February 24, 1985 ~ Amir Mohamed El Khalifa, commonly known as rapper, producer Oddisee, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Member of Diamond District. Member of the Low Budget Crew. Released his full-length 101 solo debut album in 2008. Also guested on recordings by DJ Jazzy Jeff, Apollo Brown, Eric Lau, No Wyld, L'Orange, and others
February 24, 1981 ~ Jazz, classical pianist, composer Gwilym Simcock born in Bangor, UK ~ Worked with James Maddren, Yuri Goloubev, Stan Sulzmann, John Parricelli, Phil Donkin, Martin France, Acoustic Triangle, Lee Konitz, Bob Mintzer, Bobby McFerrin, Kenny Wheeler, the BBC Big Band, Iain Ballamy, Julian Argüelles, Torsten de Winkel, the Impossible Gentlemen, Pat Metheny, and others
February 24, 1979 ~ Damian Beckett, commonly known as rapper, singer, songwriter, actor Cham, born in Jamaica ~ Best known for his 2006 single Ghetto Story of the album by the same name. Still called Baby Cham, his moniker until 2005, by fans. Cham has collaborated with artists including Foxxy Brown, Alicia Keys, Carl Thomas, Mims, Mis-Teeq, Rihanna, Che'nelle, Jentina, Akon, T-Pain, Keke Palmer, Damian Marley, Michael Rose, and Bounty Killer
February 24, 1978 ~ Indie rock, alternative rock, post-hardcore singer, guitarist, keyboardist John Nolan, full name John Thomas Nolan, born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Guitarist, co-lead singer of Taking Back Sunday. Lead singer, pianist, guitarist of Straylight Run, co-founded with Shaun Cooper. Has also recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist starting with his The Collaboration Experiment album released in 2009
February 24, 1975 ~ Jazz, gospel saxophonist, producer Jimmy Greene, full name James Sidney Greene Jr, born in Hartford, Connecticut, USA ~ Debuted in 2000 with the Brand New World album. First gained serious attention with his 2014 album Beautiful Life, charting on Billboard's Jazz, Heatseakers and Christian charts as well as earning him Grammy Award-nominations for Best Jazz Instrumental Album and Best Arrangement for the track When I Come Home
February 24, 1974 ~ Singer, rapper, producer Chad Hugo born in Portsmouth, Virginia, USA ~ Member of NERD alongside Shay Haley and Pharrell Williams. Formed the highly productive producer, songwriter duo the Neptunes with Williams, successful especially during the 1990s and early 2000s, working with artists such as SWV, Clipse, Mase (Lookin' At Me), Jay-Z, Usher (U Don't Have To Call), Beyoncé, NSYNC (Girlfriend), Nelly, Gwen Stefani, LL Cool J (Luv U Better), Snoop Dogg, and Justin Timberlake (Rock Your Body)
February 24, 1959 ~ Bassist, pianist Colin Farley born in England ~ Member of Cutting Crew from 1986 through 1993. Present on the band's best-known I Just Died In Your Arms, a top 10 hit single on both sides of the Atlantic including No.1 positions in the USA, Canada, Norway and Finland taken of the band's 1986 Broadcast debut album
February 24, 1958 ~ Country singer, guitarist Sammy Kershaw, full name Samuel Paul Kershaw, born in Kaplan, Louisiana, USA ~ Released his Don't Go Near The Water debut album in 1991. Best known for songs such as Cadillac Style, Anywhere But Here, She Don't Know She's Beautiful, Haunted Heart, Queen Of My Double Wide Trailer, I Can't Reach Her Anymore, National Working Woman's Holiday, Third Rate Romance, Meant To Be, Love Of My Life, and others
February 24, 1953 ~ Electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Carl Weathersby, full name Carlton Weathersby, born in Jackson, Mississippi, USA ~ Has released a number of solo albums, starting with 1996's Don't Lay Your Blues On Me. In-demand sideman, has worked with Albert King, Billy Branch, Buster Benton, Robert Covington, Hubert Sumlin, Carey Bell, Mississippi Heat, Trudy Lynn, Nora Jean Bruso, Biscuit Miller, Little Milton, Bernard Allison, and others
February 24, 1953 ~ Bassist Rob Burns, full name Robert George Henry Burns, born in Willesden, UK ~ Co-founded Gateway Driver with Martin Springett and Jim McGilivray. Also worked with Nucleus, Garth Hewitt, Eric Burdon, the Dolphins, David Gilmour, James Burton, Frank Gambale, Albert Lee, Jon Lord, Ian Paice, Donna Summer, Atomic Rooster, Vivian Stanshall, Robin Lumley, Elaine Page, the Verlaines, John Egenes, the Oxo Cubans, and others
February 24, 1950 ~ Singer, guitarist George Thorogood, full name George Lawrence Thorogood, born in Wilmington, Delaware, USA ~ Over 20 albums to his name backed by the Destroyers. First gained attention opening for the Rolling Stones on their 1981 American tour. Staple of 1980s radio with songs such as Bad To The Bone, I Drink Alone and Willie & The Hand Jive
February 24, 1950 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter, label executive Larry Willoughby born in Sherman, Texas, USA ~ As a recording artist debuted in 1984 with the album Building Bridges and best known for first recording a number of songs later made famous by others such as Building Bridges recorded by Brooks & Dunn and Operator Operator recorded by Eddy Raven, both Billboard Country top 10 hits. Others who have recorded his songs include the Oak Ridge Boys, Waylon Jennings and his cousin Rodney Crowell. Willoughby has also served as vice-president of A&R at Capitol Records ~ Willoughby passed away in 2021
February 24, 1948 ~ Guitarist Neil Hubbard, full name Neil Terrence Hubbard, born ~ Session musician on the original 1970 concept album Jesus Christ Superstar, later made into a successful stage rock opera and film. The album would initially be banned by BBC for being sacrireligious. Closely associated with Bryan Ferry, present on Roxy Music's Flesh And Blood and Avalon albums, as well as on several of Ferry's solo albums including Boys And Girls, Bête Noire, Taxi, and Mamouna. Hubbard has also worked with Juicy Lucy, Bluesology, Joe Cocker, Donovan, Kokomo, Alvin Lee, Paul Young, and others
February 24, 1948 ~ R&B singer Oliver Cheatham born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ As a solo artist best remembered for his 1983 hit Get Down (Saturday Night). Had previously played in local groups such as the Young Sirs, Mad Dog & the Pups, Gaslight and the Sins Of Satan. After the succes of Get Down Cheatham recorded a solo debut album, Saturday Night, produced by Al Perkins. Further albums and R&B hits followed such as SOS, Celebrate Our Love, Things To Make U Happy, Wish On A Star, Turn Out The Lights and notably Mindbuster, the latter a collaboration with singer Jocelyn Brown under the moniker Cheatham Brown ~ Cheatham passed away in 2013
February 24, 1947 ~ Jazz bassist Bob Magnusson born in New York, New York, USA ~ Renowned sideman, session, studio bassist appearing on over 150 records. Has worked with Buddy Rich, the San Diego Symphony, Sarah Vaughan, Sarah Vaughan, John Klemmer, Art Pepper, Benny Golson, Joe Farrell, Linda Ronstadt, Laurindo Almeida, Shorty Rogers, Lou Donaldson, Clifford Jordan, George Cables, Victor Lewis, Art Farmer, Kenny Barron, Freddie Hubbard, Slide Hampton, Billy Higgins, Carl Fontana, Tommy Flanagan, Holly Hofmann, Ernie Watts, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Peter Erskine, Natalie Cole, Neil Diamond, Bonnie Raitt, 10,000 Maniacs, Madonna, Jimmy Heath, and others
February 24, 1945 ~ Percussionist Steve Berrios born ~ Started touring with Mongo Santamaria at age 19 and recorded several albums with the band. Co-founding member of the Fort Apache Band. Member of M'Boom. Recorded a sole album, 1996's And Then Some, as a leader. An in-demand sideman, Berrios has guested on albums by Alphonse Mouzon (Funky Snakefoot), Randy Weston, Azuquita, Larry Harlow, Héctor Lavoe (Comedia), David Amram, Patato Valdés, Hilton Ruiz (Cross Currents), Ray Mantilla, Michael Brecker (Now You See It (Now You Don't)), Sonny Fortune, Kenny Kirkland, Daniel Ponce, Charles Fambrough (Blues At Bradley's), Wallace Roney (Misterios), Ron Holloway, and Chico O'Farrill ~ Berrios passed away in 2013
February 24, 1944 ~ Pianist, organist Nicky Hopkins, full name Nicholas Christian Hopkins, born in Perivale, UK ~ Widely considered to be one of the greatest session pianists in rock, especially prolific during the 1960s and 1970s appearing on such classic tracks as You Really Got Me by the Kinks, Revolution by the Beatles, Angie by the Rolling Stones, and Jet Airliner by the Steve Miller Band. Has also worked with Jeff Beck, Joe Cocker, Art Garfunkel, the Jefferson Airplane, George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart, the Who, the Easybeats, PJ Proby, Peter Frampton, Bill Wyman, Graham Parker, and numerous others. Recorded a handful of solo albums, starting with The Revolutionary Piano Of Nicky Hopkins released in 1966 ~ Hopkins passed away in 1994
February 24, 1943 ~ Pablo Milanés Arias, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Pablo Milanés, born in Oriente, Cuba ~ Along with Silvio Rodriguez and Noel Nicola seen as one of the founders, pioneers of the nueva trova genre. Actively recording since the mid-1970s. Over 40 albums to his name. Has collaborated with Lilia Vera, Luis Peña, Octavio Sanchez, Armando Garzon, Compay Segundo, Caco Senante, Victor Manuel, Andy Montañez, Raul Torres, Chuco Valdés, and Miguel Nunez ~ Milanes passed away in 2022
February 24, 1941 ~ Music director Ad van 't Veer born in Goes, the Netherlands ~ Co-founded the Xenakis Ensemble. Best known as music director and thriving force behind the Festival Nieuwe Muziek held in Middelburg, the Netherlands since the mid-1970s ~ Van 't Veer passed away in 2021
February 24, 1941 ~ Joan Drost, commonly known as singer, actress Joanie Sommers, born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Sang traditional pop, jazz and standards. To American audiences best known for Johnny Get Angry, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit in 1962. Among soul aficionados known for her 1965 recording Don't Pity Me, which over time becane a favorite of Northern Soul DJ's, especially in the UK
February 24, 1938 ~ Boogaloo, salsa, latin jazz percussionist, vibraphonist, bandleader Louie Ramirez born in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Active since the mid-1950's, starting out in Joe Locos band replacing Pete Terrace. Active as a bandleader since the early 1960s, starting with Introducing Louie Ramirez. Also notably collaborated with Charlie Palmieri and Joe Cuba during the late 1960s and with Tito Rodriguez in the early 1970s. Staff producer at the Fania label since 1975 ~ Ramirez passed away in 1993
February 24, 1934 ~ Operatic soprano, director, voice teacher Renata Scotto born in Savona, Italy ~ Regarded as one of the premier opera singers of her generation. Became one of the leading singers in the 1960s of the belcanto revival, a movement ushered in by Maria Callas in the 1950s. Known for roles in Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata at La Scala, and Giacomo Puccini's Madame Butterfly at the Metropolitan Opera. As a voice teacher coached singers such as Renée Fleming, Anna Netrebko, and Deborah Voigt. Married to violinist Lorenzo Anselmi, who would become her manager, from 1960 until his death in 2021. The couple would raise a son and a daughter ~ Scotto passed away in 2023
February 24, 1931 ~ Singer, actor Dominic Chianese born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Best known as an actor, notably in the TV series The Sopranos and films such as The Godfather Part II and Dog Day Afternoon. Also released several recordings as a singer consisting of American, Italian and Neapolitan songs, starting with the album Hits in 2000
February 24, 1929 ~ Composer, arranger, pianist, saxophonist Charles Albertine born in Pasaic, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as composer, arranger for the Elgarts, Sammy Kaye, the Three Suns and as composer of Bandstand Boogie, the theme for TV dance show American Bandstand. Other artists who recorded Albertine's songs include Chet Atkins, Bud Powell, Barry Manilow, and Lawrence Welk ~ Albertine passed away in 1986
February 24, 1923 ~ Conductor, orchestrator, arranger, composer Fred Steiner, full name Frederick Steiner, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best known as a composer for radio, TV and film. Wrote the themes for the TV series The Rocky And Biullwinkle Show and Perry Mason. Contributed significantly to the original Star Trek series, scoring or conducting the music for 29 of the 79 original episodes. Also contributed to 1979 feature film Star Trek (The Motion Picture) and the 1985 film The Color Purple ~ Steiner passed away in 2011
February 24, 1917 ~ Myra Jardine Render, commonly known as jazz singer, songwriter Myra Taylor, born in Bonner Springs, Kansas, USA ~ Enjoyed a career spanning seven decades, starting in the late 1930s touring with Clarence Love. Worked at length with Harlan Leonard, present on recordings such as I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire and Dig It, the latter supposedly written by Taylor despite Leonard omitting her name and denying her royalties. Has also worked Baby Dodds, Lonnie Johnson, Roy Eldridge, Lil' Armstrong, Eubie Blake, the Wild Women Of Kansas, and others ~ Render passed away in 2011
February 24, 1892 ~ Tango bandleader, bandoneon player, composer Eduardo Arolas born ~ First played guitar before mastering the bandoneon, eventually earning the nickname “the Tiger of the Bandoneon.” Regarded as one on the early masters, helping define tango, known best for compositions such as Lagrimas, La Cachila, El Marne and Viborita ~ Arolas passed away in 1924