November 11, 1986 ~ Jonathan Michael Batiste, commonly known as pianist, singer Jon Batiste, born in Kenner, Louisiana, USA ~ Draws from R&B, jazz, post-bop, gospel and neo-soul. To the general public perhaps best known for leading Stay Human, the house band for The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, from 2015 until 2022. Batiste hails from a musical family which includes over two dozen professional musicians, and has recorded prolifically since his Times Is New Orleans debut album released in 2005. Batiste is especially acclaimed for co-composing the soundtrack to Soul with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, which earned the trio numerous accolades including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Grammy Award, and for his 2021 album We Are, awarded a Grammy Award for Album of the Year. As a sideman and collaborator, Batiste has worked with a wide array of artists including Irvin Mayfield, Adonis Rose, Harry Connick Jr (Oh My Nola), Cassandra Wilson (Silver Pony), Rhiannon Giddens, Jamison Ross, Wynton Marsalis, and Cory Wong
November 11, 1978 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, songwriter Aaron Bruno, full name Aaron Richard Bruno, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as co-founding and constant member, lead singer of Awolnation, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums starting with Megalithic Symphony released in 2011. Bruno had previously worked with Insurgence, Home Town Hero, and Under The Influence Of Giants
November 11, 1977 ~ Modern jazz pianist, composer Florian Weber born in Detmold, West Germany ~ Co-founded Trio Minsareh teaming up with bassist Jeff Denson and drummer Ziv Ravitz. Founded Biosphere with Lionel Loueke, Thomas Morgan, Dan Weiss. Also worked with Markus Stockhausen, Donny McCaslin, Ralph Alessi, Linda May Han Oh, Nasheet Waits, and others
November 11, 1977 ~ Márcio André Nepomuceno Garcia, commonly known as singer, songwriter MC Marinho, born in Duque de Caxias, Brazil ~ Dubbed “the Prince of Funk” Garcia enjoyed popularity during the 1990s and early-2000s. Has released about half a dozen albums, his Because I Love You debut album with his then-girlfriend MC Cacau. Well-known songs include Rap Do Solitário, Escrito Pras Princesas, Garota Nota 100, and Glamurosa ~ Garcia passed away in 2023
November 11, 1974 ~ Jonathan David Buck, commonly known as singer, songwriter Jon B, born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA ~ Worked as a songwriter for After 7, Toni Braxton, Michael Jackson, Color Me Badd, the Spice Girls and others. Debuted as a solo artist with the Bonafide album in 1995, spawning the hit Someone To Love. Other well known songs include Are U Still Down featuring Tupac Shakur, They Don't Know, I Do (Whatcha Say Boo) and Don't Talk
November 11, 1966 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Anke Helfrich born in Germany ~ Actively recording since the mid-1990s, usually in smaller ensembles. Leader and eponym of the Anke Helfrich Trio, known for the albums You'll See released in 2000 and Better Times Ahead released in 2006. Both albums featured revered trumpeter Roy Hargrove
November 11, 1966 ~ Merrill Nisker, commonly known as electroclash, electropunk, dance-punk, alternative hip-hop, alternative rock singer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Peaches, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Member of folk trio Mermaid Cafe. Founded rock band the Shit in 1995. Released her Fancypants Hoodlum solo debut album the same year. Would go on to serve as opening acts for artists such as Marilyn Manson and the Queens Of The Stone Age. Known for songs such as Kick It featuring Iggy Pop, Shake Yer Dix and Downtown
November 11, 1965 ~ Producer, DJ Andy Hughes, full name Andrew Paul Hughes, born in Harrow, UK ~ Best known for his collaborations with the Orb during the late 1990s and early 2000s, mixing and producing the albums Orbus Terrarum, Orblivion and Cydonia. Also worked with the Cranberries and Tangerine Dream ~ Hughes passed away in 2009
November 11, 1965 ~ Pop singer Kim Stockwood born ~ Formed the 2000s pop trio Shaye with Damhnait Doyle and Tara MacLean, with whom she recorded the albums The Bridge and Lake Of Fire. Stockwood has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album Bonavista. All four of the album's singles, She's Not In Love, Enough Love, Jerk, and You Won't Remember This, would reach top 20 in her native Canada
November 11, 1962 ~ Jazz trumpeter James Morrison, full name James Lloyd Morrison, born in Boorowa, Australia ~ Actively recording since the mid-1980s, noted for his 1990 Snappy Doo album. Also known for writing and performing the opening fanfare for the 2000 Summer Olympics held in Sydney. As a TV personality known as one of the hosts of Top Gear Australia. First Australian to perform with jazz icon Dizzy Gillespie. Over the course of his career has also worked with George Benson, Ray Brown, Cab Calloway, Jon Faddis, Herbie Hancock, Whitney Houston, Quincy Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Arturo Sandoval, Frank Sinatra, and others
November 11, 1961 ~ Lindon Andrew Roberts, commonly known as dancehall, ragga, reggae singer Half Pint, born in Jamaica ~ Known for songs such as Sally, Mr Landlord, Substitute Lover and Greeting. Worked with King Jammy, Sly & Robbie, George Phang, Jack Scorpio, Garnett Silk, Tony Rebel, the Tamlins, and others
November 11, 1960 ~ Billy James, commonly known as rock, jazz, experimental drummer, percussionist, singer Ant-Bee, born in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA ~ As a musician known for his collaborations with Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway and Neal Smith (all members of the original backing band of Alice Cooper), the Mothers Of Invention, and Bruce Cameron, as well as for a number of solo albums starting with Pure Electric Honey released in 1990. Also known as a publicist and founder of Glass Onyon PR, representing artists such as King Crimson, Jon Anderson, Greg Lake, and John Wetton
November 11, 1958 ~ Blues, country, folk, rock & roll singer, guitarist Chris Jones, full name Christopher Paul Jones, born in Reno, Nevada, USA ~ Following a stint in the US Army, stationed in Germany, would spend most of his career in Europe. Influenced by Robert Johnson, James Taylor, Little Feat. Well known for his association with blues harpist Steve Baker. Has recorded about half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with No Looking Back released in 1983, and guested on recordings by Kieran Halpon, Reinhard Mey, Sara K, and Steve Strauss ~ Jones passed away in 2005
November 11, 1958 ~ Pop, rock singer, songwriter Luz Casal, full name Maria Luz Casal Paz, born in Bolmorto, Spain ~ Rose to fame in the early-1980s, her first hit a Spanish-language cover of Étienne Daho's Duel Au Soleil retitled to Un Nuevo Dia Brillara. Other well known songs included Plensa En Mi, Te Deje Marhar, No Me Importa Nada, and others
November 11, 1956 ~ New wave, synth-pop, electronic keyboardist, guitarist, saxophonist Ian Craig Marsh born in Sheffield, UK ~ Co-founding member of Human League, present on the albums Reproduction and Travelogue. Departed the band in 1980 to form the band and production company BEF with Martyn Ware. The duo is best known for their project Heaven 17, which also included Glenn Gregory, scoring the UK top 10 hits Temptation and Come Live With Me
November 11, 1953 ~ Jazz bassist Andy McKee, full name Andrew G McKee, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Mentored by Philly Joe Jones, Elvin Jones, and Idris Muhammad. Best known for his stint with the Mingus Big Band for most of the 1990s including on acclaimed albums such as Nostalgia In Times Square and Gunslinging Birds. Has recorded sporadically as a leader, nost noted for his 1997 Sound Roots album. As a sideman McKee is present on albums by Walt Dickerson, Bill Kirchner, Michel Petrucciani, Ronnie Cuber, Ed Cherry, the Trio Mundo, Wolfgang Schalk, and Lee Ritenour
November 11, 1953 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Andy Partridge born in Malta ~ Founding member of XTC, known for songs such as Making Plans For Nigel, Towers Of London, Sgt Rock (Is Going To Help Me), and Senses Working Overtime. Has also worked with Peter Blegvad, Harold Budd, Robyn Hitchcock, the Lilac Time, Miles Kane, David Yazbel, Voice Of The Beehive, the Woodentops, the Wallflowers, Perennial Divide, and Charlotte Hatherley
November 11, 1953 ~ Theremin player, guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer Bruce Woolley born in Shepshed, UK ~ Member of Buggles, known for Video Killed The Radio Star. Wrote Slave To The Rhythm, a hit for Grace Jones. Also worked with the Studs, Dusty Springfield, the Camera Club, and the Radio Science Orchestra
November 11, 1953 ~ Clifton Blackburn, commonly known as jazz, bebop, Afro-Cuban jazz, free jazz drummer, percussionist Kahil El-Zabar, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Joined the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians in the early-1970s, becoming its leader by 1975. Formed the Ritual Trio and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble. Has also worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Cannonball Adderley, Paul Simon, and Pharoah Sanders
November 11, 1953 ~ Singer, guitarist Marshall Crenshaw, full name Marshall Howard Crenshaw, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Although critically acclaimed, Crenshaw would score only one American top 40 hit. Crenshaw took up the guitar at age ten, and got his first break being casted to play the role of John Lennon in the late-1970s jukebox musical Beatlemania, before issuing his eponymous Marshall Crenshaw debut album in 1982. The album's lead single, Someday Someway, would reach No.36 on the Billboard Hot 100. Featured on the flip side was You're my Favorite Waste Of Time, later notably covered by Owen Paul whose rendition would be hit across Europe including reaching top 10 in Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the UK. Crenshaw is perhaps best known for portraying the role of Buddy Holly in the 1987 film La Bamba and for co-penning Til I Hear It From You, a mid-1990s Billboard Hot 100 No.9 hit for Gin Blossoms
November 11, 1952 ~ Singer Paul Cowsill born in Newport, Rhode Island, USA ~ Member of sibling outfit the Cowsills, best known for The Rain The Park & Other Things, Indian Lake and a live version of Hair, all of which reached the Billboard top 10 in the late-1960s
November 11, 1948 ~ Marvin Peterson, commonly known as jazz trumpeter Hannibal Lokumbe, born in Smithville, Texas, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Active since the late-1960s. Has worked with artists such as Cleveland Gay, Diedre Murray, David Amram, Michael Cochrane, George Adams, Cecil McBee, Makaya Ntshoko, Kenny Barron, Billy Hart, Omar Hakim, Lonnie Plaxico, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Gil Evans, Frank Foster, Kip Hanrahan, Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, Grachan Moncur III, Don Pullen, and Pharoah Sanders
November 11, 1948 ~ Producer, songwriter Robert John Mutt Lange born in Mufilira, Zambia ~ Renowned producer especially known for his work with hard rock and arena acts. Married to country, country-pop singer Shania Twain from 1993 to 2010. Has worked with AC/DC, Def Leppard, the Boomtown Rats, Foreigner, Michael Bolton, the Cars, Bryan Adams, Billy Ocean, Céline Dion, Britney Spears, the Corrs, Maroon 5, Lady Gaga, Nickelback, and Muse
November 11, 1947 ~ Rock bassist Bruce Barthol born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Original bassist for Country Joe & the Fish, present on the albums Electric Music For The Mind And Body, Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die, and Together. Barthol departed the band in 1968, staying on in England following a tour. Barthol has subsequently worked with Formerly Fat Harry, Energy Crisis, and political satire theatre group the San Francisco Mime Troupe ~ Barthol passed away in 2023
November 11, 1945 ~ Bassist, guitarist Chris Dreja, full name Christopher Walenty Dreja, born in Subiton, UK ~ Original member of the Yardbirds. Offered a spot by Jimmy Page in what was to become Led Zeppelin but declined in order to pursue a career as a photographer instead
November 11, 1945 ~ Vincent James Martellucci, commonly known as singer, guitarist Vince Martell born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Lead guitarist, co-founding member of Vanilla Fudge, known for heavy rock arrangements of contemporary hit songs, most notably the 1966 Billboard top 10 hit You Keep Me Hanging On. The band would be an influence on later acts such as the Nice, Deep Purple, Yes, Styx, Led Zeppelin and Uriah Heep
November 11, 1944 ~ Rock, progressive rock, jazz fusion, classical drummer, actor, author Barney James born in Salford, UK ~ Best known as drummer for Warhorse. Has also worked with Rick Wakeman, Journey To The Centre Of The Earth), Dusty Springfield, PJ Proby, Billy Joel, Frank Zappa, Kenny Loggins, John Martyn, Kiki Dee, James Taylor, and Herbie Hancock ~ James passed away in 2016
November 11, 1944 ~ Folk, blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Chris Smither, full name William Christopher Smither, born in Miami, Florida, USA ~ Debuted in 1970 with the album I'm A Stranger Too. Longtime collaborator of Bonnie Raitt, who once referred to Smither as “my Eric Clapton”. One of Raitt's signature songs, Love Me Like A Man, was written by Smither. Admired by peers such as Josh Ritter, Loudon Wainwright III, Dave Alvin, Peter Case, Tim O'Brien, and Patty Larkin
November 11, 1944 ~ Concert promoter, organizer Michael Lang born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known as co-organizer of the famed Woodstock festival, fully named the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, held over three days in 1969 drawing over 400,000 visitors. The event is considered a pivotal moment in pop, rock history. Lang is also known as executive and owner of Just Sunshine Records, which released albums by Karen Dalton, Betty Davis, and Mississippi Fred McDowell. Lang also served as artist manager for Joe Cocker, Rickie Lee Jones, and Willy DeVille ~ Lang passed away in 2022
November 11, 1940 ~ Soul, funk, R&B guitarist Dennis Coffey, full name Dennis James Coffey, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ In-demand session musician. Worked with Motown house band the Funk Brothers. Notably present on psychedelic-soul hits by the Temptations such as Cloud Nine, Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today) and Psychedelic Shack, Edwin Starr's War, the Supremes' Someday We'll Be Together and others. As a solo artist known for Scorpio, a Billboard top 10 hit in 1971
November 11, 1940 ~ Jazz bassist Mario Pavone born in Waterbury, Connecticut, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Paul Bley, Bill Dixon, Barry Altschul, Wadada Leo Smith, Gerry Hemingway, Anthony Braxton, Thomas Chapin, Michael Sarin, Matt Wilson, Gerald Cleaver, Peter Madsen, Joshua Redman, Tony Malaby, Dave Douglas, Steven Bernstein, George Schuller, Craig Taborn, Jimmy Greene, Samm Bennett, Paul Bley, and others ~ Pavone passed away in 2021
November 11, 1938 ~ Country, rockabilly singer, guitarist, songwriter Narvel Felts born in Bernie, Missouri, USA ~ Best known for a number of 1970s hits including Drift Away, Reconsider Me and Lonely Teardrops
November 11, 1936 ~ Songwriter Jack Keller, full name James Walter Keller, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Revered songwriter, often in collaboration with Howard Greenfield, Gerry Goffin, Noel Sherman and other staff writers at Aldon Music, responsible for 1950s and 1960s hits such as Everybody's Somebody's Fool, Breaking In A Brand New Heart and My Heart Has A Mind Of Its Own for Connie Francis, Venus In Blue Jeans for Jimmy Clanton, Run To Him for Bobby Vee, and Your Used To Be for Brenda Lee. Other artists who recorded his songs include Neil Sedaka, Nat King Cole, Patti Page, the Everly Brothers, Bobby Goldsboro, the Monkees, and Perry Como ~ Keller passed away in 2005
November 11, 1933 ~ Jazz bassist Sture Nordin born in Ostersun, Sweden ~ Leader and sideman. Expelled from the Royal Swedish Academy Of Music for playing jazz. Worked with Lars Gullin, Putte Wickman, Rune Ofverman, Egil Johansen, Josh White, Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon, Clark Terry, Johny Griffith, Benny Bailey, Gábor Szabó, Dick Morrisey, Jan Johansson, Rolf Ericson, Jan Allan, Arne Domnérus, Cornelis Vreeswijk, Lee Konitz, and others ~ Nordin passed away in 2000
November 11, 1932 ~ Alan Levitt, commonly known as jazz drummer Al Levitt, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Active since the early-1950s. As a leader known for his 1968 We Are The Levitts album. Studied with Lennie Tristano. Closely associated with Lee Konitz, including on the albums In Harvard Square and Jazz At Storyville. Other notable collaborations include Paul Bley, Jimmy Raney, Lionel Hampton, Barney Wilen, Stan Getz (Stan Getz And The Cool Sounds), Alain Jean-Marie, Horace Parlan (Glad I Found You), Chet Baker, and Duke Jordan ~ Levitt passed away in 1994
November 11, 1932 ~ Theatre, opera director Jorge Lavelli born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Staged numerous plays. To classical music audiences known for staging operas composed by Béla Bartók, Georges Bizet, Claude Debussy, Charles-François Gounod, Sergei Prokofiev, and Igor Stravinsky, working mainly as director for the Paris Opera yet also for the Vienna State Opera, La Scala, and others ~ Lavelli passed away in 2023
November 11, 1931 ~ Classical cellist Leslie Parnas born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Closely associated with the St Louis Symphony Orchestra, serving as its principal cellist from 1954 through 1962. Close friend and regular collaborator of Pablo Casals, up to and including serving as Casals' palbearer at his funeral. Renowned as a soloist and recitalist, has worked with leading orchestras icluding the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg, and others ~ Parnas passed away in 2022
November 11, 1930 ~ Walter Louis Garland, commonly known as country, rock & roll, jazz guitarist Hank Garland born in Cowpens, South Carolina, USA ~ Scored the million-seller Sugarfoot Rag at age 18. Best known for his association with Elvis Presley from 1958 through 1961, incuding on songs such as I Need Your Love Tonight, A Big Hunk O' Love, I Got Stung, Stuck On You, Little Sister, and I Feel So Bad. Also worked with Don Gibson (Sweet Sweet Girl), Little Jimmy Dickens (I Got A Hole In My Pocket), Benny Joy (Bundle Of Love), Brenda Lee, Mel Tillis, Patsy Cline (Let The Teardrops Fall), Marty Robbins, Lefty Frizzell (You're Humbuggin' Me), Faron Young (Alone With You), the Everly Brothers, Johnnie Strickland, Boots Randolph, Roy Orbison, Conway Twitty, and Moon Mullican. Recorded a jazz album, 1961's Jazz Winds From A New Direction, before a car crash later the same year cut his career short ~ Garland passed away in 2004
November 11, 1928 ~ Jazz, blues singer Ernestine Anderson born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Compared to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and Billie Holiday. Worked with Robert Bumps Blackwell, Lionel Hampton, Gigi Gryce, Rolf Ericson, Quincy Jones, Ray Brown, the Concord All-Stars, George Shearing, and others ~ Anderson passed away in 2016
November 11, 1927 ~ Jazz, blues pianist, singer, songwriter Mose Allison born in Tippo, Mississippi, USA ~ Influenced Jimi Hendrix, JJ Cale, the Yardbirds, the Rolling Stones, Tom Waits, Pete Townshend, Georgie Fame, John Evans. Covered by the Who (Young Man Blues), John Mayall (Parchman Farm), Leon Russell (I'm Smashed), Bonnie Raitt (Everybody's Cryin' Mercy), the Clash (Look Here), Herman Brood (Going To The City). Worked with Stan Getz, Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Van Morrison, Ben Sidran, Gerry Mulligan, Phil Woods, Addison Farmer, Frank Isola, Henry Grimes, Paul Motian, Bill Crow, Osie Johnson, Jimmy Knepper, Pepper Adams, Bob Cranshaw, Jerome Richardson, Joe Farrell, Phil Upchurch, Eric Gale, Jack Bruce, Billy Cobham, Steve Masakowski, Randy Brecker, Alec Dankworth, Pee Wee Ellis, Russell Malone, Jay Bellerose, Roy Babbington, and others ~ Allison passed away in 2016
November 11, 1925 ~ Jazz, pop pianist, singer, composer Bruno Martino born in Rome, Italy ~ Active since the early-1950s, playing the jazz nightclubs with Enrico Simonetti and Piero Piccioni. Worked with the RAI Orchestra for the Italian TV network RAI. As a bandleader and composer perhaps best known for his 1960 hit Estate, which would become a standard covered by the likes of João Gilberto, Chet Baker, Toots Thielemans, Shirley Horn, and John Pizzarelli. Also known for Dracula Cha Cha, which he originally composed for the 1959 horror-comedy film Tempi Duri Per I Vampiri, which would also be included in the films Italian Graffiti and Two Weeks In Another Town and inspire the title of Kim Newman's 1998 novel Dracula Cha Cha Cha set in late 1950's Italy ~ Martino passed away in 2000
November 11, 1925 ~ Jazz trumpeter Irvin Stokes born in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA ~ Worked with Charlie Singleton, Tiny Bradshaw, Duke Ellington, Mercer Ellington, Erskine Hawkins, Buddy Johnson, Andy Kirk, Jimmie Lunceford, Austin Powell, Bobby Donaldson, the Savoy Sultans, Lou Donaldson, Panama Francis, George Kelly, Illinois Jacquet, Oliver Jackson, Count Basie, Spanky Davis, the Statesmen Of Jazz, and others
November 11, 1923 ~ Jazz trumpeter Willie Cook born in Tangipahoa, Louisiana, USA ~ Started on the violin, switching to trumpet in his teens. First gained serious attention backing King Perry in the 1930s. Worked with Jay McShann in the 1940s, succeeding Charlie Parker. Also well known as a member of Duke Ellington's orchestra, serving as lead trumpeter for about a decade starting in 1951 including on the acclaimed 1953 set The 1953 Pasadena Concert. Cook has also recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, Mel Tormé, Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Billy Taylor, Paul Gonsalves, Sarah Vaughan, and Ernie Wilkins. Cook relocated to Sweden in the early-1980s ~ Cook passed away in 2000
November 11, 1918 ~ Jazz singer Louise Tobin, full name Mary Louise Tobin, born in Aubrey, Texas, USA ~ Sang with Bobby Hackett, Will Bradley, Jack Jenney, and Benny Goodman, notably present on the latter's I Didn't Know What Time it Was and There'll Be Some Changes Made. Married to bandleader Harry James from 1935 through 1943, with whom she has two sons ~ Tobin passed away in 2022
November 11, 1917 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Julien-François Zbinden born in Rolle, Switzerland ~ Active since the late-1930s. Composed over a hundred works including stage works, concertante works, chamber and vocal works. Best known for his symphonies, collected on the 2007 Orchestral Works album as performed by various artists. Also closely associated with Radio Suisse Romande, initially working as a recording manager, promoted to the head of the music department in 1956 ~ Zbinden passed away in 2021
November 11, 1917 ~ Ellerton Oswald White, commonly known as jazz pianist Sonny White, born in Panama City, Panama ~ Worked with Jesse Stone, Willie Bryant, Sidney Bechet, Teddy Hill, Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Clarke, Frankie Newton, Billie Holiday, Artie Shaw, Benny Carter, Big Joe Turner, Lena Horne, Dexter Gordon, Hot Lips Page, Harvey Davis, Wilbur de Paris, Eddie Barefield, Jonah Jones, and others ~ White passed away in 1971
November 11, 1913 ~ Bandleader, saxophonist, clarinetist, pianist Ivy Benson born in Holbeck, UK ~ Enjoyed popularity throughout the 1940s leading an all-female jazz, swing band. The band would become the resident BBC Radio house band by 1943 and is also well known for entertaining the Allied troops during and shortly after World War II ~ Benson passed away in 1993
November 11, 1912 ~ Harold Stevens Hopper, commonly known as singer, songwriter, film composer, screenwriter Hal Hopper, born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA ~ Original member of vocal group the Pied Pipers, including appearing in the 1938 film Alexander's Ragtime Band. Hopper would go on to compose themes tunes for several TV shows such as Judge Roy Bean, Colt 45, 26 Men, Circus Boy, and Bearcats ~ Hopper passed away in 1970
November 11, 1887 ~ Gilliam Barmon Grayson, commonly known as old-time fiddler, singer GB Grayson, born in Ashe County, North Carolina, USA ~ Influential early country musician known for a handful of important recordings in the mid to late-1920s, often in partnership with Henry Whitter. Best remembered for recordings such as Going Down The Lee Highway, Rose Connally, Ommie Wise and Train 45. In later years songs written, co-written, adapted or first recorded by Grayson would be covered by the Kingston Trio (Tom Dooley), the Rolling Stones (Handsome Molly), Ralph Stanley (Little Maggie), and others ~ Grayson passed away in 1930
November 11, 1883 ~ Conductor Ernest Ansermet, full name Ernest Alexandre Ansermet, born in Vevey, Switzerland ~ One of the first in the field of classical music to take jazz seriously. Founded the Orchestra de la Suisse Romande in 1918, with whom he toured extensively in Europe and America. Well known for recording Igor Stravinsky's Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra in 1930, with Stravinsky himself at the keys ~ Ansermet passed away in 1969