December 28, 1990 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter David Archuleta, full name David James Archuleta, born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Participated in talent contests from age 7. Released his eponymous David Archuleta debut album in 2008, spawning the hit Crush. Has collaborated with Hannah Montana, Dapo, James The Morrison, Madilyn Paige, and others
December 28, 1989 ~ Singer Salvador Sobral, full name Salvador Vialr Braamcamp Sobral, born in Lisbon, Portugal ~ Best known for winning the 2017 Eurovision Songfestival with Amar Pelos Dois, giving Portugal its first-ever win
December 28, 1986 ~ Punk rock, metal guitarist Parker Lundgren born in Port Townsend, Washington, USA ~ Influenced by Django Reinhardt and Chris DeGarmo. Best known as guitarist of Queensryche from 2009, replacing Mike Stone, through 2021. Has previously worked with Sledgeback, the Nihilists, Geoff Tate, and others
December 28, 1985 ~ Songwriter, producer Anton Hård af Segerstad born in Ödeborg, Sweden ~ Worked with Iggy Azalea, Fifth Harmony, JoJo, Mic Lowry, Dada Life, Nause, Loreen, and with Kim Cesarion. Often collaborated with fellow Swedish songwriters, producers Linnéa Deb and Joy Deb including on Måns Zelmerlöw's Heroes, 2015 Eurovision Songfestival winner
December 28, 1985 ~ Contemporary classical singer, pianist Estelí Gomez born ~ Founding member of chamber ensemble Roomful Of Teeth. Also noted for collaborating with Yo-Yo Ma on Green (Vincent's Tune) of his 2016 Grammy Award-winning Sing Me Home album
December 28, 1981 ~ Alternative rock, alternative country, folk punk, punk rock singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Frank Turner, full name Francis Edward Turner, born in Manama, Bahrain ~ Solo artist since the mid-2000s, backed by the Sleeping Souls. Has also worked with Million Dead, Möngöl Hörde, Jon Snodgrass, the Record Buying Public, Jason Isbell, Kneejerk, Badger Doritos, Albuquerque Meat Hat, Dive Dive, Ben Marwood, Flogging Molly, Brian Fallon, Gaslight Anthem, Sunset Sunday, and NOFX
December 28, 1978 ~ John Roger Stephens, commonly known as pianist, singer, songwriter John Legend, born in Springfield, Ohio, USA ~ First gained attention with a number of high-profile collaborations including Jay-Z (Encore), Alicia Keys (You Don't Know My Name) and Lauryn Hill (Everything Is Everything), before releasing his debut Get Lifted album in 2004. Best known for his 2013 international hit All Of Me which reached top 10 across the globe, topping the charts in America and the Netherlands
December 28, 1978 ~ Rapper Phonte, full name Phonte Lyshod Coleman, born in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA ~ Member of Little Brother. Forms the duo the Foreign Exchange with producer Nicolay, best known for Grammy Award-nominated Daykeeper of their 2009 Leave It All Behind sophomore album. Also records as a solo artist, occasionally using the moniker Percy Miracles, starting with the album Charity Starts At Home released in 2011. Has guested on recordings by Murs, DJ Shadow, Sean Price, Eric Roberson, Evidence, Drake, Royce da 5'9", the Roots, Mac Miller, Pharoahe Monch, Talib Kweli, and others
December 28, 1977 ~ David Vervoort, commonly known as dance, dance-pop producer Dave McCullen, born in Bonheiden, Belgium ~ Member of Belgian dance-act Lasgo, scoring the UK top 10 hits Something and Alone both taken of their 2001 Some Things album
December 28, 1976 ~ Joshua Dolgin, commonly known as rapper, pianist, producer Socalled, born in Ottawa, Canada ~ Draws from hip-hop, klezmer, drum and bass, folk and other idioms. Has worked with David Krakauer, C-Ray Walz, Chilly Gonzales, Fred Wesley, Sophie Solomon, Beyond The Pale, and others. Known for Hiphopkhasene, a collaborative album with Sophie Solomon released in 2003 and for his 2013 remix of Moe Koffman's Curried Soul, the latter becoming the theme music of CBC Radio One's As It Happens radio show
December 28, 1973 ~ Rock & roll, rock, alternative country, country rock, folk rock bassist, guitarist Catherine Popper born in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA ~ Forms the duo Puss 'n Boots with Norah Jones and Sasha Dobson. Has also worked with Hem, Jesse Malin, Ryan Adams' band the Cardinals, Grace Potter, Jack White, Willie Nelson, Levon Helm, and others
December 28, 1971 ~ Singer Anita Doth born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Best known as half of eurodance duo 2 Unlimited, the other half being Ray Slijngaard. Working with producers Jean-Paul Decoster and Phil Wilde the duo became a sensation in Europe charting hits such as Nothing Like The Rain, Maximum Overdrive, No Limit, Tribal Dance, The Twilight Zone, and Workaholic. After the dissolution of the band in 1996 Doth became a vee-jay and formed the Divas Of Dance in 2002, teaming up with T-Spoon's Linda Estelle and the 2 Brothers On The 4th Floor's Desiree Manders. From 2009 to 2016 Doth would be involved with an Unlimited reunion, eventually leaving to pursue a solo career
December 28, 1970 ~ Drummer Zach Hill, full name Zachary Charles Hill, born in Sacramento, California, USA ~ Member of Hella, the Death Grips, and the ILY's. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Astrological Straits released in 2008, as well as with Holy Smokes, Floössin, Mick Barr, Team Sleep, Marnie Stern, the Bygones, Omar Rodríguez-López. Spoek Mathambo, and Undo K From Hot
December 28, 1969 ~ Rock, jazz, blues, pop guitarist Gil Parris born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Half a dozen albums to his name, starting with the eponymous Gil Parris released in 1998. Blends blues, jazz, rock, smooth jazz. In-demand sideman, has worked with Dr John, Blood Sweat & Tears, Diane Schuur, David Mann, Billy Vera, Bobby Caldwell, Toni Braxton, Toko Furuuchi, Joel Rosenblatt, Vaneese Thomas, Chuck Jackson, Cissy Houston, and others
December 28, 1965 ~ Avant-garde, free jazz trumpeter Bart Maris born in Ninove, Belgium ~ Brother of singer, guitarist Piet Maris. Has worked with Fukkeduk, Kamikaze, the Rouppe Group, X-Legged Sally, Excelsior, Think Of One, the Flat Earth Society, Jaune Toujours, Electric Barbarian, Moker, Nanook, the Whodads, the Simpletones, Das Kammer Orchestra, 69, Olla Vogala, Art Zoyd, Fred Frith, and Univers Zero
December 28, 1963 ~ Singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer Shawn Lee born in Wichita, Kansas, USA ~ Debuted with 1996's Discomfort, a promo album released only in France, and internationally with 2000's Monkey Boy. Has worked with the Dust Brothers, Jeff Buckley, Clutchy Hopkins, Tony Joe White, Darondo, Money Mark, Tommy Guerrero, and others
December 28, 1962 ~ Jazz pianist Michel Petrucciani born in Orange, France ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Lee Konitz, Wayne Shorter, Jim Hall, Bob Malach, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, Gil Goldstein, Pete Levin, Marcus Miller, Biréli Lagrène, Kenny Garrett, Stéphane Grappelli, Steve Gadd, Anthony Jackson, Charles Lloyd, Joe Lovano, Charles Lloyd, Kenny Clarke, Clark Terry, and others ~ Petrucciani passed away in 1999
December 28, 1961 ~ Folk, blues, jazz singer, songwriter Christine Collister born in Isle of Man, UK ~ Sang backup for Richard Thompson. Releasing solo albums since the mid-1990s. In-demand session vocalist, songwriter, collaborator worked with Clive Gregson, Daphnes Flight, Hell Bent Heaven Bound, Dave Kelly, Michael Fix, Mike Slamer, Pam Shane, Steve Lima, Rob Laufer, Linday Rowe, Lena Andersson, and others
December 28, 1960 ~ Country singer, guitarist, mandolinist, pianist, songwriter Marcus Hummon, full name Marcus Spencer Hummon, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Debuted as a solo artist in 1995 with the All In Good Time album. In-demand songwriter whose songs have been recorded by Alabama (The Cheap Seats), Suzy Bogguss, the Dixie Chicks (Cowboy Take Me Away), Sara Evans, Hal Ketchum, Wynonna Judd (Only Love), Lauren Lucas, Tim McGraw, One Flew South, SheDaisy, Steve Wariner (Road Trippin'), Western Flyer, Bryan White, Chely Wright (Jezebel), and others
December 28, 1960 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Marty Roe born in Lebanon, Ohio, USA ~ Member of Diamond Rio since 1984, present on all the band's albums. The band scored well over a dozen top 10 singles on the Billboard Country charts, mostly in the 1990s, including Meet In The Middle, Norma Jean Riley, Love A Little Stronger, Walkin' Away, How Your Love Makes Me Feel, and Unbelievable
December 28, 1960 ~ Saxophonist Ted Nash born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Son of trombonist Dick Nash. Nephew of saxophonist Ted Nash. Leader and sideman. Worked with Quincy Jones, Louie Bellson, Don Ellis, Gerry Mulligan, Charlie Shoemake, Mel Lewis, Wynton Marsalis, Joe Lovano, Ben Allison, the Herbie Nichols Project, Wycliffe Gordon, Jimmy Heath, Freddie Hubbard, Linda Eder, Vince Giordano, Tom Postillo, Paul Weston, and others
December 28, 1959 ~ Pop, synth-pop, new wave singer Ana Torroja, full name Ana Torroja Fungairino, born in Madrid, Spain ~ Member of Mecano, one of the all time best selling Spanish bands with over 25 million records sold. The band is known for songs such as La Fuerza Del Destino, Hijo De La Luna, Cruz De Navajes, Une Femme Avec Une Femme and El 7 De Septiembre
December 28, 1958 ~ Blues, blues-rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Buddy Whittington born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Fronts the Buddy Whittington Band. Gigged the Dallas area starting at age 14 in local bands such as Short Change and the Sidemen, which he formed. Invited by John Mayall to fill the vacant spot, first appearring on the Spinning Coin album, when Coco Montoya left John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in 1993 to pursue a solo career. Teamed up with Pete Stroud and Roger Cotton when Mayall eventually disbanded the Bluesbreakers. Also collaborated with Ray Sharpe, Dr Wu, Point Blank, and others
December 28, 1958 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger David Berkman born ~ Worked with Sonny Stitt, Hank Crawford, Carter Jefferson, Joe Lovano, Jamey Haddad, Greg Bandy, Brian Blade, Dave Douglas, Ray Drummond, Dick Oatts, Tony Malaby, Scott Wendholt, Lenny White, Scott Colley, Steven Bernstein, Dave Stryker, David Fathead Newman, Jane Monheit, Tom Harrell, and others
December 28, 1958 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Joe Diffie, full name Joe Logan Diffie, born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Debuted in 1990 with the A Thousand Winding Roads album and would regularly reach the higher echelons of the country charts throughout the 1990s. Known for songs such as Home, If The Devil Danced In Empty Pockets, Third Rock From The Sun, Pickup Man and Bigger Than The Beatles, all of which topped the Billboard Country charts. In-demand songwriter, written or co-written songs recorded by Holly Dunn, Tim McGraw, Jo Dee Messina. In-demand collaborator, worked with artists such as Mary Chapin Carpenter, George Jones, and Marty Stuart ~ Diffie passed away in 2020
December 28, 1956 ~ Jazz guitarist Joe Cohn, full name Joseph Mark Cohn, born in Flushing, New York, USA ~ Son of saxophonist Al Cohn. Father of cornetist Shaye Cohn. Leader and sideman. Worked with Nick Brignola, Bob Mover, Freddy Cole, Buddy DeFranco, Artie Shaw, Dick Johnson, Carmen Leggio, Bill Crow, Harry Allen, Peter Beets, Al Grey, Jay Leonhart, Grant Stewart, Totti Bergh, Kenny Davern, Joe Temperley, Bob Dorough, George Gee, Jesse Green, Eddie Higgins, Dave McKenna, Ken Peplowski, Dayna Stephens, Doug Webb, Frank Wess, Claude Williams, and others
December 28, 1956 ~ Crossover violinist, violist Nigel Kennedy born in Brighton, UK ~ Has been criticised as “the Liberace for the 1990s”. Debuted in 1984 with his rendition of Edward Elgar's Elgar's Violin Concerto recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Especially known for his 1989 album of Antonio Vivaldi's Vivaldi The Four Seasons with the English Chamber Orchestra, which would sell over 2 million copies. Has expanded into jazz, pop, rock, klezmer and other genres including collaborations with Robert Plant, Jaz Coleman, the Who, Kate Bush, Sarah Brightman, Kroke, Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette, and others
December 28, 1956 ~ Rock, punk rock drummer Sam Henry, full name Samuel William Henry, born ~ Co-founding member of punk rock outfit the Wipers alongside Greg Sage and Dave Koupal, known for the singles Better Off Dead and Alien Boy. Henry would leave the band by 1979 to join the husband-wife team Fred Cole and Toody Cole in Rats. Has also worked with Napalm Beach and Jenny Don't & the Spurs ~ Henry passed away in 2022
December 28, 1953 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress Martha Wash born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ First drew attention as half of Two Tons Of Fun, the other half being Izora Armstead. Two Tons originally sang backup for Sylvester and later renamed themselves the Weather Girls, best known for the 1982 smash hit It's Raining Men. The duo continued to back Sylvester but released five studio albums before disbanding in 1988
December 28, 1953 ~ Film composer Richard Band, full name Richard Howard Band, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Film composer with over 140 movies to his name including all of Puppet Masters series, Re-Animator, Stargate SG-1, From Beyond and Exorcism At 60,000 Feet
December 28, 1953 ~ Philippe Pagès, commonly known as easy listening, new age pianist Richard Clayderman, born in Paris, France ~ Best known for his easy listening arrangements of pop and popular classical music. Closely associated with producer, composer duo Paul De Senneville and Olivier De Toussaint. Has accompanied French singers such as Johnny Hallyday, Thierry Le Luron and Michel Sardou
December 28, 1951 ~ Singer, drummer, songwriter Louis McCall, full name Louis A McCall Sr, born in Alameda, California, USA ~ Member of funk outfit Con Funk Shun, known for 1970s, 1980s hits such as Ffun, Chase Me, Baby I'm Hooked Right Into Your Love. Murdered in a home invasion robbery at age 45 ~ McCall passed away in 1997
December 28, 1950 ~ Singer Alex Chilton born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ First gained attention fronting the Box Tops while still in his teens, scoring hits with songs such as The Letter, Neon Rainbow, Cry Like A Baby, and Soul Deep. Would go on to front the seminal power pop band Big Star, recording three albums in the 1970s, influential on artists as diverse as Kiss's Paul Stanley, REM, Teenage Fanclub, the Replacements, Primal Scream, Matthew Sweet, and Velvet Crush ~ Chilton passed away in 2010
December 28, 1950 ~ Bassist Hugh MacDonald, full name Hugh John McDonald, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Not to be confused with the Australian guitarist Hugh Macdonald. Hugh John McDonald is best known for his session work and for being an official member of Bon Jovi since 2016. Previously a member of the Dave Bromberg Band. Has also been recording and releasing solo albums since the turn of the millenium. As a session or touring musician has worked with Willie Nelson, Cher (Just Like Jesse James), Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Steve Goodman, Ringo Starr, Lita Ford, Michael Bolton, Alice Cooper (on the 1989 LP Trash and 1991's Hey Stoopid), Ricky Martin, Michael Bublé, Bret Michaels, Shania Twain, and others
December 28, 1949 ~ Progressive rock drummer Clive Brooks, full name CLive Colin Brooks, born in Bow, UK ~ Member of Uriel, Arzachel, the Egg. Subsequently worked with the Groundhogs, present on the albums Hogwash and Solid. Member of Liar, present on the albums Straight From The Hip and Set The World On Fire. Drum tech for Toto, Robbie Williams, and notably Pink Floyd from the early 1980s through the mid-1990s ~ Brooks passed away in 2017
December 28, 1948 ~ Singer Mary Weiss born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Leader of 1960s R&B girl group the Shangri-Las. Sang lead on Remember (Walking In The Sand), Give Him A Great Big Kiss and Out In The Streets. Sang co-lead on the band's biggest hit, The Leader Of The Pack, in tandem with Elizabeth Weiss. Following the band's disbandement in 1968, Weiss mostly disappeared from the music scene for decades, reemerging in 2007 with her first and only solo album, the critically acclaimed Dangerous Game album ~ Weiss passed away in 2024
December 28, 1948 ~ Joseph Modeliste, commonly known as drummer Ziggy Modeliste, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Considered a funk pioneer and innovator helpful in bringing New Orleans grooves to mainstream music. Best known as co-founding member of the Meters with whom he recorded from the mid-1960s through the mid-1970s, the band especially acclaimed for their 1969 Look-Kay Py Py album. They would also serve as regular backing unit for a host of artists including Dr John, Lee Dorsey, and Betty Harris. Has recorded as a solo artist, starting with Zigaboo.com released in 2000, and guested on albums by Allen Toussaint, Ian McLagan, Professor Longhair, Robbie Robertson, Nicky Skopelitis, and Axiom Funk. Modeliste's beats have also had a profound influence on rap, much of his work regularly sampled by the likes of Run-DMC, Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, and others
December 28, 1947 ~ Dingeman Adriaan Henry van der Sluijs, commonly known as bassist Dick Diamonde, born in Hilversum, the Netherlands ~ Co-founding member of the Easybeats, known for songs such as She's So Fine, Wedding Ring, Come And See Her, Sorry and Heaven And Hell, all of which reached the Australian top 20. Internationally best known for the 1966 single Friday On My Mind which topped the Australian charts, reached the UK top 10, reached the Billboard top 20
December 28, 1947 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Jess Roden born in Kidderminster, UK ~ Member of the Raiders and the Shakedown Sound prior to joining the Alan Bown Set as lead singer in 1966, remaining through 1969 and present on their best remembered Emergency 999. Co-founded Bronco, present on the band's first two albums. Appeared on Mott The Hoople's 1971 Wildlife. Member of the Butts Band alongside the Doors-alumni drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robby Krieger. Also worked with the Jess Roden Band, the Rivits, Grace Jones (backup vocals on Pull Up To The Bumper), Jim Capaldi, Keef Hartley, Sandy Denny, Peter Green, Luther Grosvenor, and others
December 28, 1946 ~ Rock, blues rock, boogie rock singer, keyboardist, saxophonist, percussionist, guitarist, songwriter Edgar Winter, full name Edgar Holland Winter, born in Beaumont, Texas, USA ~ Brother of guitarist Johnny Winter. Best known as frontman, eponym of the Edgar Winter Group, scoring hits with the instrumental Frankenstein and Free Ride. In-demand session musician, notable credits include Meat Loaf's All Revved Up And Nowhere To Go, Tina Turner's Simply The Best and David Lee Roth's Just A Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody.
December 28, 1943 ~ Charles Nicholas Hodges, commonly known as rock, pop, rockney singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, banjoist Chas Hodges, born in Edmonton, UK ~ Formed the duo Chas & Dave with Dave Peacock, best known for the singles Rabbit and Ain't No Pleasing You. Hodges has also worked with the Outlaws, Heads Hands & Feet, the Rebel Rousers, the Tornados, the Lancasters, and recorded as a solo artist ~ Hodges passed away in 2018
December 28, 1940 ~ Jazz, soul, funk pianist Lonnie Liston Smith born in Richmond, Virginia, USA ~ Cites Charlie Parker and John Coltrane as major influences. Worked with Pharoah Sanders and Miles Davis before venturing out on his own with his backing unit the Cosmic Echoes recording a string of acclaimed albums widely regarded as classics in the fusion, smooth jazz and acid jazz genres. Has also worked with Gato Barbieri, Karl Denson, Marvin Gaye, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Oliver Nelson, Huey Simmons, Bob Thiele, Leon Thomas, Stanley Turrentine, and others ~ Smith passed away in 2021
December 28, 1938 ~ R&B, jazz, funk, pop saxophonist Charles Neville born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known as member of sibling outfit the Neville Brothers. Father of jazz, funk singer Charmaine Neville. Has also worked with the Rabbit's Foot Minstrel Show, Larry Williams, Wild Tchoupitoulas led by his maternal uncle George Landry, Johnnie Taylor, Clarence Carter, OV Wright, and others ~ Neville passed away in 2018
December 28, 1938 ~ Richard Merrill Sudhalter, commonly known as jazz trumpeter Dick Sudhalter, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Son of saxophonist Al Sudhalter, brother of saxophonist, flutist Carol Sudhalter. As a recording artist especially noted for 1968's Anglo-American Alliance and 1994's After Awhile. Also known as a journalist, music critic and writer, notably co-penning the Bix Beiderbecke biography Bix (Man And Legend) and penning the Hoagy Carmichael biography Stardust Melody ~ Sudhalter passed away in 2008
December 28, 1938 ~ Alexander Young, commonly known as rock singer George Alexander, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Brother of the Easybeats guitarist George Young and AC/DC's Malcolm Young and Angus Young. Co-founding member, bassist of Grapefruit, known for the late-1960s albums Around Grapefruit and Deep Water ~ Young passed away in 1997
December 28, 1936 ~ Obediah Donnell Jessie, commonly known as R&B, rock & roll, jazz singer, songwriter Young Jessie, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for penning and first recording Mary Lou, which he originally recorded in 1955. The song would later be notably covered by Billy Lee Riley, Steve Miller, Bob Seger, and Gene Clark. Founding member of Debonaires, with whom he recorded I Had A Love. The band also included Richard Berry, and would later be renamed the Flairs. Also briefly a member of the Coasters in 1957, providing harmony vocals to Searchin' and their best known Young Blood ~ Jessie passed away in 2020
December 28, 1932 ~ Guitarist Dorsey Burnette born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Father of Fleetwood Mac guitarist Billy Burnette. Member of the Johnny Burnette Trio, alongside his younger brother Johnny Burnette and Paul Burlison, known for a number of classic and influential 1950s rockabilly recordings including Train Kept A-Rollin'. Dorsey would reemerge in the 1970s as a born-again Christian releasing several modestly successful country singles such as In The Spring The Roses Always Turn Red, Molly I Ain't Getting Any Younger and Things I Treasure ~ Burnette passed away in 1979
December 28, 1932 ~ Grace Dell Nichols, commonly known as actress, singer Nichelle Nichols born in Robbins, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for playing the role of Nyoto Uhara in Star Trek: The Original Series and its film sequels. Debuted as a singer with the album Down To Earth, a selection of standards, in 1967. Volunteers in a project with NASA to recruit minority and female personnel for the space agency
December 28, 1930 ~ Edmund Leonard Thigpen, commonly known as drummer Ed Thigpen, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Son of drummer Ben Thigpen who played with Andy Kirk in the 1930s and 1940s. Ed Thigpen followed in his father's footsteps starting at the Savoy Ballroom employed by Cootie Williams, playing with and backing artists such as Dinah Washington, Gil Melle, Oscar Pettiford, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Paul Quinichette, Ernie Wilkins, Charlie Rouse, Lennie Tristano, Jutta Hipp, Johnny Hodges, Dorothy Ashby, Bud Powell, and Billy Taylor. Later Thigpen played with Oscar Peterson, Teddy Edwards, Howard McGhee, Phineas Newborn Jr, Ray Brown, Ella Fitzgerald (tour crew from 1967 to 1972}, moved to Copenhagen and worked with Kenny Drew, Ernie Wilkins, Thad Jones, Svend Asmussen, Mads Vinding, Alex Riel, Clark Terry, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Milt Jackson, and Monty Alexander ~ Thigpen passed away in 2010
December 28, 1928 ~ Composer, conductor Kamillo Lendvay born in Budapest, Hungary ~ Influenced by Béla Bartók, Zoltán Kodály, and Leonard Bernstein. Prominent conductor, teacher, composer who had his works performed throughout the world, including in the USA, Europe, and Asia. Served as musical director or conductor for the Szeged Opera, the State Puppet Theatre, the Budapest Operetta Theatre. For some two decades starting in the early 1970s, Lendvay has served as professor at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest, one of the oldest music universities in Europe. Near the end of his life, well into his eighties, Lendvay would look back: “I have never compromised in matters of style, regardless of prevailing fashion or the presumed taste of the public, or other considerations. My law is the unity between theme, harmony, and form. In my many decades of composition, I remained faithful to these principles.” ~ Lendvay passed away in 2016
December 28, 1928 ~ Morris Koffman, commonly known as jazz saxophonist, flutist Moe Koffman, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Early on in his career, Koffman backed artists such as Sonny Dunham and Jimmy Dorsey prior to venturing out on his own, becoming a major figure in Canadian jazz with over two dozen albums to his name. Acclaimed for his 1957 album Cool And Hot Sax, and for a number of 1970s albums featuring interpretations of works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Vivaldi. Koffman's best known track is the self-penned mid-1950s surprise Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit The Swingin' Shepherd Blues, the instrumental prominently demonstrating his skills on the flute, later covered by dozens of artists including Woody Herman, Jan Garber, Floyd Cramer, Paul Revere & the Raiders, King Curtis, Duane Eddy, and Sonny Stitt ~ Koffman passed away in 2001
December 28, 1928 ~ Jazz pianist Ray Foxley, full name Raymond Geoffrey Foxley, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Worked with the Gutbucket Six, the Gully Low Stompers, the Levee Ramblers, Mick Mulligan, Chris Barber, Ken Colyer, Rod Mason, Ken Ingram, and others ~ Foxley passed away in 2002
December 28, 1921 ~ Bandleader, producer Johnny Otis born in Vallejo, California, USA ~ Singer, pianist, vibraphonist, percussionist, bandleader, composer, arranger, talent scout, radio DJ, TV host of The Johnny Otis Show. Lovingly dubbed “the Godfather of R&B”, pivotal in American R&B and rock & roll. As a talent scout discovered numerous artists early in their career including Esther Phillips, Etta James, Big Mama Thornton, Johnny Ace, Big Jay McNeely, Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John, Hank Ballard, and the Coasters. Wrote the Royals' 1952 hit Every Beat Of My Heart, later also a hit for Gladys Knight & the Pips. As a bandleader and collaborator known for songs such as Double Crossing Blues and Cupid's Boogie (1950), Call Operator 210 and, reportedly the first recorded mambo, Mambo Boogie (1952), and for his signature song Willie & The Hand Jive (1958). Entered into politics in the early 1960, making a run for a California State Assembly, which he did not win, and serving as deputy chief of staff to Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally. Founded and preached at the New Landmark Community Gospel Church, Santa Rosa, Caligornia. ~ Otis passed away in 2012
December 28, 1915 ~ Tenor saxophonist Al Klink born in Danbury, Connecticut, USA ~ Played with Glenn Miller in the early 1940s, including on In The Mood. Moved on to work with Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey. Served under Doc Severinsen as a member of the NBC Tonight Show Band. Resurfaced as a member of the World's Greatest Jazz Band. Played with Glenn Zottola and George Masso. Retired to Florida in the mid-1980s ~ Klink passed away in 1991
December 28, 1912 ~ Jazz guitarist Billy Mackel, full name John William Mackel, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Started on banjo before switching to guitar. Best known for his association with Lionel Hampton, playing intermittently with the vibraphonist for about three decades starting in the mid-1940s including on albums such as The Blues Ain't News To Me, Newport Uproar, and Blues In Toulouse. Has also backed artists such as Milt Buckner, Arnett Cobb, and Herbie Fields ~ Mackel passed away in 1986
December 28, 1910 ~ Wilfred Williams, commonly known as singer Billy Williams, born in Waco, Texas, USA ~ Lead singer of the Charioteers from 1930 to 1950, known for hits such as So Long, the Frank Sinatra-collaboration Don't Forget About Tomorrow, Open The Door Richard and A Kiss And A Rose. As a solo artist known for songs such as Why Did I Tell You I Was Going To Shanghai, It's No Sin and his best known the Fats Waller-cover I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter, the latter a 1957 hit selling over a million copies ~ Williams passed away in 1972
December 28, 1903 ~ Jazz pianist, bandleader Earl Hines, full name Earl Kenneth Hines, born in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Pioneer of modern jazz, widely regarded as one of the all-time most influential jazz pianists known for his melodic sense and innovative rhythms. Active since the 1920s, with over an estimated 100 albums to his name. Led ensembles which included artists such as Walter Fuller, Ray Nance, Billy Eckstine, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, and Muggsy Spanier. As a composer Hines is probably best known for co-writing and first recording Rosetta, covered by over 250 artists. Other well known compositions written or co-written by Hines include Monday Date, Blues In Thirds, Jimmie Noone's Apex Blues, and Louis Armstrong's You Can Depend On Me. Reflecting on his own career, Hines has been quoted as saying: “I'm an explorer if I might use that expression. I'm looking for something all the time. And oft-times I get lost. And people that are around me a lot know that when they see me smiling, they know I'm lost and I'm trying to get back. But it makes it much more interesting because then you do things that surprise yourself” ~ Hines passed away in 1983
December 28, 1899 ~ Abner Silberman, commonly known as songwriter Abner Silver, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-wrote Young And Beautiful, Lover Doll, and What's She Really Like, all recorded by Elvis Presley at the tail end of the 1950s. Active since the late 1910s, Silver has also co-written songs recorded by Al Jolson (I'm Goin' South), Eddie Cantor, Marion Harris, Blossom Seeley (I Found A Roundabout Way To Heaven), Helen Kane, Isham Jones (There Goes My Heart), Kay Kyser (For Sentimental Reasons), Lionel Hampton, Fats Waller (My Window Faces The South), the Mills Brothers, Tony Bennett, Mahalia Jackson, and the Five Keys ~ Silberman passed away in 1966
December 28, 1893 ~ Delta blues, country blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Freddie Spruell, also known as Papa Freddie or Mr Freddie, born in Lake Providence, Louisiana, USA ~ Reportedly the first Delta bluesman to be recordedm known for songs such as Milk Cow Blues, Muddy Water Blues, Way Back Down Home, and perhaps his best-known Let's Go Riding ~ Spruell passed away in 1956
December 28, 1871 ~ Jazz cornetist, bandleader Manuel Perez born ~ Early New Orleans cornetist. Led the the Onward Brass Band, at the time considered one of the most respected, from 1903 to 1930. Has employed sidemen such as King Oliver, Peter Bocage, Henry Kimball, Lorenzo Tio, George Baquet, and Isidore Barbarin. Perez has also played as a sideman gracing the side of artists like Charles Elgar and Fate Marable and was a major influence on later stars such as Sidney Bechet and Louis Armstrong ~ Perez passed away in 1946