February 12, 1991 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Aubrie Sellers, full name Aubrie Lee Sellers, born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Daughter of singers, songwriters Jason Sellers and Lee Ann Womack. Cites artists as diverse as the Kinks, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Ricky Skaggs, Patty Griffin, Neil Young and Bob Dylan as influences. Debuted in 2016 with the album New City Blues which spawned the singles Light Of Day, Sit Here & Cry and Liar Liar. Followed up with the album Far From Home in 2020.
February 12, 1988 ~ Greta Morgan Salpeter, commonly known as singer, keyboardist, guitarist, drummer, songwriter Greta Morgan, born ~ Active since her mid-teens. Co-founded indie pop outfit the Hush Sound with guitarist, singer Bob Morris, known best for their 2008 Goodbye Blues album. Has also worked with Gold Motel, Katy Goodman, and recorded as a solo artist going by the moniker Springtime Carnivore
February 12, 1988 ~ Singer, rapper, songwriter Mike Posner, full name Michael Robert Henrion Posner, born in Soutfield, Michigan, USA ~ Half of alternative hip-hop duo Mansionz with Blackbear. Debuted as a solo artist in 2010 with his 31 Minutes To Takeoff album. Best known for songs such as Cooler Than Me and his 2015 hit I Took A Pill In Ibiza. Has collaborated with Avicii, Big Sean, Rittz and Logic
February 12, 1987 ~ William Phillips, commonly known as DJ, producer, songwriter Tourist, born in South London, UK ~ First gained attention co-writing Grammy Award-winner Stay With Me, a 2015 hit for Sam Smith. Debuted as a solo artist the next year with the U album. Has also written or co-written songs for Jessie Ware, Kacy Hill, Dillon Francis and Avicii. Remixed for Haim, Chvrches, Wolf Alice, Hozier
February 12, 1982 ~ Improv, jazz drummer, percussionist Øyvind Hegg-Lunde born in Lærdal, Norway ~ Worked with José González, Junip, Arve Henriksen, Stale Storløkken, Trygve Seim, Per Jorgensen, Terje Isungset, Hålkon Kornstad, Kjetil Moster, Stein Urheim, Stephan Meidell, the Building Instrument, Electric Eye, Glow, Sarah Riedel, Jessica Sligter, and others
February 12, 1979 ~ R&B singer, songwriter Jade Jones born in Finchley, UK ~ Lead singer of boy band Damage, known for a number of late-1990s, early-2000s hits including the UK top 10 singles Forever, Love Guaranteed, Wonderful Tonight, and Ghetto Romance. Following the band's disbandement in 2001 has worked with CherryBlackStone. Jones has been in an on-and-off relationship with the Spice Girls singer Emma Bunton since 1998, the couple have two children and were officially married in 2021
February 12, 1974 ~ Indie pop singer, violinist, guitarist, flutist Sarah Martin born in Blackburn, UK ~ Joined Belle & Sebastian in 1996 just prior to recording the If You're Feeling Sinister album. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Waiting For The Moon To Rise, Asleep On A Sunbeam, Heaven In The Afternoon, I Didn't See It Coming, The Power Of Three, and The Same Star
February 12, 1971 ~ Keyboardist, producer Keri Lewis born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Co-founding member of Mint Condition, remaining with the band until their first hiatus in the late-1990s. Present on the band's best known including Breakin' My Heart (Pretty Eyes), Forever In Your Eyes, U Send Me Swingin', What Kind Of Man Would I Be, and If You Love Me, all of which reached top 10 Billboard R&B
February 12, 1970 ~ Bassist, singer, songwriter Jim Creeggan, full name James Raymond Creeggan, born in Scarborough, Canada ~ Along with his brother Andrew Creeggan co-founding member of Barenaked Ladies. Wrote and sang lead on the band's Spider In My Room and In The Drink. Creeggan was also a member of the Creeggan Brothers, and has notably collaborated with the Ottawa Valley Heavy Pucks and Kevin Hearn
February 12, 1969 ~ Singer, actress Anneli Drecker, full name Anneli Marian Drecker, born in Tromsø, Norway ~ Best known for fronting dream pop outfit Bel Canto. Also records as a solo artist, starting with her Tundra album in 2000, and is an in-demand collaborator working with artists including Motorpsycho, Jan Bang, Savoy, A-ha, Röyksopp, Jah Wobble, Ketil Bjørnstad, Simon Raymonde, Mental Overdrive, Illumination, and Hector Zazou
February 12, 1967 ~ Double bassist, songwriter Jon Thorne ~ Closely associated with Jon Thorne and Suhail Yusuf Khan, releasing several albums as a trio starting with 2016's Everything Sacred. Member of Lamb, present on the band's best known including Grécki of their 1996 eponymous Lamb debut album. Also recorded as a solo artist and has collaborated with Malojian, Liam Bailey, Kathryn Williams, Robert Miles, Lou Rhodes, and others
February 12, 1967 ~ Jazz drummer, producer Stein Inge Brækhus born in Trondheim, Norway ~ Key musician of the Bergen jazz scene, active since his mid-teens in bands such as Chippie, Celeste, and perhaps most notably Cutting Edge. Would go on to become an in-demand collaborator and session drummer, working with the likes of Night & Day, Hot Cargo, Jan Eggum (Dacapo), Ivar Kolve, Kenneth Sivertsen, Ole Amund Gjersvik, Vamp (En Annen Sol), Karl Seglem, Subtrio, the Bergen Big Band (Seagull), Karoline Krüger, Tone Lise Moberg, Olav Dale, and Line Horneland
February 12, 1960 ~ Trombonist Matt Finders born in Livermore, California, USA ~ Best known as a member of Tonight Show With Jay Leno's house band. Also worked with Natalie Cole, Harry Connick Jr, Sting, Branford Marsalis, Woody Herman, Clark Terry, Benny Goodman, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Loren Schoenberg, Debbie Gibson, Bob Mintzer, Jim Hall, Tony Macalpine, Buckshot LeFonque, Diane Schuur, Joe Roccisano, Bryan Duncan, and others
February 12, 1959 ~ Drummer, percussionist Neil Conti born ~ Best known as member of Prefab Sprout. Also an in-demand session drummer for a wide array of artists including David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Annie Lennox, Cher, Level 42, Laurie Anderson, Steve Winwood, Paul Young, Youssou n'Dour, Brian Eno, Robert Palmer, Deep Forest, Will Young, and others
February 12, 1959 ~ Drummer Omar Hakim born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with the Weather Report, David Bowie, the Foo Fighters, Sting, Madonna, the Dire Straits, Journey, Kate Bush, George Benson, Miles Davis, Daft Punk, Mariah Carey, Céline Dion, and others
February 12, 1959 ~ Producer, engineer, songwriter Warne Livesey born in London, UK ~ In-demand engineer, producer active since the 1980s. Notable credits include The The's Infected, Midnight Oil's Diesel And Dust which spawned the band's biggest hit Beds Are Burning, and Deacon Blue's Raintown. Other associations include Icehouse, Julian Cope, Paul Young, All About Eve, Jesus Jones, Sarah Cracknell, Mark Hollis, Hooverphonic, and Matthew Good
February 12, 1958 ~ Alternative rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Grant McLennan, full name Grant William McLennan, born in Rockhampton, Australia ~ Co-founded the Go-Betweens with Robert Forster, known for UK top 10 hits such as Lee Remick, I Need Two Heads, and Cattle And Cane. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Watershed released in 1991, formed the duo Jack Frost with Steve Kilby, and worked with the Far Out Corporation ~ McLennan passed away in 2006
February 12, 1956 ~ Guitarist Brian Robertson, full name Brian David Robertson, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Influenced by Freddie King, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Billy Gibbons. Perhaps best known as a member of Thin Lizzy, appearing on about half a dozen albums starting with Nightlife released in 1974. Has also worked with Wild Horses, Motörhead, Pat Travers, Eric Burdon, and Shane MacGowan. Robertson released his Diamonds And Dirt solo album in 2011
February 12, 1955 ~ Avant-garde, electronic, jazz, pop, reggae, rock bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, producer Bill Laswell born in Salem, Illinois, USA ~ In-demand genre-blending leader and collaborator, exploring a wide array of genres. Closely associated with artists such as Brian Eno, Fred Frith, John Zorn, Daniel Ponce, Ginger Baker, Peter Brötzmann, Kip Hanrahan, Sonny Sharrock. Well over two dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, at times using different aliases. Member of Last Exit, Praxis, Painkiller. Has served as producer for Sly & Robbie, Mick Jagger, Motörhead, the Ramones, and Iggy Pop
February 12, 1953 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter Frans Mulder born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Member of Purper since 1985. In-demand songwriter. Artists who recorded his songs include Simone Kleinsma, Angela Groothuizen, Karin Bloemen, Gerrie van der Klei, Adèle Bloemendaal, and others
February 12, 1952 ~ Singer, keyboardist, songwriter Michael McDonald born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Member of the Doobie Brothers, writing or co-writing several of the band's best known including What A Fool Believes, Minute By Minute and Takin' It To The Street. Also an in-demand collaborator working with artists such as Steely Dan, Christopher Cross, Kenny Loggins, James Ingram, David Cassidy, Van Halen, Patti Labelle, Lee Ritenour, the Winans, Aretha Franklin, Toto, Grizzly Bear, Joni Mitchell, Thundercat, and others. As a solo artist debuted in 1982 with the If That's What It Takes album which spawned the hit single I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)
February 12, 1950 ~ Folk, folk-rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Angelo Branduardi born in Cuggiono, Italy ~ Classically trained as a violinist. Sings in Italian and English. Debuted in 1974 with the eponymous Angelo Branduardi '74 album, featuring arrangements by Paul Buckmaster. First gained serious attention with his 1976 Alla Fiera Dell'Est album and has recorded extensively to critical acclaim and reasonable European success since. Married to Luisa Zappa, who frequently contributes lyrics to his songs
February 12, 1949 ~ Latin pop, rock, trova singer, guitarist, songwriter Joaquin Sabina, full name Joaquin Ramon Martinez Sabina, born in Ubeda, Spain ~ Considered one of the premier Spanish artists. Known for songs such as Calle Melancholia, 19 Dias Y 500 Noches, Pongamos Que Hablo De Madrid, Contigo and Peces De Cludad. Has worked with La Mandragora, Viceversa, Joan Manuel Serrat, and others
February 12, 1948 ~ Arthur Edward Booth, commonly known as jazz double bassist Jiuni Boot, born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Worked with Chuck Mangione, Eddie Harris, Art Blakey, Sonny Simmons, Marzette Watts, Freddie Hubbard, Gary Bartz, Shelly Manne, Tony Williams Lifetime, McCoy Tyner, Larry Young, Takehiro Honda, Masabumi Kikuchi, Hamiet Bluiett, Chico Freeman, Junior Cook, Elvin Jones, Charles Tolliver, Ernie Krivda, Beaver Harris, Steve Grossman, Joe Chambers, Franklin Kiermeyer, Sun Ra, Joe Bonner, and others
February 12, 1946 ~ Singer, actress Ajda Pekkan, full name Ayse Ajda Pekken, born in Istanbul, Turkey ~ With a career spanning five decades one of the most popular female singers in Turkish pop selling over 15 million records. Considered by some the Turkish Cher for her longevity and her status as an icon in the Turkish gay scene
February 12, 1946 ~ Joseph Edward Schermetzler, commonly known as rock bassist Joe Schermie born in Madison, Wisconsin, USA ~ Original member of Three Dog Night, leaving the band in 1973 and present on most of the band's hits including One, Mama Told Me (Not To Come) and Joy To The World. Subsequently founded SS Fools which also included Chuck Negron and Bobby Kimball. Has also worked with Stephen Stills, Yvonne Elliman, and others ~ Schermetzler passed away in 2002
February 12, 1944 ~ Marion Franklin Bandy Jr, commonly known as country singer, guitarist Moe Bandy born in Meridian, Mississippi, USA ~ Frequent collaborator of Joe Stampley. Known for a string of 1970s, 1980s country hits ranging from rowdy anthems to sentimental tongue-in-cheek including It Was Always So Easy To Find An Unhappy Woman, Hank Williams (You Wrote My Life), Two Lonely People, I Cheated Me Right Out Of You, Rodeo Romeo, She's Not Really Cheatin' (She's Just Gettin' Even and perhaps his best known Bandy The Rodeo Clowen
February 12, 1941 ~ Jazz, rock drummer, actor Bruno Lawrence, full name David Charles Lawrence, born in Worthing, UK ~ Founded Blerta in the early-1970s, a theatrical co-operative touring New Zealand and Australia. Has also worked with Max Merritt & the Meteors, Quincy Conserve, and the Crocodiles. Also well known as an actor for TV, short films, and feature films, notably in the 1981 Smash Palace drama ~ Lawrence passed away in 1995
February 12, 1939 ~ Raymond Daniel Manczarek Jr, commonly known as keyboardist Ray Manzarek, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Doors, staying with the band from its inception in 1965 till shortly after lead singer Jim Morrison's death in 1973. Co-founding member of the short-lived Nite City in the late-1970s. Performed and recorded with Doors-bandmate Robby Krieger under the moniker Manzarek-Krieger from 2001 until his death in 2013. Also worked as a contributing collaborator and as a producer with artists such as Iggy Pop, Echo & the Bunnymen, punk rockers X (producing their first four albums), trumpeter Piotr Bal, Beat Generation poet Michael McClure, Darryl Read, and others ~ Manczarek passed away in 2013
February 12, 1938 ~ Martinho José Ferreira, commonly known as singer, songwriter Martinho de Vila, born in Brazil ~ Over 40 albums to his name. Considered of the leading figures in samba. Had his songs recorded by Nana Moskouri, Ornella Vanoni, Katia Guerreiro, Rosario Flores. Has collaborated with Zeca Pagodinho, Arlindo Cruz, Chico Buarque, Beth Carvalho, Noel Rosa, Alcione Nazareth, and others
February 12, 1937 ~ Keyboardist, trombonist, producer Larry Muhoberac, full name Lawrence Gordon Muhoberac Jr, born in Louisiana, USA ~ Best known as the original keyboardist in Elvis Presley's latter day backing unit the TCB Band. Replaced by Glen Dee Hardin in 1970. Would go on to play with Neil Diamond, Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Ray Conniff, Barbra Streisand, arrange and conduct for Seals & Crofts (including on the albums Summer Breeze and Diamond Girl) and the Archers, and relocate to Australia in the mid-1980s where Muhoberac would work with artists such as Keith Urban, Rick Price, Grace Knight, Silverchair, Col Joye, and others ~ Muhoberac passed away in 2016
February 12, 1935 ~ Singer, songwriter, producer Gene McDaniels born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ As a singer known for early-1960s hits such as A Hundred Pounds Of Clay and Tower Of Strength. As a songwriter McDaniels is best known for the jazz-soul protest song Compared To What, made famous by Roberta Flack and also recorded by Les McCann and Eddie Harris, Ray Charles, Della Reese, John Legend, the Roots, Sweetwater and others. In the 1970s McDaniels turned to producing working with artists such as Gladys Knight, Nancy Wilson, Jimmy Smith, the Floaters, Jennifer Rush, and others ~ McDaniels passed away in 2011
February 12, 1928 ~ Producer, bandleader, arranger, songwriter Vincent Montana Jr born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Sometimes referred to as “the Godfather of Disco”. Founding member of MFSB. Founding member of the Salsoul Orchestra. Active since the late-1940s, initially working with jazz giants such as Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughan, Clifford Brown, and Red Garland, later venturing into R&B and pop with artists such as Frankie Avalon (Venus), Chubby Checker, and Bobby Rydell. Teamed up with Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell by the 1970s to play a key role in the development of disco. Has worked with the Intruders, the Delfonics, the Spinners, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, the O'Jays, the Trammps, Eddie Kendricks, William Devaughn, Billy Paul, Lou Rawls, the Stylistics, and Teddy Pendergrass ~ Montana passed away in 2013
February 12, 1926 ~ Marion Childers, commonly known as jazz trumpeter, composer Buddy Childers, born in Belleville, Illinois, USA ~ Playing professionally since age 16, hired by Stan Kenton in 1942 for the position of lead trumpeter. Would go on to become a respected bandleader and collaborator working with a host of artists from jazz and other idioms well into the 1990s including Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Les Brown, Charlie Barnet, the Monkees, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Captain & Tennille, Barry Manilow, Laura Nyro, Anita O'Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Peggy Lee, Mel Tormé, Ray Charles, Charlie Parker, Maynard Ferguson, Art Pepper, Quincy Jones, Oscar Peterson, Lalo Schifrin, and Henry Mancini ~ Childers passed away in 2007
February 12, 1923 ~ Art Mardigian, commonly known as jazz drummer Art Mardigan, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Active since the 1940s. Perhaps most noted for forming the first house band at the Blue Bird Inn jazz club in Detroit, Michigan, in the late-1940s with Phil Hill and Abe Woodly. Has toured with Woody Herman, and Pete Rugolo, and appears on recordings by the likes of Wardell Gray (Tenor Sax), Dexter Gordon, Annie Ross, Jimmy Raney, Stan Getz, Chris Connor (Sings Lullabies Of Birdland), and Fats Navarro (Nostalgia) ~ Mardigian passed away in 1977
February 12, 1923 ~ Melvin Epstein, commonly known as jazz, composer, arranger Mel Powell, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Has worked with Bobby Hackett, George Brunies, Zutty Singleton, and notably Benny Goodman while still in his teens. Arranged Goodman tunes such as The Earl, Mission To Moscow, Clarinade, and Jersey Bounce. As a leader especially acclaimed for his 1942 The World Is Waiting album. From the early-1950s onwards, after studying with Paul Hindemith, Powell diverted his attention to classical music and only occasionally worked in jazz. As a composer best known for his Duplicates (A Concerto For Two Pianos And Orchestra), earning him a Pullitzer Prize in 1990 ~ Epstein passed away in 1998
February 12, 1921 ~ Jazz saxophonist, bandleader Hans Koller born in Vienna, Austria ~ Worked with Freddie Brocksieper, Albert Mangelsdorff, Jutta Hipp, Dizzy Gillespie, Bill Russo, Lee Konitz, Stan Kenton, Eddie Sauter, Benny Goodman, Attila Zoller, Oscar Pettiford, Kenny Clarke, Wes Montgomery, Martial Solal, Jimmy Pratt, the Norddeutscher Rundfunk, the International Brass Company, and others ~ Koller passed away in 2003
February 12, 1920 ~ Guitarist, bassist Bill Pitman, full name William Keith Pitman, born in Belleville, New Jersey, USA ~ Influenced by Charlie Christian and Eddie Lang. Got his first big break backing Peggy Lee in the early-1950s. Would work mostly in jazz throughout most of the decade, backing artists such as Mel Tormé, Buddy Rich, Red Callender. Ventured into pop and rock & roll by the mid- to late-1950s, aligning himself with a loose group of first-call session musicians dubbed the Wrecking Crew. Present on some of the era's most influential songs by acts such as Frank Sinatra (Strangers In The Night), Barbra Streisand, the Beach Boys (Good Vibrations), Jan & Dean, Elvis Presley, the Ronettes (Be My Baby), the Mamas & the Papas, the Byrds, Bobby Darin, the Ventures, and Nancy Sinatra ~ Pitman passed away in 2022
February 12, 1920 ~ Abraham Shadrinsky, commonly known as producer, label owner Bob Shad, born ~ Produced artists such as Lightnin' Hopkins, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, Smokey Hogg, Peppermint Harris, Curley Weaver, Sarah Vaughan, Maynard Ferguson, Clifford Brown, Max Roach, Billy Eckstine, Dinah Washington, Patti Page, Vic Damone, the Platters, Big Bill Broonzy, Shelly Manne, Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Haynes, Blue Mitchell, Buddy Terry, Pete Yellon, Big Brother & the Holding Company (1967's Big Brother & the Holding Company), and Ted Nugent ~ Shadrinsky passed away in 1985
February 12, 1915 ~ Lyon Himan Green, actor, singer, commonly known as Lorne Greene, born in Ottawa, Canada ~ Best known as an actor, specifically in the roles of Ben Cartwright in the NBC TV series Bonanza and Commander Adama in the ABC series Battlestar Galactica. As a singer, Greene is best known for Ringo, a Billboard Hot 100 No.1 in 1964 ~ Green passed away in 1987
February 12, 1912 ~ Saxophonist Paul Bascomb born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Bama State Collegians, at the height of their fame led by Erskine Hawkins, and well known for hits such as Tuxedo Junction. The band also included his brother, trumpeter Dud Bascomb. Bascomb would remain with the band through the mid-1940s, apart from a brief interval in the late-1930s, where he played with Count Basie ~ Bascomb passed away in 1986
February 12, 1911 ~ Producer, label executive Steve Sholes, full name Stephen Henry Sholes, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Executive and staff producer at RCA-Victor. Signed, produced artists such as Eddy Arnold, the Browns, Hank Locklin, Homer & Jethro, Hank Snow, Jim Reeves, Pee Wee King, and perhaps most notably Elvis Presley ~ Sholes passed away in 1968
February 12, 1907 ~ Gospel singer, pianist, songwriter Roberta Martin, full name Roberta Evelyn Martin, born in Helena, Arkansas, USA ~ Co-founded the Martin Frye Quartet with the help of Reverend Thomas A Dorsey. The group would be renamed to the Roberta Martin Singers by the mid-1930s and set the standard for future gospel choirs and become known for hits such as Only A Look, Try Jesus He Satisfies and Grace. Martin would be influential on artists such as Albertina Walker, James Cleveland and Alex Bradford, the latter two starting their careers in Martin's group ~ Martin passed away in 1969
February 12, 1903 ~ Baritone opera singer, actor Todd Duncan, full name Robert Todd Duncan, born in Danville, Kentucky, USA ~ Played the role of Porgy in the original 1935 production of George Gershwin's Porgy & Bess. One of the first African-Americans to sing with a major opera company, namely the New York City Opera in 1945, performing the role of Tonio in Ruggero Leoncavallo's Pagliacci. Sang the first version of Unchained Melody, written by Alex North and Hy Zaret, for the 1955 film Unchained. It would be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song and be covered by numerous others, perhaps most notably the Righteous Brothers in 1965 ~ Duncan passed away in 1998
February 12, 1885 ~ Ragtime, march, waltz pianist, organist, bandleader, composer, arranger James Scott, full name James Sylvester Scott, born in Neosho, Missouri, USA ~ Along with Scott Joplin and Joseph Lamb regarded as one of the most important composers of ragtime. Known for songs such as Frog Legs Rag, Grace & Beauty, Sunburst Rag, Ragtime Oriole and perhaps his best known Climax Rag ~ Scott passed away in 1938