May 12, 1993 ~ Trevor Christensen, commonly known as dubstep, trap, tropical house producer, DJ Said The Sky, born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Frequent collaborator of Illenium. Best known for his 2016 single Rush Over Me featuring Haliene. Released his full-length Wide-Eyed debut album in 2018. Has also collaborated with the likes of 3LAU, Matthew Koma, Dabin, SLANDER, and others
May 12, 1984 ~ Indie rock bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist Jessica Dobson born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Fronts Deep Sea Diver, which also includes her husband Peter Mansen. The band released their New Caves debut EP in 2009, initially a solo project yet would evolve into a full-fledged band by the time of their full-length History Speaks debut album released in 2012. Dobson briefly toured and recorded with the Shins during the early-2010s. Has also backed Beck on his 2008 Modern Guilt tour
May 12, 1981 ~ Singer, guitarist, trumpeter, songwriter David Myles born in Fredericton, Canada ~ Actively recording since the mid-2000s with over a dozen self-released albums to his name. Steadily built a devoted fanbase through active touring and cross-genre collaborations. Best known for the 2013 collaborative single Inner Ninja with rapper Classified, the all-time biggest-selling rap single in Canadian music. Has also worked with operatic and concert soprano Measha Brueggergosman, jazz-pop singer Alex Cuba, and others
May 12, 1981 ~ Gerwin Pardoel, commonly known as rapper Gers Pardoel, born in Nijmegen, the Netherlands ~ Rapper known for a string of Dutch top 10 hits in the early-2010s. First gained attention with a guest appearance on the Opposites' 2009 single Broodje Bakpao. Released his solo debut album, Deze Wereld Is Van Jou, in 2011, which spawned the Dutch No.1 single Ik Neem Je Mee. Other well known songs include Ik Ga Hard collaborating with the Partysquad, Bagagedrager and Louise
May 12, 1978 ~ Jason Powers, commonly known as rapper Elzhi, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Member of Slum Village, joining the band in 2002 following J Dilla's departure. First appeared on the Trinity (Past Present & Future) album released later the same year. Powers released his The Preface solo debut album in 2008
May 12, 1976 ~ Jason Drew Harrow, commonly known as rapper, DJ, producer, label executive Kardinal Offishal, born in Scarborough, Canada ~ Dubbed “the Ambassador of Hip-hop” generally regarded as one of the best hip-hop producers of Canada. Emerged from the 1990s underground scene. Member of Circle. Released his full-length Eye And I solo debut album in 1997. Scored the 2008 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Dangerous featuring Akon. Has worked with Choclair, Busta Rhymes, T-Pain, Pharrell Williams, Bounty Killer, Pitbull, Melanie Durrant, Marco Polo, Estelle, Pete Rock, Method Man, Talib Kweli, Wretch 32, and others
May 12, 1974 ~ Robert McArthur Hubbert, commonly known as post rock, flamenco guitarist, singer RM Hubbert, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Valued member of the Glasgow DIY scene since the early-1990s. Member of the Blisters, which also included future Franz Ferdinand-singer Alex Kapranos. Member of post rock outfit El Hombre Trajeado, known for the albums Skipafone, Saccade, and Shlap. As a solo artist praised for his First & Last album self-released in 2009, consisting of solo guitar pieces based on flamenco structures and techniques
May 12, 1972 ~ Alternative rock, garage rock, punk blues drummer Don Blum, full name Donald Joseph Blum, born ~ Member of the Von Bondies, best known for C'mon C'mon of their 2004 Pawn Shoppe Heart sophomore album. Blum also appeared on Freddy & the Four-Gone Conclusions' 2002 Wigged Out Sounds album
May 12, 1970 ~ Ifar Barzelay, commonly known as alt-country singer, guitarist, songwriter Eef Barzelay, born in Tel Aviv, Israel ~ Frontman and primary songwriter of alt-country outfit Clem Snide. The band is named after a character in several novels by William S Burroughs and has been recording since the 1990s. Barzelay is also known as a solo artist, releasing his Bitter Honey debut album in 2006, and has contributed to the soundtrack of the 2014 Rudderless musical drama film
May 12, 1969 ~ Jazz pianist, accordionist, tubist, bandleader Erlend Skomsvoll, full name Erlend Fredrik Skomsvoll, born in Bærum, Norway ~ Member of Skomsork. Member of Wibutee. Also worked with Live Maria Roggen, Madrugada, the Kaizers Orchestra, Nils Petter Molvær, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Marit Sandvik, Kirsti Huke, Morten Abel, Mark Adderley, and others
May 12, 1968 ~ Guitarist, singer Dylan Carlson born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Influenced by Molly Hatchet, AC/DC, Black Sabbath, the Melvins, Terry Riley. Best known as guitarist, founding member of metal drone, post-rock outfit Earth. One-time roommate of a then-unknown Kurt Cobain of later Nirvana-fame, with whom he remained good friends until Cobain's death in 1994
May 12, 1966 ~ Isabel Gilberto de Oliveira, commonly known as bossa nova, samba, Latin pop singer, songwriter Bebel Gilberto, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Daughter of pioneering guitarist João Gilberto and singer Miúcha. Ha been performing since her youth. Released a collaborative album with Pedrinho Rodrigues, Um Certo Garaldo Pereira Funarte, in the early-1980s. Released her eponymous Bebel Gilberto solo debut EP in 1986, her 2000 full-length Tanto Tempo debut album followed in 2000. Has recorded consistently to critical acclaim since
May 12, 1965 ~ Rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Tamio Okuda born in Hiroshima, Japan ~ Rose to fame in the 1980s as a member of Unicorn. The band is known for songs such as Working Man, WAO, and Half-Century Boy. Following the band's disbandement in 1994 Okuda has recorded as a solo artist, starting with Ai No Tame Ni, written for others including PUFFY, and worked with supergroup the Curling Sitones
May 12, 1962 ~ Singer, guitarist, producer Brett Gurewitz born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead guitarist for punk rock outfit Bad Religion, best known for their 1994 Stranger Than Fiction which included the singles Infected and 21st Century Boy. Gurewitz also fronted Daredevils, a side project during one of his hiatuses from the band and known for the single Hate You. Gurewitz founded the Epitaph Records label and has served as producer for the likes of NOFX, Rancid, and Pennywise
May 12, 1961 ~ Rock drummer André Jung born in Recife, Brazil ~ Member of Titas, present on the band's eponymous Titas debut album released in 1984. Would go on to work with Ira, known for songs such as Nucleo Base, Flores Em Voce and Envelheco Na Cidade
May 12, 1961 ~ William Henry Duffy, commonly known as rock, alternative rock, post-punk guitarist Billy Duffy born in Hulme, UK ~ Influenced by Thin Lizzy, the Who, Led Zeppelin, the New York Dolls, the Stooges, the Sex Pistols, AC/DC. Co-founded the Cult with Ian Astbury, known best for She Sells Sanctuary of their 1985 Love sophomore album. Duffy has also worked with Theatre Of Hate, Coloursound, the Cardboard Vampyres, and Circus Diablo
May 12, 1959 ~ Hard rock, blues rock singer Ray Gillen, full name Raymond Arthur Gillen, born in Cliffside Park, New Jersey, USA ~ Briefly fronted Black Sabbath in the mid-1980s. More of a blues rock singer than a heavy metal singer, critically compared to Robert Plant, Paul Rodgers, and Steve Marriott, Gillen would become best known as lead singer for Badlands. Present on the band's first two albums, the eponymous Badlands debut album released in 1989, and its follow-up Voodoo Highway two years later. Has also worked with Phenomena, Savatage, Blue Murder, Raging Slab, George Lynch, Sun Red Sun, and Rondinelli ~ Gillen passed away in 1993
May 12, 1956 ~ Keyboardist, percussionist, musical director, songwriter Greg Phillinganes, full name Gregory Arthur Phillinganes, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Released two albums as a solo artist, Significant Gains in 1981 and Pulse in 1984. In-demand session keyboardist. Present on Stevie Wonder's seminal Songs In The Key Of Life album. Musical director for Michael Jackson, present on albums such as Off The Wall, Thriller, and Bad. Other notable collaborations include Earth Wind & Fire, Paulinho Da Costa, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Syreeta Wright, Tavares, Gil Scott-Heron, Flora Purim, George Benson, Minnie Riperton, the Pointer Sisters, Patti Austin (Every Home Should Have One), Lionel Richie, Donald Fagen (The Nightfly), James Ingram, Joe Cocker (Civilized Man), Al Jarreau, Whitney Houston, the Bee Gees, Joyride, Christina Aguilera, Michael Bublé, Toto, and Jill Scott
May 12, 1955 ~ R&B, soul, gospel, jazz singer, pianist, songwriter Garry Glenn born ~ While still in his teens toured with his sister, gospel singer Beverly Glenn. Released his eponymous solo debut album, Garry Glenn, in 1980. Best known as a songwriter, songs written or co-written by Glenn recorded by artists such as Dianne Quander, the Dramatics, Earth Wind & Fire (Share Your Love), the Emotions, Eddie Kendricks (Intimate Friends), Jean Carn, Anita Baker (Caught Up In The Rapture), Atlantic Starr (Armed & Dangerous), Santana, Natalie Cole (Gonna Make You Mine), and Pieces Of A Dream ~ Glenn was born in 1991
May 12, 1955 ~ Leon Eric Brooks III, commonly known as singer, songwriter Kix Brooks born in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA ~ As a solo artist known for his 1989 eponymous Kix Brooks album, spawning the single Sacred Ground. Rose to fame as half of Brooks & Dunn duo with Ronnie Dunn, debuting in 1991 with the Brand New Man album. The duo would dominate the Billboard Country charts since, scoring numerous hits including Neon Moon, Boot Scootin' Boogie, She Used To Be Mine, That Ain't No Way To Go, Little Miss Honky Tonk, A Man This Lonely, Husbands And Wives, It's Getting Better All The Time, Play Something Country, Cowgirls Don't Cry featuring Reba McEntire
May 12, 1953 ~ Blues, rock, reggae guitarist, singer Donald Kinsey born in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Kinsey Report, which also included Ron Prince, his brothers Ralph Kinsey and Kenneth Kinsey, and patriarch Big Daddy Kinsey. Kinsey is also well known for his association with Albert King, appearing on the albums Blues At Sunset and Blues At Sunrise, both recorded live mostly at the 1973 Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, and as a member of Peter Tosh's backing unit including on the albums Legalize It, Bush Doctor, and Mama Africa. Other notable associations include Bob Marley (Rastaman Vibration), Burning Spear, Betty Wright, Roy Buchanan (Hot Wires), and Denroy Morgan ~ Kinsey passed away in 2024
May 12, 1953 ~ Jazz saxophonist, composer Odd Riisnæs born in Oslo, Norway ~ Son of pianist Eline Nygaard Riisnæs, brother of saxophonist Knut Riisnæs. Leader and sideman. Has worked with Dag Arnesen, Arve Henriksen, Kjell Karlsen, Geir Lysne, Nils Petter Molvær, Jon Eberson, Terje Gewelt, Jon Balke, Audun Kleive, and Oslo 13
May 12, 1952 ~ Blues guitarist, banjoist, actor Guy Davis born ~ Has been recording since the late-1970s. First gained attention as actor in the mid-1980s. First combined music and acting in Mulebone, a 1991 Broadway musical featuring the music of Taj Mahal. Received critical praise for playing the role of Robert Johnson in the play Trick The Devil. Has since written his own plays and recorded numerous well-received blues albums
May 12, 1950 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Billy Squier, full name William Haislip Squier, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Enjoyed a string of 1980s hits bridging the gap between hard rock and power pop. His best known being 1981's The Stroke and 1984's Rock Me Tonite, both of which reached Billboard Hot 100 top 20. Also noted for having guested in Ringo Starr & his All-Starr Band
May 12, 1950 ~ Singer, drummer, producer John Marcellino, commonly known as Jocko Marcellino, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Founding member of Sha Na Na, present at the original the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, in the 1978 Grease and on their eponymous Sha Na Na TV show. Also known as actor, including in films such as Rain Man and TV shows such as Law & Order SVU
May 12, 1950 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion, soul jazz organist, keyboardist Ronnie Foster born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Known for a string of 1970s Blue Note albums over time held in the highest acclaim by aficionados and influential on hip hop and especially 1990s acid jazz. Especially acclaimed for The Two-Headed Freap and On The Avenue released respectively in 1973 and 1975. Guested on key albums such as George Benson's Breezin' and Stevie Wonder's masterpiece Songs In The Key Of Life. Other notable collaborations include Grant Green, Roberta Flack, Roy Ayers, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Lamont Johnson, Flora Purim, Lalo Schifrin, the Jacksons, Chaka Khan, David Sanborn, Chayanne, Fuse One, Earl Klugh, João Bosco, and Lee Ritenour
May 12, 1949 ~ Blues harpist, singer, bandleader James Montgomery born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Frontman and eponym of the James Montgomery Blues Band, active since the early-1970s. The band has recorded well over a dozen albums and would serve as launching pad for artists such as Billy Squier, Jeff Golub, Nunzio Signore, Jeff Pevar, Jeff Levine, Tom Gambel, and others.
May 12, 1948 ~ Keyboardist, singer, songwriter Steve Winwood, full name Stephen Lawrence Winwood, born in Handsworth, UK ~ Rose to fame in his mid-teens as a member of the Spencer Davis Group, scoring hits with Keep On Running, Somebody Help Me, Gimme Some Lovin', and I'm A Man. Formed Traffic in 1967, with Jim Capaldi and Winwood writing the majority of the band's material including songs such as Paper Sun and The Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys. Formed short-lived supergroup Blind Faith with Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Ric Grech. Has recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with the eponymous Steve Winwood released in 1977, and especially successful from the mid to late-1980s, songs such as Higher Love, The Finer Things, Valerie, Roll With It, and Don't You Know What The Night Can Do all reaching top 10 Billboard Hot 100. Over the years, notable guest credits include playing the organ on Jimi Hendrix's Voodoo Chile as well as appearances on albums by Joe Cocker, Howlin' Wolf, Lou Reed (Berlin), Toots & the Maytals, George Harrison, Billy Joel, Phil Collins (But Seriously), Soulsister, Paul Weller (Stanley Road), Miranda Lambert, and Gov't Mule
May 12, 1945 ~ Keyboardist Ian McLagan, full name Ian Patrick McLagan, born in Hounslow, UK ~ Member of the Small Faces, for whom he wrote Up The Wooden Hills To Bedforshire and Long Agos And Worlds Apart, and its successor the Faces. In-demand session and touring keyboardist, perhaps most notably for the Rolling Stones including playing electric piano on the Billboard Hot 100 charttopper Miss You of their 1978 Some Girls album. Close friend of Stones-guitarist Ronnie Wood, regularly serving in Wood's side projects including the New Barbarians. McLagan has also worked with artists such as Jackson Browne, Joe Cocker, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Izzy Stradlin, John Hiatt, Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer, and the Georgia Satellites ~ McLagan passed away in 2014
May 12, 1944 ~ Conductor, singer Brian Kay born ~ Bass singer in the King's Singers from 1968 through 1982. Choral conductor closely associated with the Huddersfield Choral Society and the Really Big Chorus. Voice of Papageno in the 1984 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart-biopic Amadeus. Voice of the “lowest-voiced frog” in Paul McCartney's We All Stand Together
May 12, 1944 ~ R&B, soul singer James Purify, full name James Lee Purify, born in Pensacola, Florida, USA ~ Half of James & Bobby Purify, the other half being Robert Lee Dickey, known for the 1966 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit I'm Your Puppet and 1967's Let Love Come Between Us ~ Purify passed away in 2021
May 12, 1942 ~ Singer, songwriter Ian Dury, full name Ian Robins Dury, born in Harrow, UK ~ Emerged among wave of punk, punk-pop, early new wave though none of the era's idioms fitted him. Known for his wordplay and lyrical prowess including complex rhyming akin to rap. Debuted in 1977 with the New Boots & Panties album. Known for Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll, the Gene Vincent-tribute Sweet Gene Vincent and perhaps his best known Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick ~ Dury passed away in 2000
May 12, 1942 ~ Singer, songwriter Michel Fugain born in Grenoble, France ~ Actively recording since the late-1960s. Best known for his 1967 song Je N'Aurai Pas Le Temps. It would be notably covered by John Rowles the following year as If I Only Had Time, reaching top 10 across Europe
May 12, 1941 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion drummer Trevor Tomkins, full name Trevor Ramsey Tomkins, born in London, UK ~ Backed Don Rendell for most of the 1960s and early-1970s. Would go on to work with Nucleus, David Becker, Henry Lowther, Gilgamesh (Another Fine Tune You've Got Me Into), Alan Gowen, and others ~ Tomkins passed away in 2022
May 12, 1940 ~ Maj Lillemor Lindfors, commonly known as singer, comedian Lill Lindfors, born in Helsinki, Finland ~ Actively performing since the 1960s. Best known for her one-woman shows mixing music and comedy. One of the first Swedes to sing samba. Internationally known for reaching 2nd place in the 1966 Eurovision Songfestival with Nygammal Vals
May 12, 1940 ~ Songwriter Norman Whitfield, full name Norman Jesse Whitfield, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Renowned songwriter, producer, usually in partnership with Barrett Strong. Especially associated with the Temptations, producing eight of their albums from the mid-1960s through the early-1970s and co-writing some of their best known including Psychedelic Shack, Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today) and Papa Was A Rollin' Stone. Others who recorded songs written or co-written by Whitfield include the Marvelettes, Marvin Gaye (I Heard It Through The Grapevine), Gladys Knight, Edwin Starr (War), the Undisputed Truth (Smiling Faces Sometimes), Yvonne Fair, Willie Hutch, and Rose Royce (Car Wash) ~ Whitfield passed away in 2008
May 12, 1938 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Jimmy Hastings, full name James Brian Gordon Hastings, born in Aberdeen, UK ~ Prominent figure in the Canterbury scene, most closely associated with Caravan with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums including the acclaimed In The Land Of Grey And Pink and For Girls Who Grow Plump In The Night. Hastings has also notably appeared on albums by Soft Machine, Trapeze (You Are The Music (We're Just The Band)), Murray Head, Bryan Ferry, Chris Squire (Fish Out Of Water), Hatfield & the North, and National Health. To younger audiences perhaps best known for guesting on the 2001 Radiohead album Amnesiac along with other members of Humphrey Lyttelton's eight-piece jazz band ~ Hastings passed away in 2024
May 12, 1936 ~ Guitar builder Gilberto Grácio born in Lisbon, Portugal ~ Third generation luthier. Since his sons have no desire to continue the tradition he is the last of the Grácio luthiers, the family considered one of the most important traditional guitar makers in Europe. Towards the end of his life he still worked in his Lisbon workshop yet devoted most of his time teaching two students who kept making guitars according to his family's tradition. Musicians who played his guitars include Carlos Paredes, António Chainho, Fernando Alvim and Jimmy Page ~ Grácio passed away in 2021
May 12, 1936 ~ Saxophonist Klaus Doldinger, full name Klaus Erich Dieter Doldinger, born in Berlin, Germany ~ Best known as founder, frontman, constant member of long-running outfit Passport, active since the early and especially in its early days critically regarded as “the European the Weather Report” for its influence. Doldinger is also well known for numerous film scores, perhaps most notably for the 1981 cult film Das Boot. Its characteric lead melody would later be used by rave group U96 for their 1991 Das Boot debut single
May 12, 1935 ~ Jazz double bassist Gary Peacock born in Burley, Idaho, USA ~ Active since the early-1950s. Closely associated with Laurindo Almeida, Albert Ayler, Paul Bley, and specifically Keith Jarrett, recording over two dozen albums with the latter starting in the early-1980s. As a leader best known for his 1977 Tales Of Another album. Has also appeared on albums by Terry Gibbs, Wes Montgomery (The Incredible Jazz Guitar Of Wes Montgomery), Bud Shank, Don Ellis, Ravi Shankar, Tony Williams, Helen Merrill, Chick Corea (Live In Montreux), Leon Redbone, Michel Petrucciani, and John Surman ~ Peacock passed away in 2020
May 12, 1935 ~ Rock, jazz, folk keyboardist, organist, bassist, guitarist, banjoist, tubist, trombonist, hornist Steve Knight, full name Stephen Sanders Knight, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known as member of Mountain from 1960 through 1972, present for their 1969 the Woodstock Music and Art Fair performance. Knight appeared on the band's first three albums, Climbing, Nantucket Sleighride and Flowers Of Evil. The band is best known for their 1970 Mississippi Queen single, considered a rock classic to this day. Previously Knight has played with the Feenjon Group, the Peacemakers, Devil's Anvil, and the short-lived late-1960s psychedelic folk outfit Wings ~ Knight passed away in 2013
May 12, 1928 ~ Pianist, songwriter, producer Burt Bacharach, full name Burt Freeman Bacharach, born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Considered one of the finest 20th century composers, Bacharach penned hundreds of songs from the late-1950s through the 1980s, often in partnership with lyricist Hal David. Had his songs recorded by over an estimated 1,000 artists including Marty Robbins, Perry Como (Magic Moments), Etta James, Gene Pitney (24 Hours From Tulsa), Dionne Warwick (Don't Make Me Over), the Drifters, Brook Benton, Jackie DeShannon (What The World Needs Now Is Love), the Jazz Crusaders, the Carpenters ((They Long To Be) Close To You)), Tom Jones (What's New Pussycat), Herb Alpert (This Guy's In Love With You), Dusty Springfield, BJ Thomas (Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head), and Christopher Cross ~ Bacharach passed away in 2023
May 12, 1928 ~ Songwriter, arranger, producer, saxophonist Henry Cosby born in Royal Oaks, Michigan, USA ~ Key collaborator of Stevie Wonder during the 1960s. Co-wrote, co-produced several hits for Wonder (Fingertips (Pt.2), My Cherie Amour, I Was Made To Love Her), Edwin Starr, the Supremes (Love Child), Brenda Holloway, the Miracles (The Tears Of A Clown), Marvin Gaye, and other Motown artists ~ Cosby passed away in 2002
May 12, 1927 ~ Barbara Jean Spillman, commonly known as folk, blues, jazz singer, guitarist, political activist Barbara Dane, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Praised for her rich voice, known for her political activism. Described as “Bessie Smith in stereo” by noted jazz critic Leonard Feather, and as “one of the true unsung heroes of American music” by the Boston Globe. Early on in her career, Dane turned down an offer to tour with Alvino Rey's band, favoring singing at factory gates and in union halls. Starting with the highly acclaimed Trouble In Mind in 1957, Dane has recorded over a dozen albums as a singer, including collaborations with Benny Carter, Lightnin' Hopkins, and the Chamber Brothers. Dane has also co-founded Paredon Records in the early-1970s, a label known for recordings by artists from across the globe adressing racial justice, feminism and anti-imperialism. Dane would later comment on the need for the label: “I saw that whenever the movement in a particular country was strong, there was an emerging music to go with it. It struck me that this stuff needed to be heard in the voices of the people who wrote the songs” ~ Dane passed away in 2024
May 12, 1922 ~ Jazz, swing, bop pianist, organist Gerald Wiggins, full name Gerald Foster Wiggins Sr, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Flexible pianist with over a dozen albums to his name as leader or co-leader, often working with a trio including bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Paul Humphrey. Especially noted for his 1953 Gerald Wiggins Trio album. As a sideman, Wiggins has appeared on albums by Zoot Sims (Zoot Sims In Paris), Milt Jackson, Joe Morello, Red Callender (Swingin' Suite), Buddy Collette (Man Of Many Parts), Frances Faye, Jack Millman (Shades Of Things To Come), Ray Bryant, Victor Feldman (Suite Sixteen), Curtis Counce, Billy Eckstine, Benny Carter (Aspects), Eric Dolphy, Lou Rawls, Mel Brown (Chicken Fat), Harry Sweets Edison, and Linda Hopkins ~ Wiggins passed away in 2008
May 12, 1921 ~ Guitarist, fiddler, singer Joe Maphis born in Suffolk, Virginia, USA ~ One of country's flashiest guitarists from the 1950s and 1960s. Best known for Dim Lights Thick Smoke And Loud Loud Music. As a backing guitarist, Maphis has worked with Merle Travis, Johnny Bond, Johnny Burnette, Doyle Holly, the Collins Kids, Wanda Jackson, Rose Maddox, and Ricky Nelson ~ Maphis passed away in 1986
May 12, 1920 ~ Billie Moore, commonly known as Western swing, country mandolinist Tiny Moore, born in Port Arthur, Texas, USA ~ Best known for his work with Bob Wills during the 1940s and early-1950s, earning a reputation as one of the all-time prime mandolin players. Notably present on classic Wills tracks such as Three Guitar Rag and Bubbles In My Beer. Tired of touring, Moore would mostly retire from music by the early-1950s, keeping himself occupied running a bar, and hosting a children's TV show on a local station. Later he would serve in Merle Haggard's backing unit the Strangers for a little over a decade, and record two acclaimed albums of his own, 1972's Tiny Moore Music and 1979's Back To Back with fellow mandolin virtuoso Jethro Burns. Although best known as a mandolin player, Moore also mastered fiddle, banjo, and drums. Moore would be posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1999 for his work with Wills's group the Texas Playboys ~ Moore passed away in 1987
May 12, 1910 ~ Arranger, composer, pianist Gordon Jenkins, full name Gordon Hill Jenkins, born in Webster Groves, Missouri, USA ~ Worked with the Andrews Sisters, Johnny Cash, the Weavers, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, Harry Nilsson, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Isham Jones, Paul Whiteman, Benny Goodman, Andre Kostelanetz, Lennie Hayton, Dick Haymes, Charles Lavere, Patty Andrews, and others ~ Jenkins passed away in 1984
May 12, 1901 ~ Conductor, violinist, composer Hyam Greenbaum born ~ Founded and conducted the BBC Television Orchestra, playing on the inaugural broadcast in August 1936 making him the world's first conductor of any TV orchestra. The orchestra was disbanded in 1939 at the outbreak of World War II as the TV service was suspended, yet Greenbaum would continue to conduct for BBC radio with other orchestras ~ Greenbaum passed away in 1942
May 12, 1845 ~ Organist, pianist, composer Gabriel Fauré, full name Gabriel Urbain Fauré, born in Pamiers, France ~ Considered of the foremost French composers of his generation. Served as the bridge between the Romantic era and modernism of the 20th century. Known for works such as Pavane, Sicilienne, Après Un Rêve, and Clair De Lune ~ Fauré passed away in 1924