July 31, 2022 ~ Morris Meyer Ostrofsky, commonly known as producer, label executive Mo Ostin, passed away ~ Got his start in the music business in the 1950s at Verve. Hired by Frank Sinatra in 1960 to run Sinatra's Reprise Records. Best known for his longtime association with Warner Bros, and considered one of a select few who helped shape modern pop and rock music. Inducted in the the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2003. Over the course of his career, Ostin has signed and worked with acts such as the Kinks, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac, REM, Randy Newman, and Prince ~ Ostrofsky was born in 1927
July 31, 2021 ~ Stage, film, cabaret, TV singer, actor Alvin Ing passed away in Burbank, California, USA ~ Closely associated with the musical Flower Drum Song, composed by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II, performing the role of Wang Ta in numerous tours. Has also appeared in Chu Chem, Pacific Overtures, City Of Angels, and other musicals ~ Ing was born in 1932
July 31, 2021 ~ R&B, rock & roll drummer Charles Connor passed away in Glendale, California, USA ~ Best known for backing Little Richard on iconic rock & roll recordings such as Lucille, She's Got It and Keep A-Knockin'. Described as “the first to put the funk into the rhythm” by James Brown, with whom he also worked. Has worked with Professor Longhair, Smiley Lewis, Guitar Slim, Champion Jack Dupree, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, the Coasters, Big Joe Turner, and Don Covay ~ Connor was born in 1935
July 31, 2021 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Jerzy Matuszkiewicz passed away in Warsaw, Poland ~ Dubbed “the Father of Polish Jazz” for his pioneering role in post-World War II jazz. Best known as leader of Melomani. After the band disbanded in 1958 Matuszkiewicz would perform as a solo artist and from the mid-1960s forward focus on composing for film ~ Matuszkiewicz was born in 1928
July 31, 2021 ~ Rock, country rock, country guitarist, singer Paul Cotton, full name Norman Paul Cotton, passed away inear Eugene, Oregon, USA ~ Member of the Illinois Speed Press. Perhaps best known as member of country-rock outfit Poco, joining the band in 1970 as replacement for Jim Messina. Penned several of the band's best known including Barbados, Indian Summer, Ride The Country, Bad Weather and Heart Of The Night, the latter a Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit of the 1979 Legend album ~ Cotton was born in 1943
July 31, 2020 ~ Bill Mack Smith Jr, commonly known as country singer, songwriter, radio host Bill Mack, passed away ~ Perhaps best known as a songwriter, responsible for songs such as Drinking Champagne recorded by Cal Smith, George Strait and by others, and Blue, LeAnn Rimes' breakout hit. Others who have recorded his songs include Dean Martin, Ray Price, Jerry Lee Lewis, George Jones ~ Smith was born in 1929
July 31, 2017 ~ Charles Samuel Loeb, commonly known as guitarist Chuck Loeb, passed away ~ As a child listened to Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Cream, Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan. Discovered jazz at age 16, listening to guitarists such as Wes Montgomery, George Benson, John McLaughlin, and Pat Martino. Loeb worked with Chico Hamilton, Ray Barretto, Hubert Laws, Stan Getz, Michael Brecker, and others. Loeb was a member of Steps Ahead, 4play, Jazz-Funk-Soul, and a member of Metro ~ Loeb was born in 1955
July 31, 2016 ~ Jazz saxophonist Jon Klette passed away ~ Fronted the Jazzmob, known for the albums Truth and Pathfinder. Also worked with Paal Nilssen-Love, Ingebrigt Håker Flatan, Vidar Johansen, Bugge Wesseltoft, Per Zanussi, Sjur Miljeteig, Kjetil Moster, and others ~ Klette was born in 1962
July 31, 2014 ~ Country guitarist Velma Williams, also known as Velma Smith, passed away ~ Lone female member of select group of Nashville sessions musicians. Present on classics such as Eddy Arnold's Make The World Go Away, Jim Reeves' I Love You Because, Hank Locklin's Please Help Me I'm Falling, and others ~ Williams was born in 1927
July 31, 2012 ~ Robert Edward Moncrief, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Bobby Edwards, passed away in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA ~ Known for a string of country hits in the late-1950s and early-1960s including Long Gone Daddy, Jealous Heart, You're The Reason and Don't Pretend ~ Moncrief was born in 1926
July 31, 2012 ~ Singer Bruce Springsteen, known for his marathon concerts, plays his longest ever concert at the Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland ~ The last date of the European leg of his Wrecking Ball World Tour, playing in Helsinki to a crowd of some 43,000 visitors, becomes the longest concert Springsteen has ever given, with a total time of four hours and six minutes
July 31, 2010 ~ Oboist, producer, conductor Mitch Miller passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the most influential people in music during the 1950s and early-1960s, especially as conductor and A&R executive at Columbia Records. Host and bandleader of the NBC TV series Sing Along With Mitch. As a producer known for his cheery arrangements and knack for comic novelty as evidenced in Rosemary Clooney's Come On-a My House and Frank Sinatra's Mama Will Bark. As a recording artist known for songs such as The Children's Marching Song, Tzena Tzena Tzena and The Yellow Rose Of Texas, the latter a No.1 hit and million-seller in 1955 ~ Miller was born in 1911
July 31, 2008 ~ Leonidas Raymond Young, commonly known as drummer Lee Young, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Baby brother of saxophonist Lester Young. Worked with Les Paul, JJ Johnson, Jean Baptiste, Mutt Carey, Fats Waller, Les Hite, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Nat King Cole, Oscar Moore, André Previn, Dinah Washington, and others ~ Young was born in 1914
July 31, 2007 ~ R&B singer Oliver Morgan passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Best known for his 1964 single Who Shot The La La which tells of the mysterious circumstances of singer Prince La La's death, reportedly of a drug overdose the previous year at age 27. Morgan would not have another national hit, and settled on performing locally in the New Orleans area to enthusiastic crowds. Morgan recorded his sole album, I'm Home, as late as 1998 ~ Morgan was born in 1933
July 31, 1995 ~ Country singer Tim McGraw releases I Like It (I Love It), lead single off his All I Want album ~ Recorded at the famed Muscle Shoals Studios, Sheffield, Alabama. The single would be McGraw's third Billboard Country No.1 hit, following Don't Take The Girl and Not A Moment Too Soon, and peaking at No.25 his third to reach top 30 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. The song would also be adopted by Nashville ice hockey team the Nashville Predators to be used as their goal song, slightly altering the lyrics from “Don't know what it is about that girl's lovin'” to “Don't know what it is about the Predators scorin'”, in a medley along with Gold On The Ceiling by the Black Keys
July 31, 1994 ~ Patricia Jacqueline Sibley, commonly known as singer Anne Shelton, passed away in Herstmonceux, UK ~ Perhaps best known as an inspirational singer for the British troops during World War II. Original singer of the English version of the Lale Andersen-penned Lili Marlene ~ Sibley was born in 1923
July 31, 1994 ~ Symere Woods, commonly known as rapper Lil' Uzi Vert, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Merges emo's dark subject matters with trap. Released his full-length Luv Is Rage 2 album in 2017. Known for songs such as Money Longer, You Was Right, New Patek. The singles XO Tour Lif3 and Futsal Shuffle 2020 would reach top 10 of the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Has collaborated with Future, Quavo, Travis Scott, Oh Wonder, Wiz Khalifa, Fabolous, A$AP Mob, and Juice WRLD
July 31, 1989 ~ Benjamin Joseph Jackson, commonly known as saxophonist Bull Moose Jackson passed away in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Popular dirty blues singer most successful in the late-1940s. Known for songs such as I Want A Bow Legged Woman, Big Ten Inch Record, I Love You (Yes I Do), and I Can't Go On Without You ~ Jackson was born in 1919
July 31, 1987 ~ Pianist, songwriter Joe Liggins passed away in Lynwood, California, USA ~ Architect, along with artists such as Roy Milton, of the small-band jump blues. Co-founded and fronted Honeydrippers, best known for their 1945 smash hit Honeydripper. Other notable recordings include Got A Right To Cry, Tanya, Blow Mr Jackson, Little Joe's Boogie, and Pink Champagne. ~ Liggins was born in 1916
July 31, 1987 ~ Country guitarist Kenneth Carllile, also known as Thumbs Carllile, passed away in Decatur, Georgia, USA ~ Discovered by Little Jimmy Dickens, who gave him the nickname “Thumbs” for his innovative fingerstyle playing. Has collaborated with Bill Wimberley, Les Paul, and Roger Miller, serving in the latter's backing unit from 1964 through 1972, notably providing the signature guitar parts for Dang Me and King Of The Road. As a solo artist, Carllile is known for songs such as Caravan, Theme From Picnic, Stranger On The Shore, and Hold It ~ Carllile was born in 1931
July 31, 1986 ~ Pianist Teddy Wilson passed away in New Britain, Connecticut, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Described as “the definitive swing pianist” by noted jazz critic Scott Yanow, Wilson has backed some of the biggest names in jazz in concert and on record including Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Carter, Gene Krupa, Helen Ward, Lester Young, Roy Eldridge, Charlie Shavers, Red Norvo, Sarah Vaughan, Ben Webster, Mildred Bailey, Buck Clayton, and others ~ Wilson was born in 1912
July 31, 1985 ~ Heavy metal, melodic death metal singer Alissa White-Gluz born in Montreal, Canada ~ Best known as lead singer of Arch Enemy and lead singer, co-founding member of the Agonist. Has also guested on recordings by Kamelot, Delain, Carnifex, and Powerwolf
July 31, 1985 ~ Jazz trumpeter, arranger Dick Vance, full name Richard Thomas Vance, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Active since the mid-1930, playing with J Frank Terry and subsequently Lil' Armstrong. Would go on to work in ensembles led by Willie Bryant, Kaiser Marshall, Fletcher Henderson, Chick Webb, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Barnet, Don Redman, Eddie Heywood Jr, Ben Webster. Worked with Duke Ellington in the 1950s, including arranging most of the Ellington '55 album and co-writing Jazz Festival Suite for Duke's performance at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1958 ~ Vance was born in 1915
July 31, 1985 ~ Blues-rock guitarist, singer Shannon Curfman, full name Shannon Marie Curfman, born in Fargo, North Dakota, USA ~ Released her Loud Guitars Big Suspicion debut album in 1999, at age 14. Has been a member of Kid Rock's backing unit Twisted Brown Trucker since 2010
July 31, 1984 ~ Percussionist, composer Manu Delago born ~ Worked with Zabine, Michael Tschuggnall, Nadine Beller, the Jazzwerkstatt Wien, Anoushka Shankar, Shpongle, Bugge Wesseltoft, Giannis Haroulis, Nitin Sawhney, Stuart McCallum, Boris Grevenschikov, George Breinschmid, Björk, the Cinematic Orchestra, and others
July 31, 1978 ~ Bandleader, producer, engineer Enoch Light passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Classically trained violinist. Led various dance bands from the late-1920s onwards, most notably the Light Brigade. Pioneered the use of stereo recording and as a result received little airplay early on in his career, most stations broadcasting on the mono AM band ~ Light was born in 1907
July 31, 1978 ~ Indie folk singer, guitarist, bassist, percussionist, songwriter José González, full name José Gabriel González, born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Released his Veneer solo debut album in 2003 and has recorded to warm reception since. Internationally especially acclaimed for his 2015 Vestiges And Claws album. Has collaborated with Junip, Zero 7, Jori Hulkkonen, the Books, the Gotheburg String Theory, and others
July 31, 1978 ~ Drummer, keyboardist, songwriter Will Champion born in Southampton, UK ~ Member of Fat Hamster. Last bandmember to join Coldplay in late-1997. Has been with the band since. Has also guested on Magne Furuholmen's first solo album Past Perfect Future Tense and on Brian Eno's Someday World
July 31, 1978 ~ Singer, guitarist Zac Brown, full name Zachry Alexander Brown, born in Cumming, Georgia, USA ~ Lead singer, eponym of country, country-rock outfit the Zac Brown Band, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums starting with the band's The Foundation debut album released in 2008. The band would consistently reach the higher echelons of the Billboard Country charts throughout the 2010, songs such as Chicken Fried, Toes, Highway 20 Ride, Free, As She's Walking Away featuring Alan Jackson, Colder Weather, Knee Deep featuring Jimmy Buffett, and Keep Me In Mind would all top the country charts.
July 31, 1976 ~ Tango pianist, composer Francisco de Caro passed away ~ Considered the most important representative of tango romanza. Brother of conductor, violinist, composer Julio de Caro. Influenced by Juan Carlos Cobián, Roberto Firpo, Eduardo Arolas. The latter would offer Julio a position in his orchestra after an impromptu performance in 1917. Francisco would later join him, as well as collaborate in other ensembles ~ De Caro was born in 1898
July 31, 1975 ~ Edward Lamonte Franklin, commonly known as blues singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Guitar Pete Franklin passed away in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Best known for songs such as Guitar Pete's Blues and Casey Brown Blues. Influenced by guitarist Scrapper Blackwell and pianist Leroy Carr. Has worked with St Louis Jimmy Oden, Jazz Gillum, John Brim, Sunnyland Slim, Tampa Red ~ Franklin was born in 1928
July 31, 1973 ~ Geraldo Rivera Rodriguez, commonly known as salsa singer, songwriter Jerry Rivera, born in Humucao, Puerto Rico ~ Actively recording since his teens, debuting in 1989 with the album Empezando A Vivir, earning him the nickname “the Baby of Salsa”. Known best for songs such as De La Cabeza A Los Pies, Me Estoy Enloqueciendo Por Ti, Suave, Ese, Quiero, Vuela Muy Alto, Solo Pienso En Ti and El Amor Existe
July 31, 1971 ~ Singer, songwriter, arranger Claudia Acuna born in Santiago, Chile ~ Debuted in 1999 with the album The Wind From The South. Has collaborated with Peck Almond, George Benson, Joey Calderazzo, Avishai Cohen, Mark Elf, Tom Harrell, Antonio Hart, Arturo O'Farrill, Guilermo Klein, Billy Childs, David Gilmore, Susie Ibarra, Willie Jones III, Jason Lindner, Fabrizio Soti, Louie Vega, and others
July 31, 1971 ~ Pop rock guitarist, percussionist Harri Mänty born in Vasterås, Sweden ~ Lead singer of short-lived hardcore punk band No Security. Best known as member of alternative rock outfit Kent from 1996 through 2006, joining the band after the departure of Martin Roos
July 31, 1971 ~ John William Lowery, commonly known as singer, guitarist John 5, born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, USA ~ Worked with David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie. As a solo artist debuted with the album Vertigo in 2004 and has recorded steadily since. Staff writer for Chrysalis Records having worked with Matt Ball, Avril Lavigne, Rob Halford, kd Lang, Garbage, Meat Loaf, the Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, Fefe Dobson, Steve Perry, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and others
July 31, 1970 ~ Industrial metal singer, guitarist Alexander Krull born in Ludwigsburg, West Germany ~ Best known as co-founding member, lead singer of Atrocity. Has also worked with Leaves' Eyes, Elis, and Erben Der Schöpfung
July 31, 1966 ~ Earl Rudolph Powell, commonly known as pianist Bud Powell, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Pivotal to the development of bebop. Played with Cootie Williams, Oscar Pettiford, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Socolow, Sarah Vaughan, Dexter Gordon, JJ Johnson, Sonny Stitt, Fats Navarro, Kenny Clarke, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Tommy Potter, Max Roach, Roy Haynes, Ray Brown, George Duvivier, Percy Heath, Lloyd Trotman, Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke, Osie Johnson, Buddy Rich, Richie Powell, JJ Johnson, and Clifford Brown ~ Powell was born in 1924
July 31, 1964 ~ John Richard Keith Townshend, commonly known as drummer, TV personality Fuzz Townshend, born ~ Best known as a TV personality, co-hosting Car SOS. As a drummer has worked with General Public, with Pop Will Eat Itself, and has released a number of solo recordings starting with the single Hello Darlin' in 1996, a modest hit in the UK
July 31, 1964 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist Jim Corr, full name James Steven Ignatius Corr, born in Dundalk, Ireland ~ Member of sibling outfit the Corrs, alongisde his younger sisters Andrea Corr, Sharon Corr, Caroline Corr. The band scored hits with songs such as Runaway, Only When I Sleep, Dreams and Breathless, all of which reached top 10 in the band's native Ireland. Corr is also known as a conspirary theorist and blogger, running a 9/11 truther website through 2015 when one day all content disappeared and the site's URL redirected to the band's official site
July 31, 1964 ~ Country, country-pop singer Jim Reeves, full name James Travis Reeves, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Charted records from the 1950s through the 1980s. Dubbed “Gentleman Jim”. Instrumental in creating the lush Nashville sound, reaching audiences outside country circles. First gained attention with the single Mexican Joe in 1953. Frequently worked with producer Steve Sholes early on in his career. Known for songs such as Welcome To My World, I Guess I'm Crazy, Blue Side Of Lonesome, and Make The World Go Away ~ Reeves was born in 1923
July 31, 1963 ~ Hard bop, West Coast jazz double bassist Curtis Counce passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Active since the mid-1940s. Leader and sideman. Worked with Shorty Rogers, Stan Kenton, Shelly Manne, Lyle Murphy, Teddy Charles, Clifford Brown, Harold Land, Jack Sheldon, Carl Perkins, Frank Butler, Elmo Hope, Buddy Collette, Maynard Ferguson, Jimmy Giuffre, Illinois Jacquet, Stan Kenton, Johnny Otis, and others ~ Counce was born in 1926
July 31, 1963 ~ Singer Denise Johnson born in Manchester, UK ~ Best known for her association with Primal Scream singing backup for the band from 1990 through 1995. Sang co-lead on the single Don't Fight It (Feel It) taken of the quintessential 1991 Screamadelica album. Johnson has also worked with New Order, the Pet Shop Boys, A Certain Ratio, and others, as well as recorded as a solo artist ~ Johnson passed away in 2020
July 31, 1963 ~ Norman Quentin Cook, commonly known as producer, DJ Fatboy Slim, born in Bromley, UK ~ Bassist of the Housemartins in the 1980s, best known for the single Caravan Of Love. Helped popularize the big beat genre in the 1990s. Formed Beats International, known for hits such as Dub Be Good To Me. Enjoyed succes with his own records, scoring hits such as The Rockafeller Skank, as well as being a sought-after remixer reworking songs by Cornershop, the Beastie Boys, A Tribe Called Quest, Groove Armada, and Wildchild
July 31, 1962 ~ Regina Paula Martins, commonly known as singer Paula Morelenbaum, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Married to conductor, cellist Jaques Morelenbaum, with whom she also worked in the Quarteto Jobim Morelenbaum ensemble. Morelenbaum is also a member of Nova Banda, has recorded as a solo artist starting with her Berimbaum debut album released in 2004, and appears on albums by Olivia Hime, Antônio Carlos Jobim, Toninho Horta, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Gal Costa, Marina Lima, Chico Buarque, and Georges Moustaki
July 31, 1961 ~ In its ninth week on the charts, Hats Off To Larry by Del Shannon peaks at No.5 Billboard Hot 100 ~ The song's slow intro launches into an upbeat rock & roller. Shannon's label, Bigtop Records, felt a fast-paced intro would be better, but Shannon put his foot down: “I had to fight for about two hours to get that the way I wanted it. They didn't want to listen to me. I was just the singer.” Issued as the followup to his Billboard Hot 100 No.1 single Runaway, the self-penned Hats Off To Larry tells of losing his girlfriend to a guy named Larry. When the singer learns Larry has broken up with her, he's willing to take her back, but not before tipping his hat to Larry, who gave the girl a taste of her own medicine
July 31, 1959 ~ Trumpeter, singer Saskia Laroo born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Dubbed “the Lady Miles Davis.” Leader and sidewoman. Has worked with Fra Fra Sound, Rosa King, Hans Dulfer, Candy Dulfer, Wynton Marsalis, Toots Thielemans, Roy Hargrove, Teddy Edwards, Warren Byrd, and Billy Preston
July 31, 1959 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion guitarist Stanley Jordan born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Benny Carter, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Michal Urbaniak, Richie Cole, the Dave Matthews Band, the String Cheese Incident, Phil Lesh, Moe, Umphrys McGee, Stanley Clarke, Charnett Moffett, Rebbie Jackson, Dionne Warwick, Ray Benson, and Will Calhoun
July 31, 1958 ~ William Thomas Berry, commonly known as rummer Bill Berry, born in Duluth, Minnesota, USA ~ Longtime member of alternative rock band REM. Though best known as the band's drummer, Berry occasionally plays guitar, piano, bass, and mandolin on their albums. Berry wrote or co-wrote some of the band's best known songs including Everybody Hurts, Man On The Moon, Perfect Circle, 8, Can't Get There From Here, and I Took Your Name. Also a member of Hindu Love Gods, alongside Warren Zevon, Bryan Cook, and REM-bandmates Peter Buck and Mike Mills
July 31, 1957 ~ Alternative rock, gothic rock, post-punk guitarist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter Daniel Ash, full name Daniel Gaston Ash, born in Northampton, UK ~ Influenced guitarists such as Jane's Addiction's Dave Navarro, Soundgarden's Kim Thayil, the Red Hot Chili Peppers' John Frusciante. First gained attention in the late-1970s as guitarist of Bauhaus, known best for their Bela Lugosi's Dead debut single and their subbsequent debut album In The Flat Field, both considered hugely influential in goth rock and the latter cited as one of the first goth rock albums. Ash has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with 1991's Coming Down, and with acts such as Love & Rockets, Tones on Tail, Bubblemen, Poptone. His song Trouble is featured in the 2000 American Psycho film
July 31, 1952 ~ Jazz pianist Michael Wolff, full name Michael Blieden Wolff, born in Victorville, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Cal Tjader, Cannonball Adderley, Answering Service, Frank Sinatra, Impure Thoughts, Warren Zevon, Bobby McFerrin, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, Jean-Luc Ponty, Terri Lyne Carrington, Christian McBride, Nancy Wilson, Steve Wilson, Lenny Pickett, James Genus, and others
July 31, 1951 ~ Harmonica player Howard Levy born in New York, New York, USA ~ Founding member of Béla Fleck's acclaimed group the Flecktones. Wrote the Grammy Award-winning Life In Eleven of the Rocket Science album. Has also worked with Trio Globo, Rabih Abou Khalil, Paquito d'Rivera, Donald Fagen, Paul Simon, John Prine, Ben Sidran, Bobby McFerrin, Chuck Mangione, Claudio Roditi, Dennis DeYoung, Dolly Parton, Jerry Butler, Miroslav Tadic, Pete Seeger, Steve Goodman, Tom Paxton, and others
July 31, 1948 ~ Charles Dee Wilson, commonly known as saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Chuck Wilson, born in Wichita Falls, Texas, USA ~ Took up the saxophone at age 11, led his own trio while still in high school. Spent much of his career in various big band ensembles. As a leader known for his 2010 Echo Of Spring album. As a sideman toured and recorded with the likes of Jerry Gray, Buddy Rich, Leon Redbone, Howard Alden (Swing Street), Loren Schoenberg, Buck Clayton, Bob Belden (Straight To My Heart (The Music Of Sting)), the One O'Clock Lab Band, Marisa Monte, John Pizzarelli, and Randy Sandke ~ Wilson passed away in 2018
July 31, 1948 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Russell Morris, full name Russell Norman Morris, born ~ Enjoyed popularity during the late-1960s and 197os, songs such as The Real Thing, Part Three Into Paper Walls, Mr America, Sweet Sweet Love and Wings Of An Eagle reaching top 10 in his native Australia
July 31, 1943 ~ Roland Kent Lavoie, commonly known as singer, songwriter Lobo, born in Tallahassee, Florida, USA ~ Enjoyed his greatest success in the 1970s with songs such as I'd Love You To Want Me, Don't Expect Me To Be Your Friend, Where Were You (When I Was Falling In Love) and perhaps his best known Me And You And A Dog Named Boo. LaVoie was a member of early-1960s outfit the Rumours which also included the then-unknown Gram Parsons, Jim Stafford and Jon Corneal
July 31, 1943 ~ Songwriter Paul Politi, full name Paul Leo Politi, born ~ Best known for his songwriting partnership with Barry White, co-writing numerous songs including It May Be Winter Outside (But In My Heart It's Spring) and Under The Influence Of Love (both originally recorded by Felice Taylor and later hits for White protegées Love Unlimited), as well as several tracks recorded by White (notably Any Fool Could See You Were Meant For Me, It Ain't Love Babe (Until You Give It) and Love Ain't Easy)
July 31, 1939 ~ Orchestral, opera conductor, pianist Steuart Bedford, full name Steauart John Rudolf Bedford, born ~ Brother of composer David Bedford and singer Peter Lehmann Bedford. Best known for his association with Benjamin Britten, conducting and recording several of Britten's works including premiering Death In Venice in 1973 ~ Bedford passed away in 2021
July 31, 1934 ~ Singer, producer, songwriter Barry Devorzon born in New York, New York, USA ~ Founded Valiant Records. Member of Barry & the Tamerlanes. Wrote or co-wrote songs for Marty Robbins (Just Married), Johnny Burnette (Dreamin'), Dorsey Burnette (Big Rock Candy Mountain), and the Cascades (Shy Girl). Also known as a composer for film and TV, including Theme From SWAT and Nadia's Theme (The Young And Restless)
July 31, 1931 ~ Jazz, blues, soul jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell, full name Kenneth Earl Burrell, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Perhaps best known for his association with organist Jimmy Smith, including on the 1965 Organ Grinder Swing album. Leader and sideman. Cites Charlie Christian, Oscar Moore, Django Reinhardt, T-Bone Walker and Muddy Waters as influences. Has collaborated with Tommy Flanagan, Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, Gene Ammons, Kenny Dorham, Benny Goodman, John Coltrane, Stanley Turrentine, Gil Evans, Donald Byrd, Stan Getz, Red Garland, Milt Jackson, Illinois Jacquet, Etta Jones, Wynton Kelly, Brother Jack McDuff, Gary McFarland, Ray Barretto, Aaron Bell, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ronnell Bright, James Brown, Betty Carter, Buck Clayton, Aretha Franklin, BB King, Miriam Makeba, Ike Quebec, Della Reese, Zoot Sims, and others
July 31, 1925 ~ Singer, actress Carmel Quinn born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Active in her native Ireland since her teens, working with Johnny Devlin and others. After relocating to America first gained attention on Arthur Godfrey's Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts radio show in 1955. Would become a regular on Godfrey's programs through the early 1970. Also starred in numerous musical roadshows including productions of Wildcat and The Sound Of Music. Best known for her 1955 recording of Whistling Gypsy ~ Quinn passed away in 2021
July 31, 1923 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist Bjarne Nerem, full name Bjarne Arnuld Nerem, born in Oslo, Norway ~ Among the top soloists on Norway's jazz scene. Influenced by Lester Young and Stan Getz. Through the early-1970s Nerem played in ensembles led by Rowland Greenberg, Thore Jederby, Simon Brehm, and Carl Henrik Norin, before venturing out on his own, eventually recording over half a dozen albums as leader or co-leader. As a sideman, over the course of his career Nerem has worked with international artists such as Roy Haynes, Quincy Jones, Ernestine Anderson, Benny Golson, and Jimmy Witherspoon, as well with the finest Scandinavian jazz musicians including Lars Gullin, Monica Zetterlund, Gunnar Almstedt, Harry Arnold, Nils Lindberg, Jan Johansson, and Kjell Karlsen ~ Nerem passed away in 1991
July 31, 1920 ~ Walter Aptowitz, commonly known as composer, music critic, teacher Walter Arlen, born in Vienna, Austria ~ Prolific composer specializing in voice and piano scores, with some 65 works to his name. Best known for tracking down other artists whose works were lost or forgotten due to the Nazi regime. Aptowitzer himself fled Europe, relocating to Chicago, after his parents department store was expropriated by the Nazis in the 1938 Kristallnacht. His father would die in a concentration camp, his mother committed suicide after a breakdown. Aptowitzer would form longtime friendships with other German and Austrian emigrées, including Igor Stravinsky, Darius Milhaud, and Heitor Villa-Lobos ~ Aptowitzer passed away in 2023
July 31, 1918 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Hank Jones, full name Henry Jones Jr, born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA ~ Brother of trumpeter Thad Jones and drummer Elvin Jones. Influenced by Earl Hines, Fats Waller, Teddy Wilson, and Art Tatum. Over 60 albums to his name as a leader, especially acclaimed for the mid-1950s albums Bluebird and Urbanity. Accompanied Marilyn Monroe on piano as she sang Happy Birthday Mr President to then President John F Kennedy. Frequent collaborator, sideman to Milt Jackson, JJ Johnson, Oliver Nelson, and Sonny Stitt ~ Jones passed away in 2010
July 31, 1915 ~ Songwriter, pianist George Forest, full name George Forrest Chicester Jr, born ~ Regular collaborator of Robert Wright, the duo often adapting classical music to create over an estimated 2,000 songs for musicals, revues and films. Perhaps best known for the 1953 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Kismet, the music mostly adapted from compositions by Alexander Borodin ~ Chichester passed away in 1999
July 31, 1907 ~ R&B, jump blues singer, drummer, bandleader Roy Milton born in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, USA ~ Formed the Solid Senders in 1933. Milton is best known for late-1940s, early-1950s R&B hits such as Hop Skip & Jump, Information Blues, Grooving With Joe, Best, and others ~ Milton passed away in 1983
July 31, 1894 ~ Pianist, composer Roy Bargy, full name Roy Fredrick Basrgy, born in Newaygo, Michigan, USA ~ Reportedly, in 1928 became the first pianist to record George Gershwin's Piano Concerto In F. Has worked with Charley Straight, the Benson Orchestra Of Chicago, Isham Jones, Paul Whiteman, Jimmy Durante, and others ~ Bargy passed away in 1974
July 31, 1886 ~ Composer, pianist Franz Liszt passed away in Bayreuth, Germany ~ Prolific composer from the Romantic era, one of the most prominent figures in New German School (Neudeutsche Schule). Friend and musical promoter to many composers of his time including Frédéric Chopin, Richard Wagner, Hector Berlioz, Robert Schumann, Camille Saint-Saëns, Edvard Grieg, Ole Bull, Joachim Raff, Mikhail Glinka, and Alexander Borodin ~ Liszt was born in 1811
July 31, 1847 ~ Pianist, composer Ignacio Cervantes, full name Ignacio Cervantes Kawanag, born in Havana, Cuba ~ Child prodigy. Would go on to become highly influential in the creolization of Cuban music. Would flee Cuba in 1875 after being warned by the government for raising money to fund the rebel cause, to return in later years. Known for his opera Maledetto, chamber pieces, zarzuelas, and songbooks. Father of María Cervantes, pianist, singer, composer ~ Cervantes passed away in 1905