November 8, 1985 ~ Singer, songwriter Bryn Christopher born in Birmingham, UK ~ Perhaps best known for his 2008 The Quest debut single, featured in the TV series Grey's Anatomy. Guested on Sigala's Sweet Lovin', a UK top 10 hit in 2015
November 8, 1977 ~ Jullyann Inderia Gordon, commonly known as producer, songwriter, singer, actress Jully Black, born in Toronto, Canada ~ Starting in the late 1990s worked as songwriter and guest vocalist for artists including Nas, Saukrates, Choclair, Kardinal Offishal, Destiny's Child, and Sean Paul. She released her solo debut in 2005, received numerous awards and is dubbed “Canada's Queen of R&B” by fans and critics
November 8, 1977 ~ Tiffany Jane Wood, commonly known as indie, pop rock singer, songwriter Tiffani Wood, born in Newcastle, Australia ~ Member of girl pop trio Bardot, known for the early 2000s hits Poison, ASAP, and I Need Somebody which would all reach top 10 in their native Australia. Wood later pursued a solo career, releasing her Bite Your Tongue debut album in 2006, but failed to reach the same level of success
November 8, 1976 ~ Jazz drummer Eric Harland born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Especially acclaimed for his 2006 Sangam debut album and its follow-up Rabo De Nube released in 2008. Member of the SF Jazz Collective from 2005 through 2012. Has also worked with Charles Lloyd, Prism, James Farm, McCoy Tyner, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Aaron Goldberg, Julian Lage, Chris Potter, Terence Blanchard, and others
November 8, 1971 ~ Aaron Dontez Yates, commonly known as rapper, singer, producer Tech N9ne, born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Member of Black Mafia, the 57th Street Rogue Dog Villians (Let's Get Fucked Up), Nnutthowze and the Regime. Active as a solo artist since the late 1990s with well over a dozen albums to his name. Though never achieving mainstream succes himself, his highest charting single Hood Go Crazy barely scratching the Billboard Hot 100 in 2015, has had numerous major rappers guest on his recordings including E-40, Ice Cube, Three 6 Mafia, Busta Rhymes, Kendrick Lamar, Lil' Wayne, T-Pain, Cee Lo Green, Eminem, and others
November 8, 1963 ~ Guitarist Russell Malone born in Albany, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by BB King, the Dixie Hummingbirds, George Benson. Worked with Jimmy Smith, Harry Connick Jr, the CTI All-Stars, Diana Krall, Ron Carter, Roy Hargrove, Dianne Reeves, Kenny Barron, Branford Marsalis, Mulgrew Miller, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Dr Lonnie Smith, Hank Jones, Houston Person, Mose Allison, Natalie Cole, Will Downing, Jon Faddis, Macy Gray, Joss Stone, and others
November 8, 1958 ~ Avant-garde jazz, klesmer clarinetist, saxophonist Don Byron born in New York, New York, USA ~ Took up the clarinet as a child, following doctor's advice to improve his breathing. Influenced by Joe Henderson, Artie Shaw, Jimmy Hamilton and Tony Scott About a dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for his 1996 Bug Music album. In-demand sideman, has worked with the likes of Bobby Previte, Gerry Hemingway, Uri Caine, Bill Frisell, David Murray, Anthony Braxton, Living Colour, Vernon Reid, Marc Ribot, Lalo Schifrin, Allen Toussaint, Suzanne Vega, Cassandra Wilson, and others
November 8, 1958 ~ Drummer Terry Lee Miall born ~ Member of short-lived UK punk group Models, known for their sole single Freeze. Subsequently worked with Adam & the Ants from 1980, replacing Dave Barbarossa, through 1982. Present on the 1981 Prince Charming album which spawned the hits Stand And Deliver, Ant Rap and the title track Prince Charming
November 8, 1957 ~ Country singer Susie McEntire, full name Martha Susan McEntire, born in Chokie, Oklahoma, USA ~ Sister of country singer Reba McEntire, with whom she has also worked appearing on the albums Heart To Heart and Unlimited. As a recording artist herself has about a dozen albums to her name starting with 1993's Real Love which included the Paul Overstreet-duet I Don't Like I Do
November 8, 1956 ~ Yolk, folk, folk rock singer Mari Boine born in Karrasjok, Norway ~ Actively recording since the 1990s. Known for her yodeling folk, dubbed yolk. Invited to perform at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, but declined perceiving the invitation as an attempt to bring a token minority to the ceremonies
November 8, 1955 ~ Jazz, blues singer, pianist, bandleader, songwriter Patricia Barber born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Has been releasing solo albums since the late 1980s. Worked with musicians such as Michael Arnopol, Mark Walker, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Marc Johnson, Adam Nussbaum, Carla White, John McLean, Dave Douglas, Jason Narducy, Adam Cruz, Neal Elger, Joey Baron, Chris Potter, Kenny Werner, and others
November 8, 1954 ~ Jazz bassist Kåre Garnes born in Bergen, Norway ~ Worked with Dag Arnesen, Knut Kristiansen, Per Jorgensen, Olav Dale, Ole Thomsen, Odd Riisnæs, Bjarne Nerem, Laila Dalseth, Per Husby, Svein Christiansen, Tom Olstad, Rune Klakegg, Nora Brockstedt, Totti Bergh, and others
November 8, 1954 ~ Pop rock singer, guitarist, pianist Rickie Lee Jones born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Released her debut album, the eponymous Rickie Lee Jones, in 1979 and has recorded steadily since. Known for songs such as Young Blood, A Lucky Guy, The Real End and perhaps her best known Chuck E's In Love, the latter reaching the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 in 1979
November 8, 1953 ~ Calypso, gospel, pop singer Denyse Plummer, full name Denyse Burnadette Kirline Plummer, born in Saint James, Trinidad & Tobago ~ Has recorded half a dozen albums, starting with Natural in 1978. Quit her day job in 1977 to pursue a career in music, singing pop songs through the early 1980s. An invite by Phase II Pan Groove's Lennox Sharpe to sing two songs would set her on a career in calypso music, eventually being recognised as one of the leading calypso performers of her day. Well-known for songs such as Heroes and Nah Leaving ~ Plummer passed away in 2023
November 8, 1952 ~ Jazz drummer Carl Haakon Waadeland born in Trondheim, Norway ~ Worked with Dadafon, the DumDum Boys, Sambandet, Halvdan Sivertsen, Warne Marsh, Kenny Wheeler, Annbjorg Lien, Henning Sommerro, Bjørn Alterhaug, John Pål Inderberg, Knutsen & Ludvigsen, Miss Theodorakis, Arja Saijormaa, and others
November 8, 1951 ~ Singer, songwriter Gerald Alston born in Henderson, North Carolina, USA ~ Lead singer of the Manhattans, known for hits such as Kiss And Say Goodbye. As a solo artist known for songs such as Take Me Where You Want To, Slow Motion and Getting Back Into Love
November 8, 1950 ~ Rock, pop drummer Ab Tamboer born in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Perhaps best known as member of Earth & Fire from 1978 until the band folded in 1983, present on the band's biggest hit Weekend. Subsequently a member of het Goede Doel through 1988, present on the band's Tempo Doeloe, Mooi En Onverslijtbaar en Iedereen Is Anders. Has also worked with Galaxis, Geo Dijkhuis, Jan Akkerman, Dennie Christian, Circus Custers, Polle Eduard, Henk Temming, and Kinderen Voor Kinderen ~ Tamboer passed away in 2016
November 8, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bonnie Raitt, full name Bonnie Lynn Raitt, born in Burbank, California, USA ~ Critics' darling. Known for songs such as Something To Talk About, I Can't Make You Love Me, and Love Sneakin' Up On You, all of which reached the Billboard top 20
November 8, 1948 ~ Rosalie L Edmondson, commonly known as pop, pop rock singer Sandy Edmonds, born in Ormskirk, UK ~ At the height of her fame, during the mid-1960s, New Zealand's most recognizable teen idol. Well known songs include Oh No Not My Baby, I Love Onions, and Daylight Saving Time. Offered a spot in the Seekers in 1968, as replacement for Judith Durham, but declined ~ Edmondson passed away in 2022
November 8, 1947 ~ Drummer, singer Jack Jones, full name Jack Llewleyn Jones, born in Northampton, UK ~ Member of the Creation, remaining with the band from 1966 through 1968 and rejoining in later reincarnations. Present on early recordings such as Making Time, Painter Man and Cool Jerk
November 8, 1947 ~ Soul, R&B singer Minnie Riperton born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Released about half a dozen solo albums, starting with Come To My Garden in 1970, prior to an untimely death at age 31 by cancer. Lead singer of psychedelic soul outfit Rotary Connection. Backup singer for the likes of Etta James, Fontella Bass, Ramsey Lewis, Muddy Waters, and notably Stevie Wonder, including on the albums Fulfillingness' First Finale and Songs In The Key Of Life. Wonder would also co-produce Riperton's 1974 Perfect Angel sophomore album, which spawned her biggest hit and Billboard Hot 100 charttopper Lovin' You ~ Riperton passed away in 1979
November 8, 1946 ~ Michael Lau Siu-Tin, commonly known as cantopop producer, songwriter Michael Lai, born in Hong Kong ~ Son of composer Lai Cho-Tin. First gained attention working as music director for Rediffusion Television, co-hosting and composing a number of TV themes. Would move to Capitol Artists by the early 1980s, where he would be a key figure in Cantopop. Noted especially for producing Leslie Cheung's 1983 Wind Blows On album ~ Lai passed away in 2019
November 8, 1944 ~ Bonnie Lynn O'Farrell, commonly known as singer Bonnie Bramlett, born in Alton, Illinois, USA ~ Formed Delaney & Bonnie with her husband Delaney Bramlett, known for songs such as Comin' Home, Never Ending Song Of Love and Only You Know And I Know. Has also worked with Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton, the Everly Brothers, Carly Simon, Dickey Betts, the Allman Brothers Band, Steve Cropper, Emmylou Harris, Hank Williams Jr, Rita Coolidge, Dwight Yoakam, Charlie Daniels Band, Reese Wynans, and others
November 8, 1942 ~ Keyboardist, songwriter Donnie Fritts, full name Donald Ray Frits, born in Florence, Alabama, USA ~ Best known for his association with Kris Kristofferson. Also worked with Rick Hall, Billy Sherrill, Dan Penn, Arthur Alexander, David Briggs, Jerry Carrigan, Norbert Putnam, Jerry Wexler, Willie Nelson, Spooner Oldham, Waylon Jennings, Delbert McClinton, Tony Joe White, Sammy Creason, Lee Roy Parnell, John Prine, and others. As a songwriter had his songs recorded by Joe Simon, Bonnie Koloc, Charlie Rich (You're Gonna Love Yourself In The Morning), the Box Tops, Dolly Parton (We Had It All), Dusty Springfield (Breakfast In Bed), and others ~ Fritts passed away in 2019
November 8, 1929 ~ Songwriter, producer Bert Berns, full name Bertrand Russell Berns, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Wrote or co-wrote songs such as Twist And Shout (the Top Notes, the Isley Brothers, the Tremeloes, the Who), Piece Of My Heart (Erma Franklin, Janis Joplin, Dusty Springfield), Here Comes The Night (Lulu, Them, David Bowie, Dwight Yoakam), Hang On Sloopy (the Vibrations, the McCoys), and Everybody Needs Somebody To Love (Solomon Burke, the Rolling Stones, the Blues Brothers) ~ Berns passed away in 1967
November 8, 1927 ~ Mary Jean Loutsenhizer, commonly known as jazz singer Chris Connor, born in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Sang with bands led by Claude Thornhill, Jerry Wald, and Stan Kenton in the early 1950s. Signed with Bethlehem in 1953 and released dual LPs, Sings Lullabies Of Birdland and Sings Lullabies For Lovers, making her the label's best-selling solo artist. Moved to Atlantic Records in 1955, becoming the label's first white female jazz singers, producing a string of well-polished albums through the early 1960s working with some of the days best musicians. Connor spent the remainder of the 1960s and 1970s recording for various labels. ~ Connor passed away in 2009
November 8, 1927 ~ Clara Ann Fowler, commonly known as pop, country pop singer Patti Page, born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, USA ~ Best-selling female singer of the 1950s. Scored over a dozen million-sellers. Best known for songs such as Confess, With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming, All My Love (Bolero), I Went To Your Wedding, Changing Partners, Allegheny Moon, and perhaps her best known The Tennessee Waltz ~ Fowler passed away in 2013
November 8, 1927 ~ Jazz pianist Stan Seltzer, full name Stanley Wilson Seltzer, born in Aurora, Illinois, USA ~ Child prodigy. Student of Vladimir Horowitz. Ibluenced by Oscar Peterson, Charlie Parker, Herbie Hancock. Best known as a concert and backing pianist in Chicago, Hollywood and Las Vegas and notably as the house pianist in Ricky's Lounge, Alhambra. As a recording artist known for a sole album, Excitement released in 1960 ~ Seltzer passed away in 2000
November 8, 1921 ~ Jerome Haynes, commonly known as guitarist Jah Jerry, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Worked woth the Jocelyn Trott Orchestra, Val Bennett, Prince Buster, Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, King Edwards, Lyndon Pottinger, the Skatalites, Rico Rodriguez, Tommy McCook, Supersonics, Fred Locks, Cornell Campbell, the Abyssinians, the Drumbago All-Stars, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Desmond Dekker, Millie Small, Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson, Toots & the Maytals, Derrick Morgan, Stranger Cole, and others ~ Haynes passed away in 2007
November 8, 1921 ~ Jerome Albert Link Heinz, commonly known as operatic bass singer Jerome Hines, born in Hollywood, California, USA ~ Made his operatic debut at the San Francisco Opera in 1941, portraying the role of Monterone in Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto. Would Anglicise his surname to Hines due to the prevalent anti-German sentiment at the start of World War II. Best known for his longtime association with the Metropolitan Opera from 1946 through 1987, his stage presence and a stentorian voice. His 1946 Met debut would make him the first US-born singer to tackle the role of Gudonov, the title role in Modest Mussorgsky's Boris Gudonov. He would reprise the role in 1968 at the Bolshoi Theatre, famously for Soviet leader Nikita Kruschev on the eve of the resolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis ~ Heinz passed away in 2003
November 8, 1913 ~ Arnold Dwight Moore, commonly known as blues, gospel singer, songwriter, pastor Gatemouth Moore, born in Topeka, Kansas, USA ~ Worked with Bennie Moten, Tommy Douglas, Walter Barnes, Ida Cox, Ma Rainey, Bertha Hill, and others. As a songwriter had his songs recorded by Louis Jordan, Lonnie Johnson, Johnny Otis, Rufus Thomas, Jimmy Witherspoon, and by BB King who once called Moore “one of the greatest blues singers ever” ~ Moore passed away in 2004
November 8, 1909 ~ Country singer, songwriter Scotty Wiseman, full name Scott Greene Wiseman, born in Spruce Pine, North Carolina, USA ~ Formed the duo Lulu Belle & Scotty with his wife Lulu Belle, one of the most popular country acts of the 1930s and 1940s. Lovingly dubbed “the Sweethearts of Country Music”, they are best known for Have I Told You Lately That I Love You. Penned by Wiseman, the tune would be recorded by well over 150 artists including Tex Ritter, Bing Crosby, Eddie Cochran, Jim Reeves, Elvis Presley, Patti Page, Willie Nelson, Ringo Starr, and Roger Whittaker ~ Wiseman passed away in 1981
November 8, 1883 ~ Composer, poet, author Arnold Bax, full name Arnold Edward Trevor Bax, was born in Streatham, UK ~ Closely associated with pianist Harriet Cohen. At the time regarded as an important yet isolated figure, his works rediscovered after his death. Best known for his symphonic poem Tintagel. Wrote symphonies, choral music, vocal music, chamber music and piano music ~ Bax passed away in 1953