November 21, 1992 ~ Singer, songwriter Conor Maynard, full name Conor Paul Maynard, born in Brighton, UK ~ Debuted in 2012 with the Contrast album, which spawned the hits Can't Say No, Vegas Girl, Turn Around featuring Ne-Yo, and Animal featuring Wiley, all of which reached the British top 10
November 21, 1985 ~ Jazz, funk, soul saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Calvin A Johnson Jr born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Debuted as a leader with the album Jewel's Lullaby in 2012. In-demand sideman, has toured or recorded with acts such as Harry Connick Jr, Sam's Funky Nation, Aaron Neville, Irvin Mayfield, Bob French, Courtney Bryan, and Mystikal
November 21, 1985 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress Carly Rae Jepsen born in Mission, Canada ~ Performed the lead in several of her high school's musicals before her studies at the Canadian College Of Performing Arts, pursuing a career in the musical theatre. First gained serious attention in 2007 placing third on the talent contest Canadian Idol. Would release her folk-influenced Tug Of War debut album the following year. Broke through to mainstream, achieving international recognition, in 2012 with the teen-pop, dance-pop hit Call Me Maybe, a charttopper in over a dozen countries including the UK, the United States and her native Canada, taken of her Kiss sophomore album
November 21, 1984 ~ Olubowale Victor Akintimehin, commonly known as rapper Wale, born in Washington DC, USA ~ First gained attention with his 2006 single Dig Dug Shake It. Released his full-length debut album, Attention Deficit, in 2009. Best known for Bad featuring Tiara Thomas and On Chill featuring Jeremih. Has collaborated with Lady Gaga, Jazmine Sullivan, Gucci Mane, J Cole, Kid Cudi, French Montana, Lupe Fiasco, Usher, Lil' Wayne, Bryson Tiller, Kelly Price, the Roots, Shawty Lo, and others
November 21, 1984 ~ Folk, blues, country singer, guitarist Willy Mason born in New York, New York, USA ~ Actively recording since the mid-2000s. Enjoys popularity especially in the UK, his 2004 Where The Humans Eat debut album and its 2007 If The Ocean Gets Rough both reaching the top 40. Well-known songs include Oxygen, So Long, Save Myself, and We Can Be Strong featuring KT Tunstall
November 21, 1982 ~ Elisabeth Corrin Maurus, commonly known as pop rock, country folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Lissie, born in Rock Island, Illinois, USA ~ Released her debut EP Why You Runnin' in 2009, her full lenght Catching A Tiger debut album released the following year. Best known and critically acclaimed for the 2016 My Wild West album, her third studio album
November 21, 1980 ~ Alternative rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Ben Gautrey, full name Benedict Gautrey, born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Fronted the Cooper Temple Clause, known for songs such as Promises Promises, Blind Pilots and Homo Sapiens. After the band disbanded in 2007 Gautrey would go on to form Type Two Error with bandmate Kieran Mahon
November 21, 1980 ~ Metal singer Tim Lambesis, full name Timothy Peter Lambesis, born ~ Best known as founding member, frontman of As I Lay Dying. Also worked with Society's Finest, Point Of Recognition, Sworn Enemy, Bleeding Through, and others
November 21, 1977 ~ Actor, singer Kristian Ealey, full name Kristian John Ealey, born in Lancashire, UK ~ Appeared in an episode of the British sitcom Bread at age 9. Would go on to pursue a career in acting, best known for his role as Matt Musgrove in the Channel 4 soap Brookside. Lead singer, guitarist of Liverpool band Tramp Attack. Subsequently worked with beat, blues-rock singer Edgar Jones. Played the role of Ringo Starr in the TV biopic In His Life (The John Lennon Story) in 2000 ~ Ealey passed away in 2016
November 21, 1974 ~ Country, country-pop singer Kelsi Osborn, full name Kelsi Marie Osborn, born ~ Member of sibling outfit SheDaisy, alongside Kassidy Osborn and Kristyn Osborn, known for songs such as Little Good-byes, This Woman Needs, Passenger Seat, Come Home Soon, Don't Worry 'Bout A Thing, all of which reached top 20 of the Billboard Country charts between the late-1990s and mid-2000s
November 21, 1973 ~ Tenor saxophonist Mark Shim born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ As a sideman Shim worked with Hamiet Bluiett, Elvin Jones, Mose Allison, Betty Carter, Greg Osby, and others. Also recorded as a leader, starting with 1998's Mind Over Matter on Blue Note Records
November 21, 1968 ~ Britpop, rock bassist, guitarist, singer Alex James, full name Steven Alexander James, born in Boscombe, UK ~ Best known as member of Blur. Also worked with Fat Les, Me Me Me, Wigwam, Bad Lieutenant, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor
November 21, 1965 ~ Björk Guomundsdottir, mononymously known as art pop, electronica, experimental pop, rock singer, songwriter Björk born in Reykjavik, Iceland ~ Rose to fame as frontwoman of the Sugarcubes, known for their 1987 hit Birthday. Debuted as a solo artist in 1993 with the aptly title Debut album. Known for songs such as Play Dead featuring David Arnold, Big Time Sensuality, Army Of Me, It's Oh So Quiet, Hyperballad, and Possibly Maybe. Co-wrote Madonna's Bedtime Story. Has collaborated with 808 State, Ölóf Arnalds, Plaid, and Hector Zazou
November 21, 1962 ~ Pop punk, punk rock, alternative rock singer, guitarist, drummer, keyboardist, banjoist, producer Greig Nori, full name Greig Andrew Nori, born in Sault Ste Marie, Canada ~ Co-lead singer of pop punk outfit Treble Charger, known for songs such as American Psycho and All Time Low. Served as producer for Sum 41, Cauterize, and Hedley. Head of artist management agency Bunk Rock Music, managing acts such as Gob, the Surplus Sons, the New Cities, and others
November 21, 1956 ~ Singer, actress, dancer Cynthia Rhodes born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Co-wrote Perfect Day with then-husband Richard Marx for Chris Botti. Dancer in videos of Marx (Don't Mean Nothing), Toto (Rosanna), the Bee Gees (The Woman In You), and others. Known for her roles in Flashdance, Staying Alive, and Dirty Dancing
November 21, 1956 ~ Producer, songwriter Terry Lewis born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Member of the Time, which also included Jimmy Jam. Would partner up with Jam to become one of the most in-demand producer, songwriting duos starting in the late-1980s, working with the SOS Band, Cherrelle, Alexander O'Neal, Change, Cheryl Lynn, Lionel Richie, Herb Alpert, TLC, Yolanda Adams, Jordan Knight, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Boyz II Men, Usher, Johnny Gill, Patti Labelle, Mary J Blige, Chaka Khan, Mariah Carey, Mya, Prince, Bryan Adams, George Michael, Kelly Price, Gwen Stefani, New Edition, Eric Benét, and perhaps most notably and extensively Janet Jackson
November 21, 1955 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Ab Baars born in Axel, the Netherlands ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Cumulus, Trebbel, Roscoe Mitchell, the ICP Orchestra, Anthony Braxton, Cecil Taylor, Tristan Honsinger, Sonic Youth, the ICP Orchestra, Ig Henneman, Orkest de Volharding, Sunny Murray, Steve Lacy, Roswell Rudd, Theo Jörgensmann, Ken Vandermark, and Michiyo Yagi
November 21, 1955 ~ Singer, guitarist Jacob Desvarieux born in Paris, France ~ Founding member of the Sweet Bananas, known best for their recording of Bilboa Dance. Key member of Caribbean music group Kassav, which he co-founded with Pierre-Edouard Décimus in 1979, known for their 1988 Sye Bwa single which reached the French top 20. As a solo artist acclaimed for his 1999 Euphrasine's Blues album ~ Desvarieux passed away in 2021
November 21, 1949 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Rainer Bruninghaus born in Bad Pyrmont, Germany ~ Formed Colours with Eberhard Weber and Charlie Mariano. Has also worked with Volker Kriegel, Manfred Schoof, Kenny Wheeler, Markus Stockhausen, Fredy Studer, Jan Garbarek, Carla Bley, Bob Brookmeyer, Gary Burton, Bobby McFerrin, Jim Hall, Manu Katché, Albert Mangelsdorff, Paul McCandles, Alphonse Mouzon, Archie Shepp, Steve Swallow, and others
November 21, 1948 ~ Drummer Alphonse Mouzon born in Charleston, South Carolina, USA ~ Best known as a member of the Weather Report. First gained attention as member of Larry Coryell's fusion band Eleventh House. Has also played with Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana, Patrick Moraz, Betty Davis, Chubby Checker, Albert Mangelsdorff, Jaco Pastorius, Chicano, David Paich, Brian Auger, Alex Ligertwood, Ray Parker Jr, Lenny Castro, Vikki Carr, Pete Escovedo, Marcos J Reyes, Siedah Garrett, Walfredo Reyes Jr, Arild Andersen, Donald Byrd, Doug Carn, Norman Connors, Miles Davis, Al di Meola, Roberta Flack, the Fania All-Stars, Carlos Garnett, Herbie Hancock, Miki Howard, Bobbi Humphrey, Joachim Kühn, Les McCann, Eugene McDaniels, Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner, Salvador Santana. and with Spencer Davis ~ Mouzon passed away in 2016
November 21, 1948 ~ Keyboardist, organist, composer John Bundrick, also known as Rabbit Bundrick, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Best known for his work with the Who. Also collaborated with Eric Burdon, Bob Marley, Free, Crawler, Mallard, Blackwell, Johnny Nash, Paul Kossoff, Simon Kirke, Tetsu Yamauchi, Sandy Denny, John Martyn, Donovan, Kevin Ayers, John Cale, Bryn Haworth, Jim Capaldi, Eric Burdon, Pete Townshend, the Only Ones, Deep End, Roger Waters, Fairport Convention, Mick Jagger, Neil Hamburger, and others
November 21, 1948 ~ Keyboardist, guitarist, singer Lonnie Jordan born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Founding member of War, known for songs such as Spill The Wine, The World Is A Ghetto, The Cisco Kid, Low Rider, and Summer. Also worked with Eric Burdon, Tanya Tucker, T.Rex, Los Lobos, Bobby Womack, and others
November 21, 1948 ~ Michael Edward Smith, commonly known as rock photographer Mick Rock, born in London, UK ~ Often referred to as “the Man Who Shot the Seventies” and best known as David Bowie's official photographer. Artists who have used his photos for album cover art include the Stooges (Raw Power), Lou Reed (Transformer, Coney Island Baby), Waylon Jennings (Lonesome On'ry & Mean), Cat Stevens (Foreigner), Queen (Sheer Heart Attack), Cockney Rebel (The Psychomodo), the Ramones (End Of The Century), Joan Jett (I Love Rock 'n Roll), Third Eye Blind (Out Of The Vein), and Miley Cyrus (Plastic Hearts) ~ Smith passed away in 2021
November 21, 1947 ~ Samba singer, trumpeter, clarinetist Alcione Nazareth, full name Alcione Dias Nazareth, born in Sao Luis, Brazil ~ One of the most beloved female samba singers gaining international fame in the late-1970s. Well over two dozen albums to her name. Dedicated the song João De Deus to Pope John Paul II upon his visit to Brazil in 1987. Other well known songs include Nãp Deixe O Samba Morrer, Lá Vem Vicê, Gostoso Veneno and Ilha Da mar´
November 21, 1947 ~ Folk guitarist, bouzouki player, singer Gordon Jones born ~ Co-founded Silly Wizard with guitarist Bob Thomas in the early-1970s. The band would gradually develop a cult following and is most acclaimed for their 1981 Wild & Beautiful album
November 21, 1944 ~ Percussionist, conga player, singer Milton Cardona born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico ~ Influenced by Mongo Santamaria. Especially acclaimed for the albums Bembe and Cambucha, released respectively in 1985 and 1999. A mainstay on New York's salsa scene, Cardona reportedly appears on over an estimated 1,000 recordings including albums by Willie Colón, Clifford Thornton, Héctor Lavoe, Cachao, Ismael Miranda, Celia Cruz, Rubén Blades, the Fania All-Stars, Kip Hanrahan, Eddie Palmieri, Michael Brecker (Now You See It (Now You Don't)), David Byrne, Ronnie Cuber (The Scene Is Clean), David Sánchez, Steve Turre, Marlena Shaw, Paul Simon, Mario Bauzá (Messidor's Finest), Herbie Mann, and Paquito d'Rivera ~ Cardona passed away in 2014
November 21, 1942 ~ Pop, rock pianist, singer, songwriter Andy Newman born in Isleworth, UK ~ Member of Thunderclap Newman from 1969 to 1971, a band formed by the Who's Pete Townshend and producer Kit Lambert to showcase the talent of John Speedy Keen, Jimmy McCulloch and Newman. The band would top the UK charts with their single Something In The Air in 1969, taken of the band's sole Hollywood Dream studio album ~ Newman passed away in 2016
November 21, 1941 ~ Saxophonist Andrew Love born ~ Noted session musician. Member of the Memphis Horns alongside longtime compadre trumpeter Wayne Jackson. Has backed artists such as Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, and Dusty Springfield. Has toured with the Doobie Brothers, Jimmy Buffett, and Robert Cray ~ Love passed away in 2012
November 21, 1941 ~ David C Randolph Jr, commonly known as jazz organist Butch Cornell, born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA ~ Classically trained pianist, switched to jazz organ after hearing Jimmy Smith. Appeared on albums by Willis Jackson, Stanley Turrentine (Sugar), Boogaloo Joe Jones, Grover Washington Jr, Patrick Lamb, and Ron Carter ~ Randolph passed away in 2008
November 21, 1941 ~ Songwriter, singer David Porter born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Frequent songwriting partner of Isaac Hayes. Songs written or co-written by Porter have been recorded by Homer Banks, Sam & Dave (Soul Man, Hold On I'm Coming), the Charmels, Carla Thomas (Let Me Be Good To You), the Emotions, the Sweet Inspirations, Johnnie Taylor (I Got To Love Somebody's Baby), Ruby Johnson (I'll Run Your Hurt Away), Soul Children, Don Covay, William Bell (Share What You Got (But Keep What You Need)), Albert King (Personal Manager), the Bar-kays, Rufus Thomas, Mable John (Your Good Thing Is About To End), Eddie Floyd, Charlie Rich, and others
November 21, 1939 ~ Myra Barnes, commonly known as R&B, soul, funk singer Vicki Anderson, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Closely associated with James Brown, serving as Brown's main female singer from 1965 replacing Anna King through 1968 succeeded by Marva Whitney. Anderson would rejoin Brown's band in 1972 and remain for another three years. As a solo artist best known for her 1970 The Message From The Soul Sisters feminist anthem. Anderson was the widow of Brown-sideman Bobby Byrd, and mother of singer Carleen Anderson from her previous marriage ~ Barnes passed away in 2023
November 21, 1934 ~ Classical pianist Gerhard Erber born in Dessau, Germany ~ Co-founding member of chamber music ensemble the Gruppe Neue Musik Hanns Eisler, one of the first from East Germany to tour beyond the Iron Curtain. Has also worked with the Aulos Trio and duetted with artists such as Max Rostal, Oleg Kagan, Raffael Hillyer, and others ~ Erber passed away in 2021
November 21, 1933 ~ Ollie Imogene Shepard, commonly known ass honky-tonk singer, songwriter Jean Shepard, born in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, USA ~ Paved the way for female country singers. Grand Ole Opry member since 1955. Her 1953 duet with Ferlin Husky, Dear John Letter, was the first post-war single by a female country artist to sell a million copies. Also known for songs such as A Satisfied Mind, Beautiful Lies, I Want To Go Where No One Knows Me, and Have Heart Will Love. Married to Hawkshaw Hawkins, who died in the same plane crash that killed Patsy Cline. She gave birth to their son one month later. Later married singer Benny Birchfield ~ Shepard passed away in 2016
November 21, 1927 ~ Bandleader, director Charlie Palmieri, full name Carlos Manuel Palmieri, born ~ Known as the “Giant of the Keyboard.” Worked with Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, Papiro Allende, Willie Rodriguez, Adalberto Santiago, Celia Cruz, Herbie Mann, Ismael Rivera, Rafael Cortijo, Ismael Quintana, Bobby Capó, Mongo Santamaria, and Ray Barretto ~ Palmieri passed away in 1988
November 21, 1921 ~ Vivian Stapleton, commonly known as actress, singer Vivian Blaine, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Started as a singer with dance bands in the late-1940s. Starred in a number of Hollywood films during the 1940s. Returned to the stage in 1950 playing the role of Miss Adelaide in the Frank Loesser-musical Guys And Dolls. She would do some 1,200 performances on Broadway, over 500 in London's West End, take the show to Vegas and recreate her role in the 1955 film version. Blaine would star in numerous plays, films, and guest in TV series throughout the 1980s ~ Stapleton passed away in 1995
November 21, 1919 ~ Elnora Ruth Procter, commonly known jazz singer Eleanor Collins, born in Edmonton, Canada ~ Dubbed Canada's “First Lady of Jazz”. Active since her mid-teens. Critically compared to Lena Horne and Ella Fitzgerald. Has performed in stage productions of of Finian's Rainbow, Kiss Me Kate, and You Can't Take It With You. Well known for her association with several radio and TV shows, notably Bamboula (A Day In The West Indies), the first variety TV show featuring an interracial cast, and her own The Eleanor Show aired from 1955 onwards making her the first female, the first person of colour, and the first jazz singer to headline a show on national TV. Collins would continue to perform in clubs and concert into the 1980s ~ Procter passed away in 2024
November 21, 1913 ~ Rural blues singer, guitarist KC Douglas born in Sharon, Mississippi, USA ~ Influenced by Tommy Johnson. Perhaps best known for his first recording, Mercury Blues released in 1948. The song would later be covered by Steve Miller, David Lindley, Ry Cooder, Dwight Yoakam, Alan Jackson, and by Meat Loaf ~ Douglas passed away in 1975
November 21, 1911 ~ Swing jazz drummer Alvin Burroughs born ~ Played with Walter Page and Alphonso Trent before heading to Chicago around 1930. Played with Hal Draper, Horace Henderson, and extensively with Earl Hines. In the 1940s Burroughs backed greats such as Milt Larkin, Benny Carter, Red Allen, and George Dixon ~ Burroughs passed away in 1905
November 21, 1909 ~ R&B pianist, bandleader, arranger Lloyd Glenn, full name Lloyd Colquit Glenn, born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ As a solo artist known for 1950s R&B hits such as Chica Boo and Old Time Shuffle Blues. As a sideman played on a number of classic R&B, rock & roll recordings including T-Bone Walker's 1947 hit Call It Stormy Monday, Lowell Fulson's Blue Shadows ~ Glenn passed away in 1985
November 21, 1907 ~ Producer, manager, songwriter Samuel Ram, commonly known as Buck Ram, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Produced all of the Platters recordingsm wrote or co-wrote many of their biggest hits including Only You (And You Alone), The Great Pretender, (You've Got) The Magic Touch, Twilight Time, and Enchanted. Ram also produced, wrote and arranged for artists including the Penguins, the Coasters, the Drifters, Ike & Tina Turner, Ike Cole, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, and Ella Fitzgerald ~ Ram passed away in 1991
November 21, 1904 ~ Tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, full name Coleman Randolph Hawkins, born in Saint Joseph, Missouri, USA ~ Leader and sideman. The first to tailor his method of improvisation to the saxophone rathern than imitate the techniques of the clarinet. Major influence on players such as Chu Berry, Charlie Barnet, Tex Beneke, Ben Webster, Vido Musso, Herschel Evans, Buddy Tate, and Don Byas. Worked with Kenny Burrell, Benny Carter, Buck Clayton, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Tiny Grimes, Fletcher Henderson, Abbey Lincoln, Shelly Manne, Thelonious Monk, Django Reinhardt, Max Roach, Ben Webster, and Randy Weston ~ hawkins passed away in 1969
November 21, 1902 ~ Jazz pianist, arranger, bandleader Arthur Schutt born in Reading, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Wrote Delirium and Bluin' The Black Keys, co-wrote Benny Goodman's Georgia Jubilee. Worked with Paul Specht, Roger Wolfe Kahn, Donald Voorhees, Fred Rich, Nathaniel Shilkret, Frankie Trumbauer, Bix Beiderbecke, the Charleston Chasers, Red Nichols, the Dorsey Brothers, and Bud Freeman ~ Schutt passed away in 1965
November 21, 1891 ~ Bandleader, pianist Charlie Fess Johnson born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Led the Paradise Ten, whose sidemen at one time or another included Jabbo Smith, Leonard Davis, Sidney De Paris, Thomas Morris, Charlie Irvis, Jimmy Harrison, Benny Carter, and Edgar Sampson ~ Johnson passed away in 1959