June 11, 2023 ~ Violinist Suna Kan passed away ~ Gave her first public performance at age 9, playing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Violin Concerto In A Major and Giovanni Battista Viotti's Violin Concerto In A Minor with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra. Would go on to study in Paris and work with renowned orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Moscow Symphony. Co-founded the TRT Ankara Chamber Orchestra with conductor Gürer Aykal, and served as the orchestra's principal violinist ~ Kan was born in 1936
June 11, 2021 ~ Conductor Heribert Beissel passed away in Germany ~ Best known for his assocation with the Bonn Opera and as founder, conductor of the Klassische Philharmonie Bonn. Has also worked with the Hamburger Symphoniker, the Hamburg State Opera, the Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Halle, and others ~ Beissel was born in 1933
June 11, 2020 ~ Singer, actress Elly Stone passed away in Ecuador ~ Barbra Streisand's understudy for the 1962 I Can Get It For You Wholesale Broadway musical. Best known as an interpreter of Jacques Brel, notably in the revue Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living In Paris in 1968, on Broadway in 1972, and in the 1975 film version ~ Stone was born in 1927
June 11, 2018 ~ Singer Maria Butaciu passed away in Bucharest, Romania ~ Performed Romanian folklore music of Transylvania. First gained attention as a member of the Cluj-Napoca Philharmonic Orchestra. Has worked with conductors such as Constantin Arvinte, Ion Margean, Paraschiv Oprea, Victor Predescu, George Vancu, and Alexandru Viman ~ Butaciu was born in 1940
June 11, 2018 ~ Double bassist Wayne Dockery passed away ~ Worked with George Benson, Sonny Fortune, Eddie Henderson, Archie Shepp, Michael Brecker and others ~ Dockery was born in 1941
June 11, 2018 ~ Yvette Hornère, commonly known as accordionist Yvette Horner passed away ~ Released over 100 albums in various genres. Best known for providing musical accompaniment for the sporting event Tour de France in the 1950s and 1960s ~ Hornère was born in 1922
June 11, 2016 ~ The 47th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 2 of 3. Mostly sunny and warm, this year's edition would draw some 116,750 visitors in total. Included on today's, Saturday the 11th's bil would be Walk Off The Earth, James Morrison, Lianne La Havas, Doe Maar, Rammstein, Imelda May, Halestorm, Skillet, de Staat, Puscifer, Miamigo, Lucas Hamming, Matt Simons, Nothing But Thieves, Robin Schulz, the Sore Losers, Parquet Courts, Lucky Fonz III, Bazart, Noisia, and Madi Hermens
June 11, 2015 ~ Singer, songwriter Jim Ed Brown passed away in Franklin, Tennessee, USA ~ Rose to fame in the 1950s as member of sibling outfit the Browns, known for hits such as The Three Bells, Scarlet Ribbons, and The Old Lamplighter. As a solo artist active since the 1970s, scoring hits with Morning, Sunday, Southern Loving, It's That Time Of The Night, as well as a streak of hit duets with Helen Cornelius including I Don't Want To Have To Marry You, I'll Never Be Free, If The World Ran Out Of Love Tonight, and Morning Comes Too Early ~ Brown was born in 1934
June 11, 2013 ~ Guitarist Johnny Smith passed away in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA ~ Best remembered for writing and first recording Walk Don't Run, later made famous by the Ventures ~ Smith was born in 1922
June 11, 2011 ~ The 42nd edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 1 of 3. Mostly sunny and warm with just a splash of rain, this year's edition would draw close to some 92,000 visitors. Included on today's, Saturday the 11th's bill would be de Staat, Lifehouse, Elbow, Coldplay, the Manic Street Preachers, Simple Plan, Alter Bridge, Madi Hermens, Ash, and Selah Sue
June 11, 2009 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Jarmo Savolainen passed away in Helsinki, Finland ~ Leader and sideman. Classically trained. Worked with Wallace Roney, Rick Margitza, Ron McClure, Dave Liebman, Tim Hagans, and others ~ Savolainen was born in 1961
June 11, 2007 ~ Salsa singer Tito Gómez, full name Humberto Luis Gómez Rivera, passed away in Cali, Colombia ~ Co-lead singer of Sonora Poncena from 1967 through 1973, rejoining later in the 1970s. Co-founding member of La Terrifica. As a solo artist known for a string of popular 1990s albums and the hit Dejala. Also worked with Ray Barretto, Grupo Niche, and others ~ Gómez was born in 1948
June 11, 2000 ~ The 31st edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 2 of 3. Extremely sunny and warm, this year's edition would draw a crowd of in total 66,300 visitors. Included on today's, Sunday the 11th's bill would be Andreas Jonnson, Tracy Bonham, Novastar, Krezip, Guano Apes, 16 Horsepower, Laïs, Green Lizard, de Spookrijders, Def Rhymz, Laurent Garnier, and Junkie XL
June 11, 1999 ~ Jazz pianist, bandleader Henri Chaix passed away in Geneva, Switzerland ~ Worked with Loys Choquart, Claude Albert, Sidney Bechet, Bill Coleman, Albert Nicholas, Roger Zufferey, Michel Pilet, Milt Buckner, Buck Clayton, Guy Lafitte, Ray Nance, Rex Stewart, Ben Webster, Alan du Bois, Romano Cavicchiolo, the Tremble Kids, Hot Malletts, Oscar Klein, Buddy Tate, Clark Terry, the European Jazz Giants, Bob Barnard, Doc Cheatham, Jesper Thilo, Roy Williams, and others ~ Chaix was born in 1925
June 11, 1997 ~ Dieuson Octave, commonly known as rapper Kodak Black, born in Pompano Beach, Florida, USA ~ First gained attention with his 2014 No Flockin' single. Released his full-length Painting PIctures debut album in 2017, which included the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Tunnel Vision. Other well known songs include Wake Up In The Sky featuring Gucci Mane and Bruno Mars and Zeze featuring Travis Scott and Offset. Has also collaborated with French Montana, Yo Gotti, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Lil' Yachty, and others
June 11, 1995 ~ Singer, guitarist Lovelace Watkins, full name Lovelace Allen Watkins, passed away in Glendale, California, USA ~ Nicknamed “the Black Frank Sinatra” ~ Watkins was born in 1938
June 11, 1994 ~ Bassist Frank Virtue passed away ~ Leader and bassist of the Virtues, known for backing Patti Page, Rosemary Clooney, Dick Haymes and June Christy. Scored a Billboard top 10 hit in 1958 with Guitar Boogie Shuffle, a reworking of Arthur Smith's The Guitar Boogie ~ Virtue was born in 1923
June 11, 1994 ~ Rapper, singer Kevin Fret born in Puerto Rico ~ First openly gay Latin trap artist. Known for songs such as Soy Asi and Me Compre Un Ful Kevin Fret (Remix). Shot and killed by an unidentified shooter at age 24 ~ Fret passed away in 2019
June 11, 1990 ~ Jazz trumpeter Clyde McCoy, full name Clyde Lee McCoy, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Best remembered for founding DownBeat magazine in 1935, devoted to “jazz, blues and beyond” ~ McCoy was born in 1903
June 11, 1988 ~ Roman René Ramirez, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Rome Ramirez, born in Fremont, California, USA ~ Influenced by Muse, Jimi Hendrix, Bad Brains, Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Public Enemy, the Beastie Boys, Primus. Best known for his association with Sublime's Eric Wilson, recording under the group moniker Sublime with Rome. Has also collaborated with the Dirty Heads, including co-writing their song Lay Me Down. Guested on the Blues Traveler's 2015 Blow Up The Moon album
June 11, 1988 ~ Natalie Laurie Mering, commonly known as psychedelic folk, noise, experimental rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Weyes Blood, born in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Cites church music, figured prominently in her upbringing, as a major influence on her songwriting. Had her music labeled as chamber pop, psychedelic folk, and experimental rock. Has been recording to critical acclaim since the early 2000s using various variants of the moniker Weyes Blood. Especially acclaimed for the albums The Innocents and Titanic Rising, released respectively in 2014 and 2019
June 11, 1984 ~ The 15th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Geleen, the Netherlands ~ Cloudy, some 20,000 visitors show up for this edition's bill which includes Jimmy Cliff, Big Country, John Hiatt, Marillion, Dio, the Pretenders, Wang Chung, Billy Bragg, and the Rick Nolov Band
June 11, 1982 ~ Singer, songwriter Al Rinker passed away in Burbank, California, USA ~ Began in the early 1920s as a teen performing with Bing Crosby. By the mid-1920s the pair moved to LA, eventually forming the Rhythm Boys with Harry Barris. The vocal threesome sang with Paul Whiteman's big band for three years and on their own for about a year until Crosby went solo, effectively disbanding the group ~ Rinker was born in 1907
June 11, 1979 ~ Electric blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Monster Mike Welch born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Energetic and revered blues, blues-rock guitarist worked with the likes of Duke Robillard, Nick Moss, Johnny Winter, Darrell Nulisch, the Knickerbocker All-Stars, Billy Price, and Sugar Ray & the Bluetones
June 11, 1977 ~ Bassist Ozan Musluoglo born in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Best known as former member of Turkish ska-punk outfit Athena. Has since collaborated with artists such as Kerem Gorsev, Vanessa Rubin, Danny Grissett, Dena Derose, Allan Harris, Tune Otenel, Donovan Mixon, Marcus Miller, Roy Hargrove, Mike Stern, Willy Jone, Eric Reed, Katy Roberts, Leslie Harrison, Erik Smith, Bebel Gilberto, Ilhan Ersahin, EJ Strickland, George Colligan, Bernard Maury, and others
June 11, 1977 ~ Techno, minimal, electronica turntablist, keyboardist Paul Kalkbrenner born in Leipzig, West Germany ~ Best known for his 2009 Sky And Sand single, theme song of the Berlin Calling film featuring Kalkbrenner in the lead role of Ickarus
June 11, 1975 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress Mira Awad, full name Mira Anwar Awad, born in Rameh, Israel ~ Internationally perhaps best known for representing her native Israel at the 2009 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 16th place with the song There Must Be Another Way collaborating with Noa
June 11, 1973 ~ The 4th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Geleen, the Netherlands ~ A warm day, some 26,000 visitors show up for this edition's bill which includes Beck Bogert & Appice, Stealers Wheel, Alquin, Fairport Convention, Colin Blunstone, and Wishbone Ash
June 11, 1973 ~ Classical pianist Vanessa Wagner born in Rennes, France ~ Actively recording since the mid-1990s, known for her interpretations of Sergei Rachmaninoff, Alexander Scriabin, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Claude Debussy. Has also collaborated with electronic musician Murcof, appearing on his 2016 Statea, and with Aphex Twin
June 11, 1971 ~ Benjamin Baruch Ambrose, commonly known as violinist, bandleader Bert Ambrose passed away in Leeds, UK ~ Dance band bandleader popular from the 1920s up to the rise of rock & roll in the 1950s. Discovered Vera Lynn. Also worked with singers such as Sam Browne, Elsie Carlisle, Denny Dennis, Max Bacon, Evelyn Dall, Anne Shelton and musicians such as Sylvester Ahola, Ted Heath, Joe Crossman, Joe Jeannette, Bert Read, Joe Brannelly, Dick Escott and Max Goldberg ~ Ambrose was born in 1896
June 11, 1971 ~ Progressive metal bassist, singer, drummer Tony Choy, full name Antonio Choy, born in Havana, Cuba ~ Known for his slap and pop playing technique. Founding member of Area 305. Has also worked with Cynic, Atheist, Pestilence, C-187, Illuminati, Strike Master, and Solstice
June 11, 1970 ~ Pianist, organist, singer Earl Grant passed away ~ Known for his keyboards and vocals, also played trumpet and drums. Known for recordings such as The End, Swinging Gently, and Silver Bells. Backed by noted saxophonist Plas Johnson on several of his albums ~ Grant was born in 1931
June 11, 1970 ~ Percy Carey, commonly known as underground rapper, producer MF Grimm, born in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Released his full-length Downfall Of Ibliys (A Ghetto Opera) debut album in 2002. Has worked with with MC Lyte, MF Doom, Drasar Monumental, Kool G Rap, KRS One, Roc Raida, the Large Professor, Kurious, Monsta Island Czars, and others
June 11, 1969 ~ Bassist, upright bassist Smilin' Jay McDowell born in Bedford, Indiana, USA ~ Member of alternative country, country-rock, rockabilly outfit BR549 through 2001, known best for the singles Cherokee Boogie, Even If It's Wrong and Little Ramona (Gone Hillbilly Nuts) of their 1996 eponymous BR549 debut album
June 11, 1969 ~ Alternative rock guitarist, keyboardist, drummer Steven Drozd, full name Steven Gregory Drozd, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Best known as member of the Flaming Lips, initially on drums and switching to guitar in 2002 when newly joined member Kliph Scurlock took over drumming duties. Has also worked with Elliott Smith, Jay Farrar, Steve Burns, You In Me, the Electric Wurms, and others
June 11, 1967 ~ Trumpeter Alex Sipiagin born in Yaroslavi, Russia ~ Leader and sideman. Has worked with Gil Evans, George Gruntz, Dave Holland, the Mingus Big Band, Michael Brecker, Mulgrew Miller, Opus 5, Conrad Herwig, Monday Michiru, Toshiko Akiyoshi, David Binney, Bill Bruford, Larry Coryell, Deborah Cox, Michael Franks, Andy Laverne, Luis Perdomo, Lonnie Plaxico, Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Sanborn, Jim Snidero, and others
June 11, 1967 ~ The KFRC Fantasy Fair & Magic Mountain Music Festival held in Marin County, California, USA ~ One-time event. Day 2 of 2. Would serve as a template for rock festivals and as the start of the Summer Of Love. In total some 36,000 visitors would attend the two-day festival. Today's bill included the Jefferson Airplane, the Byrds, PF Sloan, Captain Beefheart, the Seeds, the Grass Roots, the Loading Zone, Tim Buckley, Every Mothers Son, the Steve Miller Band, Country Joe & the Fish, Sons Of Champlin, Lamp Of Childhood, the Mystery Trend, Penny Nichols, the Merry-Go-Round, and the New Salvation Army Band
June 11, 1966 ~ Country, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Bruce Robison, full name Bruce Ben Robison, born in Bandera, Texas, USA ~ Brother of singers Robyn Ludwyck and Charlie Robison. Married to singer Kelly Willis since 1996. Released his eponymous Bruce Robison in 1996 and has recorded to local fame and a devoted fanbase since. Wrote or co-wrote several songs that became hits for others, including Angry All The Time recorded by Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Travelin' Soldier recorded by the Dixie Chicks and Wrapped recorded by George Strait
June 11, 1964 ~ Clarinetist Antti Sarpilla, full name Antti Juhani Sarpila, born in Helsinki, Finland ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for fronting his Benny Goodman-inspired the AS Swing Band active since 1982. Has worked with the Swedish Swing Society, Lars Estrand, Mark Shane, Björn Sjödin, Gerhard Aspheim, and others
June 11, 1964 ~ Singer, producer, songwriter Penny Ford born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Lead singer of Eurodance act Snap, featured on songs such as The Power, Ooops Up, Cult Of Snap, and Mary Had A Little Boy. Also worked with Klymaxx and Soul II Soul. As a solo artist known for recordings such as Daydreaming and I Lose Control
June 11, 1963 ~ Singer, bassist, songwriter, actress, voice actress Britta Phillips born in Boyne City, Michigan, USA ~ First gained attention as the singing voice of the lead character in the animated Jem TV series, which ran from 1985 through 1988. Starred in the teen rock movie Satisfaction performing several tracks. Married to Galaxie 500's Dean Wareham since 2006, with whom she also worked in the indie pop, dream pop band Luna and the duo Dean & Britta. Previously married to Fountains Of Wayne lead guitarist Jody Porter
June 11, 1958 ~ Bassist, singer, songwriter, film composer Barry Adamson born in Manchester, UK ~ First gained attention as member of late-1970s, 1980s group Magazine, best known for their single Shot By Both Sides. Briefly a member of the Buzzcocks. Member of Visage, present on the albums Visage and The Anvil. Worked with Nick Cave, appearing on the albums From Her To Eternity, The Firstborn Is Dead, Kicking Against The Pricks, and Your Funeral My Trial. Has also recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Moss Side Story released in 1989
June 11, 1958 ~ Singer Elvis Presley records I Got Stung at RCA Studios, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Written by Aaron Schroeder and David Hill. Produced by Steve Sholes. It would be Presley's last recording of the 1950s as he was about to deploy to Germany to serve in the Army. The single would be released in October as a double A-side, also featuring One Night
June 11, 1956 ~ Jazz, dixieland saxophonist, composer Frankie Trumbauer, full name Orie Frank Trumbauer, passed away in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Leading jazz saxophonist of the 1920s and 1930s. Known for songs such as Krazy Kat, Red Hot, Plantation Moods and Trumbology. Closely associated with Bix Beiderbecke and Eddie Lang, recording under the group moniker Tram Bix & Lang including the landmark recordings Singin' The Blues in 1927 and the first hit recording of the Hoagy Carmichael-penned Georgia On My Mind in 1931 ~ Trumbauer was born in 1901
June 11, 1954 ~ Violinist Alexander Balanescu born in Bucharest, Romania ~ Best known as founder and leader of the Balanescu Quartet. Also closely associated with the Michael Nyman Band. Collaborated with Gavin Bryars, David Byrne, Keith Tippett, Carla Bley, Goldfrapp, Pet Shop Boys, Grace Jones, and other
June 11, 1954 ~ Jazz drummer John Bernard Riley born in Aberdeen, Maryland, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Woody Herman, Stan Getz, Milt Jackson, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, John Scofield, Bob Mintzer, Gary Peacock, Mike Stern, Joe Lovano, Franck Amsallem, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, John Patitucci, Bob Berg, George Gruntz, Bobby Paunetto, Mike Metheny, Lalo Schifrin, Randy Sandke, Todd Coolman, Steve Hobbs, Red Rodney, Haze Greenfield, Ludwig Nuss, Vince Mendoza, and others
June 11, 1949 ~ Drummer Frank Beard, full name Frank Lee Beard, born in Frankston, Texas, USA ~ Only member of ZZ Top to not have a beard. The band is known for songs such as La Grange, Tush, Gimme All Your Lovin', Legs, Sleeping Bag, Rough Boy, and others.
June 11, 1948 ~ Lynsey Monckton Rubin, commonly known as singer, songwriter Lynsey de Paul, born in London, UK ~ Songwriter, wrote or co-wrote songs for Jack Wild (Taking It Easy, Bring Yourself Back To Me), Del Davis (Sugarloaf Hill), and the Fortunes (Storm In A Teacup). As a solo artist best known for a string of 1970s hits including Sugar Me, Getting A Drag and Won't Somebody Dance With Me. Represented UK in the 1977 Eurovision Songfestival with the song Rock Bottom, co-written with Michael Moran. The song would reach 2nd place, losing out to France's Marie Myriam's L'Oiseau Et L'Enfant ~ Rubin passed away in 2014
June 11, 1948 ~ Patricia Mary Higgins, commonly known as pop singer, music journalist Pat Wilson, born ~ Married to singer Ross Wilson, who wrote Bop Girl for her. The single would reach top 10 in her native Australia. A follow-up single, Strong Love, reached top 30. Wilson released her sole full-length album, Strong Love, in 1984. Wilson had previously worked as a music journalist, going by the pen name Mummy Cool, for the pop music newspaper Go-Set
June 11, 1948 ~ Drummer Skip Alan born in London, UK ~ On and off member of the Pretty Things, his first stint from 1965 through 1968 and rejoining various incarnations in later years
June 11, 1947 ~ Reggae singer, songwriter Eric Donaldson born in St Catherine, Jamaica ~ Founded reggae trio the West Indians with Leslie Burke and Hector Brooks known for their 1968 JJ Johnson-produced Right On Time. Went solo in the early 1970s, known for songs such as Sweet Jamaica, Land Of My Birth and perhaps his best-known Cherry Oh Baby, the latter notably covered by the Rolling Stones
June 11, 1946 ~ Mentor Ralph Williams, commonly known as songwriter, producer Mentor Williams, born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Best known for writing Drift Away ~ Williams passed away in 2016
June 11, 1945 ~ Soprano singer Thais St Julien born ~ Worked with the New Orleans Musica da Camera, the New Opera Theatre, the Pro-Chorale, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Orleans Opera, and others ~ St. Julien passed away in 2019
June 11, 1940 ~ Joseph DiNicola, commonly known as pop, rock singer Joey Dee born in Passaic, New Jersey, USA ~ Lead singer and eponym of Joey Dee & the Starliters, best known for their 1961 The Peppermint Twist (Part 1) million-seller
June 11, 1939 ~ Country singer Wilma Burgess, full name Wilma Charlene Burgess, born in Orlando, Florida, USA ~ Known for a number of 1960s, 1970s songs such as Baby, Don't Touch Me, Misty Blue and Tear Time ~ Burgess passed away in 2003
June 11, 1938 ~ Jazz drummer Stu Martin, full name Stuart Victor Martin, born in Liberty, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Playing professionaly since age 16. Has worked with Count Basie, Jimmy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Maynard Ferguson, Quincy Jones, Billy May, Gary Burton, Donald Byrd, Curtis Fuller, Herbie Hancock, Oliver Nelson, Sonny Rollins, Steve Swallow, Lambert Hendricks & Ross, Lee Konitz, Albert Mangelsdorff, Attila Zoller, Joachim Kühn, Carla Bley, Slide Hampton, John McLaughlin, New York Gong, Barre Phillips, Sonny Rollins, Tomasz Stańko, Karin Krog, and others ~ Martin passed away in 1980
June 11, 1936 ~ Country, pop singer, banjoist, songwriter Jud Strunk, full name Justin Roderick Stunk Jr, born in Jamestown, Maine, USA ~ Best known for Daisy A Day, which reached the Billboard top 20 in 1973 ~ Strunk passed away in 1981
June 11, 1934 ~ R&B, doo-wop singer Thornton James Hudson born ~ Member of the Spaniels, known for 1950s hits such as Baby It's You, Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight, the latter later remaining popular to this day featured in several films including American Graffiti ~ Hudson passed away in 2007
June 11, 1931 ~ Jessie Lee Frealls, commonly known as blues singer Bonnie Lee, born in Bunkie, Louisiana, USA ~ Big-voiced blues singer dubbed “the Sweetheart of the Blues” and best known for her associations with pianist Sunnyland Slim and bassist Willie Kent. As a solo artist known for songs such as Sad & Evil Woman, I'm Good and Need Your Love So Vad ~ Frealls passed away in 2006
June 11, 1929 ~ Dulce Pinto Bressano, commonly known as singer, songwriter Dulce Nunes, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Known for a handful of 1960s, starting with 1964's Pober Menina Rica, a collaboration with Carlos Lyra. Married to pianist Bene Nunes through 1965. Married to guitarist, pianist Egberto Gismonti from 1968 to 1976 ~ Bressane passed away in 2020
June 11, 1929 ~ Maurice Vanderschueren, commonly known as jazz keyboardist Maurice Vander, born in Paris, France ~ Worked with Don Byas, Django Reinhardt, Bobby Jaspar, Jimmy Raney, Stéphane Grappelli, Chet Baker, Kenny Clarke, Roger Guerin, Pierre Gossez, Boulou Ferre, Claude Nougaro, Ivan Julien, Richie Cole, Art Farmer, Benny Powell, and others
June 11, 1928 ~ Jazz saxophonist Bob Gordon born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Stan Kenton, Shelly Manne, Chet Baker, Maynard Ferguson, Herbie Harper, Jack Montrose, Spud Murphy, Dave Pell, Shorty Rogers, and others ~ Gordon passed away in 1955
June 11, 1926 ~ Composer Carlisle Floyd, full name Carlisle Sessions Floyd, born in Latta, South Carolina, USA ~ Wrote about a dozen operas typically set in in the American South, themed around post-civil war South, the Great Depression and rural life. Best known for Susannah, a Biblical story transcribed to rural Tennessee and written for a Southern dialect. Its 1956 performance at the New York City Opera met with mixed reviews, some degrading it to “folk opera” while others considered it a masterpiece. It would quickly become one the most performed American operas ~ Floyd passed away in 2021
June 11, 1920 ~ Jazz, classical pianist, singer, actress Hazel Scott, full name Hazel Dorothy Scott, born in Port Of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago ~ Child prodigy. Outspoken critic of racial discrimation. Popular jazz, blues, boogie-woogie nightclub performer during the 1930s and 1940s. One of the first Afro-Caribbean women to land respectable roles in major Hollywood films including I Dood It alongside Lena Horne, The Heat's On and Rhapsody In Blue ~ Scott passed away in 1981
June 11, 1916 ~ Audio engineer William Savory born ~ Known for his extensive private recordings of jazz musicians in the 1930s. Best known though as a member of the team, led by Columbia Records engineer William Bachman, that developed the 33⅓ rpm LP album ~ Savory passed away in 2004
June 11, 1913 ~ Risë Gus Steenberg, commonly known as operatic mezzo-soprano singer Risë Stevens, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Closely associated with the Metropolitan Opera, starring in numerous operas for over two decades starting in 1938. Would go on to serve as director of the Metropolitan Opera National Company from 1963 through 1968 ~ Steenberg passed away in 2013
June 11, 1910 ~ Film composer, flutist, pianist Carmine Coppola, full name Carmine Valentino Coppola, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his musical contributions to a number of his son's, director Francis Ford Coppola's films such as several of The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now ~ Coppola passed away in 1991
June 11, 1904 ~ Clarence Smith, commonly known as blues, boogie-woogie pianist Pinetop Smith, born in Troy, Alabama, USA ~ Best known for his 1928 recording Pinetop's Boogie Woogie, foreshadowing rock & roll and considered the song to have named the boogie-woogie genre. The song would become hugely popular after Smith's death, in particular due to a 1938 cover by Tommy Dorsey, becoming Dorsey's best-selling record. It would also be covered by Bing Crosby, Count Basie, and numerous others as well as serve as the basis for Mess Around, a 1957 Ray Charles hit ~ Smith passed away in 1929
June 11, 1902 ~ Joseph Marshall, commonly known as jazz drummer Kaiser Marshall, born in Savannah, Georgia, USA ~ Considered one of the premier jazz drummers of the 1920s. Worked with Charlie Dixon, Shrimp Jones, Fletcher Henderson, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Art Hodes, Wild Bill Davison, Sidney Bechet, Bunk Johnson, Mezz Mezzrow, Louis Armstrong (notably on the 1929 recording Knockin' A Jug), and was a member of mcKinney's Cotton Pickers in the late 1920s which at the time also included Benny Carter, Fats Waller and Coleman Hawkins ~ Marshall passed away in 1948
June 11, 1808 ~ Cellist, composer Giovanni Battista Cirru passed away in Forli, Italy ~ Brother of organist, composer Ignazio Cirri. Played solos at the then eight-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's first public concert in London. Prolific composer for the cello, notably the 1765 Three Sonatas For Violoncello And Basso Continuo composition ~ Cirri was born in 1724