January 4, 1998 ~ Actress, singer, songwriter Coco Jones born in Columbia, South Carolina, USA ~ Rose to fame as an actress for several Disney production, notably the 2012 film Let It Shine. As a singer performed on several soundtracks and has released a number of EPs, starting with the 2010 eponymous Coco Jones EP released shortly after reaching second place in Radio Disney's The Next Big Thing radio singing competition. Cites Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Céline Dion, Etta James, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, CeCe Winans and Mary J Blige as some of her biggest musical influences
January 4, 1989 ~ Timothy Lee McKenzie, commonly known as pop, R&B, hip-hop, electronica singer, rapper, keyboardist, guitarist, percussionist, producer, songwriter Labrinth born in London, UK ~ First gained attention featured on Tinie Tempah's 2010 single Pass Out. Released his full-length solo debut album Electronic Earth in 2012. Known for songs such as Let The Sun Shine, Last Time, Beneath Your Beautiful featuring Emeli Sandé, Jealous, and others. Member of supergroup LSD with Sia and Diplo. In-demand collaborator and songwriter including with artists such as Beyoncé, Kanye West, the Weeknd, Nicki Minaj, Ed Sheeran, and Noah Cyrus
January 4, 1989 ~ Folk, country singer, guitarist, songwriter Zachary Lucky born in Saskatoon, Canada ~ Prior to releasing Come And Gone debut album in 2010 earned a reputation as one of the hardest working singers to come out of Saskatchewan through relentless touring. Has recorded consistently since, best known for songs such as Coming Back Home, Leaves Are Falling, Sunday Morning At The Drag Strip, and Hang Me Oh Hang Me
January 4, 1982 ~ Christian rock bassist, keyboardist Alyssa Barlow, full name Alyssa Katherine Nicole Barlow, born ~ One third of Christian girl group BarlowGirl, formed with her siblings guitarist Rebecca Barlow and drummer Lauren Barlow. Initially a backing band for their father Vince Barlow, the trio would become a popular festival act, and aided by a tribute song titled Barlow Girls by fellow Christian rockers Superchick, rose to fame prior to releasing their eponymous 2004 BarlowGirl debut album. They are best known for the singles Never Alone and I Need You To Love Me. They recorded about half a dozen albums, most acclaimed for their 2009 Love & War album, before disbanding the band in the early-2000s
January 4, 1977 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, singer Solon Bixler born in Fresno, California, USA ~ Lead guitarist of the Great Northern. Married to Northern bandmate singer, keyboardist Rachel Stolte. Has previously worked with Thirty Seconds To Mars, All Smiles, Earlimart, Sea Wolf, and others
January 4, 1977 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Tim Wheeler, full name Timothy James Arthur Wheeler, born in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland ~ Best known as member and primary songwriter of Ash, writing a vast amount of the band's material including Oh Yeah, Shining Light, Girl From Mars and Goldfinger. Has also frequently collaborated with Emmy The Great and released his solo debut album, Lost Domain, in 2014
January 4, 1974 ~ Jazz trumpeter Sjur Miljeteig born in Norway ~ Leader and sideman. Appears on over 50 albums. Worked with Havard Wilk, Ingebrigt Håker Flatan, Peder Kjellsby, Jagga Jazzist, Aslak Hartberg, Solveig Slettahjell, Tord Gustavsen, Morten Qvenild, Friko, Bugge Wesseltoft, Markus Midré, the Shining, and others
January 4, 1974 ~ Christopher Alan Stewart, commonly known as R&B, hip-hop producer, songwriter Tricky Stewart, born in Markham, Illinois, USA ~ Frequent collaborator of The-Dream. Has produced and written for artists such as JT Money, Sole, Tamar Braxton, Beyoncé (Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)), J Holiday, Gym Class Heroes, Rihanna (Umbrella), Jamie Foxx, Fabolous, Rick Ross, Justin Bieber (Baby), Britney Spears, Mary J Blige (Just Fine), Snoop Dogg, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey (Obsessed), Ciara, Céline Dion, Mya (Case Of The Ex), Christina Aguilera, Karina Pasian, Maroon 5, Nicole Scherzinger, Usher, Janet Jackson, Sisqó, Avant, and others
January 4, 1969 ~ Pop, rock singer Martin Buitenhuis born in Den Helder, the Netherlands ~ Frontman, lead singer of Van Dik Hout, best known for their 1994 hit Stil In Mij. The band has also collaborated with Acda & De Munnik using the moniker de Poema's, resulting in the 2001 hit Zij Maakt Het Verschil
January 4, 1967 ~ Indie rock, country rock singer, guitarist, songwriter David Berman, full name David Craig Berman, born in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA ~ Sole constant member of the indie rock outfit Silver Jews, which he co-founded with Stephen Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich. Has also worked with Ectoslavia, with Purple Mountains, and guested on recordings by the Royal Trux, Will Oldham, the Dexateens, and others ~ Berman passed away in 2019
January 4, 1965 ~ Caitlin O'Riordan, commonly known as folk rock, folk punk, Celtic rock bassist, singer Cait O'Riordan born in Lagos, Nigeria ~ Member of the Pogues from 1983 through 1986, present on the band's first two albums Red Roses For Me and Rum Sodomy & The Lash. Also worked with Elvis Costello to whom she was married from 1986 to 2002
January 4, 1964 ~ Hard rock, progressive rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Hasse Fröberg born ~ Best known as member of progressive rock outfit the Flower Kings. Has also worked with Spellbound, Solid Blue, Barrelhouse, the Highway Stars, and others
January 4, 1962 ~ Heavy metal, thrash metal guitarist John Marshall born ~ Best known as longtime member of the Metal Church starting in 1986, present on some of the band's best known including the acclaimed 1991 The Human Factor album. Briefly played with progressive thrash metal band Blind Illusion alongside Les Claypool and Larry Lalonde. Served as guitar tech for Metallica's Kirk Hammett and has on two occasions performed with the band, filling in for James Hetfield on rhythm guitar when Hetfield's wrist was broken
January 4, 1962 ~ Petrus Thomas Ratajczyk, commonly known as gothic metal singer, bassist, songwriter Peter Steele, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Influenced by the Beatles and Black Sabbath. Best known as frontman of gothic metal outfit Type-O Negative. Previously worked with metal band Fallout and thrash band Carnivore ~ Ratajczyk passed away in 2010
January 4, 1962 ~ Punk bassist Pierre Kezdy born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Brother of the Effigies-frontman John Kezdy. Pierre is best known for co-founding 1980s punk outfit Strike Under, which evolved into Trial By Fire after the departure of lead singer Steve Bjorklund. Has also worked with Naked Raygun, Pegboy, the Rainbow Girls, the Interceptors, the Arsenal, and others ~ Kezdy passed away in 2020
January 4, 1962 ~ Guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer Robin Guthrie, full name Robin Andrew Guthrie born in Grangemouth, UK ~ Co-founded the Cocteau Twins, a band drawing from synth-pop, gothic rock and dream pop and known for 1980s, 1990s singles such as Pearly Dewdrops' Drops, Evangeline and Bluebeard. The band would be critically acclaimed for their 1990 Heaven Or Las Vegas album. Following the band's disbandement in 1998 Guthrie has recorded as a solo artist, starting with 2003's Imperial, and collaborated with Harold Budd, Violet Indiana, Mark Gardener, John Foxx, Eraldo Bernocchi, and others. Has served as producer for Felt, the Gun Club, and Lush
January 4, 1961 ~ Heavy metal singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist David DeFeis born in Long Island, New York, USA ~ Classically trained pianist. Influenced by Jimmy Page, Freddie Mercury, Robert Plant, David Coverdale, Ronnie James Dio, Ian Gillan. Best known as frontman, primary songwriter of Virgin Steele. Also known for writing or co-writing a number of metal operas, starting with Klytaimnestra based on Greek mythology and premiered in 1999
January 4, 1960 ~ Rock, glam rock, pop rock guitarist, singer Gerry Laffy born in Hoxton, UK ~ Co-founding member of short-lived yet influential rock outfit Girl, known for their 1980 Sheer Greed album and its follow-up Wasted Youth. Has also worked with the London Cowboys, Sheer Greed, Ultravox, Chris Chesney, and otherss
January 4, 1960 ~ Alternative rock singer, songwriter Michael Stipe, full name John Michael Stipe, born in Decatur, Georgia, USA ~ Influenced Kurt Cobain, Thom Yorke, Bono. Lead singer, lyricist of REM, known for songs such as The One I Love, Stand, Losing My Religion, Shiny Happy People, Man On The Moon, Everybody Hurts, and What's The Frequency Kenneth. Has also worked with Natalie Merchant, the Golden Palominos, the Indigo Girls, the Blue Aeroplanes, Robyn Hitchcock, Billy Bragg, Neneh Cherry, Kristin Hersh, Patti Smith, Grant Lee Buffalo, and Big Red Machine
January 4, 1959 ~ Joseph Alia Incagnoli Jr, commonly known as producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Joe Harvard, born in East Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ As a producer helped lay the foundation for bands such as the Pixies, the Lemonheads, Dinosaur Jr, Buffalo Tom, and Throwing Muses ~ Incagnoli passed away in 2019
January 4, 1959 ~ Denise Katrina Matthews, commonly known as singer Vanity, born in Niagara Falls, Canada ~ Lead singer of Vanity 6, best known for their 1982 hit Nasty Girl. Released two solo albums, 1984's Wild Animal and 1986's Skin On Skin. Scored modest hits such as Pretty Mess, Mechanical Emotion, Undress, and Under The Influence ~ Matthews passed away in 2016
January 4, 1957 ~ Patricia Lee Ramey, commonly known as country, neotraditional country singer Patty Loveless born in Pikeville, Kentucky, USA ~ Blends honky-tonk and country rock with an emotional ballad style while remaining true to country's traditions. Married to producer Terry Lovelace from 1976 to 1988, from whom she derives her stage name. Married to producer Emory Gordy Jr since 1989. Over a dozen albums to her name, starting with the 1986 eponymous Patty Loveless album, and known for hits such as Timber I'm Falling In Love, Chains, Blame It On Your Heart, You Can Feel Bad and Lonely Too Long
January 4, 1956 ~ Twin brothers drummer Alex Cline and guitarist Nels Cline born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Both brothers would at times collaborate, such as in Quartet Music. Alex would also work with Gregg Bendian's Interzone and Cloud Plate. Nels, the more famous brother, would work with Banyan, Black Gang, Nels Cline Singers, Scott Amendola Band and perhaps most notably Wilco
January 4, 1956 ~ Rock, post-punk, new wave, synth-pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Bernard Sumner born in Manchester, UK ~ Co-founding member of influential post-punk outfit Joy Division, best known for their 1980 single Love Will Tear Us Apart. After the suicide of frontman Ian Curtis the remaining threesome would form New Order, going on to score UK top hits such as Blue Monday, Confusion, Thieves Like Us, Fine Time, and Regret. Sumner also co-founded Electronic with Johnny Marr and Neil Tennant in the early-1990s. Co-founded the more rock-oriented Bad Lieutenant in 2007
January 4, 1955 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, producer Clive Gregson, full name Clige James Gregson, born in Ashton-under-Lyne, UK ~ As a songwriter had his work recorded by artists such as Kim Carnes, Norma Waterson, Fairport Convention, Smokie, and Nanci Griffith. As a performer has worked with Any Trouble, Richard Thompson, Christine Collister, Eddi Reader, Boo Hewerdine, Mark Griffiths, Andy Roberts, and others
January 4, 1954 ~ Pianist, composer Jacques Demierre born in Geneva, Switzerland ~ Worked with Dorothe Schurch, Radu Malfatti, Hans Koch, Martial Solal, Han Bennink, Joëlle Léandre, Carlos Zingaro, Ikue Mori, Lucas Niggli, Barry Guy, Urs Leimgruber, Barre Phillips, Sylvie Courvoisier, Malcolm Braff, Michel Wintsch, and others
January 4, 1954 ~ Pop singer, guitarist Waldemar Bastos, full name Waldemar dos Santos Alonse de Almeida Bastos, born in Sao Salvador do Congo, Angola ~ Drew from Afropop, fado and Brazilian influences. Emigrated to Portugal in the early-1980s to escape the civil war in his native Angola. Especially known for his 1982 Estamos Juntos album ~ Bastos passed away in 2020
January 4, 1950 ~ Pop, rock guitarist, bouzouki player Wout Pennings born in Nijmegen, the Netherlands ~ Best known for his association with singer, songwriter Frank Boeijen. Founded 1970s country-rock outfit Country Road. Also worked with Lenny Kuhr, Kaz Lux, Rob de Nijs, Auto Da Fé, de Boem Boem Bluesband, Kali Tichi, Nels Busch, Henk Wanders, and Emanuel Pessanha ~ Pennings passed away in 2014
January 4, 1947 ~ Avant-rock, experimental rock drummer, percussionist Chris Cutler born in Washington DC, USA ~ Best known as member of Henry Cow from 1971 until its disbandement in 1978. In-demand sideman and collaborator, appearing on over an estimated 100 albums. Has worked with Art Bears, Cassiber, News From Babel, Pere Ubu, Gong, Mother Gong, Fred Frith, Lindsay Cooper, Zeena Parkins, Peter Blegvad, Lutz Glandien, (EC) Nudes, the Science Group, Telectu, the Residents, Tom Cora, Aksak Maboul, Brainville, the Orckestra, Vril, John Greaves, and others
January 4, 1947 ~ Bernard Patrick Neeson, commonly known as guitarist, bassist, singer Doc Neeson born in Belfast, Northern Ireland ~ Frontman of Australian hard rock outfit the Angels from its inception in 1976 through its initial disbandement in 1999, known for songs such as No Secrets, Into The Heat, Fashion And Fame, Stand Up, We Gotta Get Out Of This Place and Dogs Are Talking ~ Neeson passed away in 2014
January 4, 1946 ~ Singer Arthur Conley born in McIntosh County, Georgia, USA ~ Protégé of Otis Redding. Member of the Epsilons. Forever remembered for the soul classic Sweet Soul Music ~ Conley passed away in 2003
January 4, 1945 ~ Steel guitarist JayDee Maness born in Loma Linda, California, USA ~ Founding member of the Desert Rose Band. Has also worked with Gram Parsons, the International Submarine Band, the Byrds (The Sweethearts Of The Rodeo), Buck Owens, Ray Stevens, Vince Gill, Barbra Streisand, Michael Nesmith, Eric Clapton (notably on the 1992 hit Tears In Heaven), and others
January 4, 1945 ~ Renán Patricio Sánchez Gajardo, commonly known as pop, pop rock singer, balladeer Patricio Renán, born in Concepcion, Chile ~ Emerged in the mid-1960s, soon recognized as on one of the Nueva Ola stars. Has recorded close to a dozen albums over the course of his career. Best known for songs such as Por Amor, Son Recuerdos and Soy Culpable ~ Sánchez passed away in 2022
January 4, 1945 ~ Pop, jazz singer Priscilla Paris born ~ One third of sibling outfit the Paris Sisters, alongside her older sisters Albeth Paris and Sherrell Paris. Sang lead on I Love How You Love Me. Also recorded a number of solo records, starting with Priscilla Sings Herself released in 1967 ~ Paris passed away in 2004
January 4, 1944 ~ Merseybeat singer, songwriter Jimmy Campbell born in Liverpool, UK ~ Lead singer, co-founding member of the Kirkbys, known for the 1966 It's A Crime single. The band would eventually be renamed to 23rd Turnoff, though fail to chart. In later years Campbell would be recognized as “the era's lost songwriter” especially acclaimed for the band's 1967 Michael Angelo single ~ Campbell passed away in 2007
January 4, 1942 ~ Guitarist John McLaughlin born in Doncaster, UK ~ Pioneering jazz fusion guitar virtuoso. Cited as an influence by Steve Morse, Scott Henderson, Omar Rodríguez-López, Paul Masvidal, Ben Weinman. Gave guitar lessons to Jimmy Page. Draws from a variety of genres including jazz, rock, world music, classical, flamenco and blues. Present on the groundbreaking Miles Davis albums In A Silent Way, Bitches Brew, Jack Johnson and On The Corner. Known best for founding and fronting the Mahavishnu Orchestra, acclaimed for the early-1970s albums The Inner Mounting Flame and Birds Of Fire. Has also worked with Pearls Before Swine, Georgie Fame, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter (Super Nova), Joe Farrell, Miroslav Vitous, Jack Bruce, Don Sebesky, Stanley Clarke, Fuse One, and Santana
January 4, 1941 ~ David Lee Jr, commonly known as jazz drummer, composer David Lee, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Got his start in music in the late-1960s, backing Dizzy Gillespie. Closely associated with Sonny Rollins, appearing on several of the tenor saxophonist's albums including Next Album and The Cutting Edge. Has also guested on recordings by Joe Zawinul (Concerto Retitled), Leon Thomas, Albert Dailey (The Day After The Dawn), Lonnie Liston Smith, Charlie Rouse, Richard Wyands (Then Here And Now), Professor Longhair, Earl Tubinton, Ron Levy, Snooks Eaglin (Out Of Nowhere), Lowell Fulson, Grady Gaines, and Ellis Marsalis ~ Lee passed away in 2021
January 4, 1940 ~ Christopher Morris, commonly known as pop singer, pianist Lance Fortune, born in Birkenhead, UK ~ Classicaly trained pianist. Enjoyed local succes while still in school with his rock & roll group the Firecrests. Discovered by impresario Larry Parnes who gave him the stage name Fortune, a name he had earlier considered for Georgie Fame. Best known for two 1960s UK hits, Be Mine and This Love I Have You, the latter reaching top 10
January 4, 1939 ~ Composer Jon Appleton, full name Jon Howard Appleton, born ~ Pioneer in electro-acoustic music, known for compositions such as Chef D'Oeuvre and Newark Airport Rock
January 4, 1938 ~ R&B, funk, soul drummer Greg Webster born in Hamilton, Ohio, USA ~ Although he departed the band slightly before their rise to fame, Webster was a key member of funk outfit the Ohio Players. Webster led the band from its inception in 1964 until 1974, appearing on the albums Observations In Time, Pain, and Pleasure. The latter would spawn the band's first major hit, Funky Worm, which reached No.15 Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Billboard R&B charts. Although Webster did not remain with the band for its most successful run, he is considered pivotal in helping create the band's distinctive sound, and is acknowledged as a pioneer drummer whose drumming style and beats have been emulated by many, including in the hip hop community ~ Webster passed away in 2022
January 4, 1937 ~ Pianist, songwriter Gaynel Hodge born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-penning Earth Angel, a 1954 hit for the Penguins. Founding member of the Platters, the Turks, the Hollywood Flames. Has also worked with artists such as Lou Rawls, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Guitar Watson, Dr John, Ted Taylor, Richard Berry, Dick Dale, the Chamber Brothers, the Rivingtons, Duane Eddy, and others ~ Hodge passed away in 2020
January 4, 1937 ~ Operatic mezzo-soprano Grace Bumbry, full name Grace Ann Melzia Bumbry, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Leading mezzo-soprano, soprano. Paved the way for later African-American opera singers. Closely associated with the Basel Opera. Has also performed with the Paris Opera, the Royal Opera House, the Vienna State Opera, the San Francisco Opera, and sang at Ronald Reagan's 1981 Presidential inauguration ~ Bumbry passed away in 2023
January 4, 1937 ~ Singer, trombonist, hornist, actor John Gorman born in Birkenhead, UK ~ Founded comedy music group the Scaffold, known for their 1967 Lily The Pink hit single. Also played with its successor Grimms
January 4, 1937 ~ William Stevenson, commonly known as songwriter, producer William Mickey Stevenson, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Closely associated with the Motown label and its subsidiaries, serving as A&R executive, songwriter, and producer from its inception in 1959 until 1967. Organized and established the house band the Funk Brothers. Well-known songs co-written by Stevenson include Beechwood 4-5789 for the Marvelettes, Pride & Joy for Marvin Gaye, Dancing In the Street for Martha & the Vandellas, and Nothing's Too Good For My Baby for Stevie Wonder
January 4, 1926 ~ Harry Levy, commonly known as music manager, agent, label executive Don Arden, born in Manchester, UK ~ Father of Sharon Osbourne. Dubbed “the Yiddish Godfather” for his aggressive and sometimes illegal business tactics. Represented artists such as Air Supply, the Small Faces, the Move, Black Sabbath and the Electric Light Orchestra ~ Levy passed away in 2007
January 4, 1922 ~ Jazz saxophonist, trumpeter, composer Arvid Gram Paulsen born in Kristiana, Norway ~ Worked with Rowland Greenberg, Lulle Kristofferson, Pete Brown, Svein Overgaard, Willie Vieth, Jens Book-Jenssen, Alf Sogaard, and Kari Diesen ~ Paulsen passed away in 1963
January 4, 1922 ~ Saxophonist, flutist Frank Wess, full name Frank Wellington Wess, born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Protégé of Lester Young. Best known for his time with Count Basie, backing the pianist for a little over a decade including on The Atomic Mr Basie and Basie At Birdland. Well over a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, especially noted for 1955's Flutes And Reeds, and his 1959 masterpiece Opus De Jazz. Member of the New York Jazz Quintet, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums in the 1970s and early-1980s. Other notable associations include Sonny Stitt, Eddie Bert, Milt Jackson, Big Joe Turner (The Boss Of The Blues), Lee Konitz, Dinah Washington, Thad Jones (The Fabulous Thad Jones), Sarah Vaughan, Dorothy Ashby (Hip Harp), Tal Farlow, Ray Charles (The Genius of Ray Charles), Quincy Jones, Joe Newman (Jive At Five), Etta Jones, Gene Ammons, Elvin Jones, Pee Wee Russell (Spirit Of '67), Aretha Franklin (Lady Soul), Freddie King, Roberta Flack (First Take), King Curtis, Dakota Staton, and Yusef Lateef ~ Wess passed away in 2013
January 4, 1918 ~ Norman Dale Baker, commonly known as composer Buddy Baker, born in Springfield, Missouri, USA ~ Known as composer who scored Disney films such as Apple Dumpling Gang, The Shaggy DA, The Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh and The Fox And Hound. Married to singer Betty Jane Baker from 1950 to 1957 ~ Baker passed away in 2002
January 4, 1911 ~ Norosbaldo Morales, commonly known as pianist, bandleader Noro Morales, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Led the Brothers Morales Orchestra, which also included his siblings Humberto Morales and Esy Morales, known for their 1939 hit Serenata Ritmica. Worked with Rafael Muñoz, Alberto Socarrás, Augusto Cohen, Tito Rodriguez, José Luis Moneró, Chano Pozo, Willie Rosario, and Tito Puente ~ Morales passed away in 1964
January 4, 1907 ~ Jazz, dixieland, swing clarinetist, bandleader, songwriter Joe Marsala, full name Joseph Francis Marsala, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Considered an excellent clarinetist, Marsala got his start in music in the late-1920s freelancing for the likes of Wingy Manone and Ben Pollack, before venturing out on his own. Marsala led several groups through the late-1940s, notably being one of the first to employ then-future superstar drummer Buddy Rich. Others who have passed through the ranks of his ensembles include his wife Adele Girard, as well as Red Allen, Eddie Condon, Joe Bushkin, Dave Tough, Shelly Manne, Max Kaminsky, and his younger brother trumpeter Marty Marsala. By the end of the 1940s, Marsala retired from performing to focus on a career as a songwriter and music publisher. Marsala wrote Don't Cry Joe (Let Her Go Let Her Go Let Her Go), best known as recorded by Frank Sinatra in 1949, and co-wrote And So To Sleep Again with Sunny Skylar, recorded by Patti Page in 1951 ~ Marsala passed away in 1978
January 4, 1906 ~ Jazz trumpeter Frankie Newton, full name William Frank Newton, born ~ Worked with Sam Wooding, Chick Webb, Charlie Barnet, Andy Kirk, Charlie Fess Johnson, Lucky Millinder, Pete Brown, James P Johnson, Art Tatum, Sid Catlett, Edmond Hall, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday (including on the 1939 original of Strange Fruit), Ulysses Livingston, Elmer Snowden, Sonny White, and others ~ Newton passed away in 1954
January 4, 1905 ~ Delta blues singer, guitarist Tommy McClennan born in Durant, Mississippi, USA ~ Known for recordings such as Bottle It Up And Go, New Highway 51, Shake 'Em On Down, Whiskey Head Woman, My Baby's Gone, Cross Cut Saw Blues. The latter two would be carried forward to younger generations covered by respectively Moon Mullican and Albert King ~ McClennan passed away in 1961
January 4, 1903 ~ Pianist, bandleader, composer Carroll Gibbons, full name Carroll Richard Gibbons, born in Clinton, Massachusetts, USA ~ American-born bandleader rose to fame during the British dance band era. Co-led the Savoy Orpheans. Led the New Mayfair Orchestra. Briefly returned to the USA to work as a film composer for MGM in the early-1930s. As a composer best known for A Garden In The Rain, Bubbling Over, Moonbeam Dance and On The Air ~ Gibbons passed away in 1954
January 4, 1874 ~ Violinist, composer Josef Suk born in Krecovice, Bohemia ~ Student of Antonín Dvorák, whose daughter Otylie he would eventually marry. Considered one of the leading composers in Czech Modernism, alongside Vítezslav Novák and Otakar Ostrcil. As a composer admired by Johannes Brahms, Gustav Mahler and Alban Berg, and best known for orchestral music such as his Serenade For Strings Op.6, published in 1892 ~ Suk passed away in 1935