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, 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, 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, Rosie Thomas, and others
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 ~ 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 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, Lucio Fabbri, and others. 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 ~ Rock, new wave guitarist, keyboardist Mark McEntee born in Perth, Australia ~ Core member of the Divinyls, known best for their 1990 international hit I Touch Myself which reached top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic. 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 the band's native Australia. Has also worked with Mother Lode, Air Supply, and others
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 artist such as Peter Gabriel, Mike Rutherford, Animal Logic, Mad For The Racket, Oysterhead, Gizmo, Gizmodrome, and others
July 16, 1951 ~ Jazz, rock, experimental drummer, bandleader, songwriter Bobby Previte born in Niagara Falls, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Appears on the critically acclaimed Tom Waits-album Rain Dogs. Also worked with John Zorn, Wayne Horvitz, Elliott Sharp, Jamie Saft, Marc Ducret, Charlie Hunter, Greg Osby, John Medeski, Gianluca Petrella, Nels Cline, Terry Adams, Groundtruther, Orchestra Carbon, Ponga, Tim Berne, Bob Belden, Marco Benevento, Jane Ira Bloom, Marty Ehrlich, Jerome Harris, Yoko Kanno, Guy Klucevsek, Bobby Radcliff, Tom Varner, and others
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, John Stowell, and others
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, UB40, and others
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, Lou Rawls, and others. 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, 1932 ~ Jazz trumpeter John Chilton, full name John James Chilton, born in London, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Dave Allen, Bruce Turner, Alex Welsh, Mike Daniels, Buck Clayton, Ben Webster, Bill Coleman, Charlie Shavers, Ewan MacColl, Peggy Seeger, the Swinging Blue Jeans, the Escorts, Wally Fawkes, George Melly, and others ~ 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, Dalida, and others ~ 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, Coleman Hawkins, and others ~ 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