August 4, 1998 ~ Kimetrius Christopher Foose, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter Lil Skies, born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Influenced by Lil' Wayne, Eminem, Wiz Khalifa, 50 Cent. Active since the mid-2010s, leading up to his full-length Shelby debut album released in 2019. Known best for the singles Red Roses, Nowadays, and I. Has collaborated with the likes of Yung Bans, Lil Gnar, Hoodrich Pablo Juan. Lil' Durk, Juicy J, and PnB Rock
August 4, 1988 ~ Pop, dance-pop singer Tom Parker, full name Thomas Anthony Parker, born in Bolton, UK ~ Member of pop, dance-pop boy band the Wanted. The boy band have recorded three albums and enjoyed popularity in the early 2010s, songs such as All Time Low, Heart Vacancy, Glad You Came, Lightning, Chasing The Sun and Show Me Love (America) all reaching the top 10 UK ~ Parker passed away in 2022
August 4, 1985 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Kina Grannis, full name Kina Kasuya Grannis, born in Mission Viejo, California, USA ~ Has recorded about half a dozen albums, mostly self-released utilizing crowd-sourcing platforms, starting with Sincerely Me in 2006. Would gain wider attention in 2008 winning the Doritos Crash the Super Bowl contest with her video of Message From Your Heart, resulting in her video being displayed during the Super Bowl commercial break. Grannis is well known for songs such as Ours To Keep, used on the daytime TV series General Hospital, and Never Never and People, both used in the MTV reality series College Life
August 4, 1984 ~ Singer, songwriter Jack McManus born in West Wickam, UK ~ Co-wrote Groove Armada's From The Rooftops and Boyzone's Separate Cars. Toured with John Mayer, Scouting For Girls, Amy MacDonald, and with Sam Sparro. Debuted as a solo artist with the single Bang On The Piano in 2008
August 4, 1982 ~ Pepijn Adriaan Lanen, commonly known as rapper Faberyayo, born in Utrecht, the Netherlands ~ Member of de Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig, known best for their 2005 hit Watskeburt. Also worked with de Spaarndammerbuurtkliek, Le Le, SLBMG, Yous & Yay, records as a solo artist starting with 2012's Coco and is an author with over half a dozen publications to his name
August 4, 1982 ~ R&B, pop singer, songwriter, actor Quindon Tarver, full name Quindon Dan Tarver, born in Plano, Texas, USA ~ Best known for When Doves Cry and Everybody's Free, both covers respectively of Prince and Rozalla and both used on the soundtrack of the 1996 William Shakespeare's Rome & Juliet soundtrack. Released a sole album, Quindon, the same year ~ Tarver passed away in 2021
August 4, 1981 ~ Singer Florian Silbereisen born in Passau, Germany ~ Member of schlager trio Klubbb 3 alongside Christoff de Bolle and Jan Smit, known best for their Het Leven Danst Sirtaki single released in 2017
August 4, 1980 ~ Operatic, concert tenor singer Daniel Johansson, full name Daniel Mattias Johansson, born ~ Closely associated with the Norwegian Opera since the early 2010s. Has also worked with the Norrlandsoperan, Malmo Live Konserthus, the Theater an der Wien, and others
August 4, 1972 ~ Pop rock, folk pop, country singer, guitarist, songwriter John Paul White born ~ Forms the Civil Wars with Joy Williams. The duo is best known for their collaboration with Taylor Swift on Safe & Sound, used in the soundtrack for the 2012 film Hunger Games. White has also recorded as a solo artist and guested on recordings by Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, and others
August 4, 1970 ~ Indie rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Patrice Pike, full name Patrice Rene Pike, born ~ Co-founded Sister 7 with Wayne Sutton, known best for their modest hit Know What You Mean. Following the band's disbandement Pike has performed as a duo with Sutton and as a solo artist
August 4, 1969 ~ Drummer, bandleader, songwriter Dylan Howe, full name Dylan Lee Howe, born in Finchley, UK ~ Son of Yes guitarist Steve Howe, brother of keyboardist, drummer Virgil Howe. Member of the Blockheads, both during Ian Dury's lifetime and after. Fronted his own jazz quintet the Dylan Howe Quintet. Also worked with Wilko Johnson, the Subterraneans, Paul McCartney, Ray Davies, Tom Jones, Gabrielle, Nick Cave, Hugh Cornwell, David Gilmour, Mick Jones, Damon Albarn, Beth Gibbons, Alison Moyet, Sarah Brightman, and others
August 4, 1969 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Max Cavalera, full name Massimiliano Antonio Cavalera, born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil ~ Best known for co-founding heavy metal outfit Sepultura with his brother Igor Cavalera, serving as the band's lead singer, rhythm guitarist from 1984 until his departure in 1996. Has also worked with Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy, Killer Be Killed, and Nailbomb
August 4, 1968 ~ Jazz saxophonist Eric Alexander born ~ Leader and sideman. Classically trained. Actively recording since the early 1990s. Has collaborated with Harold Mabern, Kenny Barron, Cecil Payne, Cedar Walton, Charles Earland, Jon Faddis, David Hazeltine, the New York All-Stars, One For All, Irene Reid, Jim Rotondi, and others
August 4, 1965 ~ Jazz drummer, singer, composer, producer Terri Lyne Carrington ~ Active since the early-1980s, played with Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Clark Terry, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Joe Sample, Al Jarreau, the Yellowjackets, Lester Bowie, Stan Getz, James Moody, David Sanborn, Pharoah Sanders, Cassandra Wilson, Geri Allen, Jonathan Asperil, James Genus, Everette Harp, Josh Harri, Bob Hurst, Nona Hendryx, Robert Irving III, Munyungo Jackson, Ingrid Jensen, Andrew Marzotto, Aruán Ortiz, Greg Phillinganes, Tineke Postma, Patrice Rushen, Mats Sandahl, Negan Santos, Dwight Sills, Esperanza Spalding, Helen Sung, Gary Thomas, Gerald Albright, Hiram Bullock, Greg Osby, Carlos Santana, John Scofield, Wayne Shorter, Grover Washington Jr, Wallace Roney, Walter Beasley, George Duke, Everette Harp, Chuck Loeb, Christian McBride, and others
August 4, 1964 ~ Jonathan Darbyshire, commonly known as guitarist, bassist, cellist, singer Mr Dibs, born ~ Spent about a decade starting in 1997 as a member of Hawkwind's road crew before becoming a full member, replacing Alan Davey. Previously Darbyshire has played with underground space rock bands Krel and Spacehead
August 4, 1962 ~ Keyboardist, organist, mandolinist, guitarist, bassist, drummer, producer Joey Huffman, full name Joseph Rodney Huffman, born in Pikeville, Kentucky, USA ~ In-demand session and touring keyboardist, producer. Best known for his associations with Witness, Drivin' 'n Cryin', and the Georgia Satellites. Has appeared on over a 100 albums including recordings by Bowling For Soup, Skinny Molly, Miranda Lambert (Kerosene), Soul Asylum (Let Your Dim Light Shine), Meat Puppets, Matchbox Twenty, Cee Lo Green, and Izzy Stradlin
August 4, 1962 ~ New wave, synth-pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Paul Reynolds born in Liverpool, UK ~ Member of the short-lived Visual Aids. Joined A Flock Of Seagulls two months after its inception, replacing original guitarist Willie Woo, remaining with the band through 1984. Present on the band's best-known including I Ran (So Far Away) and Wishing (If I Had A Photograph Of You)
August 4, 1962 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Salvatore Bonafede born in Palermo, Italy ~ Classically trained. Leader and sideman. Has worked with Sam Rivers, Archie Shepp, Pete Rugolo, Ernie Wilkins, Lester Bowie, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Joe Lovano, Charlie Mariano, Randy Brecker, Paul Motian, John Scofield, Norma Winstone, John Abercrombie, Esperanza Spalding, and others
August 4, 1960 ~ Keyboardist, guitarist, saxophonist Graham Massey born in Manchester, UK ~ Key member of 808 State, known for UK top 10 hits such as Pacific State, Cubik and In Yer Face
August 4, 1959 ~ Guitarist Robbin Crosby, full name Robbinson Lantz Crosby, born in La Jolla, California, USA ~ Best known as member of glam metal outfit RATT. Co-wrote number of the band's best-known including Round And Round, Wanted Man, Lay It Down and the band's You Think You're So Tough debut single ~ Crosby passed away in 2002
August 4, 1958 ~ Singer, guitarist, producer Ian Broudie born in UK ~ First gained attention in the late 1970s as member of short-lived punk, post-punk group Big In Japan. Would go on to become an in-demand producer for the likes of Echo & the Bunnymen, the Fall, the Coral, the Zutons, and the Subways. Formed and fronted Lightning Seeds, initially a solo project, enjoying great popularity during the 1990s. The band is best known for Three Lions, which reached the UK No.1 spot three times, first in 1996 to mark the UK's soccer team's participation in that year's UEFA European championship, in an alternate version two years later, and as a re-entry in 2018. The song featured comedians David Baddiel and Frank Skinner and has become an un-official anthem of English soccer
August 4, 1958 ~ Mbaqanga, soul, jazz, pop singer, songwriter Steve Kekana, full name Tebogo Steve Kekana, born in Zebediela, South Africa ~ Actively recording since the late 1970s with well over three dozen albums to his name. Best known for songs such as the Bushman, Feel So Strong and Raising My Family ~ Kekana passed away in 2021
August 4, 1957 ~ Avant-garde jazz, folk, rock duduk player, percussionist, singer, songwriter Arto Tuncboyaciyan born in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Brother of composer, producer Onno Tunç. Has worked with the Armenian Navy Band, Sezen Aksu, Eleftheria Arvanitaki, Night Ark, Yash-ar, Chet Baker, Marc Johnson, Al di Meola, the Zawinul Syndicate, Arthur Blythe, Paul Motian, Simon Nabatov, Hank Roberts, Paul Winter, System Of A Down, and Wax Poetic
August 4, 1957 ~ Reggae, jazz tenor saxophonist, singer Dean Fraser, full name Dean Ivanhoe Fraser, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Regarded as one of Jamaica's finest brass players, present on albums by Sly Dunbar, Bunny Wailer, Israel Vibration, Dennis Brown (Words Of Wisdom), Jimmy Cliff, Gregory Isaacs, Peter Tosh, Freddie McGregor, Burning Spear (Resistance), Sugar Minott, Maxi Priest, Junior Reid, Black Uhuru, Courtney Pine, Garnett Silk, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Sly & Robbie, Horace Andy, and Lauryn Hill (The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill)
August 4, 1954 ~ Folk rock, new age, jazz fusion, dream pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Claire Hamill, full name Josephine Claire Hamill, born in Port Clarence, UK ~ Actively recording as a solo artist since age 17 debuting with the 1971 One House Left Standing in 1971. Has opened for John Martyn, Procol Harum, Jethro Tull. Has collaborated with Wishbone Ash, Steve Howe, Jon & Vangelis
August 4, 1953 ~ Anne Elizabeth Woods, commonly known as rock, hard rock singer Holly Woods, born in Durham, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known as lead singer for Canadian rock outfit Toronto, with whom she recorded about half a dozen albums through the mid-1980s. The band is best known for their 1982 single Your Daddy Don't Know, a top 10 hit in Canada
August 4, 1953 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Jamie James born in Toronto, Canada ~ Founded and fronted early 1980s rockabilly trio the Kingbees, known for the albums The Kingbees and The Big Rock released. Also co-founded DQ & the Sharks fronted by actor, singer Dennis Quaid
August 4, 1953 ~ Drummer Jeff Hamilton born in Richmond, Indiana, USA ~ Best known as co-leader of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra alongside John Clayton. Has also worked with Monty Alexander, Woody Herman, the LA 4, Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Diana Krall, Benny Carter, Ernestine Anderson, Michael Bublé, Milt Jackson, Barney Kessel, Diane Schuur, Natalie Cole, Barbra Streisand, Renee Olstead, Céline Dion, John Pizzarelli, Paul McCartney, and others
August 4, 1952 ~ Singer Moya Brennan born in Gweedore, Ireland ~ Sister of Enya. Member of family outfit Clannad, with whom she recorded well over a dozen albums starting with the eponymous Clannad released in 1970. The band is especially acclaimed for their 1985 Macalia album. Has also recorded about a dozen albums as a solo artist or collaborator, starting with Máire released in 1992
August 4, 1950 ~ Gideon Gov, commonly known as rock, pop, jazz singer, actor, TV personality Gidi Gov, born in Rehovot, Israel ~ Co-founding member of Kaveret, one of the most successful Israeli acts during the 1970s. Internationally the band is best known for representing Israel in the 1974 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 7th place with Natati La Khayay. Following the band's disbandement in 1976 Gov has worked with Parnasa Tova, Gazoz, Doda, recorded as a solo artist and ventured into acting
August 4, 1949 ~ Reggae, ska, rocksteady trombonist Vin Gordon born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Active since the mid-1960s, starting with the quintessential Jamaica outfit the Skatalites. In-house trombonist for Studio One, working with all major Jamaican producers. Served as Bob Marley's go-to trombone player from 1965 through 1978 including on albums such as Kaya and Exodus. As a solo artist known for his 1975 Lee Scratch Perry-produced Musical Bones album
August 4, 1947 ~ Bassist, singer Paul Layton, full name Paul Martin Layton, born in Beaconsfield, UK ~ Former child actor enjoyed minor success as a solo singer with his 1969 single Mister Mister prior to joining the New Seekers in 1970. Present on some of the band's best-known including I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony), Beg Steal Or Borrow, Circles and You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me
August 4, 1946 ~ Keyboardist Max Middleton born in Amersham, UK ~ Classically trained. Best known for his association with Jeff Beck, present on the albums Rough And Ready, The Jeff Beck Group, Blow By Blow, and Wired. Has also worked with Brian Short, Linda Lewis, the Streetwalkers, Roy Harper, Nazareth (Hair Of The Dog), Hummingbird, Cleo Laine, Kate Bush (Never For Ever), Chris Rea, and Gary Moore
August 4, 1946 ~ Rock bassist, singer Walter Powers born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Closely associated with Willie Alexander, including in the Boston-based outfit the Lost from 1964 through 1967, and subsequently in the Grass Menagerie. Member of Listening, known for their sole eponymous Listening album released in 1968. Perhaps best known for his stint with the Velvet Underground, touring with the band in 1970 and 1971
August 4, 1944 ~ Bo Gustav Stenson, commonly known as jazz pianist Bobo Stenson, born in Vasterås, Sweden ~ Has played with Sonny Rollins, Stan Getz, Gary Burton, Don Cherry, Rena Rama, Palle Danielsson, Arild Andersen, Jon Christensen, Jan Garbarek, Charles Lloyd, Red Mitchell, George Russell, Terje Rypdal, Tomasz Stańko, and others
August 4, 1941 ~ Singer Cliff Nobles, full name Clifford James Nobles, born in Grove Hill, Alabama, USA ~ Fronted Cliff Nobles & Co, which also included bassist Benny Williams, guitarist Bobby Tucker and drummer Robert Marshall, best known for their 1968 single Love Is All Right b/w The Horse which peaked at No.2 Billboard mainly due to the instrumental flip side catching on ~ Nobles passed away in 2008
August 4, 1941 ~ Washboardist Pete Shotton born in Liverpool, UK ~ Member of the Quarrymen, precursor of the Beatles. Became a lifelong friend of John Lennon. Became a successful businessman in the restaurant and retail industries, known for founding the Fatty Arbuckle's chain of restaurants ~ Shotton passed away in 2017
August 4, 1941 ~ Singer Timi Yuro, full name Rosemary Victoria Yuro, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Considered to be one of the first blue-eyed soul singers. Known for songs such as early 1960s hits such as Hurt and What's A Matter Baby (Is It Hurting You). Over the course of her career Yuro has worked with producers such as Clyde Otis, Bob Johnston and Quincy Jones. Opened for Frank Sinatra. Influential on artists such as Elvis Presley, Morrissey, PJ Proby, Elkie Brooks, and others ~ Yuro passed away in 2004
August 4, 1940 ~ Keyboardist, bassist, guitarist, harmonica player Larry Knechtel, full name Lawrence William Knechtel, born in Bell, California, USA ~ Recorded a handful of albums as a solo artist, starting with The In Harmonica in 1965 under the monniker Larry Nelson. Member of Bread. In-demand session musician, present on albums by the likes of Johnny Rivers, the Everly Brothers, the Byrds, the Beach Boys (Pet Sounds), the Doors, Elvis Presley, Simon & Garfunkel (The Sounds Of Silence), the Mamas & the Papas, Thelma Houston, Harry Nilsson, Barbra Streisand, Solomon Burke, Emitt Rhodes, Chet Baker, Jackie DeShannon, Billy Joel (Streetlife Serenade), Albert Hammond, Jerry Garcia, Dan Hill, Dolly Parton, Neil Diamond, Elvis Costello (Mighty Like A Rose), and others ~ Knechtel passed away in 2009
August 4, 1938 ~ Drummer, percussionist Kenny Malone born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ In-demand session drummer. Played on Dolly Parton's Jolene and Crystal Gayle's Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue. Has also worked with artists such as as IIIrd Tyme Out, Ray Charles, George Jones, Johnny Cash, Donna Fargo, Merle Haggard, Charley Pride, Dr Hook, Johnny Paycheck, Kenny Rogers, the Time Jumpers, the New Grass Revival, Béla Fleck, Emmylou Harris, Lacy J Dalton, Barefoot Jerry, and others ~ Malone passed away in 2021
August 4, 1937 ~ Conductor, composer, multi-instrumentalist David Bedford born in Hendon, UK ~ Half of Coxhill-Bedford Duo, the other half being saxophonist Lol Coxhill ~ Bedford passed away in 2011
August 4, 1934 ~ Classical pianist Gabriel Tacchino born in Cannes, France ~ Worked with renowned orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestra de la Suisse Romande, the English Chamber Orchestra, and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra ~ Tacchino passed away in 2023
August 4, 1933 ~ Huey Simmons, commonly known as jazz, free jazz saxophonist, hornist Sonny Simmons, born in Sicily Island, Louisiana, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Prince Lasha, Michael Marcus, Moksha Samnyasin, Bobby Few, Horace Tapscott, Brandon Evans, Anthony Braxton, Elvin Jones, Eric Dolphy, Clifford Jordan, and others ~ Simmons passed away in 2021
August 4, 1930 ~ Opera, theater director Götz Friedrich born in Naumburg, Germany ~ Gained international attention with a controversial 1972 production of Richard Wagner's Tännhauser. Defected to the West later the same year. Principal director ar the Hamburg State Opera from 1977 to 1981. Simultaneously director of productions at the Royal Opera House from 1977 to 1981. General director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin from 1981 until his death in 2000. Married to operatic soprano Karan Armstrong since 1979 ~ Friedrich passed away in 2000
August 4, 1928 ~ Conductor, violinist, pianist, music director, orchestrator, composer Egisto Macchi born in Grosseto, Italy ~ Studied composition, piano, violin and singing as well as literature and human physiology. Editor of the magazine Orders. Founded Studio R7, an experimental electronic music laboratory in 1967. Member of the Gruppo Di Improvvisazione Di Nuova Consonanza, an avant-garde improvisation group that also included close friend Ennio Morricone. Also well as a film composer, with over a dozen soundtracks to his name starting in the late 1960s ~ Macchi passed away in 1992
August 4, 1924 ~ Jazz pianist Tom Talbert, full name Thomas Robert Talbert, born in Crystal Bay, Minnesota, USA ~ Especially acclaimed for his Bix Fats Duke album released in 1956, consisting of reworkings of originals by Bix Beiderbecke, Fats Waller, and Duke Ellington. Regarded as one of the finest arrangers of the second half of the 20th century, yet remained largely unknown due to having only recorded a handful of albums as a leader. Has served as arranger for the likes of Claude Thornhill, Tony Pastor, Johnny Smith, Oscar Pettiford, Don Elliott, and others ~ Talbert passed away in 2005
August 4, 1919 ~ Southern gospel singer James Blackwood, full name James Webre Blackwood, born in Choctaw County, Mississippi, USA ~ The only person to have been nominated for a Grammy Award for 28 consecutive years, winning 9 times including for the 1966 album The Grand Old Gospel and its 1967 follow-up More Grand Old Gospel both of which collaborations of Porter Wagoner and the Blackwood Brothers ~ Blackwood passed away in 2002
August 4, 1915 ~ Jazz pianist, bandleader, arranger, composer Mel Henke born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Mitch Todd, Frank Snyder, Stephen Leonard, and others. Also known as a jingle writer, notably the Ajax cleanser “stronger than dirt” and Chevrolet's “see the USA in your Chevrolet” jingles ~ Henke passed away in 1979
August 4, 1904 ~ Trumpeter Bill Coleman, full name William Johnson Coleman born in Paris, Kentucky, USA ~ Worked with Cecil Scott, Luis Russell, Lucky Millinder, Benny Carter, Teddy Hill, Fats Waller, Django Reinhardt, Leon Abbey, Teddy Wilson, Andy Kirk, Ellis Larkins, Mary Lou Williams, John Kirby, Sy Oliver, Billy Kyle, Lester Young, Billie Holiday, and Coleman Hawkins ~ Coleman passed away in 1981
August 4, 1904 ~ Helen Clare Schroeder, commonly known as singer, actress Helen Kane born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Popular 1920s and early 1930s stage and film singer and actress best known for I Wanna Be Loved By You from the 1928 stage musical Good Boy. According to some accounts the animation character Betty Boop in the Talkartoons series was based on Kane, Kane sued the Fleischer Studios but eventually lost the court case with the judge ruling there was “insufficient evidence” ~ Kane passed away in 1966
August 4, 1901 ~ Trumpeter, singer Louis Armstrong born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Among the most influential figures in jazz. Known for songs such as What A Wonderful World, Ain't Misbehaving, You Rascal You, Stomping At The Savoy, About Time, and Hello Dolly. Worked with King Oliver, the Creole Jazz Band, Kid Ory, Fletcher Henderson, Clarence Williams, Sidney Bechet, Alberta Hunter, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Johnny Dodds, Erskine Tate, Lil' Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Jack Teagarden, Earl Hines, Barney Bigard, Edmond Hall, Trummy Young, Arvell Shaw, Billy Kyle, Marty Napoleon, Big Sid Catlett, Cozy Cole, Tyree Glenn, Barrett Deems, Mort Herbert, Joe Darensbourg, Eddie Shu, Danny Barcelona, and others ~ Armstrong passed away in 1971
August 4, 1899 ~ Francis Luther Crow, commonly known as singer, pianist, songwriter Frank Luther, born near Lakin, Kansas, USA ~ Member of late 1920s quartet the Revelers. Closely associated with singer Carson Robison, scoring a number of influential hits through the early 1930s including When Your Hair Has Turned To Silver, Little Green Valley, I'm Alone Because I Love You, Utah Trail, Birmingham Jail, and others. Luther would also front his own the Frank Luther Trio, work with dance bands, record children's music, and by the mid 1940s find employment as an executive at Decca Records ~ Crow passed away in 1980
August 4, 1895 ~ Musical actor, singer Bobby Howes, full name Charles Robert William Howes, born in Battersea, 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 passed away in 1972
August 4, 1890 ~ Austin Dafora Horton, commonly known as drummer, singer, songwriter, choreographer Asadate Dafora, born in Freetown, Sierra Leone ~ Credited with the development of dance-drame, integrating narrative and song into dance performance. Broke through with his 1934 production of Kykunkor, its success so overwhelming the show had to move to a larger venue ~ Horton passed away in 1965
August 4, 1890 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Carson Robison, full name Carson Jay Robison, born in Oswego, Kansas, USA ~ Though largely forgotten played an important role in the early development of country music, especially noted for his years with pianist Frank Luther scoring hits from the late 1920s through the early 1930s. Previously Robison had accompanied Vernon Dalhart, notably on the landmark recording The Wreck Of The Old '97 and The Prisoner's Song ~ Robison passed away in 1957
August 4, 1887 ~ Jazz trumpeter, violinist Peter Bocage, full name Peter Edwin Bocage, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Pivotal figure in early New Orleans jazz. Led the Superior Orchestra in his early 20s, a ragtime band that also included Bunk Johnson. Also worked with the Tuxedo Orchestra, the Excelsior Brass Band, King Oliver, Fate Marable, AJ Piron, and Sidney Bechet ~ Bocage passed away in 1967