November 14, 2024 ~ Progressive rock, art rock guitarist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter Peter Sinfield, full name Peter John Sinfield, passed away ~ Co-founded King Crimson, remaining with the band through its first four albums. The band is especially acclaimed for their 1969 In The Court Of The Crimson King debut album, widely considered one of the most influential albums in the progressive rock genre. Following his departure from King Crimson, Sinfield has produced Roxy Music's eponymous Roxy Music debut album, which included the hit single Virginia Plain, and has notably worked with Emerson Lake & Palmer. Sinfield would remain an in-demand songwriter, known for his use of surreal imagery, over time gravitating towards more pop-oriented artists. Artists who have recorded songs co-written by Sinfield include Angelo Branduardi, Leo Sayer, Bucks Fizz (The Land Of Make Believe), Five Star, Céline Dion, Nikka Costa, Cher (Heart Of Stone), and Agnetha Fältskog. Sinfield recorded one album as a solo artist, the overlooked Still released in 1973 ~ Sinfield was born in 1943
November 14, 2024 ~ Guitarist Vic Flick, full name Victor Harold Flick, passed away ~ In-demand studio guitarist since the 1950s, getting his start in music with the John Barry Seven. Best known for playing the guitar riff on Monty Norman's James Bond Theme, recorded for the 1962 Doctor No James Bond soundtrack. Over the course of his career, Flick has worked with numerous mostly British acts. Present on songs such as I Only Want To Be With You by Dusty Springfield, The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore by the Walker Brothers, No Milk Today by Herman's Hermits, and Puppet On A String by Sandie Shaw. Other notable associations include Petula Clark, Peter & Gordon, the Bee Gees, Hardin & York, Serge Gainsbourg, Hank Marvin, and Paul McCartney. However, Flick remains best known for his work on several James Bond soundtracks through the 1980s. As to his most famous recording, the original James Bond theme for the first film in the franchise, Flick has said: “It had an edge to it, sort of a dynamic sound. I overplayed it. Leaned into those thick low strings with the very hard plectrum, played it slightly ahead of the beat, and it came out exciting, almost ‘attacking’, which fit the James Bond image” ~ Flick was born in 1937
November 14, 2020 ~ Soprano, lyric colaratura singer Eugenia Ratti passed away ~ Active since the mid-1950s. Has worked with the Paris Opera, the Munich State Opera, the Vienna State Opera, the San Francisco Opera, the Dallas Opera, and other renowned orchestras. Especially known for soubrette roles in works composed by Domenico Cimarosa and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ~ Ratti was born in 1933
November 14, 2016 ~ Singer, songwriter Holly Dunn, full name Holly Suzette Dunn, passed away in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA ~ Country singer with ten albums to her name. Charting singles since the mid-1980s including Are You Ever Gonna Love Me, You Really Had Me Going, Love Someone Like Me, There Goes My Heart Again (co-written with then unknown Joe Diffie), It's Always Gonna Be Someday, and A Heart Full Of Love. Sang with Kenny Rogers on Maybe, with John Michael Montgomery on A Face In The Crowd ~ Dunn was born in 1957
November 14, 2014 ~ TV, producer, songwriter Glen A Larson passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Best known as a TV producer responsible for hit shows such as Battlestar Galactica, Magnum PI and Knight Rider. As a musician known as an original member of folk revival, satire group the Four Preps, scoring hits with 26 Miles (Santa Catalina) and Big Man in the late-1950s, both co-written by Larson ~ Larson was born in 1937
November 14, 2012 ~ Bertram McLean, commonly known as reggae bassist, guitarist Bertram Ranchie McLean, passed away ~ Noted Jamaican studio, session musician active from the 1970s through the 1990s. Released an occasional solo recording from time to time, most notably the single Toy. Wrote Rub-a-dub Partner, recorded by Jimmy Cliff. Has also worked with Ansel Collins, Lloyd Parks, Sly Dunbar, the Impact All-Stars, the Revolutionaries, Skin Flesh & Bone, Earth & Stone, Culture, the Clarendonians, the GG All-Stars, Sadao Watanabe, Burning Spear, I-Roy, and the Meditations ~ McLean was born in 1948
November 14, 2011 ~ Alan Moffatt, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Jackie Leven, passed away ~ Co-founding, sole constant member of outfit Doll By Doll. After the band disbanded in the early-1980s has recorded extensively as a solo artist with well over a dozen albums to his name. Best known for his 1994 The Mystery Of Love Is Greater Than The Mystery Of Death album ~ Leven was born in 1950
November 14, 2011 ~ Songwriter Lee Pockriss, full name Lee Julian Pockriss, passed away in Bridgewater, Connecticut, USA ~ In-demand songwriter of the 1950s and 1960s, with several soundtracks and Broadway shows to his name. Perhaps best known for co-writing Perry Como's Catch A Falling Star, Brian Hyland's Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini, and the Cuff Links' Tracy. Others who have recorded his songs include Jerry Vale, Johnny Mathis, Anita Bryant (My Little Corner Of The World), Dodie Stevens, Shelley Fabares (Johnny Angel), Frankie Laine, the Rooftop Singers, and Clint Holmes (Playground In My Mind) ~ Pockriss was born in 1924
November 14, 2009 ~ In its twelfth week on the charts, Whatcha Say by Jason Derülo hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ Prior to his solo career, Derülo had written songs for the likes of Lil' Wayne, Pitbull, Pleasure P, Cassie, and notably Bossy for Birdman, also guesting on the latter's track. It was Whatcha Say, however, issued as the lead single off his then-upcoming eponymous Jason Derülo debut album that would start off his solo career with a bang. The single would reach top 10 in over a dozen countries, including the No.1 spot in New Zealand and America. Derülo would go on to enjoy popularity especially through the mid-2010s, racking up about half a dozen Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits as a solo artist, as well as several as a collaborator
November 14, 1995 ~ Singer Mariah Carey releases One Sweet Day, a collaboration with Boyz II Men, lifted off Carey's acclaimed Daydream album ~ Written by all members of Boyz II Men and Carey, the latter also co-producing the track with Walter Afanasieff, One Sweet Day tells of the death of a loved one, having taken them for granted and missing them, to finally seeing the person in heaven. Issued as the second single off Carey's Daydream hit album, One Sweet Day would be met with universal acclaim, and spend a consecutive sixteen weeks at the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, at the time a record for longest run at No.1. It would also be nominated for two Grammy Awards, one for Record of the Year, and one for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. In total, the parent album and its singles were nominated for six Grammy Awards, yet much to the amazement of critics the singer would win none. One Sweet Day, however, remains one of the best known and most beloved for both Carey and Boyz II Men
November 14, 1992 ~ Saxophonist, flutist George Adams, full name George Rufus Adams, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity during the 1970s and 1980s. Recorded about two dozen albums as leader or co-leader, often teaming up with Don Pullen. Especially acclaimed for Live At The Village Vanguard Vol.2 and Breakthrough, both co-led with Pullen. Adams is also present on albums by the Fatback Band, Charles Mingus (Changes One), Gil Evans (There Comes A Time), David Sanborn, McCoy Tyner (Horizon), Johnny Copeland, Craig Harris, Phalanx, Craig Harris, and Kip Hanrahan ~ Adams was born in 1940
November 14, 1989 ~ William Edward Davison, commonly known as jazz, Dixieland cornetist Wild Bill Davison, passed away in Santa Barbara, California, USA ~ Considered one of the prime Dixieland cornet players, known for his colorful style, unusually placed high notes, and strong personality. Dubbed “Wild Bill” for his heavy drinking and womanizing. Active since the 1920s, playing with Muggsy Spanier and Frank Teschemacher, but it would not be until the 1940s, teaming up with Eddie Condon, that he would gain wider recognition. Recorded well over a dozen albums as leader, especially acclaimed for That's A Plenty, After Hours, and Jazz On A Saturday Afternoon Vol.1. As a sideman Davison has appeared on albums by Sidney Bechet, Art Hodes (Art Hodes Hot Five), Hot Lips Page, Pee Wee Russell, and Tony Parenti ~ Davison was born in 1906
November 14, 1983 ~ Pop, synth-pop, new wave duo Eurythmics release their Touch album ~ The duo broke through with their previous album, the sophomore effort Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) released earlier the same year, and continued their hit streak with Touch. It would be the first album to reach top 10 on both sides of the Atlantic, including the No.1 spot in their native UK, and all of the album's singles, Who's That Girl, Right By Your Side and Here Comes The Rain Again, reached top 10 UK, the latter also doing well in America where it peaked at No.4 Billboard Hot 100
November 14, 1982 ~ Torrence Ivy Hatch Jr, commonly known as rapper Lil' Boosie or Boosie Badazz, born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known as vocalist on Baby Boy da Prince's The Way I Live and on Webbie's Independent. As a solo artist known for songs such as Wipe Me Down. Has also worked with Yung Joc, Jeezy, Kiara, Sean Kingston, DJ Khaled, Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Tyga, Kodak Black, and others
November 14, 1981 ~ Pop, contemporary Christian singer Joy Williams born in Mount Hermon, California, USA ~ Cites Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, Massive Attack, Portishead as inluences. Debuted with the eponymous Joy Williams album in 2001. Formed the duo the Civil Wars with John Paul White from 2009 to 2014
November 14, 1980 ~ Bernard Guerin, commonly known as jazz double bassist Beb Guérin, passed away in Paris, France ~ Fixture on the Paris jazz scene from the 1960s onwards. In-demand sideman, present on recordings by Jacques Coursil (Way Ahead), Arthur Jones, Alan Silva, Dave Burrell, Clifford Thornton (Ketchaoua), Grachan Moncur III, the Celestrial Communication Orchestra, Sonny Sharrock, Archie Shepp, Jacques Thollot, Toto Bissainthe, and Burton Greene (Aquariana) ~ Guérin was born in 1941
November 14, 1980 ~ Pop punk drummer, percussionist, singer Matt Brann born in Ajax, Canada ~ Best known as drummer for Avril Lavigne. Co-wrote Lavigne's Freak Out of her sophomore Under My Skin album released in 2004. Has also worked with the Operation MD, which also includes high school classmate Jason McCaslin
November 14, 1980 ~ Michael W Eagle II, commonly known as rapper, comedian Open Mike Eagle, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of hip-hop collective Project Blowed. Has also worked with Thirsty Fish, the Swim Team, Cavanaugh. Over half a dozen albums to his name as a solo artist, starting with Unapologetic Art Rap released in 2010
November 14, 1979 ~ Shyheim Dionel Franklin,. mononymously known as rapper, actor Shyheim, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Debuted at age 16 with his AKA The Rugged Child album in 1994, which spawned the hit single On & On. Would go on to become a regular collaborator of the Wu-Tang Clan's Method Man and Ghostface Killah
November 14, 1975 ~ Drummer Travis Barker, full name Travis Landon Barker, born in Fontana, California, USA ~ Dubbed “punk's first superstar drummer” by Rolling Stone. Best known as drummer for rock band Blink-182, reaching mainstream succes with their 1999 Enema Of The State album which spawned the hits What's My Age Again, All The Small Things and Adam's Song. Barker is also an in-demand collaborator. Formed the duo TRV$DJAM with DJ AM. Formed the rock bands 44 and Box Car Racer. Has also worked with the Aquabats, ANTEMASQUE, Expensive Taste, the Transplants, and others. Released his Give The Drummer Some solo album in 2011
November 14, 1973 ~ Club, dance, R&B singer Adina Howard born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA ~ Rose to fame during the mid-1990s with her album Do You Wanna Ride, spawning the hit single Freak Like Me. Also known for songs such as What's Love Got To Do With It featuring Warren G, Freak And U Know It, Nasty Grind, Freaks featuring Play 'n Skillz & Krayzie Bone, T-Shirt & Panties featuring Jamie Foxx
November 14, 1972 ~ Douglas Payne Jr, commonly known as bassist, singer Dougie Payne, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Best known as bassist, backing vocalist of Scottish pop-rock band Travis. Ocassional lead vocalist such as on Little Bit Of Soul and The Distance. Songwriter responsible for tracks such as The Score, Know Nothing, Colder and Something Anything. The latter, taken from the band's 6th studio album, would be the band's first single not written by Fran Healey
November 14, 1972 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Will Hoge born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Drew attention in the 1990s through constant touring leading to a record deal with Atlantic Records in the early-2000s, who re-released his 2001 Caroussel followed by the underpromoted Blackbird On A Lonely Wire in 2003. Perhaps best known for You Make Me Happy, used as the theme song to the sitcom Still Standing, aired on CBS from 2002 through 2006. Has guested on recordings by Shinedown, David Nail, Amy Grant. Songs written by Hoge have been recorded by the Eli Young Band, Ted Russell Kamp and notably Lady Antebellum (Better Off (Now That You're Gone))
November 14, 1970 ~ Rock, indie rock, power pop, alternative rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, drummer, songwriter Brendan Benson born in Royal Oak, Michigan, USA ~ Recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with One Mississippi released in 1996. Benson has also served as producer for the Greenhornes, Nice Device, the Mood Elevator, and Whirlwind Heat, and was a member of indie rock supergroup the Raconteurs, which also included guitarist Jack White of the White Stripes
November 14, 1970 ~ Family outfit the Osmonds release One Bad Apple, lifted off their eponymous Osmonds album ~ Written by FAME Music staff songwriter George Jackson, who initially had the Jackson 5 in mind. Many consider One Bad Apple a Donny Osmond single, as he sang the lead vocals, but Donny would not record as a solo artist until 1971. For the Osmonds, One Bad Apple, telling a girl that one bad experience shouldn't dictate her behavior, would be the first charting single and one of their biggest hits, holding the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 spot for five consecutive weeks in early-1971
November 14, 1968 ~ Jazz saxophonist Hilton Jefferson passed away ~ Best known for leading Cab Calloway's saxophone section from 1940 through 1949. Had previously worked with Claude Hopkins, Chick Webb, Fletcher Henderson, and McKinney's Cotton Pickers. After Calloway worked with Duke Ellington before retiring from music ~ Jefferson was born in 1903
November 14, 1967 ~ Massimo Pezzali, commonly known as pop singer, songwriter Max Pezzali, born in Pavia, Italy ~ Lead singer and primary songrwriter of pop rock band 883. The band is known for songs such as Non Me La Menare, Sei Un Mito and Come Mai, all of which topped the charts in the band's native Italy. Ventured out on his own after the band disbanded, releasing his Il mondo Insieme A Te in 2004, going on to become one of italy's most popular singers
November 14, 1967 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Nina Gordon, full name Nina Rachel Gordon Shapiro, born in Chicago, Illinois ~ Co-founding member of Veruca Salt present on the band's first two albums 1994's American Thighs and 1997's Eight Arms To Hold You. Wrote the band's hit singles Seether and Volcano Girls. Released her solo debut, Tonight And The Rest Of My Life, in 2000 which also featured Veruca bandmate and brother Jim Shapiro. Rejoined Veruca Salt in 2015
November 14, 1966 ~ Conductor Charles Hazlewood born ~ Conducted a wide array of orchestras including the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchesta, the Copenhagen Philharmonic, the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Hazlewood has collaborated with a host of musicians from outside classical music such as Squarepusher, Goldie, Wyclef Jean, Labrinth, Adrian Utley, Jason Yarde, Will Gregory, Andy Sheppard, Graham Fitkin, and Jarvis Cocker
November 14, 1965 ~ Indie pop, indie rock singer Stuart A Staples, full name Stuart Ashton Staples, born in Basford, UK ~ Lead singer, guitarist of critics darling indie rock outfit the Tindersticks. The band is especially acclaimed for their first two albums, 1993's Tindersticks and 1995's Tindersticks II. Following the band's initial disbandement Staples has fronted Asphalt Ribbons, recorded as a solo artist and composed a number of soundtracks
November 14, 1963 ~ Rock, grunge drummer Aaron Burckhard born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Original drummer of Nirvana, remaining with the band through late-1987 succeeded by Dale Crover. Only appears on some tracks of With The Lights Out, a box set released in 2004 consisting of previously unreleased recordings
November 14, 1963 ~ Guitarist, singer, songwriter Jeff Holdsworth born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Founding member of rock band Phish. Wrote the concert favorites Possum and Camel Walk. Left the band in 1986 shortly before the band recorded their The White Tape debut album
November 14, 1962 ~ Pop, rock & roll singer Billy Fury records Like I've Never Been Gone at Decca Studios, London, UK ~ Written by Paul Hampton and Camille Monte. Recorded by country singer Chase Webster earlier the same year. Fury's single, paired with What Do You Think You're Doing Of on the flip side, would reach UK top 10
November 14, 1962 ~ Singer, songwriter Bob Dylan records Mixed-Up Confusion at Columbia Recording Studio, New York, New York ~ Self-penned. Produced by John Hammond Jr. Recorded with an electric band consisting of George Barnes and Bruce Langthorne on guitars, Dick Wellstood piano, Gene Ramey bass, Herbie Lovelle drums. The song would serve as Dylan's first single b/w Corinna Corinna released the following December. Only the B-side would be included on Dylan's The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan sophomore album, making it the only electric track on the otherwise acoustic album
November 14, 1962 ~ Bassist Charlie Angus, full name Charles Joseph Angus, born in Timmins, Canada ~ Founded punk band L'Étranger with Andrew Cash, known best for their anti-apartheid song One People. Co-founded alternative folk group Grievous Angels. Member of Parliament for the NDP since 2004
November 14, 1961 ~ Antonio González Flores, commonly known as rock, pop, flamenco singer, guitarist, pianist, actor Antonio Flores, born in Madrid, Spain ~ Brother of singers Lolita Flores and Rosario Flores. Best known for Cosas Mias, his fourth and final album released in 1995. His previous albums had been commercially unsuccessful yet in hindsight Flores would posthumously be acclaimed as one of Spain's most influential artists ~ Flores passed away in 1995
November 14, 1961 ~ Pop, rock & roll singer Billy Fury records I'd Never Find Another You at Decca Studios, London, UK ~ Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. Previously recorded by Tony Orlando, released earlier the same year. Paired with Sleepless Nights on the B-side the single would reach top 10, making it Fury's second Orlando-cover, the previous one being Halfway To Paradise also written by Goffin & King, to do so
November 14, 1960 ~ In its eighth week on the charts, Georgia On My Mind by Ray Charles hits No.1 Billboard Hot 100 ~ This song dates back to the early-1930s, first recorded by Hoagy Carmichael, who co-wrote the song with lyricist Stuart Gorrell. It would, however, become most closely associated with Georgia-born singer, pianist Ray Charles who recorded it for his The Genius Hits The Road album in 1960. The Charles version would be designated the official state song by the State of Georgia in 1979. Both versions would eventually be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, the Charles cover in 1993, the original Carmichael recording in 2014. It is possible that Georgia On My Mind is written about a woman rather than the state. At the time they wrote the song, neither Carmichael nor Gorrell lived in Georgia, but Carmichael did have a sister named Georgia. Other than Carmichael and Charles, the song has been recorded by over an estimated 1,000 artists
November 14, 1959 ~ Blues, jazz drummer Al Wichard, full name Albert Wichard, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Worked with the Bihari Brothers, Illinois Jacquet, John Brown, Arthur Dennis, Bill Doggett, Ulysses Livingston, Charles Mingus, King Fleming, William Brother Woodman, Wilbert Baraham, Buddy Harper, Addison Farmer, George Vann, Oscar Lee Bradley, Wynonie Harris, Jimmy Witherspoon, Gal Friday, Mitchell Tiny Webb, Chuck Norris, Frank Sleet, Ben Webster, Jay McShann, Maxwell Davis, Buddy Floyd, Gene GIlbeaux, Big Duke Henderson, Hoagy Carmichael, Gene Phillips, Lloyd Glenn, Marshal Royal, Jake Porter, Jack McVea, Smokey Hogg, Hadda Brooks, Bill Davis, Teddy Bunn, Red Callender, James von Streeter, Nat Meels, Walter Henry, Hampton Hawes, Shifty Henry, Herman Pattus, Wynona Carr, Brother Joe May, and Little Willie Littlefield ~ Wichard was born ca.1919
November 14, 1956 ~ Folk, blues, sertanejo, chamamé, guarania singer, violist, guitarist, songwriter, actor Almir Sater, full name Almir Eduardo Melke Sater, born in Campo Grande, Brazil ~ Influenced by Tião Carreiro & Pardinho, Tonico & Tinoco and Délia & Delinha. First gained attention in 1980 when Sergio Reis recorded his composition Sonhos Guaranis. Would release his Estradeiro solo debut album the following year and has recorded to critical acclaim since. Especially acclaimed for the 2018 AR album, a collaborative effort with Renato Teixeira
November 14, 1954 ~ Yiannis Chryssomallis, commonly known as keyboardist, producer, songwriter Yanni, born in Kalamata, Greece ~ Draws from numerous genres including jazz, classical, soft rock and world music. Best known for his 1994 Live At The Acropolis album, reportedly one of the all-time best-selling concert albums. Has had well over a dozen albums chart the Billboard New Age album charts
November 14, 1952 ~ John Antonopoulos, commonly known as rock, jazz, blues guitarist Johnny A, born in Malden, Massachusetts, USA ~ Rose to local fame in the Boston area in the 1970s with his band the Streets, known for singles such as What Gives. The band would also serve as support act for artists such as Aerosmith and Bob Seger. Would go on to front the bands Hidden Secret and Hearts On Fire in the 1980s, again reaching local succes. Sessioned throughout the 1990 with Mingo Lewis, Delaney & Bonnie and Bobby Whitlock. Guitarist and musical director for former the J Geils Band-frontman Peter Wolf, co-produced the latter's 1996 Long Line album. Has recorded as a solo artist since the late-1990s
November 14, 1951 ~ Bassist Alec John Such born ~ Member of Bon Jovi from its inception in 1983 through 1994. Present on the band's best known including the 1987 Slippery When Wet album which would go on to sell over 20 million copies and spawn the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits You Give Love A Bad Name, Livin' On A Prayer and Wanted Dead Or Alive ~ Such passed away in 2022
November 14, 1951 ~ Pop rock, glam rock drummer Barry Brandt ~ Drummer of Angel from 1975 to 1981, rejoining on occasion. The band was discovered by Kiss guitarist Gene Simmons and known for their androgynous image. Slammed by rock critics and ridiculized by Frank Zappa in the song Punky's Whips, the band never achieved mass commercial succes but enjoyed a cult following
November 14, 1950 ~ Country, folk singer Colleen Peterson born in Canada ~ Member of 3's A Crowd. Member of Quartette. Solo artist. Cast in Canadian 1970 production of Hair. Also worked with Charlie Daniels Band, Gordon Lightfoot, Tom Waits, Ry Cooder, Waylon Jennings, Roger Miller, Janie Fricke, Marty Stuart. As a songwriter had her work recorded by Anne Murray, Ronnie Prophet and by Sylvia Tyson ~ Peterson passed away in 1996
November 14, 1950 ~ Rock, pop guitarist Leo van de Ketterij born in Vlissingen, the Netherlands ~ Best known as member of Shocking Blue in 1970 and 1971 succeeding Robbie van Leeuwen. Has also worked with the Flying Arrows, Flarth, Universal Delight, Minisink Townhouse, the Cave, and with the L&C Band, the latter also including his wife singer Cindy Tamo ~ Van de Ketterij passed away in 2021
November 14, 1949 ~ Rock, progressive rock guitarist James Young, full name James Vincent Young, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Co-founding member of Styx. Young is sometimes referred to “the Godfather of Styx”. Wrote songs such Miss America and Snowblind. Released a number of solo albums after the band's initial break-up, starting with 1985's City Slicker featuring Jan Hammer
November 14, 1949 ~ Latin pop, easy listening pianist Raúl Di Blasio born in Zapala, Argentina ~ Has worked with Richard Clayderman, Tomey Sellars, Alejandro Fernández, José José, Armando Manzanero, Julio Iglesias, Juan Gabriel, José Feliciano, the London Symphony Orchestra, Wendy Pedersen, and others
November 14, 1947 ~ Stanley Dural Jr, commonly known as R&B, zydeco singer, accordionist, organist Buckwheat Zydeco, born in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA ~ One of the few zydeco artists to achieve lasting mainstream success. Started in 1950s backing artists such as Joe Tex, Clarence Gatemouth Brown and Clifton Chenier. Known for collaborations with a wide array of artists including Eric Clapton, U2, the Boston Pops, Yo La Tengo, Warren Haynes, Sonny Landreth, Trombone Shorty, JJ Grey, and Steve Berlin ~ Dural passed away in 2016
November 14, 1944 ~ Singer Frank Sinatra records If You Are But A Dream ~ Written by Moe Jaffe, Jack Fulton, Nat Bonx. Recorded by Sinatra for Colombia Records with arrangement by Axel Stordahl. First released as the B-side to White Christmas on a 78rpm recording, reaching the top 10 later the same year. Later also recorded by Vic Damone, Duke Ellington, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Etta Jones, Ray Price, and Della Reese
November 14, 1944 ~ Jazz pianist George Cables, full name George Andrew Cables, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Over 30 albums as a leader. Member of Bebop & Beyond. Member of the Cookers. Has also worked with Art Blakey, the Deardorf-Peterson Group, Laurie Antonioli, Chico Freeman, Dexter Gordon, Roy Haynes, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, and extensively with Art Pepper
November 14, 1944 ~ Singer Scherrie Payne born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Lead singer for Glass House, known best for their 1969 single Crumbs Off The Table. Subsequently a member of the Supremes from 1973 through 1977, notably present on songs such as He's My Man and It's All Been Said Before and modest disco hits such as You're My Driving Wheel, Love I Never Knew You Could Feel So Good and I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking
November 14, 1943 ~ Songwriter, arranger Jean-Claude Petit born in Vaires-sur-Marne, France ~ Arranged for Erick Saint-Laurent, Christine Pilzer and Monique Thubert in he 1960s. Arranged strings for Mink DeVille's Le Chat Bleu album. Also worked with Pierre Delanoë, Toto Cutugno, Vito Pallavicinio, Mireille Mathieu, Jack Arel, and with Jean-Claude Pascal
November 14, 1942 ~ Classical cellist Natalia Gutman, full name Natalia Grigoryevna Gutman, born in Kazan, Russia ~ Married to violinist Oleg Kagan, with whom she has also worked. Known for recording Dmitry Shostakovich's Cello Concerto and Antonín Dvorák's Cello Concerto with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Has performed with numerous renowned orchestras including the Vienna Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, the Munich Philharmonic, the Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra, the Concertgebouw Orchestra, and others
November 14, 1938 ~ R&B singer Cornell Gunter was born in Coffeyville, Kansas, USA ~ Original member of the Platters, leaving the band in 1953 to join the Flairs. Has also toured with Dinah Washington, was a member of the Coasters, and recorded a handful of solo singles in the late-1950s and early-1960s ~ Gunter passed away in 1990
November 14, 1936 ~ Blues harpist, bassist Carey Bell born in Macon, Mississippi, USA ~ Worked with Earl Hooker, Robert Nighthawk, Lowell Fulson, Eddie Taylor, Louisiana Red, Lurrie Bell, Jimmy Dawkins, Lovie Lee, Royal Johnson, Muddy Waters, the Chicago Blues All-Stars, Junior Wells, James Cotton, Billy Branch, Carl Weathersby, Scott Cable, Bob Stroger, John Lee Hooker, Bob Degen, David Honeyboy Edwards, Lazy Lester, Raful Neal, Snooky Pryor, and the Wentus Blues Band ~ Bell passed away in 2007
November 14, 1936 ~ Joseph Johnson Jr, commonly known as drummer Smokey Johnson, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Learned trombone as a child. Switched to drums at age 12. Worked with James Sugarboy Crawford, Dave Bartholomew, Earl King, Wardell Quezergue, Professor Longhair (including on the classic recording Big Chief), Snooks Eaglin, and Fats Domino. Co-wrote It Ain't My Fault, a New Orleans classic recorded by the Olympia Brass Band, the Rebirth Brass Band, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the Treme Brass Band, Charmaine Neville, Milton Batiste, Shane Theriot, the Young Olympians, the Ambrosia Brass Band, David Roe, and Cole Prior Stevens, and sampled by Silkk The Shocker, Mystikal, and Mariah Carey ~ Johnson passed away in 2015
November 14, 1934 ~ Jazz, vocal jazz singer Al Bowlly records Isle Of Capri at Abbey Road Studios, London, UK ~ A tango foxtrot written by Wilhelm Grosz and Jimmy Kennedy. Released the following November Bowlly's version, backed by Ray Noble and orchestra, would reach top of the pop charts in the US. Other early versions included recordings by Lew Stone with Nat Gonella, Gracie Fields, Freddy Martin with Elmer Feldkamp, and Wingy Manone. Over the years the song would also be covered by Frankie Laine, the Gaylords, Frank Sinatra, and Fats Domino
November 14, 1934 ~ Pianist Ellis Marsalis Jr, full name Ellis Louis Marsalis Jr, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Patriarch of the Marsalis family, father of Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Delfeayao Marsalis and Jason Marsalis. Has recorded over a dozen albums as a leader, and has regularly collaborated with family members. Other notable associations include Nat Adderley, Snooks Eaglin, Steve Masakowski, Art Tatum, Kermit Ruffins, Courtney Pine, Harold Battiste, David Benoit, and Irma Thomas. Marsalis is also well known as an educator, quoted as once saying: “we don't teach jazz, we teach students” ~ Marsalis passed away in 2020
November 14, 1932 ~ Robert C Thomas, commonly known as jazz drummer Bobby Thomas born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Best known as a member of Junior Mance's trio in the early-1960s present on albums such as The Soulful Piano Of Junior Mance, and for his association with the Montgomery Brothers appearing on the 1961 Groove Yard album. Thomas has also guested on albums by Gigi Gryce, Herbie Mann, Hubert Laws, Art Farmer, and Dave Pike ~ Thomas passed away in 2013
November 14, 1932 ~ Composer, producer Tsuneo Fukuhara born ~ Adoptive son of composer, producer Fukuhari Choki. Considered a pioneer in fusing traditional Okinawan music with elements from a wide array of genres including classical music, R&B, and bossa nova. Active since the early-1960s has written over an estimated 500 songs, including his best known Bashofu notably covered by Rimi Natsukawa, Tokiko Kato, and others ~ Fukuhara passed away in 2022
November 14, 1930 ~ Saxophonist Jay Migliori born in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known as co-founding member of Supersax, a tribute band to Charlie Parker. In-demand sideman and session musician, active since the early-1950s. Present on albums by Woody Herman, Jimmy Witherspoon, Lou Rawls (Black And Blue), the Righteous Brothers, the Beach Boys (Pet Sounds), Richard Groove Holmes, Paul Revere & the Raiders, the Everly Brothers, Nat Adderley, Harry Nilsson, Loudon Wainwright III (Unrequited), Leonard Cohen, the Manhattan Transfer, and Frank Zappa ~ Migliori passed away in 2001
November 14, 1919 ~ Giovanni Alfredo de Simone, commonly known as singer Johnny Desmond, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ As a solo artist known for songs such as Guilty, The Picnic Song, Because Of You, Woman, and Play Me Hearts And Flowers (I Wanna Cry). Also worked with Bob Crosby (You Forgot About Me, Do You Care), Glenn Miller, Don Cornwell, Alan Dale, and others ~ De Simone passed away in 1985
November 14, 1917 ~ Steel guitarist Noel Boggs, full name Noel Edwin Boggs, born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA ~ Considered a virtuoso on the electric steel guitar, Boggs helped popularize the instrument as a viable instrument in country music. Toured with Hank Penny in the mid-1930s, backed Jimmy Wakely from the late-1930s onwards, and was a member of pivotal Western swing outfit the Texas Playboys, the backing unit of Bob Wills, appearing on some of the band's most classic recordings including Roly Poly and Stay A Little Longer. Over the course of his career, Boggs is said to have appeared on well over 1,000 recordings, an in-demand sideman for the likes of by Moon Mullican, Flatt & Scruggs, Spade Cooley, Merle Travis, the Sons Of The Pioneers, the Maddox Brothers, Curtis Gordon, and Spade Cooley. Boggs has also released a handful of solo albums, and from time to time guested on albums outside his usual circles, perhaps most notably appearing on Eartha Kitt's That Bad Eartha album released in 1953 ~ Boggs passed away in 1974
November 14, 1915 ~ Jazz guitarist Billy Bauer, full name William Henry Bauer, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Jerry Wald, Carl Hoff, Woody Herman, the First Herd, Benny Goodman, Jack Teagarden, Chubby Jackson, Bill Harris, Lennie Tristano, Lee Konitz, Tony Aless, George Barnes, Al Caiola, Harry Carney, Helen Carroll, Al Cohn, Cozy Cole, Tommy Dorsey, Bobby Hackett, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Hasselgard, Coleman Hawkins, Billie Holiday, JJ Johnson, Beverly Kenney, Big Miller, Chico O'Farrill, Seldon Powell, Barry Ulanov, Charlie Ventura, Ben Webster, and Cootie Williams ~ Bauer passed away in 2005
November 14, 1910 ~ Singer, songwriter, revue performer, theater director Jens Book-Jenssen, full name Jens Peter Book Jennsen, born in Bærum, Norway ~ Recorded prolifically in the 1930s and 1940s with some 400 recordings to his name, best known for Lysene Tennes Der Hjemme, En Litten Gyllen Ring, and De Lyse Netters Melodi. Book-Jenssen continued to perform, touring extensively, well into the 1970s ~ Book-Jenssen passed away in 1999
November 14, 1904 ~ Jazz, blues pianist Art Hodes, full name Arthur W Hodes, born in Nikoliev, Russia ~ By some considered the greatest white jazz, blues pianist of his day. Honed his skills in Chicago's thriving 1920s jazz scene, making his recording debut in 1928 with Wingy Manone. Spent most of the 1930 in obscurity before relocating to New York by the end of the decade, where he became an in-demand collaborator backing artists such as Joe Marsala and Mezz Mezzrow, prior to forming his own ensemble. Recorded well over a dozen albums as a leader, noted specifically for the mid-1950s albums Art Hodes Hot Five and Chicago Rhythm Kings. Hodes has also guested on recordings by Sidney Bechet, Tony Parenti (Tony Parenti And His New Orleanians), Albert Nicholas (All-Star Stompers), Edmond Hall, Barney Bigard (Bucket's Got A Hole In It), Max Kaminsky, and Kenny Davern ~ Hodes passed away in 1993
November 14, 1904 ~ Singer, actor Dick Powell, full name Richard Ewing Powell, born in Mountain View, Arkansas, USA ~ Best known as an actor, including singing in some musical comedies. Sang I Only Have Eyes For You in the 1934 film Dames. Ventured into directing by the 1950s, making his debut as a director with Split Second, released in 1953 ~ Powell passed away in 1963
November 14, 1901 ~ Singer, pianist Morton Downey, full name Sean Morton Downey, born in Wallingford, Connecticut, USA ~ Major influence on the Ink Spots-singer Bill Kenny. Dubbed “the Irish Nightingale” for his Irish ancestry and his creamy high-timbred sound, easily mistaken for a female voice, Downey enjoyed his greatest success during the 1920s and 1930s. Best known for first recording I'll Always Be In Love With You, a smash hit for Downey in 1929, and over the years recorded by over a 100 artists including Nat Gonella, Mel Tormé, Georgia Gibbs, Count Basie, Vera Lynn, Jimmy Witherspoon, Lloyd Price, and Eddy Arnold. Other well known songs include All I Need Is Someone Like You, California Skies, In The Valley Of The Roses, That's How I Spell Ireland, and Wabash Moon ~ Downey passed away in 1985
November 14, 1900 ~ Composer, conductor Aaron Copland born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Acclaimed contemporary classical composer, referred to as “the Dean of American Composers” by peers and critics. Began writing songs at the age of eight. Best known for Appalachian Spring, Fanfare For The Common Man, and Third Symphony ~ Copland passed away in 1990
November 14, 1900 ~ Violinist, conductor Adolf Pollitzer passed away in London, UK ~ An interpreter of classic chamber music, Pollitzer was regarded as one of the premier violinists of his day. After relocating to London, the UK, Pollitzer would serve as leader with the Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Choral Society. Served as the first professor of violin at the London Academy of Music from its inception in 1861 through 1870, and subsequently as its Principal until his death in 1900. Harold Bauer and Edward Elgar were among his students ~ Pollitzer was born in 1832
November 14, 1719 ~ Composer, violinist Leopold Mozart, full name Johann Georg Leopold Mozart, born in Augsburg, Germany ~ Best known as father and teacher of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and as author, his violin textbook Versuch Einer Gründlichen Violinschule published in 1756. Sacrificed his own career to promote his son's yet several works, notably Toy Symphony, remain popular ~ Mozart passed away in 1787