March 4, 1996 ~ Mutiat Yewande Isola, commonly known as Christian hip-hop rapper Wande, born in Nigeria ~ Independently released a number of singles during the 2010s leading up to signing with Reach, making her the first female to be signed to the Christian hip hop label. Released her Exit debut EP in 2020. Has guested on recordings by D-Flow, Joey Vantes, V Rose, TobyMac, and 116 Clique
March 4, 1979 ~ Jazz, blues guitarist, composer Stein Urheim born in Bergen, Norway ~ Closely associated with singer Mari Kvien Brunvoll, having released a number of critically acclaimed duet albums starting with 2011's Daydream Community. Has also recorded as a solo artist and has collaborated with Steady Steele, Bearfarm, and Solar Plexus
March 4, 1977 ~ Rock, indie rock drummer Jeremiah Green, full name Jeremiah Martin Green, born in Oahu, Hawaii, USA ~ Founding member of indie rock outfit Modest Mouse, active with the band since 1993 with a brief hiatus in 2003 and 2004. Has previously worked with Satisfact, Red Stars Theory, Peeved. Later collaborations include Vells and Psychic Emperor ~ Green passed away in 2022
March 4, 1977 ~ Indie rock, punk rock, emo, post-rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer, songwriter Mike Kinsella born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as lead singer, guitarist of emo band American Football. Drummed for Cap'n Jazz, which he co-founded with his brother singer Tim Kinsella. Has also worked with Joan Of Arc, Kyle Fischer, Rainer Maria, the Love Of Everything, Crissi Cochrane, and has recorded over a dozen albums as a solo artist going by the moniker Owen
March 4, 1975 ~ Ryan Corrigan, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Hawksley Workman, born in Huntsville, Canada ~ Released his solo debut album, For Him And The Girls, in 1999 and has recorded to critical acclaim since. Known for his blend of cabaret pop and glam rock. Close to a dozen albums to his name. Drew comparisons to Tom Waits, Rheostatics, Harry Nilsson. Also known as producer working with artists such as John Southworth, the Cash Brothers, Tegan & Sara, Sarah Slean, Serena Ryder, Jeremy Fisher, Carleton Stone, and others
March 4, 1975 ~ Jazz double bassist, drummer, composer Mats Eilertsen born in Trondheim, Norway ~ Worked with the Maria Kannegaard Trio, Ola Kvemberg, Nils Okland, Eldbjørg Raknes, the Anders Aarum Trio, Eirik Hegdal, Sverre Gjørvad, the Nymark Collective, SKRUK, the Jazzmob, the Dingobats, the Hakon Kornstad Trio, Food, Iain Ballamy, the Jacob Young Band, Solveig Slettahjell, the Håvard Wilk Trio, the Jazzcode, and others
March 4, 1973 ~ Linus Dotson, commonly known as pop punk, alternative rock, power pop singer, guitarist, drummer, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Linus of Hollywood, born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Recorded as a solo artist, starting with Your Favorite Record released in 1999. Member of Size 14, Jannus, Palmdale, Nerf Herder. Has also collaborated with Margo Guryan, Paul Gilbert, Tim Burgess, Mis-Teeq, the Charlatans, the Darling Thieves, MC Lars, Bowling For Soup, and others
March 4, 1972 ~ Pop, indie pop singer Alison Wheeler born ~ Best known as member of the Beautiful South from 2003 until the band's initial disbandement in 2007, present on the albums Gaze, Golddiggas Headnoddders And Pholk Songs, and Superbi. Wheeler was jokingly dubbed Allison “Lady” Wheeler by her bandmates who felt that her demeanour and education at the Trinity College, Cambridge, was in contract to the band's trademark working-class Northern image. Wheeler has also worked with Virginia, Topers, and Action Amanda, recorded as a solo artist, and with a reformed incarnation of the Beautiful South
March 4, 1972 ~ Martha Ivelisse Pesante Rodriguez, commonly known as reggaeton singer, rapper, songwriter, actress Ivy Queen, born in Anasco, Puerto Rico ~ First gained attention as a member of loose collective the Noise. Debuted as a solo artist in 1996 with the album En Mi Imperio. Best known for songs such as Quiero Bailar, Cuentale, Te He Querido Te He Llorado and Dime. Has collaborated with Domingo Quiñones, Dark Latin Groove, George Lamond, Nina Sky, Pitbull, Cosculluela, María José, Bad Bunny, and others
March 4, 1971 ~ Singer, songwriter Jason Sellers born in Gilmer, Texas, USA ~ Married to singer Lee Ann Womack from 1991 to 1997. Backed Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, and Billy Joe Royal. As a solo artist best known for songs such as I'm Your Man, Matter Of Time and This Small Divide, the latter a duet with Martina McBride. Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by Lonestar, Kenny Chesney, Montgomery Gentry (Some People Change), Pam Tillis, Wade Hayes, Aaron Lines (You Can't Hide Beautiful), Mark Chesnutt, Sarah Johns (The One In The Middle, He Hates Me), Phil Stacey, Keith Anderson, Reba McEntire (Strange), Jason Aldean, Kelly Clarkson (I Won't Let Go), Rascal Flatts, Thompson Square, Joe Nichols (Sunny And 75), Kristy Lee Cook, Randy Houser, and others
March 4, 1967 ~ Singer, guitarist, pianist Evan Dando, full name Evan Griffith Dando, born in Essex, Massachusetts, USA ~ Best known as the Lemonheads frontman with a brief pause after a row with bandmate Ben Deily. Also performs and records as a solo artist and has collaborated with Nic Dalton, Tom Morgan, Juliana Hatfield, the Blake Babies, MC5, and others
March 4, 1966 ~ Maxwell Dixon, commonly known as MC, rapper Grand Puba, born in New Rochelle, New York, USA ~ Best known as member of pivotal hip-hop groups Masters Of Ceremony and Brand Nubian, departing from the latter after their 1990 One For All debut album to rejoin by the end of the decade. Released his Reel To Reel solo debut album in 1992. Has guested on recordings by Handsome Boy Modeling School, Beanie Sigel, Missy Elliott, Ugly Duckling, and others.
March 4, 1965 ~ Alternative, post-rock guitarist, pianist, film composer John Murphy born in Liverpool, UK ~ Active since the 1980s, initially as a musician working with the likes of the Lotus Eaters, Thomas Lang, Claudia Brücken. Would go on to become an in-demand film composer, well known soundtracks including films such as Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels, Miami Vice and Kick-Ass
March 4, 1963 ~ Heavy metal, hard rock bassist Jason Newsted, full name Jason Curtis Newsted, born in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA ~ Best known as member of Metallica from 1986 through 2001. Has also worked with Flotsam & Jetsam, Echobrain, Ozzy Osbourne, Voivod, and fronted his own band Newsted from 2012 to 2014
March 4, 1955 ~ Rowland Charles Gould, commonly known as guitarist, bassist, saxophonist, singer Boon Gould born in Shanklin, UK ~ Best known as lead guitarist and co-founding member of Level 42. Medical reasons caused Boon to depart the band in 1988, having played on all the band's albums up to and including the 1987 album Running In The Family. Brother of drummer and bandmate Phil Gould ~ Gould passed away in 2019
March 4, 1955 ~ Jazz double bassist Michael Bisio born in Troy, New York, USA ~ Leader or co-leader on well over a dozen albums, starting with In Seattle released in 1987. In-demand sideman. Film composer, notably writing the score for Strings and Beat Angel. Closely associated with Matthew Shipp. Also a frequent collaborator of Joe McPhee
March 4, 1954 ~ Jazz tenor saxophonist Ricky Ford born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Sideman and leader. Worked with Gunther Schuller, Mercer Ellington, Charles Mingus, Dannie Richmond, Lionel Hampton, the Mingus Dynasty, Abdullah Ibrahim, Mal Waldron, Yusef Lateef, Sonny Stitt, McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Amina Claudine Myers, Sathima Bea Benjamin, Steve Lacy, and others.
March 4, 1953 ~ Bachata, Latin pop, dance pop, club-dance accordionist, songwriter, producer Emilio Estefan, full name Emilia Estefan Gomez, born in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba ~ Rose to fame as member of the Miami Sound Machine backing his wife singer Gloria Estefan. As a producer and songwriter known for his work with Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Jon Secada, Thalia and Marc Anthony
March 4, 1953 ~ Pop, lo-fi, indie pop singer, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, mandolinist, songwriter, poet, author, columnist Martin Newell born in Essex, UK ~ As a solo artist best known for his 1993 The Greatest Living Englishman album produced by XTC's Andy Partridge. Also worked with Cleaners From Venus, the Brotherhood Of Lizards, Gypp, and others
March 4, 1951 ~ Pop, rock singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Chris Rea, full name Christopher Anton Rea, born in Middlebrough, UK ~ Active since the 1970s. Regularly hits the charts starting in the early-1980s, mostly in the UK and continental Europe. Known in the US for his 1978 single Fool If You Think It's Over, a Billboard top 20 hit, and for the Christmas classic Driving Home For Christmas. Other well known songs include I Can Hear Your Heartbeat, Josephine, On The Beach, Looking For The Summer, and If You Were Me, the latter a duet with Elton John
March 4, 1950 ~ Guitarist Billy Gibbons, full name William Frederick Gibbons, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Founding member of rock, blues-rock outfit ZZ Top, known for songs such as La Grange, Tush, Gimme All Your Lovin', Legs, Sleeping Bag, and Rough Boy. Previously fronted psychedelic rock band Moving Sidewalks, known for their sole Flash album released in 1968 and noted for opening for opening for Jimi Hendrix on his first American tour. Gibbons has also guested on recordings by Revolting Cocks, Vivian Campbell, the Queens Of The Stone Age, BB King, Nickelback, Hank Williams III, Les Paul, Kid Rock, Ronnie Dunn, and Gov't Mule
March 4, 1948 ~ Bassist Chris Squire, full name Christopher Russell Edward Squire, born in Kingsbury, UK ~ Best known as founding member and sole bassist of Yes for 47 years, retiring from the band shortly before his death. Previously a member of the Selfs. Influenced by John Entwistle, Jack Bruce, Larry Graham, and by Bill Wyman ~ Squire passed away in 2015
March 4, 1948 ~ Keyboardist, songwriter, producer Michael Moran born in Leeds, UK ~ First gained attention co-writing Rock Bottom with Lynsey de Paul, the latter performing the song at the 1977 Eurovision Songfestival representing England and reaching 2nd place
March 4, 1947 ~ Classical, jazz, world music saxophonist Jan Garbarek born in Mysen, Norway ~ Father of singer, songwriter Anja Garbarek. Leader and sideman. Worked with Keith Jarrett, Ralph Towner, Trilok Gurtu, Zakir Hussain, Eleni Karaindrou, Manu Katché, Karin Krog, Art Lande, Gary Peacock, George Russell, Eberhard Weber, Charlie Haden, Kenny Wheeler, Miroslav Vitous, and others
March 4, 1944 ~ Singer, songwriter Bobby Womack, full name Robert Dwayne Womack, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Sang lead in sibling group the Valentinos, known for It's All Over Now, later covered by the Rolling Stones. Backed Sam Cooke on guitar. As a solo artist best known for songs such as That's The Way I Feel About You, Woman's Gotta Have It, Across 110th Street, If You Think You're Lonely Now, and I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much. Worked with Joe Tex, the Box Tops, Aretha Franklin, Gábor Szabó, Sly & the Family Stone, Janis Joplin, Ronnie Wood, Wilton Felder, Patrick Moten, Patti Labelle (notably the duet hit Love Has Finally Come At Last), Ronald Isley, the Manhattans, June Yamagishi, Allen Toussaint, Diane Schuur, Shirley Brown, Andrew Love, Wayne Jackson, Jeanie Tracy, Todd Rundgren, Blur's Damon Albarn (co-produced Womack's 2012 album The Bravest Man In The Universe), Stevie Wonder, Snoop Dogg, Rod Stewart, Van Morrison, and Rudimental ~ Womack passed away in 2014
March 4, 1942 ~ Keyboardist David Matthews born in Sonora, Kentucky, USA ~ Leads the Manhattan Jazz Quintet. Arranger and bandleader for James Brown starting in the early-1970s. Staff arranger for CTI Records. Has worked with artists such as George Benson, Grover Washington Jr, Hank Crawford, Patti Austin, Ron Carter, Art Farmer, Grant Green, Bonnie Raitt, Yusef Lateef, Blue Mitchell, Idris Muhammad, Nina Simone, Fuse One, and others
March 4, 1942 ~ Glroia Lee Sickal, commonly known as southern gospel singer, songwriter Gloria Gaither, born in Battle Creek, Michigan, USA ~ Married to Southern gospel icon Bill Gaither, with whom she also sang in the Bill Gaither Trio starting in 1964 and notably as lyricist, songwriting partner. The pair have written over an estimated 600 songs recorded by the likes of David Crowder, the Cathedrals Quartet, the Imperials, the Heritage Singers, the Statler Brothers and Elvis Presley
March 4, 1941 ~ Jazz, new-age cellist, composer David Darling born in Elkhart, Indiana, USA ~ Over a dozen albums to his name, drawing from classical, jazz, Brazilian, African, and Indian music. Darling is also known as a film composer, notably scoring the soundtracks to Child's Play, Heat, and Notre Musique, and as an in-demand collaborator, having worked with artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Paul Winter, Ralph Towner, Spyro Gyra, Ketil Bjørnstad, Terje Rypdal, and Pierre Favre ~ Darling passed away in 2021
March 4, 1937 ~ Jazz saxophonist, composer Barney Wilen, full name Barney Jean Wilen, born in Nice, France ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Miles Davis (Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud), Kenny Clarke, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey's the Jazz Messengers, Bud Powell, Chet Baker, Jay Cameron, Franco Cerri, Gil Cuppini, Leo Ferré, George Gruntz, Lars Gullin, Roy Haynes, Sacha Distel, Marie Möör, Stevie Nicks, Jacques Pelzer, François Tusques, and René Urtreger ~ Wilen passed away in 2006
March 4, 1934 ~ Singer, actress Barbara McNair, full name Barbara Jean McNair, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Jazz, nightclub singer best known for her 1958 debut single Till There Was You. Toured with Nat King Cole. Starred in early-1960s Broadway shows, notably I'm With You. Would focus on acting in films and TV from the 1970s onwards ~ McNair passed away in 2007
March 4, 1934 ~ Laila Sinikka Soppi, commonly known as singer Laila Halme, born ~ Represented her native Finland at the 1963 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching tied thirteenth place with the song Muistojeni Laulu (The Song Of My Memories). The other contestant reaching thirteenth place was Annie Palmen, who represented the Netherlands with Een Speeldoos ~ Soppi passed away in 2021
March 4, 1933 ~ Johanna Rafalowicz, commonly known as jazz singer Ann Burton, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Alongside Rita Reys and Greetje Kauffeld considered one of the premier postwar Dutch jazz singers. Best known for her 1967 Blue Burton album. Over the course of her career, Burton has worked with Johnny Millston, Ted Powder, Pia Beck, Gijs Hendriks, Masahiko Sato, Ken McCarthy, Grady Tate, and Buster Williams ~ Rafalowicz passed away in 1989
March 4, 1932 ~ Zenzile Miriam Makeba, commonly known as singer, activist Miriam Makeba, born in Johannesburg, South Africa ~ Dubbed “Mama Africa” and considered an icon of African jazz, also well known as a fierce activist. Actively performing since the mid-1950s with acts such as the Cuban Brothers, Manhattan Brothers, and the all-female unit the Skylarks. A role in the 1959 Come Back Africa anti-apartheids film would gain her enough exposure to set her off on an international career. Has recorded well over a dozen albums, starting in the early-1960s. Shared a Grammy Award with mentor Harry Belafonte for the 1965 collaborative An Evening With Belafonte And Makeba album. Also especially noted for her 1967 Pata Pata album. Its Billboard Hot 100 top 20 title track, written by Makeba and Jerry Ragovoy, became a signature song and would be covered by over 50 artists ~ Makeba passed away in 2008
March 4, 1930 ~ Neoclassical, experimental composer Robert William Witt born in Youngstown, Ohio, USA ~ Married to colorature soprano singer Eva Mondrut. Mentored by Vincent Persichetti. Well known for integrating old themes into new works. Best known for the works Divertimento For Three Woodwinds, Te Deum For Chorus And Brass Quintet and Sonatina No.1 ~ Witt passed away in 1967
March 4, 1929 ~ Conductor, violinist Bernard Haitink, full name Bernard Johan Herman Haitink, born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands ~ Internationally acclaimed conductor. Worked with the Concertgebouw Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Opera House, the Staatskapelle Dresden, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra ~ Haitink passed away in 2021
March 4, 1929 ~ Jacqueline Nash, commonly known as singer, actress Gale Sherwood, born ~ Performed with Nelson Eddy from 1953 until his death in 1967. Starred in a number of musical productions for stage, notably a 1967 production of Show Boat with the Los Angeles Light Civic Opera, and for screen including They Shall Have Music, Let's Make Music and the 1955 TV operetta The Desert Song ~ Nash passed away in 2017
March 4, 1926 ~ Jazz saxophonist, flutist, clarinetist, arranger Don Rendell born in Plymouth, UK ~ Son of Percy Rendell who was musical director for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. Leader and sideman. Rendell worked with artists such as George Evans, Oscar Rabin, Johnny Dankworth, Billie Holiday, Tony Crombie, Ted Heath, Stan Kenton, Tony Kinsey, Woody Herman, Ian Carr, Barbara Thompson, Michael Garrick, Brian Priestley, Neil Ardley, Kenny Graham, Richard Hewson, Jutta Hipp, Cyril Stapleton, Stan Tracey, Guy Warren, Amancio d'Silva, and others ~ Rendell passed away in 2015
March 4, 1925 ~ Composer, conductor Paul Mauriat born in Marseille, France ~ Closely associated with French icons Charles Aznavour and Maurice Chevalier. Composed with collaborators such as Andre Pascal, Frank Pourcel, Jacques Plante, Raymond Lefèvre. Internationally best known for songs such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Love In Every Room, and for his late-1960s American No.1 hit record Love Is Blue (l'Amour Est Bleu), originally by André Popp ~ Mauriat passed away in 2006
March 4, 1921 ~ Composer, electronic pioneer Halim El-Dabh, full name Halim Abdul Messieh El-Dabh, born in Cairo, Egypt ~ Early pioneer of electronic music, experimenting with sound manipulation, or musique concrete, as early as the 1940s incorporating everyday sounds, reverberation, echo chambers and voltage controls in works such as The Expression Of Zaar ~ El-Dabh passed away in 2017
March 4, 1878 ~ Songwriter, pianist Egbert Van Alstyne, full name Egbert Anson Van Alstyne, born in Marengo, Illinois, USA ~ Co-wrote songs such Pretty Baby (the Emerson Military Band, Morton Harvey, Sammy Kaye), Memories (John Barnes Wells, the Southerners, Gene Austin), Beautiful Love (Victor Young, Anita O'Day, Shirley Horn), and Drifting And Dreaming (George Olsen, Jack Denny, the Chordettes) ~ Van Alstyne passed away in 1951
March 4, 1678 ~ Composer, violinist, priest Antonio Vivaldi, full name Antonio Lucio Vivaldi, born in Venice, Italy ~ Baroque composer influential on Johann Sebastian Bach. Virtuoso violinist. Composed over 40 operas. Also known for his concertos and choral works. Perhaps best remembered for his violin concertos, most notably The Four Seasons ~ Vivaldi passed away in 1741