November 29, 1995 ~ Actress, singer Laura Marano, full name Laura Marie Marano, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Best known as Ally in the Disney TV series Austin & Ally. Has sung on a number of the soundtrack's songs, along with other members of the cast. As a solo artist has released a handful of singles, starting with Boombox in 2015
November 29, 1984 ~ Nahum Grymes, commonly known as singer, rapper, songwriter J Holiday, born in Washington DC, USA ~ Best known for Bed, a Billboard top 10 hit in 2007. Has guested on recordings by Mims, Outlawz, Dear Jayne, Plies, Chamillionaire, Busta Rhymes, Roscoe Dash, Wale, and others
November 29, 1981 ~ Heavy metal, rock guitarist Ad Sluijter born in Goes, the Netherlands ~ Member of gothic metal outfit Epica through 2008. Produced Diabulus In Musica's 2009 Secrets debut album. Founded rock outfit Hangover Hero with Ronald Landa
November 29, 1979 ~ Jayceon Terrell Taylor, commonly known as MC, rapper the Game, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Helpful in bringing West Coast rap back into the mainstream in the mid-2000s. Mentored by rapper JT the Bigga Figga. Independently released his full-length Untold Story in 2004, which drew attention from Dr Dre leading to a record deal and his major label The Documentary the following year. It would spawn the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits How We Do and Hate It Or Love It, both featuring 50 Cent. Has recorded consistently since but would fail to reach the same level of succes. Has collaborated with R Kelly, Nas, Travis Barker, NORE, Infamous, Black Eyed Peas, Fat Joe, Lil' Wayne, 2 Chainz, Tyga, and others
November 29, 1978 ~ Urban contemporary gospel singer, songwriter James Fortune born ~ Debuted in 2004 with the You Survived spawning the title track hit single You Survived which quickly became a staple of Christian radio stations. Also known for songs such as God Can featuring Micah Stampley and Zacardi Cortez and I Trust You. Especially acclaimed for his 2012 Grace Gift album
November 29, 1977 ~ Milton Powell, commonly known as rapper Big Pokey, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Member of DJ Screw's Screwed Up Click, a pioneering collective considered pivotal to Southern rap and best known for their distinctive “chopped and screwed” technique. Has recorded half a dozen solo albums, starting with The Hardest Pit in The Litter released in 1999. Perhaps best known for Who Dat Talking Down, used in the pilot episode of the HBO comedy-drama series Entourage ~ Powell passed away in 2023
November 29, 1974 ~ Classical flutist James Strauss born in Recife, Brazil ~ Drew critical comparison to Lang Lang and Jascha Heifetz. Known for reconstructing Pyotr Tchaikovsky's legendary lost Flute Concerto, now catalogued as a posthumous Tchaikovsky composition. Has worked with numerous renowned symphony and chamber orchestras
November 29, 1971 ~ CCM, Christian rock singer, guitarist, songwriter David Crowder, full name David Wallace Crowder, born in Texarkana, Texas, USA ~ Frontman and eponym of the David Crowder Band through 2012, recording as a solo artist since. Has regularly reached the higher echelons of the Christian charts since the mid-2000s. Known for songs such as Open Skies, Everything Glorious, How He Loves, I Am, All My Hope featuring Tauren Wells, Good God Almighty
November 29, 1969 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Fredrik Ljungkvist, full name Hakan Fredrik Ljungkvist, born in Kristinehamn, Sweden ~ Leader and sideman. Son of saxophonist Hakan Ljungkvist. Married to jazz singer Lina Nyberg, with whom he also worked. Also worked with Christian Falk, Atomic, the Territory Band, Bobo Stenson, Mats Eilertsen, Firehouse, Marilyn Crispell, Wadada Leo Smith, and others
November 29, 1969 ~ Guitarist, songwriter Lars Håvard Haugen born in Norway ~ Best known as lead guitarist of the Hellbillies. Influenced by Steve Morse, Dixie Dregs, Albert Lee, Brent Mason, Jerry Donahue, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Served as producer for the likes of BigBang, Jonas Fjeld, and Ole Paus
November 29, 1968 ~ Pop singer Jonathan Knight born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Oldest member of boy band New Kids On The Block, which also included his brother Jordan Knight, known for a string of late-1980s, early-1990s Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits including You Got It (The Right Stuff), I'll Be Loving You (Forever), Hangin' Tough, and Step By Step. The band disbanded in 1994 and have sold reportedly over 80 million records to date
November 29, 1968 ~ Trance producer Matt Darey, full name Matthew Jonathan Darey, born in Leicester, UK ~ Early on in his solo career went by the moniker Lost Tribe, notably known for his 1997 The Distant Voices and the 1999 Gamemaster UK top 40 hit. Has been working under his real name since the mid-2000s, releasing his full-length Decade solo debut album in 2004
November 29, 1968 ~ Alternative rock, grunge, post-grunge singer, keyboardist, drummer, songwriter Mike DiMeo born in Long Island, New York, USA ~ Once asked by Ritchie Blackmore to join Deep Purple but aside from some demo recordings with Roger Glover the collaboration never materialized. Best known as member of Riot from 1992 through 2006, leaving the band to join the Masterplan. Has also worked with the Lizards, Midas Fate, Johnny Winter, Phenomena, Ilium, Brand New, and others
November 29, 1963 ~ Alternative rock guitarist Greg Lisher born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Co-founding member, lead guitarist of Camper Van Beethoven and its indie progressive rock spin-off Monks of Doom. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with Handed Down The Wire released in 2001, and guested on recordings by Jonathan Segel, the Electric Chairmen, the Filthy Thievin' Bastards, and others
November 29, 1963 ~ Art rock, dream pop, post-rock singer, songwriter Tim Bowness born in Latchford, UK ~ Best known as member of No-Man, formed in 1987 with Porcupine Tree-frontman Steven Wilson. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with his My Hotel Year debut album released in 2004, and guested on recordings by Peter Chilvers, Plenty, Richard Barbieri, Nosound, Judy Dyble, Geoff Downes, and others
November 29, 1963 ~ R&B, neo-soul, jazz singer, songwriter Will Downing, full name Wilfred Downing, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Married to Unlimited Touch singer Audrey Wheeler. Worked with Jennifer Holliday, Kool & the Gang, Gerald Albright, Billy Ocean, Regina Belle, Rachelle Ferrell, Mica Paris, Chanté Moore, and others
November 29, 1962 ~ Anders Allhage, commonly known as heavy metal guitarist Andy LaRocque, born in Gothenburg, Sweden ~ Best known as member of King Diamond since 1985. Has also worked with Death, IllWill, At The Gates, Dimmu Borgir, and Yyrkoon. Served as producer for artists such as Sacramentum, Falconer, Evergrey, Ancient, and Dragonland
November 29, 1962 ~ Singer, songwriter Noel Burke born in Belfast, Northern Ireland ~ Member of Saint Vitus Dance, known for their 1987 Love Me Love My Dogma album. Best known as lead singer of Echo & the Bunnymen from 1989 through 1993, replacing original singer Ian McCulloch after the release of the band's eponymous 1987 Echo & the Bunnymen album. The sole album featuring Burke, 1990's Reverbation, would be poorly received by critics, did not chart and the band would be dropped by their label. McCulloch would rejoin a reformed incarnation of the band in 1996
November 29, 1962 ~ Robert Laurence Albert Simpson, commonly known as guitarist Ronny Jordan, born in London, UK ~ Spearheaded 1990s acid jazz movement. Came to prominence after being featured on Guru's Jazzmatazz (Volume 1) released in 1993. Best known for his 1992 rendition of So What, a cover of the old Miles Davis tune ~ Jordan passed away in 2014
November 29, 1961 ~ Session guitarist Duke Levine born in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA ~ Has worked with Shawn Colvin, Peter Wolf, Lucy Kaplanski, Bill Morrisey, Jonatha Brooke, John Gorka, David Maxwell, Jeanie Stahl, Ellis Paul, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Slaid Cleaves, the J Geils Band, and others
November 29, 1959 ~ Christian rock, alternative rock drummer, percussionist, songwriter Steve Hindalong born ~ Member of the Choir. Member of the Lost Dogs. Also released solo work and has collaborated with Mark Heard, Terry Scott Taylor, Riki Michele, Adam Again, the Prayer Chain, Poor Old Lu, the Common Children, All Star United, Michael Knott, and others
November 29, 1957 ~ Rock, jazz fusion guitarist Jennifer Batten born in New York, New York, USA ~ Session and solo musician. Backed Michael Jackson on three world tours from 1987 through 1997 as well as on Jackson's 1993 Super Bowl performance. Toured and recorded with Jeff Beck. Had her solo debut album, 1992's Above Below & Beyond, produced by Michael Sembello. Has also worked with Natalie Cole, Sara Hickman, Miguel Mateos, Dave Rodgers, Domino, the Rainbow Girls, Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff, Carl Anderson, Carmine Appice, Dave Martone, Black Sand, and otheres
November 29, 1956 ~ Punk rock singer Chris Bailey, full name Christopher James Mannix Bailey, born in Nanyuki, Colony of Kenya ~ Co-founder, lead singer, sole constant member of pivotal Australian punk rock group the Saints, known best for their 1977 I'm Stranded hit single. Bailey has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album Casablanca released in 1983 ~ Bailey passed away in 2022
November 29, 1955 ~ Jazz drummer Adam Nussbaum born in New York, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Dave Liebman, John Scofield, Eliane Elias, Randy Brecker, Gary Burton, Toots Thielemans, Michael Brecker, Carla Bley, John Abercrombie, George Cables, Ted Curson, Gil Evans, Hal Galper, Lee Konitz, Rick Margitza, Sigurd Ulveseth, and Miroslav Vitous
November 29, 1951 ~ Roger Troutman, sometimes known simply as singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist Roger, born in Hamilton, Ohio, USA ~ Fronted Zapp, which also included his brother Larry Troutman, known for 1980s funk, R&B hits such as More Bounce To The Ounce, Dance Floor, I Can Make You Dance and Computer Love. Troutman was shot and killed by his brother Larry in an apparent murder-suicide. The band would disband after the death of the two brothers ~ Troutman passed away in 1999
November 29, 1950 ~ Wendy Steiner, commonly known as rock, pop, country singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter Wendy Waldman, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Daughter of composer Fred Steiner and violinist Shirley Steiner. First recorded as member of turn of the 1970s band Bryndle, which also included Karla Bonoff. Released her Love Has Got Me solo debut album in 1973, earning critical acclaim. The same year Maria Muldaur would record two of her songs, Vaudeville Man and Mad Mad Me, on the eponymous Maria Muldaur album. Waldman recorded consistently throughout the remainder of the decade as well as establish herself as an in-demand songwriter. Artists who recorded songs written or co-written by Waldman include Judy Collins, Barbi Benton, Twiggy, Randy Meisner, Kim Carnes, Albert Hammond, Patti Austin (The Way I Feel), Crystal Gayle, Johnny Van Zant, Helen Reddy, Kenny Rogers, Vanessa Williams (Save The Best For Last), Reba McEntire, Don Johnson (Heartbeat), Bette Midler, Highway 101, Cher, Sonny Landreth, and others
November 29, 1949 ~ Rock, pop singer, keyboardist, producer, songwriter Brian Cadd, full name Brian George Cadd, born in Perth, Australia ~ Staple of Australian rock with a career spanning five decades starting in the 1960s. Member of bands such as the Groop, Axiom, the Bootleg Family Band. Active as a solo artist since the early-1970s. Internationally perhaps best known as a latter-day touring member of country-rock outfit the Flying Burrito Brothers from 1991 through 1993 before returning to Australia. Has produced acts such as Robin Jolley, Ronnie Burns, Broderick Smith, Tina Arena, Glenn Shorrock. Composed for film. Songs written or co-written by Cadd have been recorded by Masters Apprentices, Gene Pitney, the Pointer Sisters (Love Is Like A Rolling Stone), Glen Campbell, Dobie Gray, Cilla Black, the Little River Band, John Farnham, Wayne Newton, Charlie Daniels Band (Still Hurting Me), Bonnie Tyler, Joe Cocker, Ringo Starr.
November 29, 1947 ~ Singer Clare Torry born in Marylebone, UK ~ Perhaps best known for the writing and performing the wordless vocals in Pink Floyd's Great Gig In The Sky of their 1973 The Dark Side Of The Moon. Covered Dolly Parton's Love Is Like A Butterfly used as opening theme for the BBC-series Butterflies which ran from 1978 to 1983. Session singer for artists such as Kevin Ayers, Olivia Newton-John, the Alan Parsons Project, Shriekback, Procol Harum, Gary Brooker, Matthew Fisher, Cerrone, Meat Loaf (duetting on Nowhere Fast), Johnny Mercer, the Doctors Of Madness, Culture Club, Tangerine Dream, and others
November 29, 1947 ~ Guitarist, mandolinist, bassist, keyboardist, singer Ronnie Montrose born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Regarded as one of the most influential guitarists in early hard rock. Frontman, eponym of Montrose from 1973 through 1977, the band's eponymous Montrose debut album often cited as America's answer to Led Zeppelin. Subsequently led Gamma from 1979 through 1983. In-demand session musician, worked with the likes of Van Morrison, Herbie Hancock, Beaver & Krause, Boz Scaggs, Edgar Winter, Gary Wright, Dan Hartman, the Hoodoo Rhythm Devils, Lauren Wood, Earth Quake, the Neville Brothers, Marc Bonilla, Sammy Hagar,and others ~ Montrose passed away in 2012
November 29, 1946 ~ Folk, nueva trovo singer, songwriter Silvio Rodriguez, full name Silvio Rodriguez Dominguez, born in San Antonio De Los Banos, Cuba ~ Regarded as leader of the nueva trova movement. Well over 20 albums to his name since the 1960s. Widely acknowlged as one of Cuba's, arguably one of Latin America's greatest folk artists and certainly one of its most intellectual. Known for compositions such as Ojalá, Playa Girón, Sueño Con Serpientes, La Maza, Canción Del Elegido, A Donde Van, Noche Sin Fin Y Mar, many of which have become staples of Latin American music. Has notably collaborated with Afrocuba, Roy Brown, Pablo Milanés, and with Luis Eduardo Aute
November 29, 1945 ~ Trumpeter Randy Brecker born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Brother of saxophonist Michael Brecker with whom he regularly collaborated including under the moniker the Brecker Brothers. In-demand sideman in jazz, pop, rock, R&B. First gained serious attention working with Blood Sweat & Tears on the band's 1967 Child Is Father To The Man debut album. Formed Dreams, known for the early-1970s albums Dreams and Imagine My Surprise. Worked with Horace Silver, Art Blakey, Bloomfield Kooper & Stills, John Abercrombie, Jaco Pastorius, Parliament, Chroma, the CTI All-Stars, the GRP All-Star Big Band, David Sanborn, George Benson, Hal Galper, Spyro Gyra, Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen (Born To Run), Patti Austin, Chaka Khan, Ringo Starr, Carly Simon, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin, Donald Fagen (The Nightfly), Grover Washington Jr, Paul Simon, and others
November 29, 1944 ~ Keyboardist, organist, singer, songwriter Felix Cavaliere born in Pelham, New York, USA ~ Member of Joey Dee & the Starliters, known for their hit The Peppermint Twist (Part I). Member of the Young Rascals. Has also worked with the Stereos, Treasure, Don Was, Ringo Starr, Little Steven, and others
November 29, 1944 ~ John Charles Edward Alder, commonly known as drummer, singer, songwriter Twink, born in Colchester, UK ~ Central figure in UK's psychedelic movement. Actively recording since the mid-1960s. Started in the R%amp;B outfit the Fairies. Member of the In-Crowd, who later changed their name to Tomorrow, alongside guitarist Steve Howe of later Yes-fame, singer Keith West and bassist John Junior Wood. Member of the Pretty Things from 1968, replacing Skip Alan, through 1969 and present on some tracks on the SF Sorrow. Co-founded the Pink Fairies, co-founded Fallen Angels with Steve Marriott. Member of Rings, noted for recording I Wanna Be Free which is considered one of the first punk rock singles
November 29, 1943 ~ Barbara Ann Martin, commonly known as country, country pop singer, guitarist, songwriter Bobbi Martin born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Known for songs such as Don't Forget I Still Love You, I Can't Stop Thinking Of You, For The Love Of Him, and Something Tells Me (Something's Gonna Happen Tonight) ~ Martin passed away in 2000
November 29, 1943 ~ Bandoneon player, composer Juan José Mosalini born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Tango nuevo. Influenced avant-garde tango. Largely self-taught. Playing professionaly since his teens. Formed Tiempo Argentino. Formed Canyengues. Has also collaborated with José Basso, Leopoldo Federico, Osvaldo Pugliese, Susana Rinaldi, Edmundo Rivero, Horacio Salgán, Daniel Binelli, and others. In 1999, Mosalini founded the first bandoneon course in France, his adopted homeland since the mid-1970s, at the Gennevilliers Conservatory of Music ~ Mosalini passed away in 2022
November 29, 1941 ~ Myrna Joy Miller, commonly known as country singer Jody Miller, born in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ Paved the way for future crossover female singers such as Linda Ronstadt, Anne Murray and Olivia Newton-John. Recorded well over a dozen albums, starting with Wednesday's Child Is Full Of Woe released in 1963. Scored about half a dozen Billboard Country top 10 hits through the early-1970s, including Queen Of The House, an answer song to King Of The Road by Roger Miller, no relation. Queen Of The House would also cross over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at No.12, and earned Miller a Grammy Award. Songs originally recorded by Miller have been covered by Joe Stampley, Tammy Wynette (Safe In These Lovin' Arms Of Mine), Connie Smith, Barbara Mandrell, Brenda Lee (Never Let Him Go), Jimmy Payne, Jessi Colter (Maybe I Should've Been Listening), Melba Montgomery, and the Whites ~ Miller passed away in 2022
November 29, 1940 ~ Jazz, jazz fusion drummer Billy Hart born in Washington DC, USA ~ One of the premier jazz fusion drummers of the 1970s, well known for playing with Herbie Hancock, notably present on the albums Mwandishi, Crossings, and Sextant, and subsequently with Miles Davis and McCoy Tyner. Hart has recorded about a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, starting with the acclaimed Enchance released in 1977, and is an in-demand sideman present on recordings by Buddy Montgomery, Pharoah Sanders (Karma), Joe Zawinul (Zawinul), Wayne Shorter, Eddie Henderson (Realization), Bennie Maupin (The Jewel In The Lotus), Azar Lawrence, Joanne Brackeen, Buster Williams (Pinnacle), Bob Moses, Jimmy Rowles, Pat Martino (Exit), Eddie Jefferson (Main Man), Doug Raney, Buck Hill, Benny Bailey, Lee Konitz (Yes Yes Nonet), Duke Jordan, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Shirley Horn, Pepper Adams (Urban Dreams), Cecil McBee, James Newton (The African Flower), Didier Lockwood, Idrees Sulieman, Larry Coryell, Mtume (Theater Of The Mind), Gary Bartz, and Peter Leitch
November 29, 1940 ~ Charles Frank Mangione, commonly known as trumpeter, hornist Chuck Mangione born in Rochester, New York, USA ~ To mainstream audiences perhaps best known for his 1977 crossover jazz-pop instrumental Feels So Good, which reached No.4 Billboard Hot 100, for Chase The Clouds Away used in the 1976 Summer Olympics, and for Give It All You Got used in the Winter Olympics four years later. Mangione also wrote and performed the theme to the highly successful 1981 action-comedy Cannonball Run feature film. Though Mangione was best known for his lightweight, melodic jazz-pop, a considerable influence on later smooth jazz artists, few know he originally aimed to become a be-bopper. Before finding a mainstream appeal in the 1970s, Mangione had co-led the Jazz Brothers with his older brother keyboardist Gap Mangione, and worked with Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson, and notably Art Blakey. Over the course of his career, Mangione recorded over two dozen albums as a leader, including the acclaimed Land Of Make Believe and Feels So Good, released respectively in 1973 and 1977
November 29, 1940 ~ Singer, guitarist Denny Doherty, full name Dennis Gerrard Sephen Doherty, born in Halifax, Canada ~ Best known as a member of 1960s pop outfit the Mamas & the Papas, which also included his then-girlfriend Michelle Phillips. The band would score some half a dozen Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits, including California Dreamin' featuring Doherty on lead vocals. Following the band's disbandement, Doherty recorded as a solo artist, to disappointing success, and ventured into acting for stage, film, and TV ~ Doherty passed away in 2007
November 29, 1940 ~ Francis Rodney Zambon, commonly known as singer, songwriter Mark James, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Though a formidable singer in his own right, achieving some success especially in the late-1960s, James is best known for writing or co-writing several songs made into hits by others. Wrote Hooked On A Feeling, a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit for his childhood friend BJ Thomas. Wrote and first recorded Suspicious Minds, best known as recorded by Elvis Presley in 1969. Presley recorded several more of his songs including It's Only Love, Raised On Rock, and Moody Blue. His greatest claim to fame, however, was Always On My Mind, co-written with Johnny Christopher and Wayne Carson. The song was first recorded by Brenda Lee in 1972, and became a hit about a decade later when Willie Nelson covered the track. The Nelson hit would earn the songwriting team a Grammy Award, and the song has become a standard, recorded by over an estimated 400 artists. Other songs written or co-written by James would be recorded by Merrilee Rush, the Box Tops, Lou Rawls, Mac Davis (One Hell Of A Woman), and Roy Drusky ~ Zambon passed away in 2024
November 29, 1939 ~ Jazz saxophonist, composer Claudio Fasoli born in Venice, Italy ~ Rose to fame as a member of the Perigeo Quintet. Following the ensemble's disbandement in 1978, Fasoli has recorded prolifically in various settings, usually trios or quartets, with well over two dozen albums to his name as a leader or co-leader, aided by top-notch sidemen such as Aldo Romano, Bill Elgart, Henri Texier, Jean-François Jenny-Clark, Kenny Wheeler, Lee Konitz, Manfred Schoof, Palle Danielsson, and Tony Oxley. Fasoli is specifically acclaimed for his 1999 album Trois Trios. Fasoli is also known as an educator, notably founding the saxophone courses at the Milan Civic School of Jazz, Milan, and served as Artistic Director of the Padua Jazz Festival, Padua, Italy, in the 2000s
November 29, 1939 ~ Music author, historian Joel Whitburn, full name Joel Carver Whitburn, born in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, USA ~ Obsessed with music since his teens. As an author and researcher has worked on an estimated 200 reference books, 50 of which through the Records Research company founded by him cataloguing data from popular music charts. His books, in particular the flagship series Top Pop Singles, are in-demand especially with radio DJ's and music fans. Whitburn is also known for building one of the world's largest record collections, which includes nearly every 78rpm, 45rpm single, album and CD ever to reach the Billboard charts ~ Whitburn passed awy in 2022
November 29, 1936 ~ Jazz, blues, R&B saxophonist Nat Perrilliat, full name Nathaniel Perrilliat, born in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Active since the early-1950s. Worked with Professor Longhair, Smiley Lewis, Shirley & Lee, Ellis Marsalis Jr, Alvin Batiste, Nat Adderley, Allen Toussaint, Fats Domino, Barbara George, Clarence Frogman Henry, Junior Parker, Joe Tex, and others ~ Perrilliat passed away in 1971
November 29, 1934 ~ Operatic bass Günter Wewel born in Arnsberg, Germany ~ Most closely associated with the Oper Dortmund, serving with the company for the majority of his career. Has also guested with a wide array of renowned orchestras including the Bavarian State Opera, the Hamburg State Opera, the Cologne Opera, and the Budapest National Opera. Also well known as a TV host, presenting the ARD musical entertainment show Kein Schöner Land from 1989 through 2007 ~ Wewel passed away in 2023
November 29, 1934 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist, flutist Tony Coe, full name Anthony George Coe, born in Canterbury, UK ~ Versatile, adventurous, flexible. Counted among England's top jazzmen. Over two dozen albums to his name as leader or co-leader, especially acclaimed for the albums Some Other Spring, Nutty and Les Sources Bleues. Well known for his associations with Humphrey Lyttelton, Johnny Dankworth, Derek Bailey, and the United Jazz+Rock Ensemble. Has also collaborated with Al Grey, Bob Brookmeyer, Franz Koglmann, Nucleus, Clark Terry, Peter Brötzmann, Loudon Wainwright III, Steve Beresford, and Norma Winstone ~ Coe passed away in 2023
November 29, 1933 ~ Blues, blues rock singer, guitarist, songwriter John Mayall, full name John Brumwell Mayall, born in Macclesfield, UK ~ A generation older than most of his sidemen, Mayall is considered not only the “Godfather of British Blues” but a mentor to dozens of artists early on in their careers, his backing unit the Bluesbreakers serving as a finishing school for some of the most important rockers of the 1960s and 1970s. Mayall has recorded over three dozen albums since the mid-1960s, and is especially acclaimed for a string of late-1960s albums including The Bluesbreakers With Eric Clapton, Crusade, Turning Point, and Blues From Laurel Canyon. Artists who would pass through the ranks of the Bluesbreakers include guitarists such as Eric Clapton, Peter Green, Mick Taylor, Walter Trout, Sonny Landreth, and Coco Montoya, bassists Jack Bruce and John McVie, and drummers Mick Fleetwood and Aynsley Dunbar. Looking back on the early days, Mayall told The Guardian in 2014: “The blues fitted in with the early '60s, the social way of life at the time. It happened here (in the UK), rather than in America, because at the time, the scene in America was racially segregated. Over there, never the twain would meet.” Mayall retired from touring in 2022 ~ Mayall passed away in 2024
November 29, 1932 ~ Guitarist Ed Bickert born in Hochfeld, Canada ~ Started as studio musician and sideman for Ron Collier, Moe Koffman, Phil Nimmons. Has toured with Ruby Braff, Frank Rosolino, Milt Jackson, Oscar Peterson, Buddy Tate, Peter Appleyard. Also recorded with Ernestine Anderson, Benny Carter, Rosemary Clooney, Lorne Lofsky, Dave McKenna, Ken Peplowski, and with Neil Swainson. Bickert worked extensively with Canadian bandleader Rob McConnell on various projects from 1969's the Boss Brass through to 1998's Big Band Christmas. In the 1970s, at the end of Desmond's life, Bickert also worked with Paul Desmond, starting on 1974's Pure Desmond, which brought him to an international audience. The association with Desmond resulted in several live concerts as a “Canadian” quartet featuring Bickert, Desmond, bassist Don Thompson and drummer Jerry Fuller, some of which were released on LP ~ Bickert passed away in 2019
November 29, 1917 ~ Country, western swing, folk, gospel singer, songwriter Merle Travis, full name Merle Robert Travis, was born in Rosewood, Kentucky, USA ~ Known for songs such as Divorce Me COD, So Round So Firm So Fully Packed, Sixteen Tons, Re-enlistment Blues, I Am a Pilgrim, Dark As A Dungeon, and others ~ Travis passed away in 1983
November 29, 1915 ~ Jazz pianist, songwriter Billy Strayhorn, full name William Thomas Strayhorn, born in Dayton, Ohio, USA ~ Closely associated with Duke Ellington. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Take The A-Train, Chelsea Bridge, A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing and Lush Life ~ Strayhorn passed away in 1967
November 29, 1914 ~ Jazz bassist Coleridge Goode, full name George Coleridge Emerson Goode, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Best known for his association with saxophonist Joe Harriott. Also worked with Johnny Claes, Eric Winstone, Lauderic Caton, Dick Katz, Ray Ellington, Django Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli, Tito Burns, Chris McGregor, Dudu Pukwana, Ronnie Beer, Laurie Allan, Gwigwi Mrwebi, Laurie Morgan, Michael Garrick, and others ~ Goode passed away in 2015
November 29, 1911 ~ Walter Maurice Kaufman, commonly known as conductor, composer, songwriter Walter Kent, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Perhaps best remembered for penning The White Cliffs Of Dover with Nat Burton, first recorded by Bunny Berigan in 1941 and popularized by Vera Lynn in Europe where it became one of the best known World War II songs, and for penning I'll Be Home For Christmas (If Only In My Dreams), first recorded by Bing Crosby and covered by over a 1,000 artists. Other songs written or co-written by Kent have been recorded by Orville Knapp, Eddy Duchin, Jimmy Dorsey (Isle Of Pines), Glenn Miller (When The Roses Bloom Again), Count Basie, and Frankie Laine (I'm Gonna Live Till I Die) ~ Kaufman passed away in 1994
November 29, 1902 ~ Jazz drummer, bandleader Danny Alvin born in New York, New York, USA ~ Father of guitarist Teddy Walters. Recorded occasionally as a leader, noted for his 1958 Club Basin Street album. Started in the late-1910s, backing Sophie Tucker at her Reisenwebers's, New York, residency. Relocated to Chicago in the 1920s, where he would go on to back artists such as Sidney Bechet, George Brunies, Wild Bill Davison, Art Hodes, and Mezz Mezzrow ~ Alvin passed away in 1958
November 29, 1894 ~ Lucille Nelson, commonly known as singer Lucille Hegamin, born in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ Married to pianist, composer Bill Hegamin, with whom she also worked. In 1920 became the second African-American blues singer to record, after Mamie Smith. Known for songs such as Arkansas Blues, Easy Going Mamma (Don't Play Hard To Get With Me), and Jazz Me Blues. Worked with the Leonard Harper Minstrel Stock Company, Tony Jackson, Jelly Roll Morton, the Blue Syncapotors, Jimmy Wade, Clarence Williams, Willie The Lion Smith, and others ~ Nelson passed away in 1970
November 29, 1841 ~ Concert hall singer Joe Wilson born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK ~ Wrote and sang in the Geordie dialect of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, his native speech. Best known for the songs Keep Yor Feet Still Geordie Hinny and Sally Wheatley, the latter revived during the late 20th century by acts such as Alex Glasgow and the Dubliners ~ Wilson passed away in 1875
November 29, 1797 ~ Composer Gaetano Donizetti, full name Domenica Gaetano Maria Donizetti, born in Bergamo, Lombardy ~ Along with Gioachino Rossini and Vincenzo Bellini a leading composer of the bel canto era. Wrote close to 70 operas, his best known perhaps being 1832's L'Elisir D'Amore, 1837's Roberto Devereux and 1843's Don Pasquale ~ Donizetti passed away in 1848