March 7, 2024 ~ Sidney Liebowitz, commonly known as singer, actor Steve Lawrence, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Formed the husband-wife duo Steve & Eydie with Eydie Gormé, known for songs such as We Got Us, I Want To Stay Here and I Can't Stop Talking About You. Both Gormé and Lawrence enjoyed parrallel solo careers, Lawrence regularly reaching the higher echelons of the charts with songs such as Go Away Little Girl, Pretty Blue Eyes, Footsteps and Party Doll. Lawrence appeared in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers, portraying the role of Maury Sline, manager and friend of the band ~ Liebowitz was born in 1935
March 7, 2021 ~ Pianist Dmitri Bashkirov, full name Dmitri Aleksandrovich Bashkirov, passed away in Madrid, Spain ~ First gained attention in 1955 winning the Marguerite Long Piano Competition in Paris. Would go on to perform with renowned orchestras such as the Gewandhaus Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and others ~ Bashkirov was born in 1931
March 7, 2021 ~ Joseph Kiambukuta Londa, commonly known as singer, songwriter Josky Kiambukuta, passed away in Kinshasa, Congo ~ Longtime member of TPOK Jazz, joining the ensemble in 1973. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Chandra, Fariya, KSK, and Bimansha. Has also worked with African Fiesta Sukisa, notably on the track Sadi Naboyi Masume, L'African Jazz, Bana OK, and recorded as a solo artist ~ Kiambukuta was born in 1949
March 7, 2021 ~ Death metal, groove metal singer Lars-Göran Petrov passed away ~ Influenced by Iron Maiden, Bathory, Mercyful Fate, Voivod. First gained attention as drummer in extreme metal band Morbid, then fronted by singer the Dead. Would go on to work with Nihilist, from which he was fired for making a pass at the girlfriend of bandmate drummer Nicke Andersson. Rejoined the band in 1992, now renamed to Entombed. Also served as lead singer of metal supergroup Firespawn from 2012 until his death ~ Petrov was born in 1972
March 7, 2021 ~ Jazz, free jazz, avant-garde jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Mark Whitecage passed away ~ Recorded well over a dozen albums as a leader, especially noted for the late-1990s albums Consensual Tension and Split Personality. Married to clarinetist Rozanne Levine, with whom he also worked. Regular collaborator of Gunter Hampel including on the acclaimed albums All The Things You Could Be If Charles Mingus Was Your Daddy and Celestial Glory. Other notable associations include Paul Bley, Annette Peacock (I'm The One), Saheb Sarbib, Soren Anders, Michael Jefry Stevens, Dominic Duval, the Fonda-Stevens Group, Joseph Scianni (Moon Flower), Marshall Allen, Anthony Braxton, the Nu-Band, and Dom Minasi (Quick Response) ~ Whitecage was born in 1937
March 7, 2020 ~ Folk singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Laura Smith passed way in Mahone Bay, Canada ~ Best known for her 1995 single Shade Of Your Love and for her rendition of the traditional folk song My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean, retitled simply to My Bonnie. Smith also recorded a version of the latter with the Chieftains, who included the track on their 1998 Fire In The Kitchen compilation album ~ Smith was born in 1952
March 7, 2019 ~ Producer, arranger Raymond Donnez passed away ~ Cult hero among Eurodisco fans. Played keys on several Cerrone tracks including on Love In C-Minor. Produced Santa Esmeralda's hit cover Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood. Served as conductor for Eurovision Songfestival in 1974, 1976 and 1977 ~ Donnez was born in 1942
March 7, 2017 ~ Composer Francis Thorne, full name Francis Burritt Thorne Jr, passed away ~ Jazz-influenced contemporary classical composer best known for his Elegy For Orchestra premiered in 1964 by the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of Eugene Ormandy. One the first classical composers to write specifically for electric guitar and electric bass guitar ~ Thorne was born in 1922
March 7, 2013 ~ Trumpeter, singer, bandleader Kenny Ball, full name Kenneth Daniel Ball, passed away in Basilden, UK ~ Known for songs such as Samantha, Midnight In Moscow and The March Of The Siamese Children. Worked with Sid Phillips, Charlie Galbraith, Eric Delaney, Terry Lightfoot, the Jazzmen, Don Lushner, John Bennet, Andy Cooper, Ron Weatherbun, Johnny Parker, Hugh Ledigo, Paddy Lightfoot, Ron Bowden, Vic Pitt, John Benson, John Fenner, and others ~ Ball was born in 1930
March 7, 2013 ~ Peter William Brockbanks, commonly known as keyboardist, guitarist Peter Banks, passed away in Chipping Barnet, UK ~ Important figure in early days of progressive rock. Original guitarist of Yes, remaining with the band through 1970 leaving shortly before the release of their Time And A Word sophomore album. Has also worked with the Devil's Disciples, the Syn, Neat Change, After The Fire, the Flash, Empire, David Cross, Pete Townshend, Ant-Bee, and others ~ Brockbanks was born in 1947
March 7, 2009 ~ Composer André Casanova, full name André Marcel Charles Casanova, passed away in Paris, France ~ Merged romantic spirit with modernity of style. Composed operas, orchestral, chamber and choral music ~ Casanova was born in 1919
March 7, 2009 ~ Singer, actor Jimmy Boyd, full name Jimmy Devon Boyd, passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Known for his 1952 hit I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. Boyd was 13 at the time. Would go on to work with Mitch Miller, Frankie Laine, Rosemary Clooney, Gayla Peevey, Leon Russell, Snuff Garrett, and others ~ Boyd was born in 1939
March 7, 2000 ~ Julius Frank Anthony Kuczynski, commonly known as country singer, accordionist, fiddler, songwriter Pee Wee King, passed away in Louisville, Kentucky, USA ~ Introduced waltzes, polka and cowboy songs to country music. Co-wrote The Tennessee Waltz with Redd Stewart, which would become a country standard covered by numerous artists including Patti Page. Also co-wrote Slow Poke, You Belong To Me and others ~ Kuczynski was born in 1914
March 7, 1999 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Lowell Fulson passed away in Long Beach, California, USA ~ Pivotal 1940s, 1950s West Coast blues singer, guitarist. Known for songs such as Three O'Clock Blues, Every Day I Have The Blues, Blue Shadows, Lonesome Christmas, Reconsider Baby (covered by Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton, and by Joe Bonamassa), Tramp (covered as a duet version by Otis Redding and Carla Thomas), and Sinner's Prayer ~ Fulson was born in 1921
March 7, 1997 ~ Poet, writer, playwright, lyricist, songwriter Agnieszka Osiecka passed away in Warsaw, Poland ~ Daughter of pianist, composer Wiktor Osiecki. In her own right considered a cultural icon having co-written over an estimated 2,000 songs, collaborating with composers such as Krzysztof Komeda, Seweryn Krajewski, Adam Slawinski, and Zygmunt Konieczny. Of her lyrics Osiecka would comment “I am a journalist, that is why some of my songs are reports which rhyme.” Well known songs co-written by Osiecka include Ballada Wagonowa, Malgoska and Diabel I Raj all recorded by Maryla Rodowicz and Port Piratów recorded by Czerwone Gitary ~ Osiecka was born in 1936
March 7, 1991 ~ Tenor saxophonist Al Klink passed away in Bradenton, Florida, USA ~ Played with Glenn Miller in the early-1940s, including on In The Mood. Moved on to work with Benny Goodman and Tommy Dorsey. Served under Doc Severinsen as a member of the NBC Tonight Show Band. Resurfaced as a member of the World's Greatest Jazz Band. Played with Glenn Zottola and George Masso. Retired to Florida in the mid-1980s ~ Klink was born in 1915
March 7, 1989 ~ Christopher Jerrod Dooley Jr, commonly known as rapper Hurricane Chris, born in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA ~ Debuted with the album 51/50 Ratchet in 2006, its lead single the Phunk Dawg-produced A Bay Bay reaching the Billboard top 10. Dooley would be arrested for second-degree murder in 2020
March 7, 1989 ~ Jazz vibraphonist, pianist, saxophonist Karel Velebný passed away in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Considered one of the premier figures in modern Czech jazz during the second half of the 20th century. Leader and sideman. Has worked with Karel Krautgartner, co-founded Studio 5 with contrabassist Ludek Hulan, co-founded SHQ with flutist Jan Konopásek, and worked with artists such as Gustav Brom, Jiri Stivin, Frantisek Uhlir, Rudolf Dasek, and Josef Vejvoda ~ Velebný was born in 1931
March 7, 1988 ~ Jazz guitarist David Aleksander Sjølie born in Kongsberg, Norway ~ Married to jazz singer Anja Eline Skybakmoen, with whom he has also worked on her albums We're The Houses and Echo. Has also worked with Bendik Bansaas, Ine Hoem, Mopti, and Lise Hvoslef
March 7, 1987 ~ Entela Fureraj, commonly known as singer Eleni Foureira, born in Fier, Albania ~ First gained attention as member of girl group Mystique, joining the band in 2007. Active as a solo singer since the band disbanded in 2009, releasing her eponymous Eleni Foureira debut album in 2010. Internationally perhaps best known for representing Cyprus at the 2018 Eurovision Songfestival, reaching 2nd place with Fuego. The song would also be Fereira's first Greek No.1 hit. Subsequent singles such as Caramela, Tomame, Loquita featuring Claydee would also top the Greek charts
March 7, 1987 ~ Molly Decima Ure, commonly known as pop rock singer, guitarist Molly Lorenne, born ~ Lead singer, lead guitarist for all-female trio the Faders alongside bassist, rhythm guitarist Toy Valentine and drummer Cherisse Osei, known best for their 2005 UK top 20 hit No Sleep Tonight of their sole Plug In And Play album
March 7, 1984 ~ Producer, engineer, visual artist Alex Somers born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA ~ Formed the ambient duo Jónsi & Alex with Jónsi, with whom he recorded the album Riceboy Sleeps in 2009. Somers has co-produced several of Sigur Rós's albums including Valtari and Kveikur. Other collaborations include Parachutes, Pascal Pinon, Death Vessel, and Gordi
March 7, 1979 ~ Drummer Neal Morgan born ~ Best known for his association with Joanna Newsom and Bill Callahan. Has also released a number of solo recordings, starting with 2009's To The Breathing World, and has collaborated with Robin Pecknold, and Morgan Henderson
March 7, 1977 ~ Country singer Barbara Mandrell releases Married But Not To Each Other, lifted off her Midnight Angel album ~ The song had been a solid R&B hit for Denise Lasalle the previous year, whose original reached No.3 Billboard R&B. The song discusses both sides of a couple's struggle to hide their extra-marital affair to avoid hurting each other's feelings. Mandrell, known among others for her sweet tooth for R&B having previously covered songs such as Otis Redding's I've Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) and Aretha Franklin's Do Right Woman Do Right Man, would take a crack at the song. It would become the highest-charting single of her career up till that point, peaking at No.3 Billboard Country
March 7, 1977 ~ Pop, dance-pop singer, actor Paul Cattermole, full name Paul Gerald Cattermole, born in St Albans, UK ~ Member of S Club 7 from 1998 through 2002, present on songs such as Bring It All Back, S Club Party, Never Had A Dream Come True and Don't Stop Movin' ~ Cattermole passed away in 2023
March 7, 1976 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist, singer Mark Kelson born in Melbourne, Australia ~ First gained attention as member of doom metal band Cryptal Darkness, remaining with the band until its dissolution in 2002. Subsequently rose to notoriety as co-founding member of the Eternal. Has also worked with Duncan Patterson, present on the 2011 The Brink debut album of Patterson's band Alternative 4. Sessioned and toured with avant-garde metal outfit Virgin Black
March 7, 1971 ~ Saxophonist, flutist Harold McNair passed away in London, UK ~ Played a calypso singer in the 1958 Island Women film and released a Calypso jazz album, 1960's Bahama Bash, before relocating to England. Toured Europe with Quincy Jones, landed a regular gig at the noted Ronnie Scott's jazz club. Known for a handful of jazz, jazz fusion albums from the mid-1960s through the 1970s, notably 1965's Affectionate Fink which featured David Izenzon and Charles Moffett and 1968's eponymous Harold McNair which contained his best known composition The Hipster. McNair was also an in-demand sideman for non-jazz artists, including Donovan, Nick Drake, Alexis Korner,, Cressida, Edward's Hand, Ginger Baker's Air Force and notably Jimi Hendrix guesting on the track If 6 Were 9 of the Axis (Bold As Love) album ~ McNair was born in 1931
March 7, 1968 ~ Singer Elvis Presley records A Little Less Conversation at Western Recorders, Hollywood, California ~ Written by Mac Davis and Billy Strange. Released as the flip side of Almost In Love the following September. Used in the 1968 Elvis movie Live A Little Love A Little. Appearing on the record are Hal Blaine on drums, Al Casey guitar, Larry Knechtel bass, Don Randi piano, with Betty Jane Baker, Sally Stevens, Bob Tebo and John Bahler providing backing vocals.
March 7, 1967 ~ Randel Guss, commonly known as alternative rock, folk rock, rock drummer Randy Guss, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member of Toad The Wet Sprocket, remaining with the band from its inception in 1986 through 2020. The band is best known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 hits All I Want and Walk The Ocean, both taken of the 1991 Fear album. Guss has also appeared on Lapdog's 2003 Mayfly album
March 7, 1967 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist Willie Smith, full name William McLeish Smith, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Worked with Jimmie Lunceford, Charlie Spivak, Harry James, Duke Ellington, Billy May, Louie Bellson, Nat King Cole, Gene Krupa, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Billie Holiday, Barney Kessel, Jimmie Lunceford, Rose Murphy, Red Norvo, André Previn, Googie René, Kay Starr, and others ~ Smith was born in 1910
March 7, 1962 ~ Singer Brenda Lee records Everybody Loves Me But You ~ Written by Ronnie Self. Produced by Ronnie Self. Released as a single the following April, paired with Here Comes That Feeling on the B-side
March 7, 1962 ~ Leslie Wunderman, commonly known as pop, dance-pop singer Taylor Dayne, born in Long Island, New York, USA ~ Enjoyed a string of hit singles starting with her debut Tell It To My Heart in 1987. Other well known songs include Love Will Lead You Back, Prove Your Love and I'll Always Love You
March 7, 1961 ~ Warrel George Baker, commonly known as reavy metal, progressive metal, thrash metal, power metal singer Warrel Dane, born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Classically trained. Infuenced by Ronnie James Dio, Rob Halford, George Strait and Bruce Dickinson. Best known as lead singer of Sanctuary and Nevermore. Has also worked with Serpent's Knight, Sanctuary, Behemoth, Shaded Enmity. Released his sole Praises To The War Machine solo album in 2008 and was working on a second album at the time of his death ~ Baker passed away in 2017
March 7, 1960 ~ Douglas White, commonly known as hard rock, power metal, neoclassical metal singer Doogie White, born in Motherwell, UK ~ Active since the mid-1980s. Has notably worked with Ritchie Blackmore, serving in Rainbow from 1994 through 1997, with Yngwie Malmsteen from 2002 through 2007, and with Michael Schenker, serving in Temple Of Rock from 2011 through 2016. Has occasionally recorded as a solo artist, and collaborated with La Paz, Cornerstone, Praying Mantis, Rata Blanca, Tank, and Alcatrazz
March 7, 1953 ~ Drummer Kenny Aronoff born in Albany, New York, USA ~ Best known for his association with both John Mellencamp and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Has also worked as a session and touring drummer for a host of other artists including the BoDeans, John Fogerty, Cinderella Chickenfoot, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Smashing Pumpkins, Richard Thompson, Bob Seger, Melissa Etheridge, Jon Bon Jovi (Blaze Of Glory), Avril Lavigne, Chickenfoot, and others
March 7, 1952 ~ Reggae producer Donovan Germain born in Jamaica ~ Worked with artists such as Cultural Roots, Sugar Minott (Good Thing Goin'), Audrey Hall, Freddie McGregor, Delroy Wilson, Marcia Griffiths, Tenor Saw, Buju Banton, Mad Cobra, Cutty Ranks, Morgan Heritage, Wayne Wonder, Beres Hammond, and others
March 7, 1952 ~ Guitarist, drummer, singer Ernie Isley born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Member of Isley-Jasper-Isley and of the Isley Brothers. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Fight The Power (Part 1 & 2), Harvest For The World, Voyage To Atlantis, At Your Best You Are Love, Footsteps In The Dark, That Lady, Between The Sheets and Take Me To The Next Phase
March 7, 1952 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Jules Shear born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Has recorded as a solo artist and fronted the Funky Kings, the critically acclaimed Jules & the Polar Bears, the Reckless Sleepers, and Raisins In The Sun. Best known for penning and first recording several songs that became bigger hits for others. Singer Cyndi Lauper would score a 1983 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with All Through The Night, the Bangles would reach top 30 with If She Knew What She Wants in 1985, and Alison Moyet would take Whispering Your Name to the UK top 20 in 1994. Shear was also the subject of the Til Tuesday track J For Jules, the band's singer Aimee Mann reflecting on their relationship after breaking up
March 7, 1951 ~ Smooth jazz, jazz-funk, funk bassist Rocco Prestia, full name Francis Rocco Prestia Jr, born in Sonora, California, USA ~ Cited James Jamerson and Bootsy Collins as influences. Perhaps best known as member of funk outfit Tower Of Power from 1968 through 1977, rejoining in later years. Notably present on some of the band's best known including the 1973 hit What Is Hip. As a solo artist released his sole Everybody On The Bus album in 1999 ~ Prestia passed away in 2020
March 7, 1948 ~ Singer, flutist, composer, arranger Danilo Caymmi, full name Danilo Candido Tostes Caymmi, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Regarded as one of the foremost Brazilian wind instrument musicians. Worked with Antônio Carlos Jobim, Edmundo Souto, Sarah Vaughan, Tom & Dito, David Liebman, and others
March 7, 1947 ~ Progressive rock singer Jane Relf born in Richmond, UK ~ Sister of the Yardbirds-singer Keith Relf, with whom she also worked in progressive rock band Renaissance. Has also worked with Illusion, Stairway, and others. As a solo artist known for her sole single, Without A Song From You, released in 1971
March 7, 1946 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Charlie Panigoniak born in Chesterfield Inlet, Canada ~ Inuk musician known for his relections on northern life. Discovered by producer Doug Ward in the early-1970s. Awarded the the Order Of Nunavut in 2012, naming him ambassador for the Inuk people for his cultural contributions to the territory and its people ~ Panagoniak passed away in 2019
March 7, 1946 ~ Bluegrass, country mandolinist, singer Jimmy Gaudreau born in New Shannock Switch, Rhode Island, USA ~ Influential in progressive and traditional bluegrass. Especially acclaimed for the albums The Gaudreau Mandolin Album and Lonesome Wind, released respectively in 1979 and 2001. Also known for his work with the Country Gentlemen, Tony Rice, and JD Crowe. Other notable collaborations include Spectrum, Chesapeake, Carolina Star, Moondi Klein, Bill Emerson, Béla Fleck (Natural Bridge), and Bill Clifton
March 7, 1946 ~ Keyboardist, organist Matthew Fisher born in London, UK ~ Member of Procol Harum, notably playiong the Hammond organ on the band's A Whiter Shade Of Pale. Would go on to produce records for Robin Trower, James Dewar, Tir Na Nog and enjoy a reasonably successful solo career with albums such as Journey's End, I'll Be There, and the 1980 eponymous Matthew Fisher album, the latter spawning the hit Why'd I Have To Fall In Love With You
March 7, 1946 ~ Peter Blankfield, commonly known as singer, songwriter Peter Wolf born in New York, New York, USA ~ Lead singer of the J Geils Band from 1967 through 1981, known for songs such as Looking For A Love, Give It To Me, Must Of Got Lost, Centerfold and Freeze Frame. Wolf left the band after their 10th album, Freeze Frame. Released his solo debut album, Lights Out, in 1984. As a solo artist best known for the Billboard top 20 hits Lights Out and Come As You Are, the latter the title track of his 1987 sophomore album
March 7, 1945 ~ Singer, songwriter Arthur Porter Taylor, commonly known as Arthur Lee, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Rose to fame as frontman of Love, known for a number of mid- to late-1960s albums, most of which initially sold only moderately but did garner a cult following. Especially noted is the band's third album, Forever Changes, which Rolling Stone ranked as 40th greatest album of all-time in 2012 ~ Lee passed away in 2006
March 7, 1945 ~ Bruce Gordon Poulsen, commonly known as singer, mandolinist, autoharpist, songwriter Hans Poulsen born in Melbourne, Australia ~ Best known for songs such as Boom Sha-la-la-lo and Light Across The Valley. Also wrote and co-wrote for others including Rose Coloured Glasses for John Farnham and Monty And Me for Zoot ~ Poulsen passed away in 2023
March 7, 1944 ~ Singer, songwriter Townes Van Zandt, full name John Townes Van Zandt, born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Penned and recorded songs widely considered to be classics such as Pancho & Lefty, For The Sake Of The Song, Tecumsah Valley, and To Live Is To Fly. Influenced a wide array of artists including Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris, the Counting Crows, Steve Earle, Robert Earl Keen, Nanci Griffith, Guy Clark, Wade Bowen, Gillian Welch, Pat Green, Colter Wall, Jason Isbell, Calvin Russell, and Natalie Maines ~ Van Zandt passed away in 1997
March 7, 1943 ~ Bassist, singer, songwriter Chris White, full name Christopher Taylor White, born in Barnet, UK ~ Early and longtime member of the Zombies replacing Paul Arnold. Became one of the band's main songwriters. Following the band's disbandement in 1968 would continue to work with his former bandmates including songwriting and producing solo recordings by Colin Blunstone and notably co-writing Argent's hit Hold Your Head Up with Rod Argent, a top 10 hit on both sides of the Atlantic
March 7, 1942 ~ R&B, disco, funk bandleader, singer, drummer, songwriter, producer Hamilton Bohannon, mononymously known as Bohannon, born in Newnan, Georgia, USA ~ Recorded over a dozen albums from the early-1970s through the 1980s. Best known for Let's Start The Dance of the 1978 album Summertime Groove, the single would reach top 10 Billboard R&B ~ Bohannon passed away in 2020
March 7, 1941 ~ Singer, guitarist Al Candelaria born ~ Member of the Innocents, with whom he scored the 1960 Billboard Hot 100 top 30 hits Honest I Do and Gee Whiz. The trio is best known for teaming up with Kathy Young, with whom they scored the 1960 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit A Thousand Stars billed as Kathy Young & the Innocents
March 7, 1939 ~ Violinist, conductor, composer Amadeo Roldán, full name Amadeo Roldán y Gardes, passed away in Havana, Cuba ~ Founded the Havana String Quartet. Director, conductor, concertmaster for the Orquesta Sinfonica De La Habana and the Orquesta Filarmonica Of Havana. As a composer best known for his 1928 ballet La Rebambaramba, a pivotal work of the Afrocubanismo movement. Other well known works include Overture On Cuban Themes, El Milagro De Anaquille, and Ritmicas ~ Roldán was born in 1900
March 7, 1937 ~ Jazz trombonist Roy Williams born in Salford, UK ~ Worked with Mike Peters, Terry Lightfoot, Alex Welsh, Ruby Braff, Wild Bill Davison, Bud Freeman, John Barnes, Humphrey Lyttelton, the Pizza Express All-Stars, Benny Waters, Doc Cheatham, Jim Galloway, Buddy Tate, the Harlem Blues & Jazz Band, the World's Greatest Jazz Band, Peanuts Hucko, Bent Persson, Bobby Rosengarden, Stan Barker, Bob Wilber, Digby Fairweather, Pete Strange, Keith Smith, and others
March 7, 1931 ~ Coloratura soprano Maddy Mesplé, full name Madeleine Mesplé, was born in Toulouse, France ~ Considered the leading colaratura soprano of her day in France, enjoying popularity for over three decades starting in the early-1950s. Known for roles in productions of works such as Lakmé, The Tales Of Hoffmann, Mignon, Roméo Et Juliette, and Hamlet ~ Mesplé passed away in 2020
March 7, 1926 ~ Bernard Vasseur, commonly known as jazz trombonist Benny Vasseur, born in Neuville St Remy, France ~ Worked with Claude Bolling, Rex Stewart, Sidney Bechet, Benny Carter, Buck Clayton, Bill Coleman, Roy Eldridge, Big Chief Russell Moore, Albert Nicholas, Hot Lips Page, Django Reinhardt, Aimé Barelli, Michel Attenoux, Claude Luter, Andre Paquinet, Annie Cordy, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr, Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra, Francois Guin, and François Biensan ~ Vasseur passed away in 2016
March 7, 1921 ~ Gospel singer Martha Bass born ~ Mother of soul singer Fontella Bass. Briefly toured with the Clara Ward Singers in the early-1950s and present on Wasn't It A Pity How They Punished My Lord. As a solo singer best known for her 1967 album I'm So Grateful, establishing Bass as a premier gospel singer ~ Bass passed away in 1998
March 7, 1918 ~ Vincent John Cernuto, commonly know as big band singer Bob Vincent, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Best known as featured vocalist on Al Trace's You Call Everybody Darlin', a No.1 hit in 1948. Later turned to management, working as a theatrical agent working with artists such as Wayne Newton ~ Cernuto passed away in 2005
March 7, 1917 ~ Composer Robert Erickson born in Marquette, Michigan, USA ~ One of the first American composers to create tape music, using the tape recorder as its central musical source. Influential on artists such as Morton Subotnick, Pauline Oliveros, Louise Spizizen, and Paul Dresher. Authored several books on music, perhaps most notably Sound Structure In Music published in 1975 ~ Erickson passed away in 1997
March 7, 1914 ~ Leonidas Raymond Young, commonly known as drummer Lee Young, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Baby brother of saxophonist Lester Young. Worked with Les Paul, JJ Johnson, Jean Baptiste, Mutt Carey, Fats Waller, Les Hite, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Nat King Cole, Oscar Moore, André Previn, Dinah Washington, and others ~ Young passed away in 2008
March 7, 1911 ~ Jazz clarinetist, saxophonist Louis Cottrell Jr, full name Louis Albert Cottrell Jr, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Son of influential jazz drummer Louis Cottrell Sr. Best known for founding the Heritage Hall Jazz Band in 1971, leading the ensemble until his death in 1978. As a sideman Cottrell has recorded with artists such as Peter Bocage, Harold Dejan, Sweet Emma Barrett, Kid Howard, and Waldren Joseph ~ Cottrell passed away in 1978
March 7, 1908 ~ Trumpeter, mellophonist, singer, bandleader Nat Gonella, full name Nathaniel Charles Gonella, born in London, UK ~ Best known as founder of dance band the Georgians. Also worked with Archie Pitt, Rob Brydon, Archie Alexander, Billy Cotton, Roy Fox, Lew Stone, Al Bowlly, and others ~ Gonella passed away in 1998
March 7, 1906 ~ Composer, violinist Alejandro García Caturla born in Remedios, Cuba ~ Along with Amadeo Roldán a leading figure in the Afro-cubanismo movement, a nationalist music trend merging white and black culture incorporating Afro-Cuban songs, rhythms and dances. Known for works such as Tres Danzas Cubana, Bember and Obertura Cubana ~ García passed away in 1940
March 7, 1888 ~ Jazz guitarist, double bassist Alcide Pavageau, full name Alcide Louis Pavageau, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with Buddy Petit, Bunk Johnson, Herb Morand, Louis Cottrell Jr, Sweet Emma Barrett, George Lewis, and Jim Robinson ~ Pavageau passed away in 1969
March 7, 1875 ~ Composer, pianist, conductor Maurice Ravel, full name Joseph Maurice Ravel, born in Ciboure, France ~ Alongside Claude Debussy one of the leading figures of impresionism. Incorporated elements of modernism, baroque, neoclassicism and jazz. Best known for his Boléro, published in 1928 ~ Ravel passed away in 1937