July 16, 2024 ~ Bernice Johnson, commonly known as a capella singer, songwriter, social activist Bernice Johnson Reagon, passed away in Washington DC, USA ~ Member of the Freedom Singers, which she co-founded with Cordell Reagon whom she would latter marry. The quartet fused vblack a capella church singing with popular contemporary songs as well as protest songs and chants. They are best known for We Shall Not Be Moved, the quartet's rendition becoming an anthem of the Civil Rights movement. Johnson also co-founded Sweet Honey In The Rock, with whom she has recorded since the early-1970s including the highly acclaimed Feel Something Drawing Me On album released in 1985. Johnson is also known as a scholar, historian, professor of American history, and as a longtime curator at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC ~ Johnson was born in 1942
July 16, 2024 ~ Jazz, free improvisation pianist, drummer Irène Schweizer passed away in Zurich, Switzerland ~ Considered one of the leading Swiss jazz musicians and an advocate of the women's movement, active since the mid-1960s. Member of all-female avant-garde jazz collective the Feminist Improvising Group. As a solo artist especially acclaimed for her 1978 Tuned Boots album. Well known for her collaborations, usually as a duo, with a series of drummers including Pierre Favre, Günter Sommer, Andrew Cyrille, Han Bennink, Joey Baron, and Hamid Drake. Other notable associations include Manfred Schoof, John Tchicai, Rüdiger Carl, Henry Cow, Louis Moholo, Marilyn Crispell (Overlapping Hands (Eight Segments)), the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, Peter Kowald, Jon Rose, Les Diaboliques (Splitting Image), and Don Cherry. Schweizer is also known as co-founder of the long-running annual cross-border Taktlos Festival in Zurich, Switzerland, and as co-founder of the Intakt Records jazz label. Schweizer continued to perform into her 80s, retiring from the stage for health reasons in 2021 ~ Schweizer was born in 1941
July 16, 2023 ~ Actress, singer, songwriter, model Jane Birkin, full name Jane Mallory Birkin, passed away in Paris, France ~ Best known as an actress emerging from the mid-1960s London counterculture scene with roles in Blowup and Kaleidoscope. To pop audiences best known for the 1969 duet Je T'Aime (Moi Non Plus) with Serge Gainsbourg. The song would be banned from radio for its sexual innuendo, including in the UK, yet would make it to the No.1 spot on the British charts. Known for a number of longterm high-profile romances, married to film composer John Barry and later romantically involved with singer, actor Gainsbourg and subsequently with film director Jacques Doillon. Two of her three daughters, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Doillon, have followed in their mother's footsteps acting and singing ~ Birkin was born in 1946
July 16, 2021 ~ Marcel Theo Hall, commonly known as hip hop singer, rapper, beatboxer Biz Markie, passed away in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for Just A Friend, a 1989 hit in numerous countries and considered today as one of the classic hip-hop songs. Worked with the Juice Crew and with Flip Squad. Appeared in the 2002 Men In Black II feature film, essentially playing an alien parody of himself speaking in an alien tongue mimicking beatboxing. Also known as member of the Juice Crew ~ Hall was born in 1964
July 16, 2020 ~ Drummer, songwriter Jamie Oldaker passed away in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Worked with the Rogues Five, Bob Seger, Leon Russell, Eric Clapton Band, Frehley's Comet, the Tractors, the Bellamy Brothers, Asleep At The Wheel, Peter Frampton, Stephen Stills, Freddie King, the Bee Gees, Vince Gill, JJ Cale, Willie Nelson, Ronnie Dunn, and Bonnie Bramlett ~ Oldaker was born in 1951
July 16, 2019 ~ Horatios Adolphus Kelly, commonly known as rocksteady, reggae singer Pat Kelly, passed away ~ Influenced by Sam Cooke. Replaced Slim Smith in the Techniques. Also worked with producers such as Bunny Lee, Lee Scratch Perry, Duke Reid, and Phil Pratt. As a solo artist best known for his 1969 recording of How Long Will It Take ~ Kelly was born in 1944
July 16, 2016 ~ Boruch Alan Bermowitz, commonly known as singer Alan Vega passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founded the electronic protopunk outfit Suicide with Martin Reverby. Releasing solo records since the early-1980s. Has worked with producers such as Chris Lord-Alge and Ric Ocasek. Has collaborated with Mercury Rev, Alex Chilton, Stephen Lironi, and with Lydia Lunch ~ Vega was born in 1938
July 16, 2016 ~ Jazz pianist Claude Williamson passed away ~ Older brother of trumpeter Stu Williamson. Influenced by Teddy Wilson, Al Haig, and by Bud Powell. Worked with Teddy Edwards, Red Norvo, Charlie Barnet, June Christy, Max Roach, Art Pepper, the Lighthouse All-Stars, Bud Shank, Stan Levey, Bob Cooper, Conte Candoli, Howard Rumsey, Sonny & Cher, Sam Jones, Dizzy Reece, Pete Rugolo, Chet Baker, Maynard Ferguson, Stan Kenton, Barney Kessel, and Roy Haynes ~ Williamson was born in 1926
July 16, 2014 ~ Singer, guitarist Johnny Winter, full name John Dawson Winter III, passed away in Zurich, Switzerland ~ Well over a dozen albums to his name since the late-1960s. When he burst onto the music scene, Winter would be hailed as “the next Jimi Hendrix” by some critics. Though Winter never fully met those near-impossible expectations, he established himself as an exceptionally talented guitarist in his own right. Cited as influence by the likes of Joe Perry of Aerosmith, Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden, and Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins. Especially acclaimed for the late-1960s, early-1970s albums Johnny Winter, Second Winter, and Johnny Winter And. Winter also produced the Muddy Waters albums Hard Again, I'm Ready, and Live, all of which were awarded a Grammy Award. Winter graced the cover of the very first issue of Guitar World in 1980, and in 1988 became the first white performer to be inducted into the the Blues Hall Of Fame ~ Winter was born in 1944
July 16, 2013 ~ James Lewis Carter Ford, commonly known as guitarist, singer T-Model Ford, passed away in Greenville, Mississippi, USA ~ Merged Delta blues, Chicago blues, juke joint blues. Influenced by Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf. Signed to Fat Possum Records in the mid-1990s opening for Buddy Guy, releasing his Pee-wee Get My Gun debut album in 1997 ~ Ford was born ca.1923
July 16, 2012 ~ Robert Andrew Kreinar, commonly known as rock, pop rock bassist Bob Babbitt, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ In-demand session musician. Best known as a member of Motown house band the Funk Brothers and for his stint in MFSB. Member of late-1960s rock band Scorpion. Has also worked with Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, Gloria Gaynor, Alice Cooper, Del Shannon, Jim Croce, Dennis Coffey, Cindy Bullens, Phil Collins, and Marion James. Notably present on songs such as Edwin Starr's War, the Miracles' The Tears Of A Clown, Marvin Gaye's Inner City Blues, the Temptations' Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me), Diana Ross' Touch Me In The Morning, and Main Ingredient's Just Don't Want To Be Lonely ~ Kreinar was born in 1937
July 16, 2012 ~ Keyboardist Jon Lord, full name John Douglas Lord, passed away in London, UK ~ Best known as co-founding and key member of Deep Purple, merging rock and hard rock with classical and baroque influences. Has also worked with the Artwoods, St Valentine's Day Massacre, the Flower Pot Men, Paice Ashton Lord and with Whitesnake ~ Lord was born in 1941
July 16, 2012 ~ Muriel Elle Deason, commonly known as country singer Kitty Wells, passed away in Madison, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known for her 1952 hit It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels. Also known for songs such as Release Me, the Don Everly-penned Thou Shalt Not Steal, The Lonely Side Of Town, Heartbreak USA, as well as duets with Red Foley (One By One, As Long As I Live), and duets with Webb Pierce (Oh So Many Years, Finally). Also worked with Owen Bradley, Johnnie Wright, the Jordanaires, Roy Drusky, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and with Tammy Wynette ~ Deason was born in 1919
July 16, 2008 ~ Singer Jo Stafford, full name Jo Elizabeth Stafford, passed away in Century City, California, USA ~ Classically trained to become an opera singer. Became one of the best-selling female pop singers of the 1950s instead. First female singer to top the UK charts, namely with the 1952 single You Belong To Me. Worked with the Pied Pipers, Tommy Dorsey, Paul Weston, Gordon Macrae, and Frankie Laine ~ Stafford was born in 1917
July 16, 2006 ~ Avant-garde jazz trumpeter Malachi Thompson passed away ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians, Joe Henderson, Jackie McLean, Frank Foster, Archie Shepp, Lester Bowie, Shamek Farrah, Errol Parker, Hubert Eaves, Roland Alexander, Gil Scott-Heron, and Quincy Jones ~ Thompson was born in 1949
July 16, 1996 ~ Clifford Ian Simpson, commonly known as rapper Kevin Abstract born in Corpus Christi, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member, frontman of hip-hop boy band AliveSinceForever, renamed to Brockhampton in 2014, best known for their 2019 Sugar single. Has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing his full-length MTV1987 solo debut album in 2014
July 16, 1991 ~ Singer Lenny Kravitz releases Fields Of Joy, lifted off his Mama Said sophomore album ~ Kravitz puts his own mark on this remake, originally recorded by the New York Rock & Roll Ensemble for their 1971 Roll Over album, with a gentle folksy intro bursting into roaring guitars, the guitar solo provided by Guns 'n Roses guitarist Slash. Fields Of Joy would reach top 40 in the Netherlands, one of the first countries to embrace the American singer
July 16, 1990 ~ Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, commonoly known as singer, rapper, songwriter WizKid, born in Lagos, Nigeria ~ Considered one of the premier modern-day Afrobeat artists, active since his early teens. Draws from Afrobeat, R&B, dancehall, and reggae. Released his full-length Superstar debut album in 2011 and has been recording to critical acclaim since. To Western audiences best known for featuring on Drake's 2016 One Dance hit single which topped the charts in several countries including the UK and USA, and for his own 2021 Essence Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit single
July 16, 1983 ~ Folk, rock singer, fiddler, accordionist, songwriter Tuva Syvertsen, full name Tuva Livsdatter Syvertsen, born in Oslo, Norway ~ Formed the trio the Valkyrien Allstars with Ola Hilmen and Erik Sollid, acclaimed for their eponymous Valkyrien Allstars debut album released in 2007. Syvertsen has also collaborated with Rannveig Djønne, Hildegunn Øiseth, Aasmund Nordstoga, Rita Engedalen, the DumDum Boys, and Susanna Wallumrød
July 16, 1982 ~ William Everett Justis Junior, commonly known as rock & roll composer, arranger, singer, trumpeter, saxophonist Bill Justis, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ As a solo artist known for his 1957 recording Raunchy, arguably the first rock & roll instrumental hit and successfuly covered by both Ernie Freeman and Billy Vaughn. Worked as staff musician at Sun Records, arranging for Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and Charlie Rich. Played saxophone on Elvis Presley's Kissin' Cousins soundtrack. Managed Ronny & the Daytonas. Composed the scores for several films, notably Smokey & the Bandit in 1977 and The Villain in 1979 ~ Justis was born in 1926
July 16, 1978 ~ Tito Joe Jackson, commonly known as R&B, pop singer TJ Jackson, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Son of Tito Jackson. Formed 3T, alongside brothers Taj Jackson and Taryll Jackson, known for their mid-1990s recordings Why featuring the trios uncle Michael Jackson, I Need You, Gotta Be You featuring Herbie Crichlow, and perhaps their biggest hit Anything
July 16, 1976 ~ Afrobeat, reggea, jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, producer Idris Rahman born in Chichester, UK ~ Best known as leader of the Soothsayers for nearly two decades, including on their best known albums. Has also worked with Anoushka Shankar, Arun Ghosh, Osibisa, Ayub Ogada, Oriole, Dodgy, with his sister Zoe Rahman, and with longtime girlfriend jazz singer Julia Biel
July 16, 1974 ~ Singer, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, percussionist, songwriter Jeremy Enigk born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Lead singer of Sunny Day Real Estate and of Fire Theft. Has also worked as a solo artist, composed for films, and guested on recordings by Poor Old Lu, mewithoutyou, the Almost, and Rosie Thomas
July 16, 1966 ~ In its seventh week on the charts, Hanky Panky by Tommy James & the Shondells hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Written by noted songwriter duo Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, who first recorded the song as the Raindrops for the flip side of their 1963 That Boy John single. A few years later, it would be the song that catapulted Tommy James & the Shondells to national fame. The band would go on to score about half a dozen more Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits through the end of the decade. On the unexpected success of their first hit, lead singer Tommy James later remarked: “One night I was playing for 20 drunks in a bar in Michigan, and the next night I'm playing for 10,000 screaming fans in Pittsburgh. It was literally overnight. It was very unexpected, one of those winning-the-lottery type stories.”
July 16, 1965 ~ Singer, songwriter Ted Snyder, full name Theodore Frank Snyder, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for co-writing Sheik Of Araby and Who's Sorry Now. Both songs have become jazz standards recorded by numerous artists, the former recorded by the Regal Male Trio, Tiny Bradshaw, Fats Waller, and Jack Teagarden, the latter by Bob Thompson, Milton Brown, Harry James, and perhaps most notably by Connie Francis ~ Snyder was born in 1881
July 16, 1963 ~ Pop, rock band the Beach Boys record In My Room ~ Written by Brian Wilson and Gary Usher, the former also listed as producer. Brian on lead vocals and organ. Other musicians include David Marks and Carl Wilson guitar, Al Jardine bass, Hal Blaine percussion, Dennis Wilson drums. Appeared on the 1963 Surfer Girl album. Used as the flip side of the band's Be True To Your School single
July 16, 1959 ~ R&B outfit the Coasters record Poison Ivy ~ Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Released as a single, b/w I'm A Hog For You, later the same year it would top the Billboard R&B and reach top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It would be the band's third pop top 10 hit that year, following Charlie Brown and Along Came Jones
July 16, 1957 ~ Jazz saxophonist Serge Chaloff passed away in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Son of pianist Julius Chaloff and piano teacher Margaret Chaloff. Considered one of the finest baritone saxophonists of the bop era, playing professionally since his mid-teens with musicians twenty years or more his senior. Best known for his association with Woody Herman, forming the reed section of Herman's band alongside Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, and Herbie Steward. Recorded about half a dozen albums as a leader until his untimely death at age 33 of spinal cancer, and is noted especially for the collaborative Serge Chaloff & Boots Mussulli album released in 1954. Chaloff has also worked with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Boyd Raeburn, Oscar Pettiford, Georgie Auld, and Sonny Stitt. According to his brother Richard Chaloff, Chaloff could play the baritone like a tenor saxophone, “the only time you knew it was a baritone was when he took it down low, he played it high, he had finger dexterity, I used to watch him, you couldn't believe the speed he played, he was precise, he was a perfectionist” ~ Chaloff was born in 1923
July 16, 1955 ~ Jazz trombonist Annie Whitehead born in Oldham, UK ~ Active since the early-1970s. Focused primarily on jazz but also played ska, was a member of a Frank Zappa tribute band and collaborated with numerous pop artists. Has worked with Ivy Benson, Brotherhood Of Breath, Chris McGregor, And The Native Hipsters, Carla Bley, Charlie Watts, Jah Wobble, Jamiroquai, John Stevens, the Penguin Café Orchestra, Smiley Culture, the Spice Girls, the Working Week, and John Ethridge
July 16, 1955 ~ Rock, new wave guitarist, keyboardist Mark McEntee born in Perth, Australia ~ Core member of Divinyls, known best for their 1990 international hit I Touch Myself which reached top 10 in the UK, America, and their native Australia. Songs such as Boys In Town, Science Fiction, Pleasure And Pain, I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore, and I'm Jealous also reached top 20 in Australia. McEntee has also notably worked with Mother Lode and Air Supply
July 16, 1955 ~ Jazz percussionist, drummer Wolfgang Reisinger born in Vienna, Austria ~ Jazz percussionist also active in free improvisation and classical music. Perhaps best known as member of the Vienna Art Orchestra, present on acclaimed albums such as A Notion In Perpetual Motion, The Minimalism Of Erik Satie, and Tango From Obango. Reisinger can also be heard on recordings by Jean-Paul Céléa, Franz Hautringer, Steve Lacy, Harry Sokal, and David Liebman ~ Reisinger passed away in 2022
July 16, 1952 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter Eugenio Finardi born in Milan, Italy ~ Important figure in late-1960s Milan scene. Founding member of Tiger. Has alswo worked with Alberto Camerini, Il Pacco, and Lucio Fabbri. Broke through with his 1976 Sugo sophomore solo album. Known for songs such as La CIA, Soldi, Scuola, Tutto Subito and Legalizzatela
July 16, 1952 ~ Drummer Stewart Copeland, full name Stewart Anthony Copeland, born in Alexandria, Virginia, USA ~ Rose to fame as drummer of the Police, known for songs such as Message In A Bottle, Don't Stand So Close To Me, Every Breath You Take and Roxanne. Following the disbandement of the band Copeland has released solo recordings, most notably composed for films and TV including Wall Street, and collaborated with artists such as Peter Gabriel, Mike Rutherford, Animal Logic, Mad For The Racket, Oysterhead, Gizmo, and Gizmodrome
July 16, 1951 ~ Jazz, rock, experimental drummer, bandleader, songwriter Bobby Previte born in Niagara Falls, New York, USA ~ Well over two dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, especially noted for Claude's Late Morning released in 1988. To rock audiences perhaps best known for guesting on the critically acclaimed Tom Waits-album Rain Dogs. Closely associated with Elliott Sharp, Wayne Horvitz, Marty Ehrlich, and Jane Ira Bloom. Other notable credits include albums by John Zorn, Victoria Williams (Happy Come Home), Tim Berne, Tom Varner, Paul Dresher, the New York Composers Orchestra, Jerome Harris (Hidden In Plain View), Peter Epstein, Ponga, Charlie Hunter (Come In Red Dog This Is Tango Leader), Groundtruther, Marco Benevento, Jamie Saft, Jessi Colter (The Psalms), and Nels Cline
July 16, 1950 ~ Jazz singer Dee Bell born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA ~ Was working as a waitress, discovered by jazz guitarist Eddie Duran when she sang Happy Birthday to another customer. It led to a record deal, recording her 1983 Let There Be Love debut album with Duran and Stan Getz. Has since also worked with Tom Harrell, Houston Person, and John Stowell
July 16, 1949 ~ Bassist, keyboardist Alan Fitzgerald, full name Francis Alan Fitzgerald, born in USA ~ Best known for his stints with Montrose, playing bass, and with Night Ranger, playing keyboards. Also worked with Gamma, Sammy Hagar, and Alliance
July 16, 1948 ~ Rubén Blades Bellido de Luna, commonly known as Latin jazz, salsa singer, songwriter, actor, activist Rubén Blades, born in Panama City, Panama ~ Credited with adding experimental rhythms and politically themed Cuban salsa to music, updating the genre. Best known for songs such Pedro Navaja and El Cantante, the latter notably recorded by Héctor Lavoe
July 16, 1943 ~ Omar Ruben Rada Silva, commonly known as percussionist, singer, composer Ruben Rada, born in Montevideo, Uruguay ~ Worked with Kinto Conjunto, Eduardo Matteo, Opa, Totem, Tom Scott, Ray Barretto, Hermeto Pascoal, Flora Purim, Hiram Bullock, Anton Fig, Jose Pedro Beledo, Hugo Fattoruso, Bakithi Kumalo, Rino Thielmann, Mijares, Eugenia León, Stephanie Salas, Tania Libertad, Jon Anderson, Joan Manuel Serrat, Sting, and UB40
July 16, 1941 ~ Desmond Dacres, commonly known as ska, rocksteady, reggae singer, songwriter Desmond Dekker, born in St Andrews Parish, Jamaica ~ Fronted Desmond Dekker & the Aces. Known for 1969's Israelites, one of the first international reggae hits, as well as for later successes such as 007 Shanty Town, It Mek and You Can Get It If You Really Want ~ Dacres passed away in 2006
July 16, 1939 ~ Singer, songwriter Bobby Weinstein born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Member of 1950s vocal group the Legends. Would rise to prominence in the mid- to late-1950s as songwriter, often in collaboration with Teddy Randazzo. Well known hit songs include Pretty Blue Eyes for Steve Lawrence and I'm On The Outside Looking In, Goin' Out Of My Head and Hurt So Bad for doo-wop, R&B outfit Little Anthony & the Imperials. Weinstein also regularly teamed up with Tommy Boyce. Artists who recorded songs written or co-written by Weinstein would include the Box Tops, Dionne Warwick, Frankie Valli, Ella Fitzgerald, Linda Ronstadt, and Frank Sinatra. Weinstein has also served as executive with the performing rights organization BMI and sat on the board of the National Academy Of Popular Music for over two decades ~ Weinstein passed away in 2022
July 16, 1939 ~ William Henry Yarbrough, commonly known as R&B, soul singer William Bell, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Took his stagename in honor of his grandmother, whose first name was Belle. In-house songwriter for Stax/Volt, helping define the label's sound. As a recording artist probably best known for his 1961 self-penned You Don't Miss Your Water debut single, later notably covered by close friend and labelmate Otis Redding, as well as by Percy Sledge, the Byrds, Taj Mahal, Alexis Korner, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Lou Rawls. Other well known songs include Everybody Loves A Winner, I Forgot To Be Your Lover, and the 1976 Billboard R&B No.1 Tryin' To Love Two. Artists who recorded songs written or co-written by Bell include Albert King (Born Under A Bad Sign), Rufus Thomas, the Staple Singers, and Johnnie Taylor
July 16, 1938 ~ Bassist, singer Tony Jackson, full name Anthony Paul Jackson, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Founded skiffle group the Martinis. Best known though as member of the Searchers. Sang lead on the Doc Pomus/ Mort Shuman-penned Sweets For My Sweet, originally a hit for the Drifters, and on Sugar And Spice. Unhappy with the band's shift to a softer pop sound Jackson left the band in 1964 and formed the Vibrations ~ Jackson passed away in 2003
July 16, 1936 ~ Dance bandleader, saxophonist Orville Knapp passed away in Beverly, Massachusetts, USA ~ As a sideman worked with Vincent Lopez, Leo Reisman, the Coon-Sanders Original Nighthawk Orchestra. As a bandleader enjoyed popularity in the 1930s employing vocalists such as Edith Caldwell, Ray Hendricks, Don Raymond, Norman Ruvell, Virginia Verrill, and Leighton Noble. Married Broadway actress, singer Gloria Grafton in 1935. Knapp died the following year at age 32 in a plane crash ~ Knapp was born in 1904
July 16, 1932 ~ Jazz trumpeter, author, biographer John Chilton, full name John James Chilton, born in London, UK ~ Although a talented trumpeter, Chilton is best known as an author noted most for his comprehensive Who's Who Of Jazz guide, first published in 1970. Chilton has also authored or co-authored books on Louis Armstrong, Roy Eldridge. Billie Holiday, Coleman Hawkins, and Sidney Bechet. As a leader, Chilton has some half a dozen albums to his name. Chilton has also worked with the likes of Bruce Turner, Alex Welsh, Wally Fawkes, Humphrey Lyttelton, and extensively with singer George Melly, recording and touring with the latter for nearly three decades ~ Chilton passed away in 2016
July 16, 1930 ~ Guy Béhart-Hasson, commonly known as singer, songwriter Guy Béart, born in Cairo, Egypt ~ Released his Guy Béart (Qu'on Est Bien) debut album in 1957. Best known for his 1958 L'Eau Vive, the title track of the soundtrack of the same name. Remained popular throughout the early-1970s. Had his songs recorded by Juliette Gréco, Colette Renard, Yves Montand, and Dalida ~ Behart-Hasson passed away in 2015
July 16, 1925 ~ Vibraphonist, bandleader Cal Tjader, full name Callen Radcliffe Tjader Jr, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Often described as the most successful non-Latino in Latin jazz, although Tjader did also explore other jazz idioms. As a leader, Tjader recorded over 50 albums, and is especially acclaimed for Tjader Plays Mambo and A Night At The Blackhawk from the 1950s, and Latino Con Cal Tjader and Bamboléate from the 1960s. On occasion, Tjader has served as sideman, including on recordings by Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz, Anita O'Day, Mongo Santamaria, and Eddie Palmieri ~ Tjader passed away in 1982
July 16, 1925 ~ Pianist, arranger Nat Pierce, full name Nathaniel Pierce Blish Jr, born in Somerville, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Perhaps best known for his association with Woody Herman, serving as Herman's pianist and arranger from 1951 through 1955. Has also worked with Charlie Mariano, Pee Wee Russell, Lester Young, Emmett Berry, Ruby Braff, Buck Clayton, Gus Johnson, Paul Quinichette, Quincy Jones, and Coleman Hawkins ~ Pierce passed away in 1992
July 16, 1903 ~ Singer, songwriter Carmen Lombardo born in London, Canada ~ Brother of Guy Lombardo, his bandmate in the Royal Canadians. Sang lead on the Canadians' hit Charmaine. In-demand songwriter. Songs written or co-written by Lombardo include Ridin' Around In The Rain recorded by Gene Austin, Return To Me recorded by Dean Martin, Powder Your Face With Sunshine for Evelyn Knight, and Coquette recorded by his brother Guy ~ Lombardo passed away in 1971
July 16, 1890 ~ Mabel Wimpfheimer, commonly known as songwriter, pianist, singer Mabel Wayne, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Noted as one of the first female songwriters to have her songs published. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as In A Little Spanish Town (Paul Whiteman, the Revelers, Pérez Prado), I Understand (Jimmy Dorsey, Bert Ambrose, Keely Smith), It Happened In Monterey (Jack Hylton, Billy Cotton, Ruth Etting), and Little Man You've Had A Busy Day (Les Allen, Connee Boswell, Isham Jones) ~ Wimpfheimer passed away in 1978
July 16, 1886 ~ Minnie Guyer, commonly known as singer, dancer, actress Blossom Seeley, born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Known as “the Queen of Syncopation” helped bring jazz and ragtime into the mainstream. Best known for a number of 1920s recordings including Way Down Yonder In New Orleans, Rose Room, Lazy, Yes Sir That's My Baby, and her best known Toddling The Todalo ~ Guyer passed away in 1974
July 16, 1858 ~ Violinist, conductor, composer Eugène Ysaÿe, full name Eugène-Auguste Ysaÿe, born in Liège, Belgium ~ Dubbed “the King of the Violin” for his virtuosity. Principal violinist with the Benjamin-Bilse Beer Hall Orchestra, which would later develop into the Berlin Philharmonic. Held in the highest regard by the likes of Joseph Joachim, Franz Liszt, Clara Schumann, Anton Rubinstein, Pablo Casals. Had works written especially for him by composers such as Claude Debussy, Camille Saint-Saëns, Ernest Chausson, and César Franck. The latter would write Violin Sonata In A as a wedding present for Ysaÿe and his wife in 1886, a composition Ysaÿe would regularly perform for the rest of his life. Close friend Debussy dedicated his only string quartet, String Quartet In G-Minor, to Ysaÿe ~ Ysaÿe passed away in 1931