February 20, 2025 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, pianist, saxophonist, drummer Jerry Butler passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Original lead singer of the Impressions, which at the time also included a then-unknown Curtis Mayfield. Present on the acclaimed For Your Precious Love, later covered by numerous artists including Otis Redding, Jackie Wilson, Count Basie and Aaron Neville. After his departure from the band in 1960 Butler would reach chart succes with songs such as He Will Break Your Heart, Moon River, Make It Easy On Yourself and the Betty Everett-duet Let It Be Me. Butler co-penned his highest-charting hit, 1969's Only The Strong Survive reaching No.4 Billboard Hot 100, with future Philly soul architects Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. The song would notably be covered by Elvis Presley, Skeeter Davis and Billy Paul ~ Butler was born in 1939
February 20, 2024 ~ Pianist, singer David Libert passed away ~ Co-founding member of pop group the Happenings. The band was known for adding their own distinctive style to hits originally recorded by others, and enjoyed popularity especially during the mid-1960s. See You In September, Go Away Little Girl, I Got Rhythm, and My Mammy all reached top 20 Billboard Hot 100. Libert briefly served as manager for Rare Earth, and subsequently as tour manager for Alice Cooper during the first half of the 1970s, a time span generally considered Cooper's key period. After relocating to Los Angeles in 1976, Libert became a representative for artists such as George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, Brian Auger, Vanilla Fudge, and Living Colour ~ Libert was born in 1943
February 20, 2023 ~ Rock bassist Bruce Barthol passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Original bassist for Country Joe & the Fish, present on the albums Electric Music For The Mind And Body, Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die, and Together. Barthol departed the band in 1968, staying on in England following a tour. Barthol has subsequently worked with Formerly Fat Harry, Energy Crisis, and political satire theatre group the San Francisco Mime Troupe ~ Barthol was born in 1947
February 20, 2023 ~ Blues singer, keyboardist, guitarist, hornist Victor Brox passed away ~ Fronted the Victor Brox Blues Train. Named “favorite white blues singer” by Jimi Hendrix. Best known for his performance as Caiaphas on the original 1970 recording of Jesus Christ Superstar. Has collaborated with numerous artists including Eric Clapton, Ritchie Blackmore, Graham Bond, Alexis Korner, John Mayall, Keith Moon, and Aynsley Dunbar, notably singing lead and playing keyboards and organ in the latter's late-1960s blues, rock band the Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation. Brox also appeared as a Leonardo da Vinci look-alike in the 1998 Ever After film ~ Brox was born in 1941
February 20, 2022 ~ Giovanna Carmella Babbo, commonly known as traditional pop singer Joni James, passed away in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA ~ Recorded prolifically through the mid-1960s. Best known for a string of 1950s hits starting with Why Don't You Believe Me, a 1952 hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Other well known songs include Have You Heard, Your Cheatin' Heart, Almost Always, My Love My Love, How Important Can It Be, and You Are My Love ~ Babbo was born in 1930
February 20, 2022 ~ Rock, punk rock drummer Sam Henry, full name Samuel William Henry, passed away ~ 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 was born in 1956
February 20, 2021 ~ Boogie rock, boogie woogie pianist Gene Taylor passed away ~ Briefly a member of Canned Heat from 1974 through 1976. Has also worked with Big Joe Turner, T-Bone Walker, James Harman, the Blasters, the Downchild Blues Band, the Fabulous Thunderbirds (Roll Of The Dice), the Red Devils, Kim Wilson (That's Life, Tiger Man), Charlie Musselwhite, Jackson Delta, Amos Garrett, Dwight Yoakam (Guitars Cadillacs Etc Etc), and John Hammond Jr ~ Taylor was born in 1952
February 20, 2019 ~ Operatic and choral composer Dominick Argento passed away ~ Wrote fourteen operas, including Miss Havisham's Fire Opera, Masque Of The Angels, and Aspern Papers Opera, orchestral works, major song cycles, of which From The Diary Of Virginia Woolf won him the 1975 Pullitzer Prize for Music, and choral works. Married to soprano singer Carolyn Bailey, whom he often referred to as his muse ~ Argento was born in 1927
February 20, 2019 ~ Label executive, producer Fred Foster, full name Fred Luther Foster, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for co-penning Me & Bobby McGee with Kris Kristofferson, originally recorded by Roger Miller. The song would be covered by well over 200 artists, notably recorded by Janis Joplin mere days before her death and posthumously becoming her sole Billboard Hot 100 charttopper. Foster is also known as co-founder of Monument record label. As a label executive and producer he was helpful in advancing the careers of acts such as Kristofferson, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Billy Joe Shaver, Tony Joe White, and the Gatlin Brothers ~ Foster was born in 1931
February 20, 2019 ~ Keyboardist Gerard Koerts passed away in Perpignan, France ~ Co-founding member of Earth & Fire and along with his twin brother guitarist Chris Koerts primary songwriter of the band, known for a string of 1970s hits. Songs such as Seasons, Ruby Is The One, Wild And Exciting, Invitation, Storm And Thunder, Memories, Maybe Tomorrow Maybe Tonight, Love And Life, Thanks For The Love, and Weekend would all reach top 10 in the band's native Netherlands ~ Koerts was born in 1947
February 20, 2001 ~ Rock band Aerosmith release their Jaded single, the band's final major hit in most territories ~ Publicly debuted at the American Music Awards, and subsequently performed at the Super Bowl XXXV halftime show prior to its 7" vinyl release. Released as the first single of their Just Push Play album, it would reach top 10 in Canada and the band's native USA, top 20 in the UK, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. Steven Tyler was inspired to write the song based on missing much of his daughter Liv Tyler's childhood while being on the road with the band. He would later comment: “When I hit on the melody for Jaded, it was so phenomenal that for a while I was scared to do anything more with it. I didn't even tell the band.”
February 20, 1997 ~ Jazz guitarist Zachary Breaux, full name Zachary Charles Breaux, passed away in Miami Beach, Florida, USA ~ Influenced by George Benson and Wes Montgomery. Has recorded three albums as a leader, starting with Groovin' in 1992. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Randy Weston, Roy Ayers, Guru (Jazzmatazz Vol.1), Steps Ahead, and Ronny Jordan (A Brighter Day) ~ Breaux was born in 1960
February 20, 1996 ~ Composer Toru Takemitsu passed away ~ Founding member Jikken Kobo, considered a highly influential experimental, avant-garde collective. Influenced by Olivier Messiaen, Claude Debussy and traditional Japanese music. Wrote several hundreds compositions, scored over 90 films, authored twenty books on aesthetics and music theory. Best known for his 1957 Requiem For String Orchestra ~ Takemitsu was born in 1930
February 20, 1988 ~ Robyn Rihanna Fenty, mononymously known as pop, R&B, hip-hop singer Rihanna, born in St Michael, Barbados ~ Discovered by producer Evan Rogers. Released her Music Of The Sun debut album in 2005. Known for songs such as Pon De Replay, SOS, Umbrella featuring Jay-Z, Take A Bow, Disturbia, Rude Boy, Only Girl (In The World), What's My Name featuring Drake, We Found Love featuring Calvin Harris, and Diamonds
February 20, 1981 ~ Guitarist, mandolinist, dobroist Chris Thile, full name Christopher Scott Thile, born in Oceanside, California, USA ~ Best known for forming the acoustic trio Nickel Creek with Sara Watkins and Sean Watkins. Member of progressive bluegrass band the Punch Brothers. Has released over half a dozen solo albums, starting with 1994's Leading Off, and collaborated with the likes of Mike Marshall, Edgar Meyer, Brad Mehldau, Yo-Yo Ma, Mutual Admiration Society, and Modern Mandolin Quartet
February 20, 1976 ~ Jazz saxophonist, bassoonist, pianist Ben Wendel born in Vancouver, Canada ~ Known for his harmonically sophisticated improvisation, drawing from post-bop, classical, and post-rock. Well over half a dozen albums to his name since the mid-2000s, especially acclaimed for Simple Song released in 2009. Co-founding member of Kneebody. In-demand collaborator, present on albums by Daedelus, Taylor Eigsti (Lucky To Be Me), Todd Sickafoose, Amy Kuney, Melissa Morgan (Until I Met You), Leela James, Austin Peralta, Busdriver (Perfect Hair), Tigran Hamasyan, Julia Holter, Gerald Clayton, and Pascal Le Boeuf
February 20, 1975 ~ Singer Brian Littrell, full name Brian Thomas Littrell, born in Lexington, Kentucky, USA ~ Father of country singer Baylee Littrell. Member of boy band the Backstreet Boys, known for a string of 1990s, 2000s hits. The band's 1995 We've Got It Going On debut single would only be moderately successful in their native America yet reach top 10 across Europe. The band's eponymous Backstreet Boys released the following year would reach triple Platinum status in Europe. Subsequent hits included Quit Playing Games With My Heart, Everybody (Backstreet's Back), All I Have To Give, I Want It That Way, Show Me The Way and The Shape Of My Heart would all reach the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. As a solo artist Littrell is known as a Christian singer, a genre he described as “pop positive”, releasing his Welcome Home debut album in 2006
February 20, 1972 ~ Kevin Brereton, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter, producer K-OS, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Alternative rapper mixing rap, funk, rock, and reggae, focusing on a positive message. The acronym k-os, stylized in lowercase is said to stand for “knowledge of self.” Growing up, k-os listened to artists as diverse as New Order, Depeche Mode, Michael Jackson, Boogie Down Productions, A Tribe Called Quest, and the Beatles
February 20, 1971 ~ Folk singer, violinist, oboist, songwriter Paul Sartin born ~ Closely associated with Paul Hutchinson, with whom he formed Belshazzar's Feast. Formed Dr Faustus, known for the albums The First Cut and Wager. Also well known as a member of Bellowhead, joining the band in 2004. Has also composed for theatre and film, notably the 2011 Streetwise Opera film opera The Hartlepool Monkey, has worked as TV presenter and co-founded Whitchurch Folk Club ~ Sartin passed away in 2022
February 20, 1970 ~ Jazz pianist, organist, keyboardist Craig Taborn, full name Craig Marvin Taborn, born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Over a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader starting with The Craig Taborn Trio released in 1994 teaming up with Jaribu Shahid and Tani Tabbal. Sideman on over 100 albums, including recordings by Lotte Anker, the Art Ensemble Of Chicago, Tim Berne, David Binney, James Carter, Marty Ehrlich, Michael Formanek, Drew Gress, Innerzone Orchestra, Ingrid Laubrock, Mat Maneri, Roscoe Mitchell, Evan Parker, Chris Potter, and Wadada Leo Smith
February 20, 1970 ~ Jazz pianist Eric Legnini born near Liège, Belgium ~ Worked with Barney Wilen, Michel Graillier, Flavio Boltro, Stefano di Battiste, Aldo Romano, Stephane Belmondo, John Ruocco, Felix Simtaine, Michel Hatzigeorgiou, Dre Pallemearts, Emanuele Cisi, Toninho Horta, Philip Catherine, Serge Reggiani, Hein van de Geyn, Marcia Maria, Jacques Pelzer, André Ceccarelli, Eric Le Lann, and Paco Sery
February 20, 1969 ~ Conductor Ernest Ansermet, full name Ernest Alexandre Ansermet, passed away in Geneva, Switzerland ~ One of the first in the field of classical music to take jazz seriously. Founded the Orchestra de la Suisse Romande in 1918, with whom he toured extensively in Europe and America. Well known for recording Igor Stravinsky's Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra in 1930, with Stravinsky himself at the keys ~ Ansermet was born in 1883
February 20, 1967 ~ Guitarist, singer Kurt Cobain, full name Kurt Donald Cobain, born in Aberdeen, Washington, USA ~ Guitarist, singer, frontman of pivotal Seattle grunge outfit Nirvana, known for songs such as Smells Like Teen Spirit, Come As You Are, In Bloom, All Apologies and Heart-Shaped Box. Cobain would die of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at age 27, yet be remembered as spokesperson of the Generation X and one of the all-time most influential rock musicians ~ Cobain passed away in 1994
February 20, 1966 ~ Hard bop saxophonist Mark Gross born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Worked with Lionel Hampton, Delfeayao Marsalis, Nat Adderley, Buster Williams, Dave Holland, Mulgrew Miller, Nicholas Payton, Wynton Marsalis, Nancy Wilson, Jack McDuff, Walter Booker, Jimmy Cobb, Don Braden, Vincent Gardner, Marlon Saunders, and Freddie Hubbard
February 20, 1964 ~ Saxophonist, composer Iain Ballamy born in Guildford, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Started learning saxophone in 1978. Was playing professionally by 1980. Founding member of Loose Tubes. Has worked with wide array of artists including Gil Evans, Hermeto Pascoal, the New York Composer Orchestra, Carla Bley, Dewey Redman, George Coleman, the London Sinfonietta, François Jeanneau, Daniel Humair, Mike Gibbs, Randy Weston, the Karnataka College Od Percussion, Sax Assault, the Jazz Train, Freebop, Nishat Khan, Clare Martin, Human Chain, Tom Robinson, Charlie Watts, Jeremy Stacey, Randy Weston, Joanna MacGregor, Delightful Precipice, Bill Bruford, Django Bates, Mark Wingfield, Jane Chapman, Bryan Ferry, Everything But The Girl, Food, the Oxcentrics, Ian Shaw, Slim Gaillard, Ultramarine, Ashley Slater, the Hungry Ants, Ronnie Scott, Gordon Beck, Gay Dad, and the Britten Sinfonia
February 20, 1964 ~ R&B singer Marvin Gaye releases his You're A Wonderful One single ~ Released as the lead single off Gaye's How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You album, it would reach top 10 Billboard R&B. Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland Jr, who had also worked with Gaye on Can I Get A Witness, his last Billboard R&B top 10 hit. Backing vocals were provided by the Supremes
February 20, 1963 ~ Jazz bassist Addison Farmer passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Twin brother of trumpeter Art Farmer, with whom he also played including with artists such as Benny Golson, Jay McShann and with Gigi Gryce. Addison has also worked with Johnny Alston, Teddy Edwards, Mose Allison, Charlie Parker, and with Miles Davis ~ Farmer was born in 1928
February 20, 1963 ~ Alternative rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, percussionist, songwriter Ian Brown, full name Ian George Brown born in Ancoats, UK ~ Fronted the Stone Roses from their formation in 1984 until the band's disbandement in 1996, known for songs such as Fools Gold, Elephant Stone, One Love and Love Spreads. Released his full-length solo debut album, Unfinished Monkey Business, in 1998 and has regularly reached the British top 20 since. As a solo artist best known for songs such as My Start, Dolphins Were Monkeys, FEAR and Illegal Attacks featuring Sinéad O'Connor
February 20, 1959 ~ Lynda Tucker, commonly known as gospel, R&B singer Lynda Laurence, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Daughter of gospel singer Ira Tucker. Sister of singers Sundray Tucker and Ira Tucker Jr. Member of the Supremes in 1972 and 1973, replacing Cindy Birdsong. Sang backup for Stevie Wonder, most notably on the Songs In The Key Of Life album. Has also guested on recordings by Aretha Franklin, Moacir Santos, Jean Terrell, Joe Cocker, Brian Setzer, Harry Nilsson, Brandy Norwood, Ringo Starr, and Martha Reeves
February 20, 1958 ~ Jazz trumpeter Leroy Jones born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Active since his teens. Worked with Danny Barker, the Hurricane Brass Band, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Della Reese, Harry Connick Jr, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Dr John
February 20, 1956 ~ Singer, guitarist, banjoist Jim Salestrom, full name James Kevin Salestrom, born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Co-founded, fronted country-folk rock outfit Timberline. Member of the Wild Jimbos. Also closely associated with Dolly Parton, backing Parton from 1979 through 1991. Wrote It's Too Soon To Let Our Love End, recorded by Mary MacGregor in 1977 ~ Salestrom passed away in 2023
February 20, 1954 ~ Songwriter, drummer Tom Whitlock, full name Thomas Ross Whitlock, born in Springfield, Missouri, USA ~ Best known for co-writing several songs for the 1986 Top Gun soundtrack with Giorgio Moroder, including Take My Breath Away performed by Berlin and Danger Zone performed by Kenny Loggins. Whitlock also collaborated with Moroder on several other projects, such as the soundtracks for American Anthem, Over The Top, and Rambo III, on Koreana's Hand In Hand official theme song for the 1988 Summer Olympics held in Seoul, and on Edoardo Bennato & Gianna Nannina's Un'estate Italiana official theme song for the 1990 FIFA World Cup held in Italy ~ Whitlock passed away in 2023
February 20, 1951 ~ Pianist, composer Anthony Davis born in Paterson, New Jersey, USA ~ Drawing from a wide variety of genres including R&B, jazz, gospel, world music, experimental music, classical. Considered “the Dean of African-American opera composers” and known for works such as X (The Life And Times Of Malcolm X), Amistad and Wakonda's Dream. Awarded a Pullitzer Prize in 2020 for his opera The Central Park Five, based on the story of the wrongly convicted Central Park Five and premiered at the Long Beach Opera. In-demand jazz, free jazz pianist, leader, sideman. Has worked with Wadada Leo Smith, Anthony Braxton, Barry Altschul, Chico Freeman, David Murray, and Bobby Previte
February 20, 1951 ~ Randolph Craig Wolfe, commonly known as guitarist Randy California, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Considered a guitar prodigy. Briefly played with Jimi Hendrix, who gave Wolfe his nickname “California”, in the mid-1960s outfit Jimmy James & the Blue Flames. Best known as founder and frontman of Spirit, with whom he recorded four albums through the early-1970s merging rock, jazz, and folk. The band is especially acclaimed for their first two albums, the eponymous Spirit and its follow-up The Family That Plays Together, both released in 1968. Allegedly, Led Zeppelin lifted California's guitar riff from Taurus, an instrumental from Spirit's debut album, for their rock classic Stairway To Heaven. The case was litigated exhaustively, but eventually the courts dismissed the claim ~ Wolfe passed away in 1997
February 20, 1950 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Walter Becker, full name Walter Carl Becker, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as co-founder of jazz-rock band Steely Dan along with songwriting partner Donald Fagen. Also known as a producer for Fra Lippo Lippi, China Crisis, Michael Franks, John Beasley, and Rickie Lee Jones ~ Becker passed away in 2017
February 20, 1949 ~ Recording engineer Jon Fausty born ~ Has produced and engineered recordings in the USA, Canada, Cuba, and Europe, best known for his work on some of the most sucessful Latin albums of all time over a career spanning six decades. Has worked on albums by Sabu Martinez, Eddie Palmieri, Celia Cruz, Ricardo Ray (Jala Jala Y Boogaloo), Willie Colón, Machito, Bobby Valentín, the Fania All-Stars, Ray Barretto (The Message), Ismael Miranda, Mongo Santamaria, the Lebrón Brothers, Rubén Blades, Willie Rosario, Jerry González (The River Is Deep), and Gato Barbieri ~ Fausty passed away in 2023
February 20, 1947 ~ Adrianus Marinus Kloot, commonly known as comedian, actor, singer André van Duin, born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands ~ Best known as a comedian and actor with a career spanning five decades. Has consistenty recorded as a singer, often with a comic twist. Known best for songs such as De Tamme Boerenzoon, Willempie, Bim Bam, Als De Zon Schijnt and De Balletjes Van De Koningin
February 20, 1946 ~ John Warren Geils Jr, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter J Geils, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Lead guitarist of the J Geils Band. Released a number of albums since the mid-1990s under the moniker Jay Geils, collaborating with former bandmate Magic Dick, with Duke Robillard and Gerry Beaudoin as New Guitar Summit, and as a solo artist ~ Geils passed away in 2017
February 20, 1946 ~ Pop singer, pianist, songwriter Riccardo Cocciante born in Saigon, Vietnam ~ Records in Italian, French, English and Spanish. Actively recording since the early-1970s. To English audiences best known for his cover of the Beatles-song Michelle recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra and for his 1976 Richard Cocciante album, an English-language remake of his Anima released two years earlier spawning the modest US hit When Love Has Gone Away. Has also co-written a number of musicals, starting with Notre Dame De Paris in 1997
February 20, 1945 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Alan Hull, full name James Alan Hull, born in Berwell. UK ~ Best known as co-founding member, frontman of Lindisfarne. Has also recorded as a solo artist and worked with the Chosen Few, Brethren, and Radiator ~ Hull passed away in 1995
February 20, 1944 ~ Trumpeter, hornist Lew Soloff, full name Lewis Michael Soloff, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ To pop, rock audiences perhaps best known as a member of Blood Sweat & Tears from 1968 through 1973 first appearing on the band's eponymous 1969 Blood Sweat & Tears sophomore album. Member of 1980s jazz outfit Members Only. Present on albums by George Benson, Dizzy Gillespie, Gil Evans, Bloomfield Kooper & Stills, Herbie Mann, Sonny Stitt, Aretha Franklin, Marlena Shaw, Chaka Khan, Charlie Musselwhite, Michael Franks, Sinéad O'Connor (Am I Not Your Girl), Grant Green, Carla Bley, Paul Simon (Graceland), Hank Crawford, the Manhattan Jazz Quintet, Jimmy Heath, Bobby Previte, and Joss Stone (Colour Me Free) ~ Soloff passed away in 2015
February 20, 1943 ~ Producer, songwriter Paul Leka born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA ~ In-demand producer, songwriter known for his work with the Chateaus, the Lemon Pipers (The Green Tambourine), Peppermint Rainbow (Will You Be Staying After Sunday), Steam, the Left Banke, Peter Nero, Jimmie Spheeris, Harry Chapin, REO Speedwagon, Lori Lieberman, and Gloria Gaynor ~ Leka passed away in 2011
February 20, 1940 ~ Singer, songwriter Barbara Ellis born in Olympia, Washington, USA ~ Formed the Fleetwoods with Gretchen Christopher and Gary Troxel. The band was discovered by Dolton Records-producer Bob Reisdorff and would score a number of late-1950s, early-1960s hits. Their debut single Come Softly To Me, Mr Blue and their remake of Thomas Wayne's Tragedy all reached top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100
February 20, 1937 ~ Singer, pianist, songwriter David Ackles, full name David Thomas Ackles, born in Rock Island, Illinois, USA ~ Former child actor with four albums to his name starting with his eponymous David Ackles debut released in 1968. Though never achieving mainstream succes held in the highest regard by musicians such as Elton John, Phil Collins and Elvis Costello, the latter once stating: “It's a mystery to me why his wonderful songs are not better known” ~ Ackles passed away in 1999
February 20, 1937 ~ Singer Nancy Wilson born in Chillicothe, Ohio, USA ~ Recorded over 70 albums. Best known for her recordings of You Don't Know How Glad I Am and Guess Who I Saw Today. Worked with Hank Jones, the Great Jazz Trio, the Griffith Park Band, Chick Corea, Joe Henderson, Ramsey Lewis, and Barry Manilow (co-produced Wilson's With My Lover Beside Me album) ~ Wilson passed away in 2018
February 20, 1927 ~ Son, guracha, bolero singer Ibrahim Ferrer born in San Luis, Cuba ~ Closely associated with Los Bocucos for nearly four decades. Has also worked with Conjunto Sorpresa, the Orquesta Oriental and Mario Patterson. Would gain international attention in the 1990s as member of the Afro-Cuban All Stars and especially the Buena Vista Social Club, touring internationally both with the revival bands and as a solo artist until his death ~ Ferrer passed away in 2005
February 20, 1926 ~ Cool jazz, hard bop saxophonist, flutist, composer Bobby Jaspar born in Liège, Belgium ~ Married to singer Blossom Dearie from 1954 to 1957. Leader and sideman. Worked with the Bop Shots, JJ Johnson, Kenny Burrell, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Donald Byrd, René Thomas, Chet Baker, Herbie Mann, George Wallington, Milt Jackson, Hank Jones, and Johnny Rae ~ Jaspar passed away in 1963
February 20, 1925 ~ R&B, doo-wop singer Warren Suttles born ~ Co-founded the Ravens with lead singer Jimmy Ricks. The doo-wop group would become one of the the most influential vocal quartets of the 1940s and early-1950s, known for songs such as Honey, Ole Man River, Write Me A Letter and Rock Me All Night Long ~ Suttles passed away in 2009
February 20, 1917 ~ Harpist, composer Juan Vicente Torrealba born in Caracas, Venezuela ~ Formed Los Torrealberos with his brother Arturo Torrealba and son Santana Torrealba. Also recorded as a solo artist, with over 100 albums to his name. Best known for songs such as Sinfonia En El Palmar, Mujer Guayanesa, Barquisimeto, La Fillo Zaina and Solito Con The Stars ~ Torrealba passed away in 2019
February 20, 1874 ~ Operatic soprano Mary Garden born in Aberdeen, UK ~ Described as “the Sarah Bernhardt of Opera“ Garden rose to fame in the early 20th century working mostly in England and continental Europe. Leading soprano with Parisien the Opera-Comique in the early-1900s. Brought to America by Oscar Hammerstein I in 1907. Worked with the Manhattan Opera House, the Boston Opera Company, the Philadelphia Opera Company, and the Chicago Grand Opera Company. Garden retired from the stage in the mid-1930s ~ Garden passed away in 1967