March 14, 2023 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Bobby Caldwell, full name Robert Hunter Caldwell, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his 1978 What You Won't Do For Love hit single. It would reach Billboard Hot 100 top 10 and be covered by Go West, Phyllis Hyman, Boyz II Men, and others. Caldwell is also known for co-penning The Next Time I Fall, recorded as a duet by Peter Cetera & Amy Grant. Others who recorded songs co-written by Caldwell include Roberta Flack, Boz Scaggs, and Glenn Medeiros ~ Caldwell was born in 1951
March 14, 2022 ~ Singer, songwriter Eric Mercury, full name Eric Alexander Mercury, passed away in Toronto, Canada ~ Member of 1960s Canadian soul outfit the Soul Searchers. As a solo artist known for his 1972 hit I Can Smell That Funky Music and his Roberta Flack-duet Our Love Will Stop The World about a decade later ~ Mercury was born in 1944
March 14, 2021 ~ Opera director Friedrich Meyer-Oertel passed away ~ Known for his associations with the Staatstheater Mainz, the Nationaltheater Mannheim, the Opernhaus Wuppertal and the Staatstheater Darmstadt ~ Meyer-Oertel was born in 1936
March 14, 2021 ~ Eulalio Cervantes Galarza, commonly known as rock guitarist, trumpeter, saxophonist Sax, passed away ~ Member of Maldita Vecindad, one of Mexico's premier rock bands since the late 1980s merging elements of ska, rock and traditional Mexican music and known best for their 1991 El Circo sophomore album ~ Galarza was born ca.1969
March 14, 2021 ~ Singer, songwriter Thione Seck, full name Thione Ballago Seck, passed away in Dakar, Senegal ~ Member of Orchestra Baobab from 1974 through 1979. Founded and fronted Raam Daan, which would become one of the most popular mbalax acts in Senegal rivaled only by Youssou n'Dour. Has also recorded as a solo artist. ~ Seck was born in 1955
March 14, 2020 ~ Neil Andrew Megson, commonly known as bassist, singer Genesis P Orridge born in Manchester, UK ~ Singer, multi-instrumentalist, poet, performance artist, occultist. Identifies as third gender with the preferred pronouns “s/he” and “h/er”. Iconic within avant-garde art scene. Often referred to as “Godparent of Industrial Music”. Founded Coum Transmissions artist collective in 1969. Best known as lead singer of industrial band Throbbing Gristle. Fronted experimental band Psychic TV. Also worked with Thee Majesty, Splinter Test, and with Pigface ~ Megson was born in 1950
March 14, 2020 ~ Philip Baptiste, commonly known as R&B, swamp pop singer Phil Phillips passed away in Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for Sea Of Love, a million-seller and Billboard top 10 hit in 1959. A full-length album was recorded but never released due to unfavorable contract terms, Phillips claiming he would never be paid any royalties for Sea Of Love ~ Baptiste was born in 1926
March 14, 2018 ~ Piper Liam O'Flynn passed away in Dublin, Ireland ~ Influenced by Willie Clancy and Séamus Ennis. Best known as a solo artist and as key member of Planxty. Also worked with Christy Moore, Dónal Lunny, Andy Irvine, Kate Bush (including on the 1982 album The Dreaming), Mark Knopfler, the Everly Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Mike Oldfield, Mary Black, Enya, Sinéad O'Connor, Nigel Kennedy, Rita Connolly, Matt Molloy, Bill Whelan, and others ~ O'Flynn was born in 1945
March 14, 2018 ~ Bluegrass guitarist, banjoist Steve Mandell, full name Stephen Arnold Mandell, passed away ~ Best known for teaming up with Eric Weissberg for the soundtrack of the 1972 film Deliverance, its theme song Dueling Banjos reaching the Billboard Hot 100 top 10. Previously a member of the Garrett Mountain Boys alongside mandolinist David Grisman. Has also worked with Judy Collins, worked on Broadway and appeared in the 1976 The Robber Bridegroom musical ~ Mandell was born ca. 1941
March 14, 2016 ~ Composer, conductor Peter Maxwell Davies passed away in Sanday, UK ~ Enfant terrible of the 1960s. Frequently shocked audiences and critics. Prolific composer who wrote in a variety of styles and idioms often combining disparate styles in one piece. Co-founded the Pierrot Players ensemble with Harrison Birtwistle ~ Davies was born in 1934
March 14, 2014 ~ Guillermina Moragues, commonly known as actress, singer Myrna Mores, passed away in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Member of tango outfit the Trio Mores alongside her sister Margot Mores and Mariano Mores, eventually marrying the latter ~ Moragues was born in 1920
March 14, 2013 ~ Jazz percussionist Daniel Ponce passed away in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Exiled from Cuba by the early 1980s would emerge from the New York Latin, Cuban jazz scene as a renowned sideman. Played the bata drums on Herbie Hancock's 1983 Rockit hit single. Has also collaborated with artists such as Paquito d'Rivera, José Fajardo, Eddie Palmieri, Celia Cruz, Laurie Anderson, Mick Jagger, Yoko Ono, and others ~ Ponce was born in 1953
March 14, 2013 ~ Singer Jack Greene, full name Jack Henry Greene, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Fronted the Peach Tree Boys. Founded the Tennessee Mountain Boys. Duetted with Jeannie Seely. Member of Ernest Tubb's backing unit the Texas Troubadours. As a solo artist known for a string of country hits starting in the mid-1960s including There Goes My Everything, All The Time, You Are My Treasure, Until My Dreams Come True, and The Statue Of A Fool ~ Greene was born in 1930
March 14, 2012 ~ Edward Lewis Davis Milton, commonly known as guitarist, singer, songwriter Eddie King, passed away in Peoria, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and Little Walter. Worked with Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Detroit Junior, Koko Taylor, and others ~ Milton was born in 1938
March 14, 2011 ~ Jack N Johnson, commonly known as guitarist Big Jack Johnson, passed away in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Son of bandleader, fiddler, mandolinist Ellis Johnson. Worked with Earnest Roy Sr, CV Veal & the Shufflers, Johnny Duncan, the Jelly Roll Kings, Sam Carr, Frank Frost, the Cornlickers, Dale Wise, Dave Groninger, Tony Ryder, Bobby Gentilo, and others ~ Johnson was born ca.1939
March 14, 2011 ~ Songwriter, singer Todd Cerney, full name Todd David Cerney, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of 1990s outfit Toast teaming up with former Bread members Jimmy Griffin, Robb Royer and Larry Knechtel. Best known as a songwriter. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as I'll Fall In Love Again (Steve Carlisle), The Blue House Of Broken Hearts (Levon Helm), Too Late (the Kendalls), I'll Still Be Loving You (Restless Heart), Notorious (Loverboy), Let Go (Cheap Trick), If Ever A Love There Was (the Four Tops), Forget About Love (Eddie Money), Don't Stop Now (the Cover Girls), No Mercy (Ty Herndon), Good Morning Beautiful (Steve Holy), Blues Is My Business (Etta James), Tell Me That You Love Me (Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton), and Keep On Rolling (Bo Bice). Cerney also played guitar, mandolin, keyboards and sang with some of the aforementioned as well as with the Dixie Chicks, the Nashville Songwriters Band, and others ~ Cerney was born in 1953
March 14, 2009 ~ Singer, actor, songwriter Alain Bashung passed away in Paris, France ~ Widely revered and influential in French rock for reviving the French chanson from the early 1980s onwards. Known for songs such as Gaby Oh Gaby, Vertige De l'Amour, Josephine, Ma Petite Entreprise, and La Nuit Je Mens. Has collaborated with a host of French and international artists including Sonny Landreth, Ally McErlaine, Link Wray, Marc Ribot, Brigitte Fontaine, Jean Fauque, Rodolphe Burger, Les Valentins, Jean-Marc Lederman, Adrian Utley, Noir Désir, Vanessa Paradis, Françoise Hardy, Arno, Daniel Darc, Gaetan Roussel, Arman Melies, and others ~ Bashung was born in 1947
March 14, 2000 ~ Leonard Raymond Sipes, commonly known as country singer, songwriter Tommy Collins passed away in Ashland City, Tennessee, USA ~ Popular from the 1950s through the 1970s helped develop the Bakersfield sound. As a singer known for songs such as You Better Not Do That, Whatcha Gonna Do Now, It Tickles and If You Can't Bite Don't Growl. As a songwriter known for a number of quintessential country songs recorded by Merle Haggard (The Roots Of My Raisin'), Buck Owens (But I Do), Ferlin Husky (I Could Sing All Night), Faron Young (If You Ain't Lovin' You Ain't Livin'), and others ~ Sipes was born in 1930
March 14, 1991 ~ Jerome Solon Felder, commonly known as lyricist, songwriter Doc Pomus, passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Co-wrote numerous classic rock & roll hits. Frequent songwriting partner of Mort Shuman. Artists who have recorded his songs include Elvis Presley (Little Sister, Suspicion, Viva Las Vegas), the Crystals, Joe Turner, Conway Twitty, Charlie Rich, Dion & the Belmonts (A Teenager In Love), the McCoys, Gary US Bonds (Seven Day Weekend), Ben E King (Here Comes The Night), Jimmy Clanton, Del Shannon, Fabian, the Coasters (Young Blood), the Mystics, Bobby Darin, the Drifters (Sweets For My Sweet, Save The Last Dance For Me), Gene McDaniels, Marty Wilde, Jess Conrad, Ray Charles (Lonely Avenue), Connie Francis, and others ~ Pomus was born in 1925
March 14, 1986 ~ Singer, bassist Este Haim, full name Este Arielle Haim, born in San Fernando Valley, California, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit Haim alongside Alana Haim and Danielle Haim, drawing critical comparison to Fleetwood Mac and the Bangles. The band debuted in 2013 with the album Days Are Gone and has recorded consistently since. They are best known for songs such as Forever, The Wire, Want You Back, A Little Of Your Love, Now I'm In It, and Gasoline featuring Taylor Swift
March 14, 1985 ~ Vishaal Lachman, commonly known as DJ Dyna, born in Paramaribo, Suriname ~ Featured on F1rstman's Round & Round, a modest 2015 hit in the Netherlands which also featured Lil' Kleine and Bollebof
March 14, 1983 ~ George General Grice Jr, commonly known as saxophonist- flutist, clarinetist, composer, arranger Gigi Gryce, passed away in Pensacola, Florida, USA ~ Hugely admired by peers and aficionados despite a relative short career. Influenced by Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, and Tadd Dameron. As a composer, arranger and musician Grice worked with Quincy Jones, Lionel Hampton, Anthony Ortega, Clifford Solomon, Clifford Scott, Oscar Estele, Walter Williams, Art Farmer, Clifford Brown, Al Hayse, Jimmy Cleveland, Buster Cooper, Monk Montgomery, Alan Dawson, Horace Silver, Percy Heath, Kenny Clarke, Freddie Redd, Addison Farmer, Art Taylor, Oscar Pettiford, Art Blakey, Teddy Charles, Betty Carter, Jimmy Cleveland, Curtis Fuller, Max Roach, Eddie Costa, Earl Coleman, Kenny Dorham, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Golson, Thad Jones, Duke Jordan, Herbie Mann, Big Maybelle, Howard McGhee, Johnnie Ray, Mal Waldron, and Leo Wright ~ Grice was born in 1925
March 14, 1983 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter, film composer, actor Johnny Flynn, full name John Patrick Vivan Flynn, born in Johannesburg, South Africa ~ Actively recording since the late 2000s. Also known as an actor for stage, film and TV, notably portraying the role of singer David Bowie in the 2020 bio-pic Stardust
March 14, 1983 ~ Keyboardist, singer Taylor Hanson born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit Hanson, known best for their 1997 hit Mmmbop
March 14, 1979 ~ Comedy rock singer, songwriter Dan Avidan, full name Leigh Daniel Avidan, born in Springfield, New Jersey, USA ~ Forms the musical comedy duo Ninja Sex Party with Brian Wecht. Forms the trio Starbomb with Wecht and Arin Hanson. Has also worked with the Northern Hues, Skyhill, Night Runner, TWRP, and recorded as a solo artist
March 14, 1979 ~ Rock guitarist, songwriter Jacques Brautbar born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Phantom Planet. Also worked with Beck, OK Go, Uh Huh Her, Jack's Mannequin, Something For Rockets
March 14, 1979 ~ Dancer, singer Will Mastin passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as member of the Will Mastin Trio, which also included Sammy Davis Sr and Sammy Davis Jr ~ Mastin was born in 1878
March 14, 1978 ~ Singer, songwriter Moon Hee-joon born in Seoul, South Korea ~ Rose to fame as frontman of South Korean boy band HOT
March 14, 1975 ~ Jazz trombonist Gianluca Petrella born in Bari, Italy ~ Leader and sideman. Started his career backing Roberto Ottaviano in the early 1990s. Actively recording as a leader since 2001, including with his group Indigo 4. Has collaborated with Joey Calderazzo, Jimmy Owens, Greg Osby, Paolo Fresu, Carla Bley, Pat Metheny, Marc Ducret, Manu Dibango, Nicola Conte, Bobby Previte, Enrico Rava, and others
March 14, 1975 ~ James Lamont Gillespie, commonly known as songwriter, lyricist Haven Gillespie, passed away ~ Frequent collaborator of songwriters such as Beasley Smith, Ervin R Smith, Richard Whiting, Wayne King, Loya Curtis, J Fred Coots, and others. Perhaps best known for co-penning Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town with Haven Gillespie. The song, first recorded by banjoist Harry Reser, would become a Holiday classic recorded by over 200 artists. Other well known songs co-written by Gillespie include You Go To My Head (Larry Clinton, Fats Waller, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong), That Lucky Old Sun (Frankie Laine, Vaughn Monroe, Jerry Lee Lewis, George Benson, Aretha Franklin), and Breezin' Along With The Breeze (Johnny Marvin, Abe Lyman, the Revelers, Fred Waring) ~ Gillespie was born in 1888
March 14, 1973 ~ Bandleader, label executive Jerry Blaine passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-founded Jubilee Records with Herb Abramson in 1946. Stayed with the company through 1970 ~ Blaine was born in 1910
March 14, 1972 ~ Soul singer Linda Jones passed away in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Known for a number of 1960s recordings, notably Lonely Teardrops, Hypnotized and What've I Done To Make You Mad ~ Jones was born in 1944
March 14, 1970 ~ Guitarist Andy Patalan born in USA ~ Best known as guitarist of alternative rock band Sponge, playing alongside his brother bassist, producer Tim Patalan. Founding member of Solid Frog and of Throttlebody. Has briefly worked with Brownsville Station, serving in the band from 2011 to 2013
March 14, 1970 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Kristian Bush born in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best known as half of Sugarland, the other half being singer Jennifer Nettles. Also worked with Billy Graham, Storyteller, Ellis Paul, Laura Bell Bundy, Matt Nathanson, the dB's, Lucy Hale, Kristina Train, Larkin Poe, Canaan Smith, Lauren Alaina, Jaida Dreyer, Alana Springsteen, Byron Gallimore, Dark Water, and others
March 14, 1969 ~ Mandolinist Matt Flinner born in Pueblo, Colorado, USA ~ Worked with Sugarbeat, Modern Mandolin Quartet, David Grier, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Darol Anger, Tim O'Brien, Trey Anastasio, Darrell Scott, Frank Vignola, Alison Brown, Missy Raines, the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble, the Ying Quartet, and others
March 14, 1966 ~ Singer, guitarist Raul Midón born in Embudo, New Mexico, USA ~ In-demand session musician worked with Shakira, Alejandro Sanz, Julio Iglesias, and others. Released his major-label solo debut album, State Of Mind, in 2005 which featured guest appearances from Stevie Wonder and Jason Mraz. Subsequent albums would feature guests such as Vinnie Colaiuta, Dean Parks, Paulinho Da Costa, Dianne Reeves, Marcus Miller, Richard Bona, and others
March 14, 1965 ~ Bassist, guitarist, singer, producer, engineer Billy Sherwood, full name William Wyman Sherwood, born in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA ~ Best known as member of progressive rock band Yes, starting in 1997. Would take over bass duties in 2015, following the death of original bassist Chris Squire. Also worked with Asia, World Trade, Lodgic, Circa and with Yoso and has released several solo albums starting with The Big Peace in 1997
March 14, 1965 ~ Pop, world fusion, world beat singer Sheila Chandra born in London, UK ~ Co-founded Monsoon with Steve Coe and Martin Smith, known for their 1982 hit single Ever So Lonely. Released her Out On My Own solo debut album in 1984 and recorded consistently until retiring from music in 2010 for health reasons
March 14, 1961 ~ Singer Connie Francis records Einmal Komm' Ich Wieder at Austrophon Studio, Vienna, Austria ~ Written by Werner Scharfenberger and Fini Busch. Produced by Gerhard Mendelsohn. After a number of English-language hits translated into German, this would be Francis' first single with both sides written originally in German. Released later the same year, b/w Immer Und Uberall, the single would reach top 20 on the German pop charts
March 14, 1961 ~ Drummer Joe Ascione born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Worked with a wide array of musicians including Cab Calloway, Donald Fagen, Della Reese, David Grisman, George Coleman, Al Hirt, Dr John, Phoebe Snow, Joey DeFrancesco, Frank Vignola, and Herb Ellis ~ Ascione passed away in 2016
March 14, 1958 ~ Experimental composer Zbignieuw Karkowski born in Krakow, Poland ~ Founding member of Sensorband alongside Edwin van der Heide and Atau Tanaka ~ Karkowski passed away in 2013
March 14, 1957 ~ Jazz vocalist, composer Vanessa Rubin born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Active since the early 1980s, Rubin has performed with Pharoah Sanders, Kenny Barron, Lionel Hampton, Mercer Ellington, Cecil Bridgewater, Etta Jones, Toots Thielemans, Steve Turre, Cedar Walton, Grover Washington Jr, Herbie Hancock, Don Braden, and others. As a solo artist Rubin has been releasing records since the early 1990s
March 14, 1954 ~ Country singer, songwriter Jann Browne born in Anderson, Indiana, USA ~ Member of Western swing group Asleep At The Wheel from 1981 through 1983. As a solo artist best known for You Ain't Down Home and Tell Me Why, both taken of her 1990 Tell Me Why and both reaching the top 20 of the country charts
March 14, 1954 ~ Jazz guitarist, composer Nick Webb born in Manchester, UK ~ Folk-influenced acoustic guitarist. Best known as half of smooth jazz duo Acoustic Alchemy, the other half being flamenco guitarist Simon James, known for recording in-flight music for Virgin Airlines transatlantic flights and several albums starting with Red Dust And Spanish Lace released in 1987 ~ Webb passed away in 1998
March 14, 1952 ~ Drummer Akira Tana born in San Jose, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Tana has worked with artists such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Helen Humes, Milt Jackson, Sonny Rollins, George Russell, Sonny Stitt, the Heath Brothers, the Asian-American Jazz Orchestra, Charles Aznavour, Ran Blake, Ray Bryant, Al Cohn, Chris Connor, Art Farmer, Carl Fontana, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Golson, Jim Hall, Jimmy Heath, Lena Horne, JJ Johnson, Warne Marsh, Tete Montoliu, James Moody, Spike Robinson, Jimmy Rowles, Zoot Sims, Cedar Walton, Frank Wess, Claudio Roditi, and others
March 14, 1948 ~ Jazz drummer Hiroshi Murakami born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Worked with Takehiro Honda, Masabumi, Kisuke Mine, Sadao Watanabe, Native Son, Nobuyochi Ino, Manabu Oishi, Hidefumi Toki, and others
March 14, 1947 ~ Giovanni Bella, commonly known as pop, pop rock singer, songwriter Gianni Bella, born in Italy ~ Known for songs such as Piu Ci Penso, Non Si Puo Morire Dentro, Dolce Iragano, L'Ultima Poesia, Verso L'Ignoto, and others
March 14, 1947 ~ Pop, easy listening singer, pianist, songwriter Peter Skellern born in Bury, UK ~ As a solo artist best known for two early 1970s hits, You're A Lady and Hold On To Love, both of which reached the UK top 20. Also known as founder of 1970s band Oasis with Julian Lloyd Webber and Mary Hopkin ~ Skellern passed away in 2017
March 14, 1947 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Roy Budd, full name Roy Frederick Budd, born in South Norwood, UK ~ Best known as film composer including for Get Carter and Wild Geese. Has worked with Peter McGurk, Trevor Tomkins, Chris Karan, Pete Morgan, Dave Holland, Tony Hatch, Johnny Harris, Larry Adler, Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, Charles Aznavour, the London Symphony Orchestra, and others ~ Budd passed away in 1993
March 14, 1945 ~ Singer, songwriter Michael Martin Murphey born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Western, country singer. Known for songs such as What's Forever For, Long Line Of Love, What She Wants, Don't Count The Rainy Days, Maybe This Time, and his best-known Wildfire and Caroline In The Pines
March 14, 1945 ~ Saxophonist, hornist, flutist Walter Parazaider born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Founding member of Chicago. Noted for the flute solo on Colour My World and the sax solo on Just You 'n Me. Left the band, retiring from music altogether in 2017 due to medical reasons
March 14, 1944 ~ Conductor, violinist, composer Boris Brott born in Montreal, Canada ~ One of Canada's internationally most acclaimed conductors having conducted on stages around the world including New York's Carnegie Hall and London's Covent Garden. Founder and artistic director of the National Academy Orchestra of Canada ~ Brott passed away in 2022
March 14, 1939 ~ Jazz, blues saxophonist, singer Rosa King born in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ Worked with Ben E King, Cab Calloway, Eric Burdon, Stan Getz, Candy Dulfer, Saskia Laroo, Alex Britti, Eric Layden, Kristina Train, Luther Allison, and others ~ King passed away in 2000
March 14, 1939 ~ Laika, xarchakos, composer, conductor Stavros Xarchakos born in Athens, Greece ~ Emerged from the Greek music scene in the early 1960s and has recorded consistenly since with over 40 albums to his name. Frequent collaborator of Lefteris Papadopoulo and Nikos Xylouris
March 14, 1938 ~ Drummer Angus Maclise born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA ~ Original drummer of the Velvet Underground, quitting the band before their first paid gig to be replaced by Moe Tucker ~ Maclise passed away in 1979
March 14, 1936 ~ Composer, choirmaster Rolf Schweizer born in Mundingen, Germany ~ Classical, choral composer influenced by jazz ~ Schweizer passed away in 2016
March 14, 1934 ~ Actor, singer Nikos Xanthopoulos born in Athens, Greece ~ Best known as an actor, dubbed “the child of folk” for mainly depicting men from the lower working classes. Roles portraying him as a singer and bouzouki player forced him to learn how to sing, eventually singing over 300 songs in 30 movies. As a singer Xanthopoulos has released nine albums and over 50 singles ~ Xanthopoulos passed away in 2023
March 14, 1934 ~ Jazz, hard bop, soul jazz organist, pianist Shirley Scott born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Leader and sidewoman. Married to Stanley Turrentine from 1960 to 1971, with whom she also worked. Also closely associated with Eddie Lockjaw Davis, notably on the late 1950s hit In The Kitchen. Has collaborated with Lem Winchester, Oliver Nelson, Kenny Burrell, Gary McFarland, Buddy Tate, Clark Terry, King Curtis, Hank Crawford, Mildred Anderson, Jimmy Forrest, Al Grey, Joe Newman, Jimmy Rushing, and others ~ Scott passed away in 2002
March 14, 1933 ~ Jazz, pop, R&B trumpeter, conductor, bandleader, arranger, producer, songwriter Quincy Jones, full name Quincy Delight Joners Jr, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ All-hatter with a career spanning six decades. Considered one of the most influential jazz musicians. Prolific film composer. To pop audiences best known for his 1981 The Dude album which included the hits Ai No Corrida, Just Once featuring James Ingram and Razzamatazz featuring Patti Austin, and for producing the quintessential Michael Jackson-albums Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad
March 14, 1932 ~ Jazz singer Mark Murphy born in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, June Christy, Anita O'Day, Ella Fitzgerald, and by pianist Art Tatum. Has been releasing solo albums since the mid-1950s. Would continue to record and perform on stage well into the 2010s ~ Murphy passed away in 2015
March 14, 1929 ~ Blues singer, guitarist Hambone Wilie Newbern records Roll & Tumble Blues in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Most likely, Newbern's rendition is the first recorded version of what came to be a blues classic covered or adapted by a host of artists including Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Cream on their Fresh Cream debut album, and by Johnny Winter with Canned Heat
March 14, 1929 ~ Jazz, modal jazz, hard bop, post-bop bassist Steve Davis born ~ Worked with John Coltrane, including on the 1961 album My Favorite Things. Has also worked with Kenny Dorham, Eddie Jefferson, Freddie McCoy, James Moody, McCoy Tyner, and others ~ Davis passed away in 1987
March 14, 1927 ~ Jazz, vocal pop singer Gene Austin records Ain't She Sweet at Victor Studios, New York, New York ~ Written by Milton Ager for his daughter, with lyrics added by Jack Yellen. Released in May 1927, featuring What Do I Care What Somebody Said on the flipside. The song would typify the Roaring Twenties and become a standard recorded by numerous artists including Paul Whiteman, Pearl Bailey, Fletcher Henderson, Ferlin Husky, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, the Beatles, Bernie Worrell, and others
March 14, 1927 ~ James Cavallo, commonly known as saxophonist Jimmy Cavallo, born in Syracuse, New York, USA ~ Shortly after his discharge from the Army, around the end of World War II, founded the Jimmy Cavallo Quartet, one of the first white R&B blues bands, playing originals as well as covers of Wynonie Harris and Louis Jordan. Best known for fronting Jimmy Cavallo & his House Rockers, noted for appearing in the 1956 film Rock Rock Rock playing The Big Beat and the film's title track Rock Rock Rock. The band is also noted for being the first white band to play the Apollo Theatre in Harlem promoting the movie ~ Cavallo passed away in 2019
March 14, 1926 ~ Singer Lita Roza, full name Lilian Patricia Lita Roa, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Most closely associated with her 1953 hit How Much Is That Doggie In The Window, written by Bob Merrill and an American No.1 hit for Patti Page. Roza would take it to the top of the UK charts in 1953, making her the first British solo singer to reach No.1. Ironically, Roza herself hated the song but was pressured to by label exectutives and vowed to never sing it again, and she never did. Long-time British PM Margaret Thatcher named Roza's hit her all-time favorite song ~ Roza passed away in 2008
March 14, 1926 ~ Philip Baptiste, commonly known as R&B, swamp pop singer Phil Phillips born in Crowley, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for Sea Of Love, a million-seller and Billboard top 10 hit in 1959. A full-length album was recorded but never released due to unfavorable contract terms, Phillips claiming he would never be paid any royalties for Sea Of Love ~ Baptiste passed away in 2020
March 14, 1925 ~ George Thomas Cohn, commonly known as jazz trumpeter Sonny Cohn, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with King Fleming, Red Saunders, Big Joe Turner, Count Basie, James Moody, and others ~ Cohn passed away in 2006
March 14, 1919 ~ Jazz, big band, orchestral jazz pianist, orchestrator, composer, arranger Luther Henderson, full name Luther Lincoln Henderson Jr, born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Has worked with Lena Horne, Jule Styne, Richard Rodgers and Duke Ellington. Best known for his Broadway-work, serving as orchestrator, arranger, musical director on over 50 musicals including Ellington's Beggar's Holiday, Funny Girl, No No Nanette and Ain't Misbehavin'. Has worked as arranger for artists such as Robert Goulet, Nancy Wilson, Sandler & Young, Eartha Kitt, Diahann Carroll, Liza Minnelli, and others ~ Henderson passed away in 2003
March 14, 1914 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Lee Hays, full name Lee Elhardt Hays, born in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA ~ Best known as member of pivotal folk group the Weavers. Wrote or co-wrote some of the band's best known including Wasn't That A Time, If I Had A Hammer, and Kisses Sweeter Than Wine. Previously also a member of its predecessor the Almanac Singers. Hays has also recorded a series of children's albums with the Baby Sitters ~ Hays passed away in 1981
March 14, 1914 ~ Blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Robert Pete Williams born in Zachary, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for penning and first recording I've Grown So Ugly, covered by Captain Beefheart in 1967 and by the Black Keys in 2004 ~ Williams passed away in 1980
March 14, 1912 ~ Jazz, swing, big band, traditional pop bandleader Les Brown, full name Lester Raymond Brown, born in Reinerton, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Popular bandleader with a career spanning nearly seven decades from the late 1930s until shortly before his death. Known for bringing Doris Day to prominence with the 1945 recording of Sentimental Journey. Has also worked with Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, Connee Boswell, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, and others ~ Brown passed away in 2001
March 14, 1911 ~ Jazz, pop accordionist, organist, singer Joe Mooney born in Paterson, New Jersey, USA ~ Went blind around 10 years of age. Recorded with his brother Dan Mooney in the late 1920s as the Sunshine Boys and the Melotone Boys. Played piano with Frank Dailey, and with Buddy Rogers in the late 1930s. Arranged for Paul Whiteman, Vincent Lopez, Larry Clinton, and for the Modernaires through the early 1940s. Started his own quartet in 1943. Sang with the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra in the 1950s ~ Mooney passed away in 1975
March 14, 1907 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Edward Heyman born in New York, New York, USA ~ Co-wrote a number of standards including Body And Soul (Bert Ambrose, Ruth Etting, Billie Holiday), I Cover The Waterfront (Abe Lyman, Eddy Duchin, Sarah Vaughan), For Sentimental Reasons (Kay Kyser, Mildred Bailey, the Ink Spots), I Wanna Be Loved (Don Redman, the Andrews Sisters, Dinah Washington), Easy Come Easy Go (Johnny Green, Russell Garcia, Anita O'Day), and Blame It On My Youth (Freddy Martin, the Dorsey Brothers, Mabel Mercer) ~ Heyman passed away in 1981
March 14, 1900 ~ Drummer, bandleader Bernie Cummins, full name Bernard Joseph Cummins, born in Akron, Ohio, USA ~ Bandleader who employed singers and musicians such as Dorothy Crane, Jerry Lang, Betty Griffin, his brother Walter Cummins, Scottie Marsh, Charlie Callas, Randy Brooks, Tommy Dorsey, and others ~ Cummins passed away in 1986
March 14, 1900 ~ Jazz double bassist Ernest Hill born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Worked with Claude Hopkins, Josephine Baker, Leroy Smith, Willie Bryant, Benny Carter, Chick Webb, Rex Stewart, Mac Strittmacher, Eddie South, Hot Lips Page, Zutty Singleton, Louis Armstrong, Herbie Cowens, Bill Coleman, Happy Caldwell, and others ~ Hill passed away in 1964
March 14, 1870 ~ Clara Etta Black, commonly known as vaudeville singer Clarice Vance, born in Ohio, USA ~ Vaudeville performer dubbed “the Southern Singer” enjoyed popularity through the late 1910s ~ Black passed away in 1961
March 14, 1804 ~ Composer Johann Strauss I, full name Johann Baptist Strauss, born in Leopoldstadt, Austria ~ Romantic era composer best known for popularizing waltzes as a viable musical genre ~ Strauss passed away in 1849