February 10, 1983 ~ Pop rock, alternative rock, folk rock singer, bassist, producer Jimmy Stofer born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Closely associated with rock outfit the Fray, serving as their touring bassist from 2004 through 2007. Member of indie folk group Hello Kavita, including co-writing a vast amount of the band's To A Loved One sophomore album. Member of Rose Hill Drive. Other notable collaborations include Ryan Bingham, Scars On 45, the Weather Maps, Cary Brothers, Meese, VAN STEE, and the Dualistics
February 10, 1983 ~ Post-hardcore, emo, post-punk singer, guitarist, songwriter Vic Fuentes, full name Victor Vincent Fuentes, born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Co-founding member of post-hardcore outfit Pierce The Veil, known best for their 2016 Misadventures album. Fuentes has also worked with Before Today, Isles & Glaciers, and guested on recordings by Lower Definition, Chiodos, All-Time Low, Slaves, and Cavetown
February 10, 1978 ~ William Omar Landrón Rovera, commonly known as reggaeton singer Don Omar, born in Villa Palmeras, Puerto Rico ~ Released his full-length debut album, The Last Don, in 2003. Best known for songs such as Pobre Diabla, Donqueo, Reggaeton Latino, Angelito, Danza Kuduro featuring Lucenzo, Hasta Qua Salga El Sol, and Zumba
February 10, 1977 ~ Singer Rosanna Tavarez born in Washington Heights, New York, USA ~ Member of Eden's Crush, a girl group consisting of contestants on the 2001 edition of the reality TV franchise Popstars. The band's debut single Get Over Yourself would reach top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Following the disbandement of the group shortly thereafter Tavarez has worked as a TV host and released a limited number of recordings under the moniker Chana, most notably the 2008 Manos Arriba EP
February 10, 1977 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Shahin Novrasli born in Baku, Azerbaijan ~ Married to classical singer Natavan Novrasli, with whom he has two children. Influenced by Ahmad Jamal, Oscar Peterson, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea. Has been recording steadily since his 2000 Jz'mu debut album collaborating with musicians such as Nathan Peck, Sasha Mashin, James Cammack, Irakli Kolava, and others
February 10, 1976 ~ Singer, songwriter, author Vanessa Da Mata born in Mato Grosso, Brazil ~ Released her eponymous Vanessa Da Mata debut album in 2002. Best known for her 2007 Sim. Scored the No.1 hits Ai Ai Ai, Boa Sorte and Amado, all topping the charts in her native Brazil. Her songs have also been recorded by Maria Bethânia (A Forca Que Nunca Seca), Daniela Mercury (Vlagem), and Ana Carolina (Me Sento Na Rua)
February 10, 1972 ~ Andrew Carthy, commonly known as electronica, trip hop, house, nu jazz, down tempo producer, DJ Mr Scruff, born in Macclesfield, UK ~ Took his stage name for his “scruffy” facial hair. Released his full-length eponymous Mr Scruff debut album in 1997 and has been recording steadily since. Has collaborated with DJ Spooky, Tony D, Fingathing, Quantic, Kirsty Almeida, Roots Manuva, Braintax, and others
February 10, 1970 ~ Power pop guitarist, pianist, organist Kenny Howes born ~ Active since the late 1980s, primarily as a power pop guitarist yet also drawing from a wide array of genres including rockabilly, garage, psychedelic pop, and indie rock. About half a dozen albums to his name, starting with Nothing Wrong With That released in 1995. Has also collaborated with Casper & the Cookies, Orange Hat, Hautewerk, the Popdudes, Pat DiNizio, and others
February 10, 1964 ~ Saxophonist, bandleader, composer Dave Pietro born ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Toshiko Akiyoshi, Woody Herman, Lionel Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, Maria Schneider, the VIllage Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, John Fedchock, Mike Holober, Anita Brown, Pete McGuinness, Jim Widner, Arturo O'Farrill, Paul Anka, Louie Bellson, Blood Sweat & Tears, Bobby Caldwell, Ray Charles, Rosemary Clooney, Harry Connick Jr, Michael Feinstein, Chaka Khan, Liza Minnelli, James Naughton, John Pizzarelli, the Dave Matthews Band, Sandip Burman, Dave Holland, Kenny Werner, Ben Monder, Brian Blade, Scott Colley, Scott Wendholt, uduca Fonseca, Helio Alves, Pete McCann, and others
February 10, 1962 ~ Heavy metal bassist Cliff Burton, full name Clifford Lee Burton, was born in Castro Valley, California, USA ~ Member of Metallica from 1982 until his death while on tour in 1986. Appears on the band's first three albums, Kill 'Em All, Ride The Lightning and Master Of Puppets. Had previously worked with Angels Of Misfortune, EZ-Street, Spastik Children, and Trauma ~ Burton passed away in 1986
February 10, 1962 ~ Pietro Pelù, commonly known as alternative rock, hard rock, post-punk, pop rock singer, songwriter Piero Pelù born in Florence, Italy ~ Member of Litfiba from the early 1980s through the late 1990s. Rekeased his full-length Né Buoni Né Cattivi solo debut album in 2000 and has been recording consistently as a solo artist since
February 10, 1961 ~ Jazz trumpeter, hornist, composer, arranger Paolo Fresu born in Berchidda, Italy ~ Leader and sideman. Debuted in 1985 with the Ostinato album. Has collaborated with Carla Bley, Piero Umiliani, Aldo Romani, Michel Balatino, Glenn Ferris, Jon Balke, Pierre Favre, Erik Marchand, David Linx, Diederik Wissels, Gianluca Petrella, Natacha Atlas, Joe Barbieri, Ralph Towner, and others
February 10, 1960 ~ Mark Ramos Nishita, commonly known as producer, keyboardist Money Mark, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Best known for his association with the Beastie Boys from 1992 through 2011. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Mark's Keyboard Repair in 1995, a collection of pop-funk songs. Has worked with Beck, Omar Rodríguez-López, Damo Suzuki, the Rolling Stones, Iggy Pop, Nile Rodgers, Yoko Ono, Carlos Santana, Lee Scratch Perry, Jorge Ben, Danger Mouse, Moby, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Mars Volta, and others
February 10, 1958 ~ Producer, songwriter Walter Afanasieff born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Best known for his longtime association with Mariah Carey, co-producing and co-writing for Carey for several years. Has also worked with Richard Marx, Thalia, Lionel Richie, Luther Vandross, George Benson, Destiny's Child, Kenny G, Michael Bolton, Toni Braxton, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Loggins, Barbra Streisand, Christina Aguilera, Ricky Martin, and others
February 10, 1950 ~ Visual artist, singer Lonnie Holley, full name Lonnie Bradley Holley, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Best known as a visual artist creating sculptures and assemblages from found materials. Active as a musician since the mid-2000s, initially improvsing in an Alabama church using nothing more than a keyboard and a microphone. Has released about half a dozen critically acclaimed albums, starting with his 2012 Just Before Music debut album
February 10, 1949 ~ Bruno Le Forestier, commonly known as singer, songwriter Maxime Le Forestier, born in Paris, France ~ Formed the 1960s duo Cat & Maxime with his sister Catherine Le Forestier, one of the first acts to cover songs of Egyptian-French singer Georges Brassens. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Mon Frere, which included several songs now regarded as part of the French folklore such as San Francisco and Comme Un Arbre. Has recorded steadily since to critical acclaim
February 10, 1949 ~ Drummer, singer Nigel Olsson born in Merseyside, UK ~ Best known for his longtime association with singer Elton John starting in the late 1960s, and along with bassist Dee Murray credited for helping John create his unique sound. Present on key albums such as Tumbleweed Connection, Honky Château, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy. In-demand session musician, worked with the likes of Linda Ronstadt, Neil Sedaka, Jimmy Webb, Barbi Benton, Rod Stewart, Leo Sayer, Eric Carmen, Kenny Rogers, and others. Has also recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, his best-known being Nigel released in 1979 spawning the modest hits Dancin' Shoes and Little Bit Of Soap
February 10, 1948 ~ Hannis Mikael Waldermar Walli, commonly known as drummer, guitarist Hasse Walli, born in Helsinki, Finland ~ Son of bandleader Aarno Walli and singer Marie Strandberg. Active as a drummer since the 1960s in bands such as the Islanders, the Electric Five, Nameless. Switched to guitar when joining the Typhoons. First gained serious attention playing with Jormas in 1966. Subsequently co-founded the Blues Section, considered a seminal band in late 1960s Finnish rock. Would go on to work with Tapani Kansa, Kirka, Piirpauke, and record as a solo artist
February 10, 1947 ~ Bassist, pianist Chris Ethridge, full name John Christopher Ethridge, born in Meridian, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known for his association with Gram Parsons, serving as a member of the International Submarine Band and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Co-wrote Hot Burrito No.1 and Hot Burrito No.2 for the latter. Ethridge would go on to become an in-demand session and touring musician for numerous country-tinged acts, including eight years with Willie Nelson. Ehtridge has also worked with the likes of Nancy Sinatra, Judy Collins, Johnny Winter, Ry Cooder, Leon Russell, Randy Newman, Linda Ronstadt, the Byrds, and Jackson Browne ~ Etheridge passed away in 2012
February 10, 1946 ~ Bassist, guitarist, singer Kenny Edwards, full name Kenneth Michael Edwards, born ~ Best known for his associations with Linda Ronstadt and Karla Bonoff. Founding member of the Stone Poneys. Founding member of Bryndle. Has also worked with Emmylou Harris, Stevie Nicks, JD Souther, Don Henley, Brian Wilson, Warren Zevon, Art Garfunkel, Vince Gill, Mac McAnally, David Lee Murphy, Jennifer Warnes, Danny Kortchmar, Lowell George, Glen Phillips, Natalie D Napoleon, Nina Gerber, Bobby Kimmel, Wendy Waldman, Rita Coolidge, BW Stevenson, Andrew Gold, Iain Matthews, Bonnie Raitt, Ringo Starr, the Brothers FIgaro, the Williams Brothers, Wynonna Judd, Dorothy Moskowitz, Antara & Delilah, Dick Annegarn, and others ~ Kimmel passed away in 2010
February 10, 1945 ~ Geraldine Milligan, commonly known as R&B, disco singer Geraldine Hunt, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Enjoyed moderate success on the R&B and dance charts from the 1970s through the early 1980s. Well known songs include the Charlie Hodges duet You And I, the Supremes cover Baby I Need Your Loving, You Brought Joy and perhaps her best known Can't Fake The Feeling, the latter topping the Billboard Dance charts in 1980 ~ Milligan passed away in 2022
February 10, 1944 ~ Peter Richard Woolnough, commonly known as pop singer, pianist, songwriter Peter Allen born in Tenterfield, Australia ~ First gained attention as half of the Allen Brothers, the other half being Chris Bell and actually not his brother. As a solo artist best known for his 1976 hit I Go To Rio of his Taught By Experts album. Also known for co-writing Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do), an Academy Award-winning 1981 hit for Christopher Cross used in the film Arthur starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli ~ Woolnaugh passed away in 1992
February 10, 1944 ~ Bassist Rufus Reid born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Closely associated with Dexter Gordon. Has collaborated with hundreds of others including Kenny Barron, Jane Ira Bloom, Kenny Burrell, Donald Byrd, George Cables, Jack DeJohnette, Art Farmer, the Asian-American Jazz Trio, Dan Faulk, Frank Foster, Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Barry Harris, Frank Wess, Eddie Harris, Jimmy Heath, Andrew Hill, Bobby Hutcherson, the Jazztet, JJ Johnson, Etta Jones, Frank Kimbrough, Lee Konitz, Tete Montoliu, Ralph Moore, Joe Newman, Claude Roditi, Michel Sardaby, Rob Schneiderman, Jack Sheldon, John Stubblefield, and others
February 10, 1940 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Hamish Imlach born in Calcutta, British India ~ Perhaps best known for his late 1960s recording Cod Liver Oil And The Orange Juice. Though his commercial succes was limited Imlach has had a profound influence on fellow Scots such as John Martyn, Billy Connolly, and Christy Moore ~ Imlach passed away in 1996
February 10, 1940 ~ Folk-rock, jazz-pop singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Kenny Rankin, full name Kenneth Joseph Rankin, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Actively recording as a solo artist since the mid-1960s, initially folk-rock and later gravitating more towards jazz-influenced work. Sessioned on Bob Dylan's 1965 Bringing It All Back Home album. Has also worked with Alan Broadbent, Mike Wofford, Bill Watrous, Michael Brecker, Ernie Watts, and others ~ Rankin passed away in 2009
February 10, 1937 ~ Jazz cornetist, bandleader Ed Polcer born in Paterson, New Jersey, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Benny Goodman, John Bunch, Bucky Pizzarelli, Slam Stewart, Al Klink, Zoot Sims, George Masso, Peter Appleyard, Teddy Wilson, Bobby Hackett, Kenny Davern, Dick Wellstood, Gene Ramey, Sonny Greer, Joe Muranyi, Herbie Nichols, Joe Venuti, Leon Redbone, Barbara Lea, Terry Blaine, Daryl Sherman, Lino Patruno, the Statesmen Of Jazz, Allan Vaché, Bill Dodd, Mark Shane, Jonathan Russell, Judy Kurtz, and others
February 10, 1937 ~ R&B, soul singer Roberta Flack, full name Roberta Cleopatra Flack, born in Asheville, North Carolina, USA ~ Best known for The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly With His Song, both Grammy Award-winners in respectively 1973 and 1974. Debuted in 1969 with the album First Take and has recorded steadily since to critical acclaim and commercial success. Well known songs include Feel Like Makin' Love, You Are Everything and Making Love. Also scored a number of duet hits, notably The Closer I Get To You with Donny Hathaway, Tonight I Celebrate My Love For You with Peabo Bryson, and Set The Night To Music with Maxi Priest
February 10, 1935 ~ Composer, conductor Theodore Antoniou born in Athens, Greece ~ Worked with the Boston Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players, the Torhalle Orchestra, the National Opera Of Greece, and others. As a composer influenced by Jani Christou, Bernd Alois Zimmermann, Krzysztof Penderecki, and others. Wrote operas, choral works, chamber music, film and theater music ~ Antoniou passed away in 2018
February 10, 1934 ~ Jazz pianist Rahn Burton born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Worked with Rahsaan Roland Kirk, George Adams, Roland Alexander, Bob Cunningham, Ricky Ford, Hannibal Marvin Peterson, Carlos Garnett, Beaver Harris, Jemeel Moondoc, Charlie Rouse, Leon Thomas, Stanley Turrentine, Nicholas Simon, Walter Booker, Jimmy Cobb, Michael Carvin, Ellen Christi, Dick Griffin, Massimo Urbani, and others ~ Burton passed away in 2013
February 10, 1932 ~ Alton Jay Rubin, commonly known as zydeco singer, accordionist Rockin' Dopsie, born in Carencro, Louisiana, USA ~ Being left-handed played the accordion upside down. Active locally since his mid-teens, playing parties and clubs and sometimes covering R&B hits in a zydeco style. Released his Doin' The Zydeco debut album in 1976. Initially enjoyed popularity especially in Europe, also gaining attention in the USA by the early 1980s. Plays the signature accordion on That Was Your Mother of Paul Simon's quintessential Graceland album. Has also recorded with Bob Dylan and Cyndi Lauper ~ Rubin passed away in 1993
February 10, 1932 ~ Jazz, avant-garde jazz, jazz fusion pianist Roland Hanna, full name Roland Pembroke Hanna, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Inventive pianist with a thorough understanding of the roots of jazz. Well over a dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for 1959's Easy To Love and 1974's Perugia. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Kenny Burrell, Benny Goodman, Charles Mingus (Mingus Ah Uhm), Sarah Vaughan, Elvin Jones, Herbie Mann, Stanley Turrentine (Look Of Love), Ruth Brown, Freddie Hubbard (The Hub Of Hubbard), Ron Carter (All Blues), Dee Dee Bridgewater, Stéphane Grappelli, George Benson, Don Sebesky, the New York Jazz Quartet, the Mingus Dynasty (Live At The Village Vanguard), and Eddie Lockjaw Davis ~ Hanna passed away in 2002
February 10, 1932 ~ Walter Perkins, commonly known as jazz drummer Walter Baby Sweet Perkins, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Perkins started hi career in Chicago with pianist Ahmad Jamal in 1956. Recorded and performed as a leader from 1957 through 1962, including in various line-ups sidemen such as Paul Serrano, Nicky Hill, Muhal Richard Abrams, Bob Cranshaw, Willie Thomas, Frank Strozier, and Harold Mabern. Perkins then moved to New York, played with Sonny Rollins, Carmen McRae, Art Farmer, and with Teddy Wilson through the mid 1960s. From here on he would continue to play and record with a wide array of noted jazz musicians including Rahsaan Roland Kirk, George Shearing, Gene Ammons, Charles Mingus, Billy Taylor, Booker Ervin, Jaki Byard, Lucky Thompson, Pat Martino, Sonny Stitt, Sonny Criss, and Charles Earland ~ Perkins passed away in 2004
February 10, 1930 ~ Jazz guitarist Shungo Sawada born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Founded the Double Beats. Founded the record label Elec in 1972. Has played with artists such as Shotaro Moriyasu, Norio Maeda, Akitoshi Igarashi, Motohiko Hino, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, Thad Jones, Helen Merrill, Oscar Peterson, Sonny Stitt, and others ~ Sawada passed away in 2006
February 10, 1927 ~ Operatic soprano Leontyne Price, full name Mary Violet Leontyne Price, born in Laurel, Mississippi, USA ~ Rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s. First African-American to become leading performer at the Metropolitan Opera. Would go on to become one of the most acclaimed and popular classical singers of her generation. Has also sung with orchestras such as the Vienna Staatsoper, the Royal Opera House, the Chiago Lyric Opera, the Berlin Philharmonic, and others
February 10, 1924 ~ José Gonzaga Ferreira, commonly known as pop singer Carlos Gonzaga, born in Paraisopolis, Brazil ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name since the late 1950s, enjoying popularity in his native Brazil. Best known for his 1958 rendition of Diana, a translation of Paul Anka's Diana released a year earlier. Other well-known songs include Oh Carol, Juramente De Playboy, Bat Masterson, Sereno, and Cavaleiros Do Céu ~ Gonzaga passed away in 2023
February 10, 1914 ~ Harmonica player Larry Adler, full name Lawrence Cecil Adler, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Worked in theatre, film, orchestras collaborating with Flo Ziegfield, Lew Leslie, Charles B Cochran, Paul Draper, George Martin, and others. Later in his career Adler also worked with pop stars such as Peter Gabriel, Oleta Adams, Elton John, Sting, Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, Meat Loaf, Sinéad O'Connor, Robert Palmer, Cher, Kate Bush, Elvis Costello, Courtney Pine, Issy van Randwyck, Lisa Stansfield, Carly Simon, and others ~ Adler passed away in 2001
February 10, 1908 ~ William Augusta Trice, commonly known as blues guitarist, singer Willie Trice, born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA ~ Released only a handful of recordings, notably Come On In Here Mama and Let Her Go God Bless Her in the late 1930s, yet without commercial success ensuing. Well known locally though, playing his ragtime-influenced country blues in the 1930s and 1940s to some success. Trice would release a full-length album containing standards and originals, Blue And Rag'd, in the mid-1970s ~ Trice passed away in 1976
February 10, 1907 ~ Walter Purl Thomas, commonly known as saxophonist, flutist, arranger Walter Foots Thomas, born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA ~ Best known for his association with Cab Calloway, including arranging Calloway's 1931 hit Minnie The Moocher. Has also worked with Jelly Roll Morton, the Missourians, Don Redman, Coleman Hawkins, Hilton Jefferson, Eddie Barefield, Ben Webster, Budd Johnson, Emmett Berry, and others. Would venture into music management by the 1950s, serving as a music manager and booking agent ~ Thomas passed away in 1981
February 10, 1905 ~ William Henry Webb, commonly known as jazz, swing drummer, bandleader Chick Webb, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Influenced Buddy Rich. Leading figure of swing. One of the first bandleaders to work with Ella Fitzgerald, who sang with Webb's orchestra from the mid-1930s while still in her teens until his death at the end of the decade, notably on songs such as A-tisket A-tasket ~ Webb passed away in 1939
February 10, 1888 ~ Pianist, composer William Murdoch, full name William David Murdoch, born in Sandhurst, Australia ~ Known for his sparkling technique. By the mid-1910s considered one of the finest interpreters of Frédéric Chopin and Claude Debussy. Participated in the premieres of Edward Elgar's Violin Sonata In E Minor and Piano Quintet In A Minor. Formed the Chamber Music Players with Albert Sammons, Lauri Kennedy, and Lionel Tertis ~ Murdoch passed away in 1942
February 10, 1884 ~ Lyricist Bert Kalmar born in New York, New York, USA ~ Kalmar worked as a magician, comedian and dancer before a knee injury ended his vaudeville career. Turning to songwriting Kalmar, often partnering up with Harry Ruby, scored numerous Broadway and Hollywood musicals, notably for the Marx Brothers (Animal Crackers, Horse Feathers). Well known songs co-written by Kalmar include Who's Sorry Now, I Wanna Be Loved By You, and Nevertheless ~ Kalmar passed away in 1947