker. Also collaborated with Per Husby, Stig Hvalryg, Roger Johansen, Scott Hamilton, Harry Allen, and others
August 21, 1952 ~ Hard rock, blues rock, progressive rock guitarist, bassist, singer Glenn Hughes born in Cannock, UK ~ Best known for his association with Deep Purple, present on the albums Burn, Stormbringer and Come Taste The Band, and for briefly fronting Black Sabbath in the mid-1980s. Noted for his soulful voice. Has also worked with Trapeze, Finders Keepers, Phenomena, John Norum, Black Country Communion, Kings Of Chaos, California Breed, the Dead Daisies, and others
August 21, 1952 ~ John Graham Mellor, commonly known as punk rock, post-punk, alternative rock, rock singer, guitarist, bassist, pianist Joe Strummer, born in Ankara, Turkey ~ Best known as co-founding member, co-lead singer of the Clash, considered part of the punk movement yet drawing from a wide array of genres including reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, rockabilly, and others. The band is known for songs such as Complete Control, Tommy Gun, London Calling, Train In Vain, Bankrobber, The Magnificent Seven, Know Your Rights, Should I Stay Or Should I Go, and Rock The Casbah. Strummer has also worked with the 101-ers, the Latino Rockabilly War, the Pogues, the Mescaleros, and others ~ Mellor was born in 2002
August 21, 1951 ~ Conductor, composer, author Constant Lambert, full name Leonard Constant Lambert, passed away in London, UK ~ Defining figure in English ballet. As a composer best known for Rio Grande, Piano Concerto and the ballet score Horoscope ~ Lambert was born in 1905
August 21, 1950 ~ Singer, model, songwriter Patrick Juvet born in Montreux, Switzerland ~ Best known for I Love America, a 1978 Jacques Morali and Henri Belolo-produced top 20 hit throughout Europe. Also known for representing Switzerland in the 1973 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 12th place with Je Bais Me Marler Marie ~ Juvet passed away in 2021
August 21, 1949 ~ Avant-garde jazz trumpeter Malachi Thompson born in Princeton, Kentucky, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians, Joe Henderson, Jackie McLean, Frank Foster, Archie Shepp, Lester Bowie, Shamek Farrah, Errol Parker, Hubert Eaves, Roland Alexander, Gil Scott-Heron, Quincy Jones, and others ~ Thompson passed away in 2006
August 21, 1948 ~ Rock guitarist, singer Peter Starkie, full name Peter George Starkie, born in Sydney, Australia ~ Founding member of Skyhooks, remaining with the band through 1973 and replaced by his brother Bob Bongo Starkie. Member of Jo Jo Zep & the Falcons ~ Starkie passed away in 2020
August 21, 1948 ~ Robert Rimato, commonly known as songwriter Robert Hazard born ~ Started as a Dylan-era folkie, turned to country for a number of years, followed by a reggae stint. Fronted Robert Hazard & the Heroes, scoring modest hits in the early MTV days with Escalator Of Life and Change Reaction. Best known for writing Cyndi Lauper's 1983 hit Girls Just Want To Have Fun. Would continue to record from time to time, his last recordings a return to country music ~ Rimato passed away in 2008
August 21, 1945 ~ Film and TV composer, conductor, orchestrator Basil Poledouris, full name Basil Konstantine Poledouris, born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Known for scoring the music to films such as Red Dawn, Robocop, The Hunt For Red October and Free Willy ~ Poledouris passed away in 2006
August 21, 1945 ~ Electronic composer Pekka Airaksinen born ~ Founded and fronted the Sperm, noted for mixing elements of avant-garde music, free jazz and psychedelic pop ~ Airaksinen passed away in 2019
August 21, 1945 ~ Jazz pianist Takehiro Honda born in Imiyako, Japan ~ Co-founded Native Son with Kosuke Mine. Also played with Kazunori Takeda, Sadao Watanabe, Hiroshi Murakami, Motohiko Hino, Hiroshi Fukumura, Shigeharu Mukai, Ron Carter, Eddie Gomez, Eliot Zigmund, and others ~ Honda passed away in 2006
August 21, 1943 ~ Session singer Clydie King, occasionally known as Brown Sugar, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Discovered by songwriter Richard Berry. Active since the mid-1950s starting fronting Little Clydie & the Teens, as a member of Ray Charles' backup singers Raelettes, and working as a session singer for Phil Spector in the early 1960s. Also recorded solo singles before becoming an in-demand session singer from the late-1960s onwards providing backing vocals for artists such as Humble Pie, BB King, the Rolling Stones (including on the landmark album Exile On Main St), Steely Dan, Barbra Streisand, Crabby Appleton, Bob Dylan (with whom she was supposedly secretly married according to late 1990s gossip), Linda Ronstadt, Joe Cocker, Dickey Betts, Joe Walsh, Neil Diamond, Les Dudek, Martha Reeves, Diana Ross, Dusty Springfield, Lynyrd Skynyrd (on Sweet Home Alabama), Dickey Betts, and others ~ King passed away in 2019
August 21, 1941 ~ Sharon Lee Myers, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Jackie DeShannon, born in Hazel, Kentucky, USA ~ One of the first female singer, songwriters of the rock & roll age. Recorded since the late 1950s with her commercially most successful perios in the late 1960s, early 1970s. Best known for songs such as What The World Needs Now Is Love, Put A Little Love In Your Heart, When You Walk In The Room and Bette Davis Eyes . The latter, written by DeShannon and Donna Weiss, was notably covered by Kim Carnes in 1981
August 21, 1941 ~ Producer, arranger, guitarist Tony Clarke, full name Anthony Ralph Clarke, born in Coventry, UK ~ Best known as producer for the Moody Blues, starting with the 1967 album Days Of Future Passed. Also produced recordings by the Four Tops, Moody members Justin Hayward and John Lodge, Clannad, Rick Wakeman and Nicky Hopkins ~ Clarke passed away in 2010
August 21, 1939 ~ Singer Harold Reid born in Augusta Country, Virginia, USA ~ Bass singer, one of only two actual brothers in the band called the Statler Brothers, the other being lead singer Don Reid. No band member actually has the surname Statler. Started out singing gospel, at one point named themselves the Kingsmen and changed the name when the garage rock band Kingsmen became well known with their 1963 Louie Louie. The group gravitated towards more secular country throughout the years but would include at least one gospel song on each album. They would reach the top 10 of the country charts regularly from the mid-1960s through the late 1980s with songs such as Flowers On The Wall, You Can't Have Your Cake And Edith Too, Do You Remember These, I'll Go To My Grave Loving You, Do You Know You Are My Sunshine, You'll Be Back Every Night In My Dreams, Elizabeth, and More Than A Name On The Wall ~ Reid passed away in 2020
August 21, 1939 ~ Guitarist James Burton born in Dubberly, Louisiana, USA ~ Renowned session, touring, backing guitarist. Has worked with numerous artists including Bob Luman, Dale Hawkins (including on the quintessential 1957 recording Susie Q), Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley (led Presley's backing unit the TCB Band from 1969 up to Presley's death in 1977), John Denver, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, Judy Collins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Claude King, Elvis Costello (on tour and in the studio for about a decade, starting with 1986's King Of America), Joe Osborn, John Denver, Roy Orbison, Joni Mitchell, Hoyt Axton, Townes Van Zandt, Steve Young, Vince Gill, Suzi Quatro, Allen Harris, Rodney Crowell, Steve Wariner, and others
August 21, 1938 ~ Ernest Peter Maresca, commonly known as singer, songwriter, label executive Ernie Maresca, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ As a singer known for the 1962 hit Shout Shout (Knock Yourself Out) which he co-wrote with Thomas F Bogdany. Best known for his association with Dion, writing or co-writing some of his biggest hits including Runaround Sue, Donna The Prima Donna and The Wanderer. Other artists who recorded his songs include the Regents, Dean & Jean, Bernadette Carroll, Jimmie Rodgers, nbnd others ~ Maresca passed away in 2015
August 21, 1938 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter Kenny Rogers, full name Kenneth Donald Rogers, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Hugely successful cross-over singer, especially during the 1970s and 1980s. Sold over 100 million records during his lifetime. Known for songs such as Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Was In, Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town, Love Lifted Me, The Gambler, Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got), and Lucille. Worked with the Scholars, Bobby Doyle, Mickey Gilley, Eddy Arnold, the New Christy Minstrels, the First Edition, Larry Butler, extensively with Dottie West, with Kim Carnes (Don't Fall In Love With A Dreamer), Lynda Carter, Dolly Parton (You Can't Make Old Friends, Islands In The Stream), Sheena Easton, Lionel Richie (who wrote Rogers' Lady), David Foster, Barry Gibb, Ronnie Milsap, Whitney Duncan, Bloodline Rogers, and others ~ Rogers passed away in 2020
August 21, 1935 ~ Flutist Felix Skowronek born ~ Student of William Kincaid. Leading figure in the revival of wooden Boehm-style flutes. Expert in the use of various hardwoods in flute manufacturing. Skowronek played with the Seattle Symphony, the Seventh Army Symphony, the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, the the St Louis Symphony. Founding member of the Soni Ventorum Wind Quintet ~ Skowronek passed away in 2006
August 21, 1933 ~ Mezzo-soprana opera, concert, lieder singer Janet Baker, full name Janet Abbott Baker, born in Hatfield, UK ~ Best known as n interpreter of baroque and early Italian opera as well as the works of Benjamin Britten, notably premiering the latter's Phaedra in 1976 written especially for her. Has worked with the English Opera Group, the Royal Opera House, the English Opera House, and others
August 21, 1928 ~ Twin brothers bassist Addison Farmer and trumpeter Art Farmer born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, USA ~ Addison played with Johnny Alston, Teddy Edwards, Mose Allison, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis. Art played with Horace Silver, Sonny Rollins, Gerry Mulligan, Sonny Criss, Ernie Andrews, Big Jay McNeely, Benny Carter, Roy Porter, Gerald Wilson, Wardell Gray, Big Joe Turner, Pete Johnson, Teddy Charles, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Lester Young, Hal McKusick, McCoy Tyner, Jim Hall, Don Byas, Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, Clifford Jordan, and others. Both would play with Benny Golson, Jay McShann and with Gigi Gryce ~ Addison passed away in 1963, Art in 1999
August 21, 1916 ~ Singer Bill Lee bonr in Johnson, Nebraska, USA ~ Member of vocal quartet the Mellomen, present on several animated feature soundtracks notably Alice In Wonderland and Jungle Book ~ Lee passed away in 1980
August 21, 1916 ~ Pianist, songwriter Consuelo Velázquez, full name Consuelo Velázquez Torres, born in Ciudad Guzman, Mexico ~ Best known as a songwriter, noted for penning Besame Mucho originally by Emilio Tuero and covered by over 500 artists including Xavier Cugat, Frankie Laine, Trini López, João Gilberto, José Carreras, and others. Other well known songs written by Velázquez include Amar Y Vivir (Fernando Fernández, Antonio Machín, Daniel Santos), Cachito (Gloria Lasso, Nat King Cole), and Que Seas Feliz (Miguel Aceves Mejía, Pedro Infante, Albert Hammond) ~ Velázquez passed away in 2005
August 21, 1907 ~ Songwriter Hy Zaret, full name Hyman Harry Zaritsky, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-authoring Unchained Melody with Alex North, originally sung by Todd Duncan for the 1955 film Unchained. It would be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Three versions of the song would hit the charts the same year, Les Baxter, Al Hibbler and Roy Hamilton. It would be covered by numerous artist throughout the years including Jimmy Young, Liberace, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Cliff Richard, Roy Orbison, Donny Osmond and perhaps most notably by the Righteous Brothers in 1965 with lush production by Phil Spector ~ Zaret passed away in 2007
August 21, 1904 ~ Pianist, bandleader Count Basie born in Red Bank, New Jersey, USA ~ Iconic figure in jazz. Originally wanted to play the drums, switched to piano at age 15 disillusioned others were better. Gigged extensively as a young pianist, hanging with the likes of Sonny Greer, Willie The Lion Smith, James P Johnson, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller. Would get his first experience as bandleader temporarily taking over for Bennie Moten, who was voted out. By the mid-1930s Basie would start his own orchestra. Mentored many future stars in the Count Basie Orchestra. At times his sidemen included Lester Young, Herschel Evans, Freddie Green, Buck Clayton, Harry Sweets Edison, Al Grey, Helen Humes, Thelma Carpenter, and others. His orchestra would often accompany noted jazz and blues singers of the day, Basie preferred blues, such as Billie Holiday, blues shouter Jimmy Rushing, and Big Joe Turner. Basie would lead the orchestra for nearly five decades ~ Basie passed away in 1986
August 21, 1895 ~ Vaudeville entertainer, songwriter Benny Davis born ~ Remembered for co-penning songs such as Margie (the Rega Dance Orchestra, the Modernaires, Tommy Dorsey, Fats Domino), I'm Nobodys Child (Aileen Stanley, Ruth Etting, Judy Garland, Mildred Bailey, Connie Francis), Oh How I Miss You tonight (the California Melodie Syncopators, Perry Como, Kay Starr, Frank Sinatra), Lonesome And Sorry (Jean Goldkette, Joni James, Nat King Cole), Baby Face (Jan Garber, Ben Selvin, Roberta Sherwood, Little Richard, the Kinks), Carolina Moon (Gene Austin, Guy Lombardo, the Chordettes, Jim Reeves), and With These Hands (Dick Brown, Shirley Bassey, Sarah Vaughan, the Temptations) ~ Davis passed away in 1979
August 21, 1895 ~ Bandleader Bob Haring passed away ~ Popular swing, dance, fox-trot bandleader of the 1920s and 1930s. Staff musician, bandleader at the Cameo Records and Brunswick Records labels, using a multitude of monnikers making his discography difficult to trace. Most closely associated with the Colonial Club Orchestrea and the Regent Club Orchestra ~ Haring passed away in 1975