March 3, 1997 ~ Singer Camila Cabello born in Cojimar, Cuba ~ Rose to prominence as member of girl group Fifth Harmony through 2016, present on songs such as Worth It featuring Kid Ink and Work From Home featuring Ty Dolla $ign. Also known as a solo artist, releasing her well-received Camila debut album in 2018, and for a number of high-profile collaborations such as I Know What You Did Last Summer with Shawn Mendes, Bad Things with Machine Gun Kelly and Hey Ma with Pitbull
March 3, 1986 ~ Alternative rock, post-hardcore, indie rock singer, guitarist, banjoist, bassist, keyboardist Daniel Anderson, full name Daniel Robert Anderson, born in Bellingham, Washington, USA ~ Co-founding member of alternative rock outfit Idiot Pilot and of electronic dance band Glowbug. Has also worked with the Ghost & the Grace, Ancient Lasers, Hyro The Hero, and others
March 3, 1981 ~ Glam metal, hard rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer Tobias Forge, full name Tobias Jens Forge, born ~ Best known as frontman of Swedish hard rock outfit Ghost, noted for their hooky melodies, dark subject matter, and provocative stage shows. The band is especially acclaimed for their 2015 Meliora album. Although the masked band has been active since the mid-2000s Forge's identity would not be confirmed until 2017, following a lawsuit by former members over a royalty dispute. Forge has also worked with death metal band Repugnant, glam metal outfit Crashdiet, pop rock group Subvision, and alternative rock unit Magna Carta Cartel
March 3, 1977 ~ Singer Ronan Keating, full name Ronan Patrick John Keating, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Rose to fame in the mid-1990s as member of boy band Boyzone, known for hits such as Working My Way Back To You, Love Me For A Reason, Father And Son, Words, A Different Beat, All That I Need, No Matter What, and others. As a solo artist especially known for his 1999 Keith Whitley-cover When You Say Nothing At All, featured in the Notting Hill film. Released his full-length solo debut album, Ronan, the following year
March 3, 1975 ~ Jazz, experimental, avant-garde, indie rock saxophonist, clarinetist, hornist, flutist Colin Stetson born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, the Bell Orchestre, Ex Eye, Tom Waits, Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed, Sinéad O'Connor, the National, Animal Collective, LCD Soundsystem, Hamid Drake, David Byrne, Bill Laswell, Evan Parker, Jolie Holland, the Chemical Brothers, Shahzad Ismaily, My Brightest Diamond, Angélique Kidjo, Kevin Devine, David Gilmour, Anthony Braxton, Sarah Neufeld, Esmerine, Feist, and others
March 3, 1974 ~ Todd Baechle, commonly known as indie rock singer Todd Fink, born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Member of 1990s outfit Commander Venus, present on both the band's albums Do You Feel At Home and Uneventful Vacation. Lead singer of the Faint, which also included his brother drummer Clark Baechle. Married singer Orenda Fink in 2005, whose surname he took. Has also appeared on albums by Bright Eyes, Cursive, Steve Aoki, and Felix Cartal
March 3, 1970 ~ Indie pop, power pop, psychedelic pop singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Tom Morgan, full name Thomas Martin Morgan, born in Maitland, Australia ~ Best known as frontman of indie pop group Smudge, acclaimed for the mid-1990s albums Tea Toast & Turmoil and Manilow. Co-wrote the Lemonheads' Being Around and Style, both of the 1992 It's A Shame About Ray breakthrough album. Has also worked with Sneeze, the Givegoods, Godstar, Tofu Kok, and Bambino Koresh. Morgan issued his Orange Syringe solo debut album in 2013, his wife singer Leticia Nischang providing backing vocals
March 3, 1966 ~ Anthony Terrell Smith, commonly known as rapper, producer, actor Tone Loc, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known for his 1989 hit singles Wild Thing and Funky Cold Medina, both of which reached the Billboard top 10. Also appeared on We're All In The Same Gang, a collaborative single under the moniker West Coast Rap All-Stars which also included Ice-T, Dr Dre, Young MC, Eazy E, MC Hammer and others
March 3, 1960 ~ Singer Lilian Day Jackson born ~ Stepdaughter of iconic jazz drummer Art Blakey. Co-lead singer of early-1980s Dutch disco outfit Spargo along with keyboardist Ellert Driessen, the group known best for songs such as Head Up To The Sky, One Night Affair, Just For You, and Hip Hap Hop. The band's You & Me debut single, noted for its call and response vocals, would reach No.1 in the Netherlands and remains a radio staple to this day ~ Jackson passed away in 2023
March 3, 1959 ~ Jazz guitarist, composer Frode Alnæs born in Kristiansund, Norway ~ Has collaborated with artist such as Morten Harket, Magne Furuholmen, Arild Andersen, Jon Balke, Ole Edvard Antonsen, Ketil Bjørnstad, Henning Sommerro, Ray Charles, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ian Hunter, Bjørn Alterhaug, Sissel Kyrkjebø, Gustav Lorentzen, Jan Erik Vold, and others
March 3, 1953 ~ Singer, songwriter Robyn Hitchcock born in London, UK ~ Influenced by Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Syd Barrett, Captain Beefheart, Bryan Ferry, Roger McGuinn. Fronted psychedelic, folk-rock band the Soft Boys, acclaimed for their 1980 Underwater Moonlight album. Debuted as a solo artist with the 1981 Black Snake Diamond Role album and has recorded to critical acclaim since, at times backed by the Egyptians or Venus 3 which also included REM's Peter Buck. Has also worked with Emma Swift, Grant Lee Buffalo, the Sadies, Andy Partridge, and others
March 3, 1951 ~ Soul, funk, R&B bassist Rustee Allen born in Monroe, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known as bassist for funk outfit Sly & the Family Stone from 1972, replacing Larry Graham, through 1975. Present on the albums Fresh and Small Talk. Allen has also worked with George Clinton, Lenny Williams, the Temptations, and Lighthouse For The Blind. Briefly led his own jazz fusion band, Second Wind, in the late-1970s
March 3, 1950 ~ R&B, jazz fusion guitarist Bruce Conte, full name Bruce Anthony Conte, born in Sanger, California, USA ~ Influenced by Albert King, Grant Green, George Benson, and Jimmy Nolen. Best known as member of Tower Of Power from 1972 through 1979, including on the band's eponymous 1973 Tower Of Power album which spawned the band's best known, the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hit So Very Hard To Go and their signature song What Is Hip ~ Conte passed away in 2021
March 3, 1948 ~ Gary Lachlan Mack, commonly known as news anchor Byron MacGregor, born in Calgary, Canada ~ Scored a fluke hit US top 10 with Americans, a spoken version of a Toronto newspaper commentary by Gordon Sinclair set to the tune of America The Beautiful performed by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Sinclair also recorded a version. MacGregor scored the US hit, peaking at No.4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Sinclair's version would top the Canadian single chart ~ MacGregor passed away in 1995
March 3, 1948 ~ Donat Roy Mittoo, commonly known as keyboardist, singer, songwriter Jackie Mittoo, born in Browns Town, Jamaica ~ Musical director at Studio One Records. Best known as a member of the Skatalites. Also served as a member of the Sheiks, the Soul Brothers, the Soul Vendors, and of Sound Dimension. His song Peanie Wallie was reworked into Duppy Conqueror, made famous by Bob Marley. Co-wrote Armagideon ime, later covered by the Clash. Worked extensively with producer Bunny Lee. Also worked with Sugar Minott, and with Musical Youth ~ Mittoo was born in 1990
March 3, 1947 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Tommy Blom, full name Tommy Albert Blom, born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Co-founding member of Tages, remaining with the band through 1968. Present on most of the band's best known including Tell Me You're Mine, I Should Be Glad, Don't Turn Your Back, The One For You, In My Dreams, Every Raindrop Means A Lot, I'm Going Out, Treat Her Like A Lady, all of which reached top 10 in the band's native Sweden ~ Blom passed away in 2014
March 3, 1947 ~ Soukous singer, songwriter Youlou Mabiala, full name Gilbert Youlou Mabiala, born ~ Dubbed Prince Youlou Mabiala first gained attention as member of pivotal Congolese band TPOK Jazz from 1963 through 1972, for whom he wrote or co-wrote songs such as Celine, Asumani, and Lekwey. Following his departure Mabiala has worked with Lovy du Zaire, Somo Somo, and the Trois Frères
March 3, 1938 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Willie Chambers born in Flora, Mississippi, USA ~ Best known as member of psychedelic soul band the Chamber Brothers, known for incorporating elements of traditional gospel and blues, psychedelica and rock into soul, scoring a Billboard top 20 hit with the eleven-minute single Time Has Come Today in 1968
March 3, 1936 ~ Music critic, author Peter G Davis, full name Peter Graffam Davis, born in Concord, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known as music critic for the magazine New York from 1980 through 2007. Has also worked for the New York Times, Musical America, Opera News. Authored the book The American Opera Singer, released in 1997 ~ Davis passed away in 2021
March 3, 1934 ~ James Emory Garrison, commonly known as jazz bassist Jimmy Garrison, born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Perhaps best known for backing John Coltrane from the early-1960s until Coltrane's death in 1967, including on seminal albums such as My Favorite Things, Impressions, Live At Birdland, and A Love Supreme. Has also appeared on albums by the likes of Kenny Dorham, Philly Joe Jones, Tony Scott (Golden Moments), Lee Konitz (Live At The Half Note), JR Monterose, Eric Dolphy (Outward Bound), Cal Massey, Ted Curson, Ornette Coleman (The Art Of The Improvisers), Sonny Rollins, Alice Coltrane, Elvin Jones, Archie Shepp (Attica Blues), and Beaver Harris ~ Garrison passed away in 1976
March 3, 1930 ~ Jazz pianist, composer, arranger Bob Hammer, full name Howard Robert Hammer, born in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Red Allen, Bud Freeman, Bob Wilber, Roy Eldridge, Gene Krupa, Eddie Condon, Pee Wee Russell, Jimmy Knepper, Johnny Hartman, Woody Herman, Clark Terry, Elvin Jones, Cozy Cole, and with Charles Mingus, the latter calling Hammer “his Ludwig van Beethoven”
March 3, 1928 ~ Hard-bop double bassist, arranger Pierre Michelot born in Paris, France ~ Studied piano. Switched to bass at ge 16. Worked with Rex Stewart, Kenny Clarke, Coleman Hawkins, Sidney Bechet, Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli, Don Byas, Thelonious Monk, Lester Young, Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz, Bud Powell, Zoot Sims, Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker, Miles Davis (Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud), Jacques Loussier, and others ~ Michelot passed away in 2005
March 3, 1927 ~ Ska, rocksteady, reggae saxophonist Tommy McCook born in Havana, Cuba ~ Co-founding member of pivotal ska band the Skatalites. Also closely associated with renowned producers Duke Reid and Bunny Lee, sessioning with numerous artist through either of the two producers. Has also notably worked with Coxsone Dodd, Yabby You, Toots & the Maytals, and with Herbie Mann on the albums Reggae and its follow-up Reggae II ~ McCook passed away in 1998
March 3, 1925 ~ Tenor saxophonist, trumpeter Herbert Hardesty born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for his association with pianist Fats Domino and producer Dave Bartholomew. Has also worked with artists such as Papa Celestin, Sidney Desvigne, Chick Webb, Chubby Newsom, Earl Palmer, Ernest McLean, Cosimo Matassa, Jewel King, Tommy Ridgley, Lloyd Price (sax on Lawdy Miss Clawdy), Shirley & Lee, Smiley Lewis, T-Bone Walker, Big Joe Turner, Little Richard, Hank Jones, Count Basie, Tom Waits, Plas Johnson, and Mitch Woods ~ Hardesty passed away in 2016
March 3, 1923 ~ Arthel Lane Watson, commonly known as guitarist Doc Watson, born in Deep Gap, North Carolina, USA ~ Iconic, prolific picker drawing from various traditional American styles including bluegrass, folk, country, blues and gospel. Worked with T Michael Coleman, Randy Scruggs, Earl Scruggs, David Holt, Jack Lawrence, Tommy Emmanuel, Clint Howard, Chet Atkins, Bill Monroe, David Grisman, Del McCoury, Mac Wiseman, Ricky Skaggs, and with his son Merle Watson ~ Watson passed away in 2012
March 3, 1920 ~ Songwriter, lyricist, guitarist Hubert Giraud, full name Hubert Yves Adrian Giraud, born in Marseille, France ~ Played with Django Reinhardt's the Quintette du Hot Club, Ray Ventura and with Jacques Hélian. As a songwriter best known for co-authoring, with Pierre Delanoë, the song Dors Mon Amour, the 1958 Eurovision Songfestival winner performed by André Claveau ~ Giraud passed away in 2016
March 3, 1917 ~ Ismael Morales, commonly known as saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Esy Morales, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico ~ Noted for appearing on several of Xavier Cugat's albums. Formed the Brothers Morales Orchestra with his siblings Humberto Morales and Noro Morales. Led his own the Esy Morales Orchestra, perhaps best known for appearing in several movies including performing Jungle Fantasy in the 1949 Criss-Cross film ~ Morales passed away in 1950
March 3, 1906 ~ Albany Leon Bigard, commonly known as jazz clarinetist, saxophonist Barney Bigard, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ In the early-1920s played with King Oliver, usually on saxophone. Bigard is best known however for his 15-year tenure with Duke Ellington starting in 1927. He is also credited as composer or co-composer on several numbers, including the Ellington standard Mood Indigo. Was the one who recommended Duke to hire Johnny Hodges. Post-Ellington Bigard did soundtrack work for Hollywood, including with Louis Armstrong. Toured with trombonist Kid Ory in the late-1940s. Bigard also recorded under his own name. Sat in with the Glenn Miller Orchestra on some of their best known such as Moonlight Serenade and Tuxedo Junction. Wrote an autobiography titled With Louis And The Duke. ~ Bigard passed away in 1980
March 3, 1906 ~ Big band, jazz singer, saxophonist Kenny Sargent, full name Laurel Kenneth Sargent, born in Centralia, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as lead vocalist, saxophonist for the Casa Loma Orchestra, enjoying popularity in the 1930s and 1940s. Present on some of the band's best known including The Talk Of The Town, Blue Moon, City Called Heaven, and When I Grow Too Old To Dream. Sargent retired from the band in 1943 to pursue a career as a radio host starting with Memphis-based WHHM, remaining active in radio with Tennessee and Texas stations throughout the 1960s ~ Sargent passed away in 1969
March 3, 1905 ~ Jazz keyboardist, saxophonist, violinist Fernand Coppieters born in Brussels, Belgium ~ Father of jazz pianist Francis Coppieters. Wored with Bistroulle-ADO, the Red Mills Ragtime Band, the Rhytmic Novelty Dance Orchestra, Fud Candrix, René Compère, Robert de Kers, Oscar Alemán, Josephine Baker, Roland Dorsay, Willie Lewis, and others ~ Coppieters passed away in 1981
March 3, 1893 ~ Blues singer, guitarist William Moore born in Dover, Georgia, USA ~ Bridged ragtime and blues. Best known for his late-1920s recordings for Paramount Records. Well-known songs include One Way Gal, Ragtime Millionaire, and Old Country Rock. Moore's songs have been covered by the likes of Lightnin' Wells, John Fahey, and the Notting Hillbillies ~ Moore passed away in 1951
March 3, 1891 ~ Composer, conductor, theatrical impresario Federico Moreno Torroba born in Madrid, Spain ~ Regarded as one of the leading 20th century composers for the classical guitar. Praised as composer of zarzuelas, a form of Spanish light opera, noted for his 1932 Luisa Fernanda. Has also composed ballets, symphonies, piano works and one full-length opera, El Poeta which premiered in 1980 featuring Plácido Domingo ~ Torroba passed away in 1982
March 3, 1812 ~ Composer, pianist Alexander Ivanovich Dubuque born in Moscow, Russia ~ Known for works such as Ne Brani Menya Rodnaya. Mentor of Mily Balakirev and Nikolai Zverev ~ Dubuque passed away in 1898