January 2, 1993 ~ Singer, rapper, songwriter Bryson Tiller, full name Bryson Djuan Tiller, born in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Debuted in 2011 with the mixtape Instinct Vol.1. Best known for his 2015 Don't single, which reached top 20 Billboard Hot 100, which led to a record deal and his Trapsoul full-length debut album released later the same year
January 2, 1986 ~ Troy Andrews, commonly known as trombonist, trumpeter, drummer, organist, tubist, producer, actor Trombone Shorty, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Brother of trumpeter, bandleader James Andrews. Leader and in-demand sideman in rock, pop, jazz, funk, hip-hop. Has worked with Lenny Kravitz, U2, the Rebirth Brass Band, Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Jeff Beck, Warren Haynes, Stanton Moore, Kid Rock, Macklemore, Ryan Lewis, Madonna, Mark Ronson, Usher, Queen Latifah, Harry Connick Jr, Allen Toussaint, Cee Lo Green, Dierks Bentley, Bettye LaVette, Nekfeu, and others
January 2, 1985 ~ Jazz saxophonist, songwriter André Roligheten born in Skien, Norway ~ Leader and sideman. Has worked with Andrew d'Angelo, Theo Bleckmann, Django Bates, Paul Lovens, Axel Dörner, Robin Hayward, Raymond Strid, Bugge Wesseltoft, Mathias Eick, Ola Kvernberg, Paal Nilssen-Love, and Per Zanussi
January 2, 1978 ~ Post-rock keyboardist, flutist, oboist, banjoist, guitarist, bassist, singer Kjartan Sveinsson born in Iceland ~ Married to violinist Maria Huld Markan Sigfúdóttir since 2001. Best known as member of Sigur Rós from 1998 through 2013. Present on songs such as Glósóli, Gobbledigook and Inni Mér Syngur Vitleysingur, all of which reached top 10 in the band's native Iceland
January 2, 1975 ~ Singer, guitarist Chris Cheney, full name Christopher John Cheney, born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Lead singer, guitarist of rockabilly outfit the Living End, which he co-founded with Scott Owen. Wrote some of the band's biggest hits including Second Solution, All Torn Down, Pictures In The Mirror, Roll On, One Said To The Other, What's On Your Radio and Wake Up. Has also worked with the Wrights, Sarah McLeod, Dead Men Walking, as well as written songs for artists such as the Black Veil Brides, Reece Mastin and Jimmy Barnes
January 2, 1975 ~ Singer, songwriter Douglas Robb born ~ Lead singer of Hoobastank, which he co-founded with Dan Estrin. The band has recorded about half a dozen albums since its inception in the early-2000s, and is best known for their Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit The Reason, the title track of their 2003 sophomore album of the same name
January 2, 1970 ~ Dansband singer, bassist, songwriter Casper Janebrink, full name Dennis Casper Janebrink, born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Lead singer of Arvingarna, internationally best known for representing Sweden at the 1993 Eurovision Songfestival reaching 7th place with Eloise
January 2, 1970 ~ Death metal singer Frank Mullen, full name Francis Eugene Mullen, born ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, frontman of Suffocation, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums including the acclaimed 1995 Pierced From Within album. Mullen is best known for being one of the first to introduce low-pitched growling vocals into the death metal genre. Mullen departed the band in 2018, to be succeeded by Ricky Myers who on occasion had filled in for him
January 2, 1970 ~ Marta Simlat, commonly known as Eurodance singer, model JK, born in Krakow, Poland ~ Best known for a number of early to mid-1990s recordings, often working with Whigfield producers Larry Pignagnoli and Davide Riva, including You Make Me Feel Good, You & I and perhaps her biggest hit My Radio. Later it turned out Simlat actually lip-synced all vocal parts, the actual vocals performed and recorded by Giovanna Bersola, Sandra Chambers and Zeitia Massiah
January 2, 1970 ~ Rapper Raymond Ebanks, full name Raymond Anthony Ebanks, born in London, UK ~ Member of Soup De Loop. Best known as frontman of Finnish hip hop outfit the Bomfunk MC's, noted for the international 2000 hit Freestyler. Following the latter's disbandement Ebanks has largely disappeared from the music industry, though he occasionally guested on a few tracks
January 2, 1965 ~ Drummer Paul Kodish born ~ Member of hip-hop act Whodini. Worked with drum and bass group Bad Company. Member of electronica band Apollo 440 from 1997 through 2005. Member of Pendulum from 2006 through 2009
January 2, 1954 ~ Funk, R&B singer Dawn Silva born ~ First gained attention in the mid-1970s as backing vocalist with Sly & the Family Stone. Would go on to form the Brides Of Funkenstein, being the only constant member and notably present on the late-1970s albums Funk Or Walk and Never Buy Texas From A Cowboy. Has also worked with Parliament, Funkadelic, Eddie Hazel, Fred Wesley, Bootsy Collins, the Gap Band, and others
January 2, 1954 ~ Guitarist Glenn Goins, full name Glenn Lamonte Goins, born in Plainfield, New Jersey, USA ~ Closely associated with George Clinton as a member of funk outfits Parliament and Funkadelic. Notably present on albums such as Mothership Connection and The Clones Of Dr Funkenstein. Sang lead vocals on Bop Gun (Endangered Species). After leaving Clinton in 1977 formed funk outfit Quazar which also included his brother Kevin Goins and drummer Jerome Brailey ~ Goins passed away in 1978
January 2, 1952 ~ Contemporary folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Christine Lavin born ~ Actively recording as a solo artist since the mid-1980s. Founded all-female folk outfit the Four Bitchin' Babes in 1990. Named his favorite artist by world-famous scientist Neil Degrasse Tyson
January 2, 1952 ~ Rock & roll, pop, glam rock singer Graeme Strachan also known as Shirley Graeme, full name Graeme Ronald Strachan, born in Malvern, Australia ~ Briefly a member of Frame in the early 1970s. Strachan would, however, rise to fame as lead singer of Skyhooks from 1974 through 1978, rejoining on occasion in later years. Strachan has recorded a solo artist, noted for the mid-1970s Australian top 20 hits Every Little Bit Hurts and The Tracks Of My Tears originally recorded by respectively Brenda Holloway and the Miracles, as well as with supergroup the Party Boys, and worked as a host for several TV shows. Strachan passed away at age 49 in a self-piloted helicopter crash ~ Strachan passed away in 2001
January 2, 1950 ~ Classical clarinetist David Shifrin born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Worked with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Seattle Symphony, the Houston Symphony, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Hawaii Symphony, the Phoenix Symphony, and others
January 2, 1948 ~ Jazz, pop trumpeter John Madrid born in Monterey Park, California, USA ~ Active since the mid-1960s. Appeared on the Outsiders, Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Time Won't Let Me. Would go on to work with Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Si Zentner, Louie Bellson, Butane, Blood Sweat & Tears, Boz Scaggs, Wayne Newton, and others ~ Madrid passed away in 1990
January 2, 1948 ~ Drummer, percussionist, producer Keith Forsey born in London, UK ~ Pioneer of disco, closely associated with Giorgio Moroder. Worked with artists such as Claudja Barry, La Bionda, Boney M, Pete Bellotte, Trax, and notably Donna Summer. Produced Billy Idol's 1982 solo debut Billy Idol album and its 1983 follow-up Rebel Yell. Produced Icehouse's breakthrough Primitive Man album. Co-wrote Irene Cara's smash hit Flashdance (What A Feeling) with Moroder and Cara. Co-wrote the Simple Minds' Don't You (Forget About Me). Before disco has worked with the Psychedelic Furs and drummed in Udo Lindenberg's the Panik Orchester as well as for Amon Düül II
January 2, 1948 ~ Keyboardist Kerry Minnear, full name Kerry Churchill Minnear, born in Shaftesbury, UK ~ Classically trained. Key member and songwriter of progressive rock band Gentle Giant. Best known as a keyboardist, Minnear's primary instrument, but adept on a number of instruments including cello, guitar, bass, vibraphone, theremin, timpani and various percussive instruments
January 2, 1947 ~ Adrian Shaw, commonly known as psychedelic rock, rock bassist Ade Shaw, born in Hampstead, UK ~ Asked to join T.Rex in 1977, yet never played with the band as frontman Marc Bolan died shortly thereafter. Co-founded Magic Muscle. Has worked with Hawkwind, Crazy World Of Arthur Brown, the Deviants, Steve Peregrin Took, Hawklords, and the Bevis Frond
January 2, 1947 ~ Mathematician, musicologist, jazz pianist Guerino Mazzola born in Dubbendorf, Switzerland ~ Well known for his music theory book The Topos Of Music, published in 2002. As a pianist appears on over two dozen albums, working with the likes of Mat Maneri, Heinz Geisser, Sirone, Jeff Kaiser, Scott Fields, and others
January 2, 1946 ~ Michael George Churchill, commonly known as keyboardist Chick Churchill, born in Flintshire, UK ~ Best known as keyboardist of blues-rock outfit Ten Years After from its inception in 1966 until its disbandement in 1976. Released a solo solo album, You And Me, in 1973 which featured Supertramp's Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson and Jethro Tull's Martin Barre. Has worked as a label executive and manager since 1976
January 2, 1946 ~ Music manager, tour manager Richard Cole born in Kensal Rise, UK ~ Best known as tour manager for Led Zeppelin from 1968 until its dissolution in 1980. Drew ire from the band for several bold statements about their behavior, most infamously in the Stephen Davis-penned Zeppelin-biography Hammer Of The Gods. Has also worked for bands such as Unit 4+2, the Who, the New Vaudeville Band, Vanilla Fudge, the Yardbirds, Eric Clapton, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Uhuru, and Three Dog Night ~ Cole passed away in 2021
January 2, 1939 ~ Composer, pianist Franz Hummel born ~ Virtuoso pianist extensively performing and recording standard reportoire from classical, Romantic and contemporary music through the 1970s before focusing on composition. Wrote operas, symphonies, ballets and chamber music, noted for his 1996 Gesualdo opera ~ Hummel passed away in 2022
January 2, 1939 ~ Albert Abraham Smothers, commonly known as Chicago blues guitarist, singer Little Smokey Smothers born in Tchula, Mississippi, USA ~ Noted for backing Howlin' Wolf on the quintessential 1958 Howlin' Wolf (The Rockin' Chair Album) album, appearing on the tracks I've Been Abused, Howlin' For My Darling, and Mr Airplane. Not to be confused with his brother, guitarist Otis Big Smokey Smothers, who also played with the Wolf. Other notable associations include Magic Sam, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Earl Hooker, Junior Wells, George Mojo Buford, and the Legendary Blues Band ~ Smothers passed away in 2010
January 2, 1936 ~ Singer, songwriter Roger Miller, full name Roger Dean Miller, born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Known for songs such as When Two Worlds Collide, Dang Me, Chug-a-lug, King Of The Road, Walkin' In The Sunshine and Little Green Apples. As a songwriter had his work recorded by artists such as Jim Reeves (Billy Bayou), Rex Allen, Ray Price (Invitation To The Blues), Ernest Tubb (Half A Mind), Faron Young, Alan Jackson (Tall Tall Trees), Brooks & Dunn, and Dwight Yoakam ~ Miller passed away in 1992
January 2, 1933 ~ Hisoa Oma Suzuki, commonly known as jazz double bassist Isao Suzuki born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Worked with artists including Shotaro Moriyasu, Hidehiko Matsumoto, Sadao Watanabe, Hampton Hawes, Ron Carter, Paul Desmond, Ella Fitzgerald, Jim Hall, Wynton Kelly, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Bobby Timmons, Kenny Burrell, Mal Waldron, and others ~ Suzuki passed away in 2022
January 2, 1931 ~ Accordionist, pianist, clarinetist Frank Marocco born in Joliet, Illinois, USA ~ Generally regarded as one of the premier accordionists, primarily active in jazz and classical circles. As a solo artist known for his 1960 Like Frank Marocco album. To pop and rock audiences best known for his association with the Beach Boys, appearing on the landmark Pet Sounds album released in 1966. Has also guested on albums by Dan Fogelberg, Danny O'Keefe, Tracy Chapman (Crossroads), Ry Cooder, Phil Collins, and Eric Clapton ~ Marocco passed away in 2012
January 2, 1928 ~ Conductor, teacher, musicologist Alberto Zedda born in Milan, Italy ~ Conductor specialized in 19th-century Italian repertoire, including opera, symphonic and chamber music. Regarded an authority on Gioachino Rossini, and founder and direct of the Accademia Rossiniana, Pesaro, Italy ~ Zedda passed away in 2017
January 2, 1927 ~ Jazz trumpeter John McLevy born in Dundee, UK ~ Best known for his association with Benny Goodman, touring with the clarinetist throughout Europe in the 1970s and appearing on albums such as The King Swings. McLevy has also worked with the likes of Max Bygraves, Jack Emblow, Tommy McQuater, Krysia Kocjan, and Bob Wilber ~ McLevy passed away in 2002
January 2, 1924 ~ Jazz, R&B singer Arthur Prysock born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA ~ First gained attention in the 1940s as lead vocalist with bandleader Buddy Johnson, singing lead on songs such as They All Say I'm The Biggest Fool, Jet My Love, I Wonder Where Our Love Has Gone and Because. Ventured out on his own in the early-1950s, over the years earning a reputation as an emotive balladeer recording both originals and covers. Known for R&B hits such as I Didn't Sleep A Wink Last Night, Good Rockin' Tonight, The Very Thought Of You and It's Too Late Baby It's Too Late. Recorded well into the 1980s ~ Prysock passed away in 1997
January 2, 1924 ~ Åse Carola Helmersen, commonly known as pop, schlager singer Åse Wentzel, born in Trondheim, Norway ~ Married to violinist Odd Wentzel-Larsen. Their daughter is singer, guitarist Magni Wentzel. Wentzel enjoyed popularity during the 1950s and 1960s with songs such as Domino, Du Du Du, Vaya Con Dios with Thor Raymond and Midnattstango with Jan Høiland, the latter topping the charts in Norway in 1963 ~ Wentzel passed away in 2009
January 2, 1915 ~ Drummer Nick Fatool born in Milbury, Massachusetts, USA ~ One of the most in-demand drummers of the 1940s. Worked with Joe Haymes, Don Beston, Bobby Hackett, Benny Goodman, the Riverboat Five, Artie Shaw, Alvino Rey, Claude Thornhill, Les Brown, Jan Savitt, Harry James, Erroll Garner, Louis Armstrong, Jess Stacy, Tommy Dorsey, Matty Matlock, John Scott Trotter, Glen Gray, Bob Crosby, Andy Russell, Betty Hutton, Billy May, Dave Barbour, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Freddie Black, Gordon Macrae, Jack Teagarden, Johnny Mercer, Jo Stafford, Margaret Whiting, Tennessee Ernie Ford, the Andrews Sisters, the Pied Pipers, Wingy Manone, and others ~ Fatool passed away in 2000
January 2, 1910 ~ Jazz trumpeter Henry Goodwin, full name Henry Clay Goodwin, born in Columbia, South Carolina, USA ~ Worked with Claude Hopkins, Cliff Jackson, Elmer Snowden, Lucky Millinder, Willie Bryant, Charlie Johnson, Cab Calloway, Kenny Clarke, Edgar Hayes, Sidney Bechet, Cecil Scott, Art Hodes, Mezz Mezzrow, Bob Wilber, Jimmy Archey, Earl Hines, and others ~ Goodwin passed away in 1979
January 2, 1905 ~ Composer Michael Tippett, full name Michael Kemp Tippett, born in Eastcote, UK ~ Along with Benjamin Britten ranked as one of the leading British composers of the early 20th century. Known for works such as Child Of Our Time, Fantasia Concertante On A Theme Of Corelli, A Midsummer Marriage ~ Tippett passed away in 1998
January 2, 1904 ~ Singer James Melton born in Moultrie, Georgia, USA ~ Popular 1920s, 1930s balladeer, traditional pop singer worked with Roxy's Gang, the Revelers, Jane Froman before moving into opera by the late-1930s performing roles with the Cincinatti Zoo Opera Company, the Philadelphia La Scala Opera Company, the Chicago Civic Opera and others ~ Melton passed away in 1961
January 2, 1897 ~ Martha Jane Greene, commonly known as actress, singer Jane Green, born in Kentucky, USA ~ Popular 1920s singer known for her association with Florenz Ziegfeld Jr and appearing in several Broadway productions including 1919's Nine O'Clock Review, 1923's Nitties Of 1923 and 1925's Greenwich Follies Revue. Married to songwriter Jimmy Byler from 1918 until Byler's death in 1924 ~ Greene passed away in 1931
January 2, 1892 ~ Opera, symphonic conductor Artur Rodzinski born in Split, Austria ~ Discovered by Leopold Stokowski who invited him to be his assistant with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Would go on to work with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Especially acclaimed for conducting Richard Wagner's Tristan Und Isolde with the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 1958. Exhausted from the performance he checked into the hospital where he would die less than two weeks later ~ Rodzinski passed away in 1958
January 2, 1837 ~ Composer, pianist, conductor Mily Balakirev, full name Mily Alexeyevich Balakirev, born in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia ~ Known best for promoting musical nationalism, extending the fusion of traditional folk and experimental classical music as begun by composer Mikhail Glinka. Perhaps best remembered for his composition Islamey for solo piano and his First Symphony completed in 1897 ~ Balakirev passed away in 1910