May 27, 1990 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Brett Kissel born in Flat Lake, Canada ~ Released his Keepin' It Country debut album in 2003. Would not reach the charts until a decade later, reaching Gold status with his 2013 Started With A Song album. Best known for Airwaves, Drink About Me and A Few Good Stories, all of which topped the country charts in Canada
May 27, 1977 ~ Harpist, singer, arranger, composer Aine Minogue born in Borrisokane, Ireland ~ Draws from Celtic, world, folk and new age. Debuted in 1994 with the Were You At The Rock album. Has collaborated with Tommy Makem, John O'Donohue, Michael Dowling, and Stirling Harris
May 27, 1976 ~ Chi-Ali Griffith, mononymously known as rapper Chi-Ali, born ~ Known best for his 1992 debut album The Fabulous Chi-Ali and as a member of loose hip-hop collective Native Tongues. Shot and killed his girlfriend's brother in 2001 and served a 12 years sentence for first degree manslaughter
May 27, 1974 ~ Shirley Klaris Yonavieve Edwards, commonly known as singer, songwriter Skye Edwards, born in London, UK ~ Along with Paul Godfrey and Ross Godfrey co-founding member of trip-hop, electronica, alternative R&B outfit Morcheeba, remaining with the band through 2003 and rejoining in 2009. The Godfrey brothers would work with a number of different singers during Edwards' hiatus. Edwards has also released a number of solo albums, starting with Mind How You Go in 2006
May 27, 1972 ~ Ivete Maria Dias de Sangelo Cady, commonly known as axé, reggae, pop singer, songwriter Ivete Sangalo, born in Juazeiro, Brazil ~ Original lead singer of axé, reggae, samba band Banda Eva remaining with the band until 1997 and present on their best-selling Banda Eva Ao Vivo album. Released her eponymous Ivete Sangalo debut album in 1999 and has recorded to critical acclaim and commercial succes since with over a dozen albums to her name
May 27, 1972 ~ Country, rock singer, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Jace Everett born in Evansville, Indiana, USA ~ Debuted in 2005 with the single That's The Kind Of Love I'm In. Co-wrote Josh Turner's Your Man. Released a full length debut album, the eponymous Jace Everett, the next year and has been recording steadily since. Married songwriter, actress Nicole Taylor Hart in 2015
May 27, 1971 ~ Singer Lisa Left-Eye Lopes born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as one third of R&B girl group TLC, alongside Tionne T-Boz Watkins and Rozonda Chilli Thomas, producing landmark albums Ooooooohh On The TLC Tip, CrazySexyCool and FanMail and hit singles such as Baby Baby Baby, Waterfalls, Diggin' On You, No Scrubs, and Unpretty. Lopes also worked as a producer for girl group Blaque and as a solo artist scored a number of hits including Not Tonight, U Know What's Up and Never Be The Same Again, the latter a collaboration with the Spice Girls' Melanie C. ~ Lopes passed away in 2002
May 27, 1966 ~ Rock keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, percussionist, singer Roger Joseph Manning Jr born ~ One of the most beloved figures in '90s underground pop music. Formed the Moog Cookbook with keyboardist Roger Joseph Manning Jr, known for the mid-1990s albums The Moog Cookbook and Ye Olde Space Bande recreating well known songs using vintage keyboard synthesizers. Co-founding member of Jellyfish, and Imperial Drag. Backed Beck for a number of years including on the albums Mutations, Midnite Vultures, and Sea Change. Has also recorded as a solo artist and guested on recordings by Ringo Starr, Blink-182, Katey Sagal, Umajets, Kara's Flowers, David Bowie, Johnny Cash (American IV (The Man Comes Around)), OK Go, Scapegoat Wax, Ziggy Marley, Fiona Apple, Sheryl Crow, Angels & Airwaves, P!nk, Joshua Radin, and others
May 27, 1966 ~ Alternative rock, alternative metal, grunge drummer, pianist Sean Kinney, full name Sean Howard Kinney, born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Co-founding member of Alice In Chains, known for songs such No Excuses, Heaven Beside You and Get Born Again. Has also worked with the short-lived supergroup Spys4Darwin and collaborated with Johnny Cash and Metallica
May 27, 1965 ~ Singer, guitarist, drummer, songwriter Jamie Freeman born ~ Member of alt-country outfit Salter Cane. Backed his brother singer Tim Freeman in the pop rock band the Frazier Chorus, both as a touring member and appearing on the band's 1995 Wide Awake album. Recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting in the early-2010s ~ Freeman passed away in 2022
May 27, 1964 ~ Rock bassist Bob Heathcote born ~ Briefly a member of crossover thrash outfit Suicidal Tendencies during the late-1980s, present on the 1988 How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today album and some tracks of the 1989 Controlled By Hatred (Feel Like Shit/Déjà Vu) follow-up album. Previously Heathcote has worked with Los Cycos ~ Heathcote passed away in 2022
May 27, 1963 ~ Afro-Cuban jazz pianist, composer Gonzalo Rubalcaba born in Havana, Cuba ~ Leader and sideman. Has recorded as a leader since the mid-1980s. As a sideman graced the albums of Ignacio Berroa, Ron Carter, Juan Luis Guerra, Francisco Céspedes, Chick Corea, Al di Meola, Richard Galliano, Charlie Haden, Katia Labèque, Tony Martinez, Pat Martino, and others
May 27, 1963 ~ Gabriel Jackson, commonly known as rapper Spoonie Gee, born in Harlem, New York, USA ~ Went to live with his uncle, record producer Bobby Robinson, at age 12 following his mother's death. One of the first rap artists, credited by some for supposedly coining the term hip-hop. His 1979 Spoonin' Rap single contained jailhouse references that would later become common in gangsta rap. Member of the Treacherous Three alongside LA Sunshine and Kool Moe Dee. Known best for his 1987 The Godfather Of Rap album produced by Marley Marl and Teddy Riley. Other well known songs include Monster Jam, That's My Style and perhaps his best known Love Rap
May 27, 1957 ~ Keyboardist Eddie Harsch born in Toronto, Canada ~ Best known as the Black Crowes keyboardist from 1991 to 2006, replaced by Rob Clores. Also backed James Cotton in the 1980s. Played with Bulldog and with the Detroit Cobras during the Crowes's hiatus. Co-founding member of Magpie Salute ~ Harsch passed away in 2016
May 27, 1950 ~ Denise Garrett, commonly known as jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Longtime host of NPR's JazzSet With Dee Dee Bridgewater radio show. As a singer active since the 1970s with well over a dozen albums to her name, notably 1977's Just Family and 1997 Dear Ella. Has guested on albums by Frank Foster, Stanley Clarke, Roy Ayers, Norman Connors, Cecil McBee, Carlos Garnett, Christian McBride, and others
May 27, 1946 ~ Martins Vanags, commonly known as pop singer, guitarist, banjoist, songwriter Marty Kristian, born in Leipzig, Germany ~ Co-founding member of the New Seekers, remaining with the band from 1969 through 1974 and rejoining in 1976, and present on the band's best known including the UK top 10 hits Never Ending Song Of Love, I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing (In Perfect Harmony), Beg Steal Or Borrow, Circles and You Won't Find Another Fool Like Me
May 27, 1946 ~ Jazz upright bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen born in Osted, Denmark ~ Worked with Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Stan Getz, Bill Evans, Ben Webster, Brew Moore, Bud Powell, Count Basie, Roy Eldridge, Dizzy Gillespie, Jackie McLean, Ella Fitzgerald, Jean-Luc Ponty, Jenny Drew, Stéphane Grappelli, Joe Pass, Rune Gustafsson, Palle Mikkelborg, Mulgrew Miller, Alvin Queen, and others ~ Ørsted Pedersen passed away in 2005
May 27, 1945 ~ Folk rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Bruce Cockburn, full name Bruce Douglas Cockburn, born in Ottawa, Canada ~ Has written over 300 songs. Over 30 albums to his name, starting with the eponymous Bruce Cockburn released in 1970. Best known for Wondering Where The Lions Are, a hit in 1979
May 27, 1944 ~ Alain Kienast, commonly known as singer, songwriter, actor Alain Souchon, born in Casablanca, Morocco ~ Closely associated with Laurent Voulzy. Actively recording since the early-1970s. Broke through with the 1977 Jamais Content and has recorded consistently since, his albums regularly reaching the top 10 of the French album charts. Known best for his 1979 L'Amour En Fuite, the theme of the film of the same name, and for his 1993 hit Foule Sentimentale of his million-selling C'Est Deja Ça album
May 27, 1944 ~ William Adamson, commonly known as pop rock drummer Billy Adamson, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Longtime drummer for the Searchers, joining the band in 1969 after their most famous period. Present on acclaimed albums such as the eponymous 1979 The Searchers album and 1981's Love's Melodies. Adamson would depart the band in 1998 to spend more time with his family ~ Adamson passed away in 2013
May 27, 1943 ~ Priscilla Marie Veronica White, commonly known as singer Cilla Black, born in Vauxhall, UK ~ Active since the early-1960s. Championed by the Beatles. Introduced to Brian Epstein by John Lennon. Epstein signed her. Producer George Martin produced Cilla's debut Love Of The Loved, written by Lennon and Paul McCartney. Black is known for songs such as Anyone Who Had A Heart, You're My World, and Something Tells Me Something's Gonna Happen Tonight ~ White passed away in 2015
May 27, 1941 ~ William Beck, commonly known as singer Johnny Sandon, born in Liverpool, UK ~ Merseybeat singer best known as a member of Remo 4, including on the singles Lies and Yes. As a solo artist best known for mid-1960s recordings such as Sixteen Tons, Donna Means Heartbreak and The Blizzard. Also a member of the Searchers. Shared a manager, Brian Epstein, with the Beatles ~ Beck passed away in 1996
May 27, 1941 ~ Classical, jazz double bassist, composer Teppo Hauta-aho born in Janakkala, Finland ~ As a composer best known for the works Fantasia and Kadenza. Worked with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the Finnish National Opera, Juhani Aaltonen, Anthony Braxton, Evan Parker, Edward Vesala, the Player Is, and others ~ Hauto-aho passed away in 2021
May 27, 1939 ~ Singer, songwriter Don Williams, full name Donald Ray Williams, born in Floydada, Texas, USA ~ Known as “the Gentle Giant” of country music. Formed the Pozo Seco Singers which also included Susan Taylor and Lofton Cline. Staff songwriter with Cowboy Jack Clement's music publishers. Strong influence on later country singers. Had his songs recorded by the likes of Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, Lefty Frizzell, Josh Turner, Sonny James, Alison Krauss, Billy Dean, Charley Pride, Kenny Rogers, Lambchop, Alan Jackson, Tomeu Penya, Waylon Jennings, Pete Townshend, and others ~ Williams passed away in 2017
May 27, 1937 ~ TV producer, executive Peter Pinne, full name Peter Norman Pinne, born in Victoria, Australia ~ Best known as a TV producer for various Australian shows. As a composer known for co-writing a number of musicals, including several specifically for children from the early-1970s onwards, usually in partnership with Don Battye
May 27, 1935 ~ Folk singer, songwriter Len Chandler, full name Len Hunt Chandler Jr, born in Akron, Ohio, USA ~ Part of the 1960s protest movement. As a recording artist known for the albums To Be A Man and The Lovin' People, both released in 1967. Best known for penning Beans In My Ears, later covered by both the Serendipity Singers and Pete Seeger ~ Chandler passed away in 2023
May 27, 1935 ~ Jazz pianist, keyboardist Ramsey Lewis, full name Ramsey Lewis Emmanuel Lewis Jr, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Over 80 albums to his name starting in the 1950s. Known for songs such as The In-Crowd, Hang On Sloopy and Wade In The Water. His Ramsey Lewis Trio has at times included Isaac Holt and Eldee Young of future Young-Holt Unlimited fame, Cleveland Eaton, Maurice White who would later found Earth Wind & Fire, Morris Jennings, Frankie Donaldson, Bill Dickens, and Felton Crews ~ Lewis passed away in 2022
May 27, 1931 ~ William Charles Disley, commonly known as jazz guitarist Diz Disley, born in Winnipeg, Canada ~ Influenced by Django Reinhardt. Collaborated with Stéphane Grappelli. Also worked with Ken Colyer, Mick Mulligan, George Melly, Cy Laurie, Sandy Brown, Kenny Ball, Alex Welsh, Nigel Kennedy, Big Jay McNeely, Ray Campi, and others ~ Disley passed away in 2010
May 27, 1931 ~ Drummer, singer Tommy Brown born in Lumpkin, Georgia, USA ~ Enjoyed his greatest succes in the early-1950s when teaming up with the Griffin Brothers for a number of recordings, in particular Tra La La and Weeping And Crying. The Griffins had previously backed, on tour and on record, artists such as Amos Milburn, Paul Williams, Margie Day and others. Brown also worked with Bill Doggett and Big Walter Horton ~ Brown passed away in 2016
May 27, 1930 ~ Country singer, songwriter Stan Coster born in Casino, Australia ~ Father of country singer Tracy Coster. Key figure in Australian country, Wrote or co-wrote dozens of songs recorded by Slim Dusty, including By A Fire Of Gidgee Coal, The Bushman's Song, and The Wobbly Boot Hotel. Others who recorded his songs include Buddy Williams, Joy McKean, John Williamson, and Gordon Parsons ~ Coster passed away in 1997
May 27, 1926 ~ Clifford Everett Shank, commonly known as saxophonist, flutist Bud Shank, born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Rose to prominence playing with Stan Kenton. Sessioned for the Mamas & the Papas, playing alto flute solo on California Dreamin'. Formed the LA 4 in the 1970s, teaming up with Ray Brown, Shelly Manne and Laurindo Almeida. Also played with Shorty Rogers, Bill Perkins, Frank Morgan, Chet Baker, Elmer Bernstein, Buddy Bregman, Charlie Byrd, Gene Clark, Nat King Cole, Buddy Collette, Ron Elliott, Maynard Ferguson, Clare Fischer, Jimmy Giuffre, Barney Kessel, Shelly Manne, Sérgio Mendes, Hugo Montenegro, Gerry Mulligan, Oliver Nelson, Harry Nilsson (on the 1975 LP Duit On Mon Dei), Anita O'Day, Patti Page, extensively with Pete Rugolo, with Boz Scaggs, Lalo Schifrin, Ravi Shankar, and Duke Ellington ~ Shank passed away in 2009
May 27, 1924 ~ Roy Hartstein, commonly known as drummer, label founder Roy Harte, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Co-founded Nocturne Records and Pacific Jazz Records. Worked mostly as a sideman, including with Bobby Sherwood, Billie Rogers, George Paxton, Ike Carpenter, Vido Musso, Ziggy Elman, Dave Pell, Les Brown, Nappy Lamare, Shorty Rogers, Randy Newman, Herb Geller, Laurindo Almeida, Herbie Harper, Bud Shank, Harry Babasin, Peggy Connely, the Mastersounds, Earl Grant, Frank Capp, Jackie Kelso, Jimmy Wyble, Arnold Ross, and Willie Nelson ~ Hartstein passed away in 2003
May 27, 1923 ~ Country singer, songwriter Redd Stewart born in Ashland City, Tennessee, USA ~ Member of the Golden West Cowboys which included Eddy Arnold and Pee Wee King. Best remembered for co-writing The Tennessee Waltz with King. The song would be recorded by Patti Page, Roy Acuff, the Louvin Brothers, Elvis Presley, and by numerous others. Stewart also wrote or co-wrote songs such as Jim Reeves' That's A Sad Affair, Moon Mullican's Downstream, Hawkshaw Hawkins' Slow Poke, and Ernest Tubb's Soldier's Last Letter ~ Stewart passed away in 2003
May 27, 1915 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Fred Wise born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for co-writing a number of songs for Elvis Presley, usually in partnership with Ben Weisman. Well known songs include Crawfish, Pocketful Of Rainbows, Summer Kisses Winter Tears, Follow That Dream, and Kissin' Cousins. Others who recorded his songs include Frankie Carle, Nat King Cole, Patti Page, and Sarah Vaughan ~ Wise passed away in 1966
May 27, 1915 ~ Virginia Louise Williams, commonly known as swing, jazz singer Midge Williams, born in Oregon, USA ~ Best known for fronting the Jazz Jesters with whom she made several well-received 1930s recordings. Worked with Al Jolson, Rudy Vallée, Raymond Scott, Frankie Newton, Buster Bailey, Charlie Shavers, Lil' Armstrong, Bunny Berigan, Harry James, John Kirby, Glenn Miller, Fats Waller, Ben Webster, Teddy Wilson, and others ~ Williams passed away in 1952
May 27, 1900 ~ Clarinetist Albert Nicholas born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Versatile on several reeds, mostly played clarinet. Active since the late-1910s. Nicholas has played with Buddy Petit, King Oliver, Manuel Perez, Luis Russell, Red Allen, Charlie Holmes, JC Higginbotham, Chick Webb, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton. The late-1940s Dixieland revival rejuvenated his career and he went on to team up with greats such as Art Hodes, Bunk Johnson, Kid Ory, and in particular Ralph Sutton ~ Nicholas passed away in 1973
May 27, 1900 ~ Jazz double bassist, tubist Chester Zardis born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Given his nickname “Little Bear” by pianist Fats Pichon, with whom he worked on the riverboats in the 1930s. Zardis began playing professionally in his mid-teens, joining Buddy Petit's band at age 16, much to the dislike of his family. Zardis would go on to play with Kid Rena, AJ Piron, Punch Miller, Kid Howard, Fate Marable, Count Basie, Bunk Johnson, Percy Humphrey, and George Lewis. Zardis, a colorful figure with a unique playing style, would continue to play until his death at age 90, becoming a fixture on the New Orleans, Louisiana, jazz scene. He is regularly featured in documentaries, and is the subject of three of them, Liberty Street Blues (Chester Zardis), Spirit Of New Orleans, and Three Men Of Jazz ~ Zardis passed away in 1990
May 27, 1888 ~ Composer, pianist Louis Durey, full name Louis Edmond Durey, born in Paris, France ~ Durey had been primarily self-taught, active as a composer since the early-1900s composing chamber music, choral music, orchestral music, and works for piano. Well known for L'Offrande Lyrique, published in 1914 arguably the first piece of French twelve-tone music, the piano duet Carillons, and his sole opera L'Occasion. Durey was involved with L'Album Des Six, a suite of six piano pieces each written by a member of Les Six published in 1920, yet disassociated himself from the group afterwards. During World War II, Durey was a member of the French Resistance, only to embrace hard-line communism after the war which would isolate Durey and seriously hinder his career ~ Durey passed away in 1979
May 27, 1822 ~ Composer, pianist Joachim Raff, full name Joseph Joachim Raff, born in Lachen, Switzerland ~ Largely self-taught. Worked as a schoolteacher and sent some of his composition to Felix Mendelssohn who helped him get his work published. Worked as Franz Liszt's assistent in the early 1850s. Would go on to become one of Germany's most popular composers. Best known for his Symphony No.3 (In The Forest) which by the end of the century would become one of the most played orchestral pieces ~ Raff passed away in 1882