January 27, 2024 ~ Bjørn Falk Nilsen, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Lillebjørn Nilsen, passed away ~ Formed the late-1960s duo the Young Norwegians with Bjørn Morisse, the latter also referred to as Storebjørn. Recorded consistently as a solo artist since the early-1970s. Considered “the Voice of Oslo” for having written numerous songs about the city. Befriended and worked with his idol Pete Seeger, whose My Rainbow Race he translated to Banr Av Regnbuen. Terrorist Anders Breivik, who killed over 70 people in the 2011 Oslo and Utøya attacks, stated he hated the song. In response, over 40,000 Norwegians sang it publicly outside Breivik's trial. Nilsen was also a member of supergroup Gitarkamaratene ~ Nilsen was born in 1950
January 27, 2023 ~ Drummer Floyd Sneed, full name Floyd Chester Sneed, passed away ~ Member of Three Dog Night, remaining with the band from its inception in 1968 until its disbandement in 1977. Sang backup on only one song, Joy To The World taken of their 1970 Naturally album. The band is known for numerous 1970s hits including the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles One, Mama Told Me (Not To Come), Black & White, Shambala, and The Show Must Go On ~ Sneed was born in 1943
January 27, 2022 ~ Composer Alain Bancquart passed away ~ Musical director for ORTF and subsequently the Orchestre National de France, having previously served as violinist in the latter. As a composer has written symphonies, concertos, operas, and chamber music ~ Bancquart was born in 1934
January 27, 2022 ~ Miguel Atilio Boccadoro Hernandez, commonly known as pop singer, guitarist, trumpeter, bandoneon player Diego Verdaguer, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Married to singer Amanda Miguel. Well over a dozen albums to his name, known best for songs such as Volveré, Corazón De Papel, Usted Qué Haria, La Ladrona, and Voy A Coonquistarte ~ Boccadoro was born in 1951
January 27, 2014 ~ Singer, songwriter Pete Seeger passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Member of the Almanac Singers. Member of pivotal folk outfit the Weavers, known for The Hammer Song and for their 1950 hit recording Goodnight Irene. As a solo artist Seeger would become one of the premier folk singers and prolific songwriters of the 1960s, perhaps best known for penning and first recording Where Have All The Flowers Gone which would be covered by well over 150 artists including Bobby Darin, Eddy Arnold, Johnny Rivers, Harry Belafonte, Joan Baez, and Earth Wind & Fire ~ Seeger was born in 1919
January 27, 2012 ~ Kathryn Elizabeth Wimp, commonly known as jazz singer Kay Davis, passed away in Apopka, Florida, USA ~ Best known for her tenure, from 1944 through 1950, with Duke Ellington including on tours of the UK and Europe, and notably the 1948 Carnegie Hall concert where she premiered Lush Life. Wimp retired from music by the early-1950s ~ Wimp was born in 1920
January 27, 2009 ~ Pioneering electronic musician Klaus Wiese passed away in Ulm, Germany ~ Briefly a member of krautrock outfit Popol Vuh, playing tamboura on the albums Hosianna Mantra and Selingpreisung. Best known as a solo artist, one of the great ambient and space music artists and a master of the Tibetan singing bowl. Has regularly collaborated with artists such as Al Gromer Kahn, Mathias Grassow, Oöphoi, Tau Ceti, Saam Schlamminger, Ted de Jong, and Deuter ~ Wiese was born in 1942
January 27, 2006 ~ R&B, soul singer, producer, songwriter Gene McFadden passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ First teamed up with John Whitehead in the 1960s forming the Epsilons, a group which eventually toured with Otis Redding. The duo would later help define Philly soul, writing and producing numerous hits for others, including Back Stabbers for the O'Jays, Wake Up Everybody (Part 1) for Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, and I'll Always Love My Mama for the Intruders. The duo also scored a Billboard R&B charttopper on their own with Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now, released in 1979 ~ McFadden was born in 1949
January 27, 2003 ~ Synth-pop duo Erasure release their Other People's Songs album ~ Reportedly originally conceived as a solo album for singer Andy Bell, yet Vince Clarke jumped in, making Other People's Songs the duo's tenth studio album and their only one consisting entirely of covers. It would give the duo their first UK top 10 hit in nearly a decade, their cover of Peter Gabriel's Solsbury Hill solo debut single peaking at No.10, surpassing the original. The album's other single, a cover of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel's 1975 Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) hit reached top 20. Other artists covered on the album include Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, the Ronettes, and the Three Degrees
January 27, 2003 ~ Reggae, dancehall singer, DJ Sean Paul releases Get Busy, lifted off his Dutty Rock album ~ While Paul's previous release, his Gimme The Light debut single, took over half a year to become a hit, the dancehall banger Get Busy was remarkably quicker, taking less than half the time to reach No.1 Billboard Hot 100. A top 10 hit in over a dozen countries, the banger is specifically noted for its use of “Diwali riddim”, a style frequently used in Jamaican music where instrumental accompaniment, in this case handclaps, provide the rhythm, or “riddim”, for a vocal, usually a rap. When Paul recorded the song, his girlfriend, whom he later married, and her friend asked Paul to mention them in the song. And he did, as he later recalled: “I went in there, did the song, and I was trying to find an intro. And usually in Jamaica, we kind of talk an intro out and introduce the song. Well, this time I just decided to sing. I was like ‘I'm going to put their name in it and freak them out.’ I did do it and to this day they're still good friends”
January 27, 2000 ~ Classical, jazz pianist, composer Friedrich Gulda passed away in Steinbach-am-Attersee, Austria ~ Revered interpreter of the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. Other than for his accomplishments in the classical world, Gulda is also known to jazz audiences, specifically for his work with the likes of Cecil Taylor, Barre Phillips, Ursula Anders, John Surman, Albert Mangelsdorff, Stu Martin, and Fritz Pauer ~ Gulda was born in 1930
January 27, 1993 ~ Jazz double bassist Eddie Calhoun passed away in Paradise Lake, Mississippi, USA ~ Closely associated with Erroll Garner, touring and recording extensively with the pianist for about a decade including on the acclaimed Concert By The Sea album released in 1955. An in-demand sideman, Calhoun is also present on recordings by Ahmad Jamal (Piano Scene Of Ahmad Jamal), Willis Jackson, Roger Ramirez, and Horace Henderson ~ Calhoun was born in 1921
January 27, 1991 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Dylan Guthro born ~ Son of singer Bruce Guthro. Dylan released his solo debut album, All That's True, in 2012. In 2015 formed the trio Port Cities with fellow Halifax singers Carleton Stone and Breagh MacKinnon. Has served as producer and songwriter for acts such as Quake Matthews, Neon Dreams, Tim Chaisson, Ria Mae, Donovan Woods, Maura Whitman, Walker Hayes, Banners, and others
January 27, 1990 ~ Country singer, songwriter Luke Bell born in Lexington, Kentucky, USA ~ Critically compared to Buck Owens and Roger Miller. Draws from honky-tonk and classic country. Acclaimed for his third and final studio album, the eponymous Luke Bell released in 2016. Known best for the singles Where Ya Been and the John Lennon-cover Jealous Guy. Bell disappeared in August 2022, his body discovered nine days later ~ Bell passed away in 2022
January 27, 1990 ~ Soufiane Nouhi, commonly known as urban pop, R&B, rap singer, guitarist, pianist, violinist, percussionist Souf, born in Nancy, France ~ First gained attention through his online releases, mostly covers of well known songs. Guested on Ridsa's 2014 My Baby single. Released his Alchimie debut album in 2016, which spawned the modest hit Mi Amor
January 27, 1989 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter Bob Haymes, full name Robert William Haymes, passed away in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for writing That's All with Alan Brandt, first recorded by Nat King Cole and covered by numerous artists including Bobby Darin, Billy Eckstine, Sam Cooke, Connie Francis, Judy Garland, Ricky Nelson, Mel Tormé, and Sarah Vaughan ~ Haymes was born in 1923
January 27, 1986 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger Ken Moule, full name Kenneth John Moule, passed away in Marbella, Spain ~ Got his start in his music in the 1940s, backing the likes of Johnny Dankworth, Oscar Rabin, Remo Cavalotti, Bobby Kevin, Bert Ambrose, and Frank Weir. As a composer, Moule is perhaps best known for the suite Jazz At The Toad released in 1958, based on the Kenneth Grahame children's book The Wind In The Willows. From the mid-1950s through the early-1980s, Moule led a number of ensembles employing sidemen such as Cab Kaye, George Chisholm, Lennie Bush, Allan Ganley, Don Rendell, and Kenny Wheeler. In the late-1970s, Moule notably served as the music arranger for the BBC drama series Secret Army, also appearing as Paul, the restaurant pianist, in several episodes ~ Moule was born in 1925
January 27, 1986 ~ Country singer Tanya Tucker releases One Love At A Time, lead single off her Girls Like Me album ~ Written by Paul Davis and Paul Overstreet, the song tells of a woman dating two men at once, which would be fine if only if weren't so exhausting. Tucker had enjoyed popularity throughout the 1970s, racking up over a dozen Billboard Country top 10 hits since her debut single Delta Dawn released at age 13. During the early-1980s, however, her popularity waned, she developed a drug habit, and lost her record deal. With some help from her father, Tucker relocated to Nashville and got herself together. One Love At A Time would be her comeback single, and reach No.3 Billboard Country. Subsequently, the next three singles off the same parent album would also reach top 10. Tucker would regularly reach the higher echelons of the chart through the mid-1990s
January 27, 1984 ~ Pop singer Cyndi Lauper releases Time After Time, lifted off her She's So Unusual debut album ~ Initially tapped as her debut single, Lauper felt such a choice might pigeonhole her as a balladeer and potentially hinder her career. Epic Records agreed and issued it instead as She's So Unusual's second single, after Girls Just Want To Have Fun which reached No.2 Billboard Hot 100. The sophomore single Time After Time hit the No.1 spot. Two more singles from the same album, She Bop and All Through The Night also reached top 5, peaking respectively at No.3 and No.5. The parent album would be heralded by critics, earned Lauper several Grammy Award nominations and helped her win the Award for Best New Artist
January 27, 1981 ~ Singer Reverend Julius Cheeks passed away ~ Briefly a member of the Soul Stirrers. Best known as a member of the Sensational Nightingales, popular in the early-1950s and known for songs such as Somewhere To Lay My Head and The Last Mile Of The Way. Also a member of the Mighty Clouds Of Joy ~ Cheeks was born in 1929
January 27, 1976 ~ Classical violinist Renaud Capuçon born in Chambéry, France ~ Entered the Conservatory at age 4. Noted for his recordings of Johannes Brahms trios with his brother cellist Gautier Capuçon and pianist Nicholas Angelich. Has also recorded chamber works by Maurice Ravel and Franz Schubert, as well as concertos by Robert Schumann and Felix Mendelssohn. Capuçon has worked with artists such as Jérôme Ducros, Frank Braley, Hélène Grimaud, Gérard Caussé, and others
January 27, 1975 ~ Julia Ellen Sackett, commonly known as Broadway actress, singer Julia Sanderson, passed away in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA ~ Daughter of Broadway-actor Albert H Sackett, Sanderson got her start on the stage at an early age. Well known for roles in shows such as Brewster's Millions, Wang, The Tourists, and The Dairymaids. Teamed up with her third husband singer Frank Crumit, performing on the radio show Blackstone Plantation through the mid-1930s and on the popular quiz show The Battle Of The Sexes from 1930 until Crumit's death in 1943, after which Sanderson retired from showbiz. The Springfield theater the Julia Sanderson Theater was named after her ~ Sackett was born in 1887
January 27, 1973 ~ Jazz drummer Jackie Dougan passed away in Australia ~ Worked with Tommy Whittle, Eddie Thompson, Dick Morrisey, Ronnie Scott, Malcolm Cecil, Tony Coe, Stan Tracey (Jazz Suite Inspired By Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood), Sonny Stitt, Ben Webster, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Wes Montgomery, and others ~ Dougan was born ca.1930
January 27, 1972 ~ Pop singer Mark Owen born in Oldham, UK ~ Member of boy band Take That, known for a string hits starting in the early-1990s including the UK No.1 hits Pray, Relight My Fire featuring Lulu, Babe, Everything Changes, Sure, Back For Good, Never Forget, How Deep Is Your Love, Patience, Shine, The Greatest Day, and These Days
January 27, 1970 ~ Baroque, classical, jazz flutist Emmanuel Pahud born in Geneva, Switzerland ~ Worked with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Australia Chamber Orchestra, the Kansas City Symphony, and others
January 27, 1968 ~ Country singer, songwriter Tracy Lawrence born in Atlanta, Texas, USA ~ Draws from neotraditional and honky-tonk. Over a dozen albums to his name, most notably 1993's Alibis and 1996's Time Marches On both of which reached double Platinum certification. Best known for songs such as Sticks And Stones, Alibis, Can't Break It To My Heart, My Second Home, If The Good Die Young, Texas Tornado, Time Marches On, Find Out Who Your Friends Are featuring Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney, all of which topped Billboard's country charts
January 27, 1968 ~ Adrian Nicholas Matthews Thaws, commonly known as producer, rapper, actor Tricky, born in Bristol, UK ~ Best known as member of Massive Attack, acclaimed for their 1991 Blue Lines debut album. The band would regularly hit the charts throughout the remainder of the 1990s. Well known songs include Unfinished Sympathy, Risingson and Teardrop
January 27, 1967 ~ Folk, pop singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Luigi Tenco passed away in Sanremo, Italy ~ Also known under the alias Gigi Mai. Member of I Cavaliere, alongside Giampiero Reverberi and Enzo Jannacci. Debuted as a solo artist in 1961 with the single Quando, followed by the full-length album Baliate E Canzoni the next year. Became an icon of love and despair after his alleged suicide at age 28, the exact circumstances of his death still questioned to this day ~ Tenco was born in 1938
January 27, 1964 ~ Jazz drummer Trond Sverre Hansen born in Narvik, Norway ~ Son of jazz trombonist Viggo Hansen. Considered one of the premier Norwegian bebop drummers. Has worked with Thorgeir Stubø, Jørn Øien, Øystein B Blix, Kjell Bartholdsen, Øystein Norvoll, Ernst-Wiggo Sandbakk, Konrad Kaspersen, Knut Kristiansen, Ragnar Olsen, Sverre Kjelsberg, Marit Sandvik, and others
January 27, 1961 ~ New wave guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Gillian Gilbert, full name Gillian Lesley Gilbert, born in Manchester, UK ~ Best known as member of Joy Division-offshoot New Order, founded in 1980 after singer Ian Curtis's suicide. Would marry bandmate Stephen Morris in the early-1990s, with whom she has two daughters. Also recorded two albums with her husband under the moniker the Other Two, 1993's The Other Two & You and 1999's Super Highways
January 27, 1961 ~ Alternative country, alternative folk singer Margo Timmins born in Montreal, Canada ~ Lead singer of the Cowboy Junkies, which also included her brothers guitarist Michael Timmins and drummer Peter Timmins. Timmins has stated it took her ten years to get comfortable singing in front of an audience yet is widely praised for her ethereal voice, a key component of the band's sound
January 27, 1960 ~ James Pond, commonly known as metal, hard rock singer, drummer Jaime St James, born in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Briefly served as Warrant lead singer during Jani Lanes hiatus. Best known as frontman and primary songwriter of glam metal outfit Black 'n Blue. Also worked with Freight Train Jane, the Glorious Things, Kiss tribute band Cold Gin, the Hard Rock All-Stars, Let It Rawk, and others
January 27, 1959 ~ Amelia McMahon, commonly known as singer, songwriter Amy Rigby, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Member of the Shams. Member of the Last Roundup. Released her debut album, Diary Of A Mod Housewife, in 1996 and recording steadily since to critical acclaim but limited commercial success. Had her songs recorded by Ronnie Spector, Sara Hickman, Laura Cantrell. Married to Wreckless Eric with whom she also works. Previously married to the dB's-drummer Will Rigby with whom she has a daughter
January 27, 1957 ~ Rock guitarist Klaus Heuser, also known as Klaus Major Heuser, born in Leverkusen-Wiesdorf, Germany ~ Influenced by Keith Richards, Rory Gallagher, Eric Clapton, the Golden Earring, and Gary Moore. Lead guitarist for rock unit BAP, for whom he wrote or co-wrote several of the band's best known including [title-bap-de--verdamp-lang-her], [title-bap-de--frau-ich-freu-mich], [title-bap-de--ne-schone-jrooss], [title-bap-de--kristallnaach], [title-bap-de--alles-em-lot], and [title-bap-de--nix-wie-bessher]
January 27, 1955 ~ Country, bluegrass, gospel singer Cheryl White born in Abilene, Texas, USA ~ Married to singer Ricky Skaggs. Member of the Whites, which also includes her sister Sharon White and father Buck White, known for 1980s hits such as You Put The Blue In Me, Give Me Back That Old Familiar Feeling, If It Ain't Love Let's Leave It Alone, and Hometown Gossip
January 27, 1955 ~ Jazz drummer Pheeroan Aklaff born ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with DejaVu, Bill Baron, Wadada Leo Smith, Oliver Lake, Jump Up, Andrew Hill, Cecil Taylor, Reggie Workman, Geri Allen, Anthony Braxton, Henry Threadgill, Jay Hoggard, Craig Harris, Don Byron, Julius Hemphill, Sonny Sharrock, Mal Waldron, Yosuke Yamashita, and others
January 27, 1953 ~ Jazz saxophonist, bandleader, composer, arranger Bob Mintzer, full name Robert Alan Mintzer, born in New Rochelle, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Buddy Rich, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Sam Jones, Peter Erskine, the Yellowjackets, Jaco Pastorius, Miroslav Vitous, Bobby McFerrin, Toninho Horta, Kurt Elling, Dewa Budjana, and Roberta Tola
January 27, 1953 ~ Country songwriter Tom Douglas, full name Thomas Stevenson Douglas, born ~ Songs written or co-written by Douglas have been recorded by Collin Raye (Little Rock), Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack (Something Worth Leaving Behind), Tim McGraw (Grown Men Don't Cry), Lady Antebellum (I Run To You), Miranda Lambert (The House That Built Me), Neal McCoy, George Strait, John Michael Montgomery, and others
January 27, 1951 ~ Drummer Brian Downey, full name Brian Michael Downey, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Co-founding member and along with Phil Lynott the only other constant member of Thin Lizzy until the band's breakup in 1983. Wrote or co-wrote several of the band's best known including The Rocker, Cowboy Song, Emerald, Bad Reputation, and Thunder & Lightning. Has also worked with Greedy Bastards, Funky Junction, John Sykes, the Baby Snakes, Gary Moore, and Grand Slam
January 27, 1949 ~ Singer, songwriter Djavan, full name DJavan Caetano Viana, born in Macelo, Brazil ~ As a songwriter had his songs recorded by Al Jarreau, Carmen McRae, the Manhattan Transfer, Aaron Goldberg, Loredana Bertè, Eliane Elias, Bob Baldwin, Lee Ritenour, Gal Costa, Dori Caymmi, Nana Caymmi, Lenine, João Bosco, Chico Buarque, Daniela Mercury, Ney Matogrosso, Dominguinhos, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia, and others
January 27, 1946 ~ Bassist Kim Gardner born in London, UK ~ First gained attention in the mid-1960s as a member of the Birds, a band best known for the cuts No Good Without You and Leaving Here. Gardner has subsequently worked with mod outfit the Creation, Santa Barbara Machine Head which also included Jon Lord and Ronnie Wood, with jazz-rock band Ashton Gardner & Dyke known for the 1971 hit Resurrection Shuffle, and with Badger. For much of the 1970s, Gardner would be an in-demand touring and session musician working with artists as diverse as Bo Diddley and Eric Clapton ~ Gardner passed away in 2001
January 27, 1945 ~ Jazz double bassist Henri Texier born in Paris, France ~ As a leader well over two dozen albums to his name since the early-1970s. Cites Wilbur Ware as main influence. Has collaborated with Gordon Beck, John Abercrombie, Didier Lockwood, Louis Sclavis, Daniel Humair, Aldo Romano, Randy Weston, Art Farmer, Lee Konitz, Martial Solal, Guy Lafitte, Julian Lourau, Patrice Meyer, Jean-Marc Padovani, Joe Lovano, and others
January 27, 1944 ~ Alternative rock, new wave singer, guitarist Kevin Coyne born in Derby, UK ~ Overlooked by the public. Anti-star admired by peers including Sting and Johnny Rotten. Reportedly turned down a chance to meet with label executive Jac Holzman to discuss replacing the late Jim Morrison in the Doors, alleging he “did not like the leather trousers” ~ Coyne passed away in 2004
January 27, 1944 ~ Drummer Nick Mason, full name Nicholas Berkely Mason, born in Birmingham, UK ~ Best known as founding and sole constant member of Pink Floyd. Co-wrote songs such as Echoes, Careful With That Axe Eugene and One Of These Days. Has released a solo album, Nick Mason's Fictitious Sports, in 1981, guested on recordings by Rick Fenn and Michael Mantler, and produced recordings by Chimera, Robert Wyatt (Rock Bottom), Gong, the Damned and Steve Hillage
January 27, 1942 ~ Kathryn Louise Allen, commonly known as folk, country folk singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Kate Wolf, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Member of Wildwood Flower. Half a dozen albums to her name, starting with Back Roads. Best known for songs such as Across The Great Divide, Unfinished Life, Green Eyes, and Give Yourself To Love. Had her songs covered by John Gorka, Nanci Griffith, Laurie McClain (Cornflower Blue), the Wild Coyotes, Cathy Cowette, Lucinda Williams (Here In California), Dave Alvin, Emmylou Harris (Love Still Remains), Sherry Austin, Eric Bogle, Kathy Mattea, Billy Bragg (One By One), and others ~ Allen passed away in 1986
January 27, 1941 ~ Vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influence on later vibraphonists including Steve Nelson, Joe Locke, Stefon Harris. Over three dozen albums as leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for a string of mid-1960s releases including Stick Up, Components and Oblique. Member of the SF Jazz Collective. In-demand sideman, present on albums by Les McCann, Eric Dolphy (Iron Man), Jackie McLean, Andrew Hill, Grant Green (Idle Moments), Joe Henderson (Mode For Joe), John Handy, Lee Morgan (The Procrastinator), McCoy Tyner, Stanley Cowell (Brilliant Circles), Prince Lasha, Donald Byrd, Dexter Gordon, Roy Haynes, Pharoah Sanders (Rejoice), Woody Shaw, and Lou Rawls ~ Hutcherson passed away in 2016
January 27, 1937 ~ Steel guitarist Buddy Emmons born in Mishawaka, Indiana, USA ~ Plays country, jazz, Western swing. Widely seen as one of the leading pedal steel guitarists of his day. Member of Ernest Tubb's backing unit the Texas Troubadours. Member of Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Member of the Dillards, a band believed to be quintessential in late-1960s country-rock. In-demand session musician. Has worked with Casey Clark, George Jones, Melba Montgomery, Roger Miller, Mel Tillis, Donna Fargo, Duane Eddy, Charlie Walker, Linda Ronstadt, Gram Parsons, Bob Wills, Ray Pennington, the Everly Brothers, the Carpenters, John Hartford, Jimmy Dickens, Ray Price (notably on You Took Her Off My Hands), Judy Collins, George Strait, John Sebastian, and Ray Charles ~ Emmons passed away in 2015
January 27, 1933 ~ James Edward Bond Jr, commonly known as jazz double bassist, composer, arranger Jimmy Bond, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Worked with Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Gene Ammons, Chet Baker, Ella Fitzgerald, Sonny Rollins, Ben Webster, Art Pepper, Jim Hall, Jimmy Giuffre, Paul Horn, Phil Spector, Randy Newman, Frank Zappa, Tim Buckley, the Jazz Crusaders, Nina Simone, Lightnin' Hopkins, Jimmy Witherspoon, Linda Ronstadt, Henry Mancini, Lou Rawls, Tony Bennett, BB King, Curtis Amy, Earl Anderza, Louie Bellson, Terry Gibbs, Joe Gordon, Irene Kral, Julie London, Brownie McGhee, Sonny Terry, Frank Morgan, Gerry Mulligan, Jim Sullivan, Gerald Wilson, Jimmy Woods, and others ~ Bond passed away in 2012
January 27, 1930 ~ Robert Calvin Brooks, commonly known as singer Bobby Blue Bland, born in Barrelville, Tennessee, USA ~ Pivotal in soul-blues, mixing gospel with blues and R&B. Especially acclaimed for his 1961 album Two Steps From The Blues. Best known for songs such as Cry Cry Cry, I Pity The Fool, Turn On Your Lovelight, Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City, and I Wouldn't Treat A Dog The Way You Treated Me. Worked with Johnny Ace, Eddie Fisher, Junior Parker, Blues Consolidated, Bill Harvey, Joe Scott, Wayne Bennett, Michael Omartian, Steve Barri, Van Morrison, BB King, and others ~ Bland passed away in 2013
January 27, 1929 ~ Operatic baritone Carlo Meliciani born in Arezzo, Italy ~ Closely associated with La Scala, remaining with the renowned opera house for some two decades starting in the late-1950s. Noted for his portrayal of roles from Giuseppe Verdi operas, especially a 1969 recording with the Teatro Nuovo Di Torino of Emani in the role of Don Carlo opposite Plácido Domingo in the title role ~ Meliciani passed away in 2022
January 27, 1927 ~ Classical, jazz pianist, composer, arranger Don Shirley, full name Donald Walbridge Shirley, born in Pensacola, Florida, USA ~ Actively recording since the mid-1950s. Composed organ symphonies, works for piano, strings, cello, and opera. Worked with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the NBC Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony, the Chicago Symphony, the National Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and others ~ Shirley passed away in 2013
January 27, 1925 ~ Jerome Solon Felder, commonly known as lyricist, songwriter Doc Pomus, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Co-wrote numerous classic rock & roll hits. Frequent songwriting partner of Mort Shuman. Artists who have recorded his songs include Elvis Presley (Little Sister, Suspicion, Viva Las Vegas), the Crystals, Joe Turner, Conway Twitty, Charlie Rich, Dion & the Belmonts (A Teenager In Love), the McCoys, Gary US Bonds (Seven Day Weekend), Ben E King (Here Comes The Night), Jimmy Clanton, Del Shannon, Fabian, the Coasters (Young Blood), the Mystics, Bobby Darin, the Drifters (Sweets For My Sweet, Save The Last Dance For Me), Gene McDaniels, Marty Wilde, Jess Conrad, Ray Charles (Lonely Avenue), Connie Francis, and others ~ Pomus passed away in 1991
January 27, 1920 ~ Velma Newsom, commonly known as R&B singer Chubby Newsom, born ~ Best known for her 1949 hit Hip Shaking Mama. Half of Bluezettes, the other half being Alberta Adams. Also worked with artists such as Paul Gayten, Dave Bartholomew, Herbert Hardesty, Ernest McLean, Frank Fields, Earl Palmer, Tiny Bradshaw, and others ~ Newsom passed away in 2003
January 27, 1920 ~ Classical, swing, jazz violinist, composer Helmut Zacharias born in Berlin, Germany ~ Influenced by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli. Dubbed “the Magic Violinist”. Internationally best known for When The White Lilacs Bloom Again, a Billboard top 20 hit in 1956. Also known as an actor, starting in the late-1940s, usually playing the role of musicians ~ Zacharias passed away in 2002
January 27, 1920 ~ Actor, singer, bandleader Tony Martinez born in Puerto Rico ~ Fronted his own band, Tony Martinez & his Mambo, in the 1950s, with whom he appeared in the 1956 film Rock Around The Clock. Perhaps best known as an actor, noted for his role of Pepino in the TV sitcom The Real McCoys, aired on ABC from 1957 through 1962 ~ Martinez passed away in 2002
January 27, 1920 ~ Joachim Guillaume Lamothe, commonly known as country singer Willie Lamothe, born in Saint-Hyacinthe, Canada ~ Considered a pioneer of French-language country music Lamothe has recorded some 500 songs, both originals and translated renditions over the course of his three-decade long career starting in the mid-1940s. Well-known songs include La Promesse, Mille Après Mille, Allo Cowboy, Aux Accords Des Guitares, and Oh Ma Cherie. Lamothe has also ventured into acting for film ~ Lamothe passed away in 1992
January 27, 1918 ~ Blues singer, guitarist Elmore James born in Richmond, Mississippi, USA ~ Dubbed “the King of the Slide Guitar”. Influenced by Robert Johnson, Kokomo Arnold, Tampa Red. Known for a number of blues classics, hugely influential on future blues and rock singers and guitarists. Well known songs include The Sky Is Crying, My Bleeding Heart, Look On Yonder Wall and Shake Your Moneymaker ~ James passed away in 1963
January 27, 1914 ~ Andrew Hogg, commonly known as Texas blues, country blues guitarist Smokey Hogg, born in Westconnie, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by Big Bill Broonzy, Peetie Wheatstraw and by slide guitarist Black Ace, touring and recording the late-1930s one-off Family Trouble Blues with the latter. Best known for a number of late-1940s, early-1950s recording, both originals and Broonzy covers, such as Too Many Drivers, Long Tall Mama, Little School Girl and Penitentiary Blues ~ Hogg passed away in 1960
January 27, 1910 ~ Saxophonist Charlie Holmes born near Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Played clarinet and oboe for the Boston Civic Symphony Orchestra in the 1920s. Switched to alto saxophone by the end of the decase and went on to play with a variety of artists including Luis Russell, Red Allen, the Mills Blue Rhythm Band, John Kirby, Cootie Williams, and Duke Ellington. Retired from music in the early-1950s. Best known for composing Sugar Hilll Function ~ Holmes passed away in 1985
January 27, 1901 ~ Composer Giuseppe Verdi, full name Giuseppe Fortunini Francesco Verdi, passed away ~ Influenced by Vincenzo Bellini, Gaetano Donizetti, Gioachine Rossini. Dominated the Italian opera. Best known for operas such as La Traviata, Aida and Falstaff. Briefly an elected politician sympathizing with the Risorgimenti movement, seeking the unification of Italy ~ Verdi was born ca.1813
January 27, 1895 ~ George Gard Desylva, commonly known as songwriter, label executive, film producer Buddy DeSylva, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Frequent songwriting collaborator of Lew Brown and Ray Henderson. Also worked with George Gershwin, co-writing Blue Monday, a 1922 jazz opera seen as a forerunner to Porgy & Bess. Co-founded Capitol Records with Johnny Mercer and Glenn Wallichs. Served on the ASCAP board of directors from 1922 through 1930. Would move to film production from the 1930s onwards ~ DeSylva passed away in 1950
January 27, 1895 ~ Harry Rubinstein, commonly known as pianist, songwriter Harry Ruby born in New York, New York, USA ~ Vaudeville pianist with the Bootblack Trio and the Messenger Boys Trio. Best known as a songwriter, longtime collaborator of lyricist Bert Kalmar. Together the pair was responsible for songs such as Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You) (Jack Denny, Ruth Etting, Frankie Laine), Who's Sorry Now (Bob Thompson, Milton Brown, Harry James), Three Little Words (Duke Ellington, Sam Lanin, Mel Tormé, Sarah Vaughan), and Give Me The Simple Life (Bing Crosby, Benny Goodman, Carmen McRae) ~ Rubinstein passed away in 1974
January 27, 1885 ~ Composer, songwriter Jerome Kern, full name Jerome David Kern, born in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the foremost theater composers of the early 20th century. Collaborated with lyricists such as Otto Harbach, Oscar Hammerstein II, Dorothy Fields, Johnny Mercer, Ira Gershwin, Yip Harburg, and others. Kern co-wrote over 700 songs, used in over 100 stage works and films. Well known songs include Ol' Man River (Jules Bledsoe, Paul Robeson, the Ravens), Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man (Helen Morgan, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Shore), A Fine Romance (Guy Lombardo, Rudy Vallée, Frank Sinatra), Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (Tamara, Eartha Kitt, the Platters), The Song Is You (Tullio Carminati, Mario Lanza, Rita Reys), and The Way You Look Tonight (Fred Astaire, Billie Holiday, the Dinning Sisters), I've Told Ev'ry Little Star (Walter Slezak, Margaret Whiting, Pat Boone) ~ Kern passed away in 1945
January 27, 1756 ~ Composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart born in Salzburg, Austria ~ One of the most prolific and influential classical composers. Child prodigy, composing since the age of 5. Composed over 600 works ~ Mozart passed away in 1791