August 25, 1992 ~ Louis Kevin Celestin, commonly kn0own as electronic, hip-hop, electronic, dance, funk, house producer, DJ Kaytranada, born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti ~ Forms the alternative hip-hop duo the Celestics with his brother Lou Phelps. As a solo artist debuted in 2016 with the acclaimed 99.9% album. Its follow-up, 2019's Bubba, would earn him two Grammy Awards. Has served as producer for acts such as Costa Joe, Koriass, the Alaclair Ensemble, Mobb Deep, Vic Mensa, Mick Jenkins, Anderson Paak, Chance the Rapper, Alicia Keys, Matt Martians, Snoop Dogg, and Craig David
August 25, 1988 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress Alexandra Burke, full name Alexandra Imela Cecili Ewen Burke, born in Islington, UK ~ Won the 5th edition of The X-Factor in 2008. Known for singles such as Hallelujah, Bad Boys, All Night Long, Start Without You, Broken Heels, and The Silence
August 25, 1987 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Amy MacDonald, full name Amy Elizabeth MacDonald, born in Bishopbriggs, UK ~ Cites Travis, the Killers, and Rammstein as influences. Debuted in 2007 with the album This Is The Life, which spawned the hit singles Mr Rock & Roll and This Is The Life. The album would reach the higher echelons of the charts across Europe including No.1 positions in the Netherlands and the singer's native UK. Macdonald has been recording to critical acclaim and commercial succes since
August 25, 1985 ~ Roots singer, guitarist, songwriter Dani Wilde, full name Danielle Christina Wilde, born in Hullavington, UK ~ Plays roots music, blues infused with country, gospel and soul. Released her Heal My Blues debut album in 2007 and has been recording steadily to critical acclaim since. Has opened for artists such as Journey, Foreigner, Johnny Winter and Robben Ford
August 25, 1984 ~ Jazz bassist, composer Linda May Han Oh born in Malaysia ~ Leader and sidewoman. Released her Entry debut album in 2008, featuring backing from trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and drummer Obed Calvaire. Has guested on recordings by Dave Douglas, Art Hirahara, Jim Snidero, Fabian Almazan, Quentin Angus, Dr Anthony Branker, Joe Lovano, Florian Weber, and others
August 25, 1975 ~ Jazz, hip-hop percussionist, keyboardist, bassist, turntablist, producer Karriem Riggins born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Son of keyboardist Emmanuel Riggins. Worked with a number of jazz artists, namely Betty Carter, Mulgrew Miller, Stephen Scott, Benny Green, Roy Hargrove and Ray Brown, prior to venturing into hip-hop. Served as bandleader for rapper Common. Has produced for artists such as Slum Village, J Dilla, the Roots, Kanye West, Talib Kweli, Kaytranada, Earl Sweatshirt, Phat Kat, Consequence, Dwele, and others
August 25, 1970 ~ Singer Jo Dee Messina, full name Jo Dee Marie Messina, born in Framingham, Massachusetts, USA ~ Released her eponymous debut album, Jo Dee Messina, in 1996 which spawned the country hits Heads Carolina Tails Califonia and You're Not In Kansas Anymore. Broke through to mainstream pop audiences with her follow-up album, 1998's I'm Alright, and hits such as Bye Bye, Stand Beside Me, I'm Alright and the Dottie West cover Lesson In Leaving
August 25, 1969 ~ Jazz trombonist Oyvind Brække born in Bærum, Norway ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with the Bodega Band, Chick Corea, Eirik Hegdal, the Source, the Trondheim Jazz Orchestra, Per Zanussi, Erlend Skomsvoll, Knut Kristiansen, Jacob Young, Trygve Seim, Per Oddvar Johansen, the Dingobats, Sverre Gjørvad, Motorpsycho, Come Shine, the Crimetime Orchestra, Håvard Lund, Christof Lauer, Torbjörn Zetterberg, Sharp Nine, Lars Andreas Haug, Frøy Aagre, and others
August 25, 1967 ~ Alternative country, alternative rock singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Jeff Tweedy, full name Jeffrey Scot Tweedy, born in Belleville, Illinois, USA ~ Co-founded pioneering alternative country outfit Uncle Tupelo with Jay Farrar, known best for their 1990 No Depression debut album. The band disbanded after the relationship between Tweedy and Farrar grew tumultuous, Farrar going on to form Son Volt and Tweedy taking most of the band members with him to Wilco. Tweedy has also recorded as a solo artist, and has released a number of collaborative albums with Mavis Staples
August 25, 1961 ~ Country singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter, actor Billy Ray Cyrus born in Flatwoods, Kentucky, USA ~ Became a household name with the hit single Achy Breaky Heart of his 1992 Some Gave All debut album. Other well known songs include Could've Been Me, In The Heart Of A Woman, Busy Man and Ready Set Don't Go with his daughter Miley Cyrus. Billy Ray's other children include singers Brandi Cyrus, Trace Cyrus and Noah Cyrus
August 25, 1960 ~ Rock singer, bassist, keyboardist Marciano Cantero born in Mendoza, Argentina ~ Influenced by the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Lead singer of Los Enanitos Verdes, which he co-founded with Felipe Staiti and Daniel Piccolo in 1979. Started a parallel solo career in 1990 with the Luna Nueva album. Has also collaborated with Andrés de León, Vanaz, Los Rancheros, and others ~ Cantero passed away in 2022
August 25, 1955 ~ Alternative rock, post-punk, new wave, gothic rock guitarist, keyboardist, saxophonist John McGeoch, full name John Alexander McGeoch, born in Greenock, UK ~ Regarded by some as one of the most influential post-punk guitarists, cited as a primary influence by guitarists such as the Smiths' Johnny Marr, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Jane's Addiction's Dave Navarro, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers' John Frusciante. Best known for his associations with Magazine, Siouxsie & the Banshees, Visage and Public Image Ltd ~ McGeoch passed away in 2004
August 25, 1954 ~ Declan Patrick McManus, commonly known as new wave, power pop, punk rock, pub rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, drummer, Elvis Costello born in Paddington, UK ~ Emerged from the UK pub rock scene debuting with the acclaimed 1977 My Aim Is True album with his backing unit the Attractions. Well known songs include Watching The Detectives, Oliver's Army, Everyday I Write The Book and Veronica. Co-wrote music for several films, notably the Academy Award-nominated The Scarlet Tide co-written with T-Bone Burnett, recorded by Alison Krauss for the film Cold Mountain. In-demand collaborator, has worked with Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach, Roy Orbison, Tony Bennett, Madness, Allen Toussaint, Lucinda Williams, Lee Konitz, Brian Eno, Rubén Blades, and others
August 25, 1952 ~ Singer, songwriter Michelangelo La Bionda born in Ramacca, Italy ~ Formed the sibling duo La Bionda, at times also known under the moniker DD Sound, with Carmelo La Bionda, considered pioneers of the Italo disco genre. First gained attention penning Primo Sole Primo Fiore for Ricchi & Poveri in 1970. Other songs written or co-written by the duo include Neve Blanca Amica Gentile Se Vuoi for Mia Martini, Piccolo Uomo for Bruno Lauzi, and several 1980s songs for Righeira including Vamos A La Playa. As recording artists the brothers rose to fame after turning to disco in the mid- to late-1970s, scoring internationally with the singles Disco Bass and Burning Love. Other well known songs included Sandstorm, One For You One For Me and There For Me
August 25, 1950 ~ Jazz bassist Charles Fambrough born ~ Leader and sideman. Member of Art Blakey's backing unit the Jazz Messengers during the early-1980s. Has worked with Roy Hargrove, Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Kirkland, Joe Ford, Steve Turre, Grover Washington Jr, Lenny White, McCoy Tyner, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk ~ Fambrough passed away in 2011
August 25, 1950 ~ William Paul Borsey Jr, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist, dobroist, flutist, songwriter Willy DeVille, born in Stamford, Connecticut, USA ~ Fronted rock band Mink DeVille from 1974 through 1986, the house band at the famed CBGB New York nightclub, often regarded as birth place of punk rock. The band is acclaimed especially for their 1977 Cabretta debut album and 1980 Le Chat Blue album. Has subsequently recorded as a solo artist. In-demand guest and collaborator, has worked with the likes of Jack Nitzsche, Doc Pomus, Dr John, Mark Knopfler, Allen Toussaint, and others ~ Borsey passed away in 2009
August 25, 1949 ~ Chaim Witz, commonly known as hard rock, heavy metal bassist, singer Gene Simmons, born in Haifa, Israel ~ Took his stage name from 1950s rockabilly singer Jumpin' Gene Simmons. Best known as member of Kiss, which he co-founded with Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss. Sang lead on songs such as Rock & Roll All Nite, Deuce, A World Without Heroes, I Love It Loud, Calling Dr Love, Unholy, You Wanted The Best and Christine Sixteen
August 25, 1947 ~ Jazz, jazz-rock, progressive rock pianist Keith Tippett born in Bristol, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Married to Julie Driscoll, with whom he also worked. Also collaborated with Elton Dean, Nic Evans, Mark Charig, Centipede, Stan Tracey, Robert Wyatt, King Crimson, Dudu Pukwana, Louis Moholo, Paul Dunmall, Mujician, Harold McNair, Peter Sinfield, David Sylvian, Toyah, Amalgam, the Dedication Orchestra, Low Flying Aircraft, and others ~ Tippett passed away in 2020
August 25, 1945 ~ Singer, actress Martha Veléz, full name Martha Carmen Josephine Hernandez Rosario de Veléz, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Child prodigy. Won an opera scholarship at age 12. Recording since the early-1960s. Member of the Gaslight Singers alongside Earl Mann, Al Alcabes and Jeff Hyman. Recorded a blues-rock album, Fiends And Angels, in 1969 backed by rockers such as Cream's Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton, Chicken Shack's Stan Webb, Free's Paul Kossoff, Fleetwood Mac's Christine McVie, Jimi Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell and Brian Auger
August 25, 1944 ~ Patrick Carmen Azzara, commonly known as jazz guitarist, composer Pat Martino, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Admired guitarist quintessential to post-bop, fusion and soul jazz movements. Noted for his mathematical approach of the instrument. Began playing professionally at age 15. Played and recorded with Eric Kloss and with Willis Jackson early in his career, the latter being pivotal to Martino's career. Martino also worked with organists including Charles Earland, Richard Groove Holmes, Jack McDuff, Don Patterson, Trudy Pitts, Jimmy Smith, Gene Ludwig, Robert Piere, and Joey DeFrancesco. In 1980 an aneurysm left Martino with amnesia and no recollection or knowledge of his career or how to play the guitar, forced to learn how to play from zero ~ Azzara passed away in 2021
August 25, 1934 ~ Radio, TV host, singer, entertainer Jimmy Hannan born in Sunny Hills, Australia ~ Started out as a teen idol, best known for the 1963 Roger McGuinn-penned Beach Ball, originally recorded by the City Surfers. Would go on to become a popular variety show host of the 1960s and 1970s, regularly appearing on the variety show In Melbourne Tonight, and hosting Tonight With Jimmy and Saturday Date ~ Hannan passed away in 2019
August 25, 1933 ~ Jazz guitarist, composer Rune Gustafsson, full name Rune Urban Gustaffson, born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Composed the scores to a number of Swedish films including The Man Who Quit Smoking, Release The Prisoners To Spring and Sunday's Children. Leader and sideman. Worked with Jan Johansson, Georg Riedel, Cornelis Vreeswijk, Egil Johansen, Red Mitchell, Ed Thigpen, Zoot Sims, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Arne Domnérus, Jan Allan, and others ~ Gustafsson passed away in 2012
August 25, 1933 ~ Saxophonist Wayne Shorter born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Influenced by Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Coleman Hawkins. About two dozen albums as a leader or co-leader. Member of the Jazz Messengers during the late-1950s, backing renowned drummer Art Blakey. Worked with trumpeter Miles Davis from 1964 through 1970 including on pivotal albums such as Bitches Brew and Filles de Kilimanjaro. Subsequently co-founded jazz fusion unit the Weather Report with Joe Zawinul and Miroslav Vitous. Member of VSOP. Toured and recorded with guitarist Carlos Santana. Has also worked with Don Henley, noted for his sax solo on The End Of Innocence, Herbie Hancock, Donald Byrd, Norah Jones, Wynton Kelly, Freddie Hubbard, Joni Mitchell, Jaco Pastorius, McCoy Tyner, and others ~ Shorter passed away in 2023
August 25, 1929 ~ Henry Gibson Dan, commonly known as folk, jazz, hula singer, songwriter Seaman Dan, born on Thursday Island, Australia ~ Regular performer at local events for decades. Gained international fame in the 2000s with a fusion of American, Australian, African and Polynesian genres, especially the hula genre of his native Thursday Island. Acclaimed for the albums Perfect Pearl and Sailing Home, released respectively in 2004 and 2009 ~ Dan passed away in 2020
August 25, 1928 ~ Fiddler Jerry Rivers born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Nicknamed “Burrhead” for his haircut. Member of Hank Williams' backing unit the Drifting Cowboys, present on most of Williams' best known including Long Gone Lonesome Blues, Cold Cold Heart, Moanin' The Blues, Hey Good Lookin' and Jambalaya (On The Bayou) ~ Rivers passed away in 1996
August 25, 1925 ~ Blues, jazz singer Carrie Smith, full name Carrie Louise Smith, born in Fort Gaines, Georgia, USA ~ Worked with the New York Jazz Repertory Company, Tyree Glenn, Yank Lawson, the World's Greatest Jazz Band, Doc Cheatham, Buddy Tate, Hank Jones, Wycliffe Gordon, Winard Harper, Clark Terry, and Bross Townsend ~ Smith passed away in 2012
August 25, 1918 ~ Jazz drummer, singer Freddie Kohlmann born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with AJ Piron, Joe Robichaux, Papa Celestin, Sam Morgan, Albert Ammons, Stuff Smith, Earl Hines, Lee Collins, Louis Armstrong, the Jambalaya Four, Billie Holiday, Art Hodes, Louis Cottrell Jr, the Dukes Of Dixieland, the Onward Brass Band, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Albert Nicholas, Art Hodes, Bob Wilber, Harry Connick Jr, Dr John, Chris Barber, the Excelsior Brass Band, the Heritage Hall Jazz Band, and others ~ Kohlman passed away in 1990
August 25, 1918 ~ Composer, conductor Leonard Bernstein born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA ~ Longtime music director of the New York Philharmonic. As a composer best known for composing the scores of West Side Story, Peter Pan, Candide, Wonderful Town, On The Waterfront, and others ~ Bernstein passed away in 1990
August 25, 1915 ~ Violist, violinist Walter Trampler born in Munich, Germany ~ Played with the Strub Quartet from 1934 through 1938. Principal violist of the Berlin Radio Orchestra before emigrating to America in 1939 where he would serve in the Army during World War II. Founding member of the Chamber Music Society Of Lincoln Center. Member of the Yale Quartet alongside Broadus Erle, Syoko Aki and Aldo Parisot ~ Trampler passed away in 1997
August 25, 1908 ~ Conductor, arranger, film composer Ray Heindorf, full name Raymond John Heindorf, born in Haverstraw, New York, USA ~ Staff composer, arranger, conductor working for Warner Bros for nearly four decades. Notable credits include the 1954 Judy Garland film A Star Is Born, serving as musical director. Won three Academy Awards for Best Score of a Musical, namely for Yankee Doodle Dandy, This Is The Army, and The Music Man ~ Heindorf passed away in 1980