October 11, 2023 ~ Singer, songwriter Rudolph Isley, full name Rudolph Bernard Isley, passed away ~ Co-founding member of R&B band the Isley Brothers, one of the longest-running family outfits, with whom he recorded about two dozen albums starting with Shout released in 1959. The band is known for Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits such as It's Your Thing, That Lady, and Fight The Power. Rudolph co-wrote and sang co-lead on a vast amount of the band's best known, and sang lead on songs such as It's A Disco Night (Rock Don't Stop), and You Still Feel The Need. Following the death of his brother O'Kelly Isley, Rudolph would record two more albums with the band, Smooth Sailin' and Spend The Night, before retiring from music in 1989 to become a Christian minister ~ Isley was born in 1939
October 11, 2021 ~ R&B, pop bassist, singer, songwriter Deon Estus, full name Jeffery Dean Estus, passed away ~ Best known as member of 1980s pop group Wham, centered around Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael. Appears on Michael's first two solo albums, 1987's Faith and 1990's Listen Without Prejudice Vol.1. As a solo artist known for Heaven Help Me which reached top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 ~ Estus was born in 1956
October 11, 2021 ~ Emani Johnson, commonly known as R&B singer Emani 22, passed away ~ First gained attention in 2018 collaborating with Trippie Redd on the tracks Emani's Interlude and Fire Starter. As a solo artist known for songs such as Heartbreak Hotel, Better Days and Dripomatic. Ironically died at age 22, the same number she used in her stage name, having released her full-length The Color Red debut album just the year before ~ Johnson was born in 1998
October 11, 2020 ~ Minimalist flutist, saxophonist, songwriter Jon Gibson passed away ~ Best known for his association with Philip Glass, co-founding member of the Philip Glass Ensemble and crucial to the development of Glass' sound. Acclaimed for his 1973 Visitations solo debut album, considered a landmark in minimalist music. Has also worked with Larry Austin, Richard Swift, Stanley Lunetta, and Steve Reich ~ Gibson was born in 1940
October 11, 2019 ~ Rock, new age bassist, keyboardist, singer, songwriter Erik Scott passed away ~ Bassist for Flo & Eddie in the 1970s, present on the albums Illegal Immoral And Fattening and Moving Targets. Bassist for Alice Cooper in the 1980s, notably present on albums such as Special Forces and Zipper Catches Skin, also co-producing the latter. Co-founding member of Sonia Dada, known for critically acclaimed albums such as Sonia Dada which spawned the hit You Don't Treat Me No Good, A Day At The Beach, and My Secret Life. Scott subsequently also recorded as a solo artist, starting with his Other Planets album released in 2008 ~ Scott was born in 1948
October 11, 2019 ~ Indian classical music, jazz fusion saxophonist Kadri Gopalnath passed away in Mangalore, India ~ Active since the mid-1970s. Pioneered the use of the saxophone in Carnatic music, a genre originating from southern India. Mentored by singer TV Gopalkrishan. Acknowledged by singer Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer as a Carnatic genius. To Western audiences best known for his collaborations with saxophonist John Handy, the interest from the West leading to worlwide tours. Has also worked with flutist James Newton, and with saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa, notably working with the latter on the 2008 collaborative Kinsmen album ~ Gopalnath was born in 1949
October 11, 2015 ~ Post-punk, ambient, industrial drummer John Murphy, full name John Russell Murphy, passed away in Berlin, Germany ~ Son of jazz drummer Russ Murphy. Got his start in music as co-founding member of punk outfit the News, present on singles such as Dirty Lies, Dowanna Love and Sweet Dancer. Would go on to work with Whirlywind, the Associates, Dumb & the Ugly, SPK, Wreckery, Death In June, Browning Mummery, Naevus, The The, Whitehouse, and Gene Loves Jezebel ~ Murphy was born in 1959
October 11, 2015 ~ Texas blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Smokin' Joe Kubek passed away ~ Backed Freddie King while still in his teens. Closely associated with Bnois King. Released his solo debut single, the Freddie King/Sonny Thompson-penned Driving Sideways b/w the Doyle Bramhall-penned The Other Side Of Love, in 1985. Released his full-length debut album, Steppin' Out Texas Style, in 1991 and has released over a dozen albums since ~ Kubek was born in 1956
October 11, 2000 ~ Jazz bassist Sture Nordin passed away in Stockholm, Sweden ~ Leader and sideman. Expelled from the Royal Swedish Academy Of Music for playing jazz. Worked with Lars Gullin, Putte Wickman, Rune Ofverman, Egil Johansen, Josh White, Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon, Clark Terry, Johny Griffith, Benny Bailey, Gábor Szabó, Dick Morrisey, Jan Johansson, Rolf Ericson, Jan Allan, Arne Domnérus, Cornelis Vreeswijk, and Lee Konitz ~ Nordin was born in 1933
October 11, 1992 ~ Belcalia Marlenis Almánzar, commonly known as rapper, actress, songwriter Cardi B, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Released her debut studio album, Invasion Of Privacy, in 2018, to commercial success and critical acclaim. Known for songs such as Bodak Yellow (Money Moves), I Like It, and Please Me. Collaborated with Red Cafe, A$AP Rocky, Rita Ora, Jennifer Lopez, Maroon 5 (Girls Like You), DJ Snake, Ed Sheeran, and French Montana
October 11, 1990 ~ R&B outfit Surface release The First Time, lifted off their 3 Deep album ~ With David Townsend, formerly of Port Authority, and David Conley, formerly of Mandrill, as its nucleus, Surface would score their biggest hit when The First Time reached the top of the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, a position it held for two weeks. The band had previously reached top 10 with 1989's Shower Me With Your Love, which had peaked at No.5. The band would do better on the Billboard R&B charts, where they scored nine top 10 hits, four of which reached the top spot, before disbanding in the mid-1990s
October 11, 1989 ~ Cory Marquardt, commonly known as country, country rock, outlaw country, hard rock singer, drummer, guitarist, songwriter Cory Marks, born in North Bay, Canada ~ Cites Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Ozzy Osbourne, Rush as influences. Released his This Man debut album in 2015, followed by Who I Am in 2020. Perhaps best known for his Outlaws & Outsiders single featuring Ivan Moody, Travis Tritt and Mick Mars
October 11, 1985 ~ Sollie Paul Williams, commonly known as singer, actor Tex Williams passed away in Newhall, California, USA ~ Best known for he novelty hit Smoke Smoke Smoke That Cigarette. Also known for songs such as California Pola, That's What I Like About The West, Talking Boogie and Life Gets Tee-jus Don't It ~ Williams was born in 1917
October 11, 1979 ~ Pop punk, punk rock, alternative dance, synth-pop, dance-pop singer, bassist, songwriter Gabe Saporta, full name Gabriel Eduardo Saporta, born in Montevideo, Uruguay ~ Member of Humble Beginnings while in his teens. Rose to fame with Midtown, known for the acclaimed albums Save The World Lose The Girl, Living Well Is The Best Revenge and Forget What You Know. After the band disbanded Saporta founded Cobra Starship, venturing more into electronic music, scoring hits with Good Girls Go Bad featuring Leighton Meester and You Make Me Feel featuring Sabi, both of which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100
October 11, 1976 ~ Author, scriptwriter, songwriter Alfredo Bracchi passed away ~ As a songwriter known as a frequent collaborator of Giovanni D'Anzi, working prolifically for radio, film and stage from the 1930s through the 1950s. The pair is responsible for songs such as Lina Termini's Ma L'Amore No, Tony Dallara's Bambina Innamorata and Carlo Buti's Ti Diro. Other artists who recorded their songs include Caterina Valente, Ornella Vanoni, Gigliola Cinquetti, Nicola Arigliano, Luciano Pavarotti, and José Carreras ~ Bracchi was born in 1897
October 11, 1976 ~ Singer Connee Boswell passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ One third of close harmony trio the Boswell Sisters, alongside siblings Martha Boswell and Helvetia Boswell, known for 1930s hits such as I Found A Million Dollar Baby In A Five An Ten Cent Store, Rock & Roll, The Object Of My Affection, Dinah, and Alexander's Ragtime Band ~ Boswell was born in 1907
October 11, 1975 ~ Tomacz Kuklicz, commonly known as hip-hop DJ, producer DJ Tomekk, born in Krakow, Poland ~ First gained serrious attention touring with Kurtis Blow in the early-1990s. Has also worked with Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Ice-T, the Wu-Tang Clan, LL Cool J, KRS One, Grandmaster Flash, DJ Jazzy Jeff, MC René. Known best for 1999's 1-2-3 (Rhymes Galore), 2000's Ich Lebe Fur Hip Hop and 2002's How You Like That (Ja Ja Ja)
October 11, 1975 ~ Pianist, arranger Jimmy Sherman, full name James Benjamin Sherman, passed away in Pennsylvania, USA ~ Started in dance bands in the late-1920s. Worked with Jimmy Gorham, Alphonso Trent, Peanuts Holland, Al Sears, Stuff Smith, Lil' Armstrong, Putney Dandridge, Mildred Bailey, Billie Holiday, and notably with the Charioteers as a full member from 1938 to 1952 ~ Sherman was born in 1908
October 11, 1974 ~ Singer, pianist Billy Joel releases his Streetlife Serenade album ~ Joel had been on the road a lot, touring clubs and theatres, including opening for acts such as the Beach Boys. It left him little time to write new material, while at the same time under pressure to release an album after the success of its predecessor Piano Man. The album was a bit disappointing, despite spawning the top 40 hit The Entertainer, and included several instrumentals. Later Joel would say of the album: “Interesting musical ideas, but nothing to say lyrically. I was trying to be Claude Debussy in the title track, it didn't work.”
October 11, 1974 ~ Glam rock, hard rock, pop rock outfit Queen release Killer Queen/Flick Of The Wind, the double A-side lead single off their Sheer Heart Attack album ~ The band had two albums under their belt, and scored a UK hit with Seven Seas Of Rhye which scratched the top 10. It was Killer Queen, however, taken off their third studio album that would be their first major international hit, reaching top 20 Billboard Hot 100 and No.2 in their native UK. Guitarist Brian May would later comment: “Killer Queen was the turning point. It was the song that best summed up our kind of music, and a big hit, and we desperately needed it as a mark of something successful happening for us.”
October 11, 1973 ~ Trip hop, electronica, nu jazz singer, songwriter Shana Halligan born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Daughter of Blood Sweat & Tears-pianist Dick Halligan. Formed the trip-hop act Bitter Sweet with Kiran Shahani, known for their 2007 The Mating Game album. Following the band's disbandement moved to Europe to pursue a solo career and collaborated with Nouvelle Vague, Serj Tarkian, and the Thievery Corporation
October 11, 1972 ~ Bassist, singer, songwriter Pete Donnelly born in Saratoga Springs, New York, USA ~ Member of NRBQ. Also worked with Soul Asylum, Tommy Stinson, Mike Viola. Co-wrote I Can't Imagine, the title track of Shelby Lynne's 2015 album. Has also released a handful of solo albums, starting with Another Day On You released in 1999
October 11, 1971 ~ Triplets Petra Haden, Rachel Haden and Tanya Haden born in New York ~ Formed the sibling trio the Haden Triplets. Cellist Tanya also worked with Lets Go Sailing. Violinist Petra with the Decemberists and Spain. Both Petra and keyboardist, bassist Rachel worked with the Rentals and That Dog
October 11, 1970 ~ Lana Michele Moorr, commonly known as rapper MC Lyte, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Gained notoriety for being the first female rapper to release a solo album, namely her 1988 Lyte As A Rock debut album. Known for songs such as Paper Thin, Cha Cha Cha, Keep On (Keeping On) featuring Xscape, Ruffneck and Cold Rock A Party
October 11, 1970 ~ Bandleader, clarinetist, composer Phil Spitalny passed away in Miami Beach, Florida, USA ~ Popular during the 1930s and 1940s, heyday of the radio shows. Best known for leading an all-female orchestra, Phil Spitalny & his All-Girl Orchestra, a novelty at the time. As a composer perhaps best known for his 1930 song The One I Love Just Can't Be Bothered With Me, covered by Johnny Marvin, Belle Baker, and Sammy Fain ~ Spitalny was born in 1890
October 11, 1969 ~ Progressive rock singer, songwriter Tracy Hitchings born in Wallington, UK ~ Lead singer of rock band Landmarq from 1996 through 2017. Though the band is primarily categorised as a progressive rock, neo-progressive rock band, they also draw from album-oriented rock, melodic rock, hard rock, and jazz. Hitchings had previously worked with Quasar, Strangers On A Train, Ulysses, and Gandalf ~ Hitchings passed away in 2022
October 11, 1966 ~ Singer Cliff Richard records It's All Over at EMI Studios, London, UK ~ Written by Don Everly. Originally recorded by the Everly Brothers, whose original single released only in the USA and the Netherlands failed to chart. Richard's cover, produced by Norrie Paramor, would make the UK top 10
October 11, 1966 ~ Singer, songwriter Todd Snider born in Portland, Oregon, USA ~ Draws from Americana, alt-country, folk. Discovered by Keith Sykes, an associate of Jimmy Buffett. Debuted in 1994 with Songs For The Daily Planet album and has recorded to a devoted fanbase steadily since. Fronts the Hard Working Americans
October 11, 1965 ~ Guitarist, bassist, singer Alexander Hacke born in Berlin, Germany ~ Best known as a member of industrial band Einstürzende Neubauten, joining the band in 1980 shortly after its inception. Has also recorded as a solo artist, starting with the Filmarbeiten album released in 1992, and has collaborated with the likes of Robert Rutman, the Tiger Lillies, FM Einheit, Crime & the City Solution, Gianna Nannina, David Yow, Mona Mur, and Ministry of Wolves
October 11, 1963 ~ Edith Giovanna Gassion, commonly known as singer Edith Piaf, passed away in Plascassier, France ~ One of France's internationally best known stars. Specialized in torch songs and chansons about love, loss and sorrow. Known for songs such as La Vie En Rose, Non Je Ne Regrette Rien, Hymne A L'Amour, Milord, La Foule and L'Accordéoniste ~ Piaf was born in 1915
October 11, 1958 ~ Singer Brenda Lee records Let's Jump The Broomstick ~ Recorded previously by Alvin Gaines & the Themes. Written by Charles Robbins. Produced by Owen Bradley. Released as a single the next year, paired with Some Of These Days on the flip side, and included on the 1960 Brenda Lee album
October 11, 1957 ~ Drummer Blair Cunningham born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Brother of the Bar-kays bassist Carl Cunningham who died in the same plane crash that killed Otis Redding. In-demand session drummer. Worked with Denise Lasalle, Robert Johnson, the Detroit Emeralds, Frederick Knight, Echo & the Bunnymen, Haircut 100, John Foxx, the Pretenders, Paul McCartney, Alison Moyet, Sade, Paul Rutherford, the Indigo Girls, Roxy Music, Tina Turner, Lionel Richie, Mick Jagger, Marius Müller-Westernhagen, Kevin Rowland, and the Big Dish
October 11, 1957 ~ Singer, guitarist Jon Langford, full name Jonathan Denis Langford, born in Newport, UK ~ Perhaps best known for co-founding punk outfit the Mekons. Closely associated with post-punk outfit the Three Johns and with alternative country bands Waco Brothers and the Pine Valley Cosmonauts. Has also recorded as a solo artist and collaborated with the likes of Dim Subooteyo, the Killer Shrews, the Wee Hairy Beasties, and the Men Of Gwent
October 11, 1956 ~ Saxophonist Doug Lawrence born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA ~ Worked with Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Roy Eldridge, Buck Clayton, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Charles, Wild Bill Davis, Hank Jones, Mel Lewis, George Cables, the Jazz Knights, Grover Mitchell, Marha Lornin, Ken Peplowski, Cynthia Scott, Richard Allen, Tony Corbiscello, Loren Schoenberg, Jamie Cullum, and Clyde Stubblefield
October 11, 1955 ~ Jazz fusion, folk jazz, world fusion guitarist, producer Peter Sprague, full name Peter Tripp Sprague, born in Cleveland, Ohio, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Chick Corea, Hubert Laws, Larry Coryell, David Benoit, Sérgio Mendes, the Grossmont Symphony Orchestra, the San Diego Symphony, Dianne Reeves, Denise Donatelli, Kevyn Lettau, Bob Magnusson, Billy Childs, Geoffrey Keezer, Eric Marienthal, and Warren Wiebe
October 11, 1954 ~ Music manager, author Danny Sugerman, full name Daniel Stephen Sugerman, born ~ Best known as music manager for the Doors, replacing the band's original manager Bill Siddons after the death of lead singer Jim Morrison. Sugerman has also authored several books about the band and Morrison, most notably No One Here Gets Out Alive co-penned with Jerry Hopkins and published in 1980. Sugerman has also managed Ray Manzarek's post-Doors solo career, Iggy Pop, and glam punk band the Joneses ~ Sugerman passed away in 2005
October 11, 1952 ~ Keyboardist, flutist, singer, composer, producer Brian Jackson, full name Brian Robert Jackson, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Best known for his close association with Gil Scott-Heron througout the 1970s, especially on songs such as The Bottle. Has also collaborated with Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder, Will Downing, Gwen Guthrie, Kool & the Gang, and the Manhattan Transfer's Janis Siegel. Released his first solo album, Gotta Play, in 2000 featuring guest appearances from Ayers and Scott-Heron
October 11, 1952 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Paulette Carlson born ~ Founding member, lead singer of Highway 101, known for Somewhere Tonight, Cry Cry Cry, Do You Love Me Just Say Yes and Who's Lonely Now. Released her solo debut album, Love Goes On, in 1991, spawning the modest country hit I'll Start With You
October 11, 1951 ~ Pop rock, progressive rock, new wave singer, guitarist, pianist, violinist, songwriter Jean-Jacques Goldman born in Paris, France ~ Formed the popular trio Fredericks Goldman Jones with Carole Fredericks and Michael Jones, known for a string of 1990s singles including Ne An 17 A Leidenstadt, juste Apres, Nuit and their best known A Nos Actes Manques. As a solo artist known for songs such as Long Is The Road (Américain), Je Te Donne, La vie par Procuration and Puisque Tu Pars, all of which reached top 10 in France. Has also co-written for Céline Dion, notably D'Eux, If That's What It Takes, I Don't Know and Fly
October 11, 1950 ~ Albert Anderson, commonly known as songwriter, guitarist, percussionist Al Anderson, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Backed Bob Marley as a member of the Wailers. Also worked with Word Soud & Power, Peter Tosh, Ben Harper, and Lauryn Hill
October 11, 1950 ~ Saxophonist, flutist Andrew Woolfolk, full name Andrew Paul Woolfolk II, born in Texas, USA ~ Best known as longtime member of Earth Wind & Fire. Also guested on albums by Deniece Williams (Song Bird), Stanley Turrentine (Tender Togetherness), Phil Collins (Dance Into The Light), Twennynine (Best Of Friends), Philip Bailey (The Wonders Of Love), Level 42 (Standing In The Light), Valerie Carter (Just A Stones Throw Away), and Tracie Spencer (Tracie Spencer) ~ Woolfolk passed away in 2022
October 11, 1948 ~ Gospel singer Cynthia Clawson, full name Cynthia Dee Clawson, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Acclaimed gospel singer best known for songs such as The Lord's Prayer featuring Andráe Crouch, the Archers, and BJ Thomas, Softly And Tenderly from the Academy Award-winning The Trip To Bountiful film and for Somewhere In Between
October 11, 1947 ~ Bassist Fred Hopkins born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known as one third of Air, alongside Henry Threadgill and Steve McCall. Also worked with Muhal Richard Abrams, Arthur Blythe, Oliver Lake, the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians, Diedre Murray, Roy Haynes, Don Pullen, Hamiet Bluiett, Charles Brackeen, Peter Brötzmann, Oliver Lake, David Murray, Tom Varner, and the World Saxophone Quartet ~ Hopkins passed away in 1999
October 11, 1947 ~ Hugo Verbraeken, commonly known as pop singer Hugo Sigal, born in Leopoldstad, Belgian Congo ~ Formed the duo Nicole & Hugo with his wife Nicole Josy. The duo is best known for Goeiemorgen Morgen, intended for the 1971 Eurovision Songfestival but Nicole fell ill at the last moment and the duo were replaced by Jacques Raymond and Lily Castel. Their 1973 Baby Baby entry, again representing Belgium, would finish last
October 11, 1946 ~ Daryl Franklin Hohl, commonly known as pop, R&B, blue eyed soul singer, guitarist, keyboardist Daryl Hall, born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Formed the duo Hall & Oates with John Oates, known for hits such as Rich Girl, Kiss On My List, Private Eyes, I Can't Go For That (No Can Do), Maneater, Out Of Touch, and Adult Education. As a solo artist best known for his 1980 Sacred Songs solo debut album and the 1986 Billboard top 10 hit Dreamtime. Collaborated with Robert Fripp on Fripp's 1979 Exposure album. Co-wrote and produced Swept Away, a 1984 Billboard Hot 100 top 20 and Billboard R&B top 10 hit for Diana Ross in 1984
October 11, 1946 ~ Drummer Gary Mallaber born in Buffalo, New York, USA ~ Member of Raven. Member of Kid Lightning. Perhaps best known for his work with the Steve Miller Band. In-demand session drummer and ocassional vibraphonist, appearing on recordings by the Greg Kihn Band, Eddie Money, Bruce Springsteen, Van Morrison, Peter Frampton, Poco, Joan Armatrading, the Beach Boys, John Lennon, David Cassidy, Bonnie Raitt, Merrell Fankhauser, Bob Seger, and Warren Zevon
October 11, 1946 ~ Guitarist, singer George McCorkle boen in Chester, South Carolina, USA ~ Best known as founding member of the Marshall Tucker Band, wrote the band's first top 40 hit Fire On The Mountain. Also worked with the Toy Factory, Pax Parachute and released a solo album, American Street, in 1999 ~ McCorkle passed away in 2007
October 11, 1943 ~ Singer, songwriter Gene Watson, full name Gary Gene Watson, born in Palestine, Texas, USA ~ Best known for his 1975 hit Love In The Hot Afternoon, his 1979 signature song Farewell Party and his 1981 hit Fourteen Carat Mind. At times Watson's backing band included noted musicians such as Larry Booth, Chris Tiny Owen, Doug Boggs, Joe Eddie Gough, Daniel Plainwater, Norm Castner, and Tony Booth
October 11, 1941 ~ Trumpeter, hornist, percussionist Lester Bowie born in Frederick, Maryland, USA ~ Married to singer Fontella Bass, for whom he also served as musical director. Co-founded the Art Ensemble Of Chicago. Cosely associated with the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians and the Leaders. Early on in his career backed blues artists such as Little Milton, Melvin Jackson and Albert King and R&B artists such as Solomon Burke, Joe Tex, Rufus Thomas. In jazz has collaborated with the likes of Jack DeJohnette, Roscoe Mitchell, Sunny Murray, Archie Shepp, and Wadada Leo Smith. To pop rock audiences, Bowie is perhaps best known for guesting on David Bowie's, no relation, 1993 Black Tie White Noise album, of which the song Looking For Lester named for him ~ Bowie passed away in 1999
October 11, 1936 ~ Free jazz, hard bop drummer Billy Higgins born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ A first-call sideman throughout his career and longtime in-house drummer for Blue Note, present on over an estimated 700 albums including over half a dozen critically acclaimed albums as a leader later on in his career. Yet, Higgins never became a household name. Closely associated with Ornette Coleman, appearing on several of Coleman's earliest albums including The Shape Of Jazz To Come. Other notable credits include albums such as At The Blackhawk (Thelonious Monk), Cell Walk For Celeste (Cecil Taylor), My Favorite Things (John Coltrane), Go (Dexter Gordon), Action (Jackie McLean), The Turnaround (Hank Mobley). In the late 1980s, Higgins cofounded The World Stage, a cultural center in Los Angeles, California, aiming to encourage and promote younger jazz musicians providing workshops in performance and writing as well as concerts and recordings. Higgins has also taught jazz studies at University of California, Los Angeles, and has appeared as a jazz drummer in the 2001 Southlander film ~ Higgins passed away in 2001
October 11, 1932 ~ Dorothy Marie Marsh, commonly known as singer Dottie West, born in Smithville, Tennessee, USA ~ Along with contemporaries Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn regarded as one of the genre's most influential female artists. Known for songs such as Would You Hold It Against Me, Country Sunshine, A Lesson In Love, Are You Happy Baby and Here Comes My Baby Back Again. Also known for a number of 1970s duets with Kenny Rogers, notably Every Time Two Fools Collide, All I Ever Need Is You and What Are We Doin' In Love. Duetted with Jim Reeves (Love Is No Excuse), Don Gibson (Rings Of Gold), and Jimmy Dean (Slowly) ~ Marsh passed away in 1991
October 11, 1929 ~ Jazz bassist, double bassist Ludek Hulan born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ Pivotal figure in post-war Czech jazz. Founder or co-founder of several influential jazz ensembles including the Hootie Club, Studio 5 and the Jazz Studio. Has also worked with Gustav Brom, Milan Ulrich, Richard Kubernat, and Albert Nicholas. Initially emigrated after the 1968 Soviet invasion but quickly returned, making him “politically undesirable” which hindered his career ~ Hulan passed away in 1979
October 11, 1927 ~ Jazz drummer, composer Tony Kinsey, full name Cyril Anthony Kinsey, born in Sutton Coldfield, UK ~ Worked with Ronnie Ball, Tubby Hayes, Bill Le Sage, Ronnie Scott, Johnny Dankworth, Tommy Whittle, Joe Harriott, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Ben Webster, Clark Terry, Harry Sweets Edison, Buddy DeFranco, Billie Holiday, Oscar Peterson, Sarah Vaughan, Eddie Calvert, Cliff Richard, and Ronnie Aldrich
October 11, 1919 ~ Arthur Blakey, commonly known as drummer, bandleader Art Blakey, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Worked with Fletcher Henderson, Billy Eckstine, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, and with Dizzy Gillespie before co-founding the Jazz Messengers with Horace Silver in the mid-1950s. The Messengers would become known as the quintessential hard bop group of the late-1950s and serve as an incubator for young talent including Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, Lee Morgan, Benny Golson, and Wynton Marsalis. Blakey would lead the band for some 35 years until his death in 1990 ~ Blakey passed away in 1990
October 11, 1919 ~ Trumpeter, singer George Rock born ~ Joined Spike Jones backing unit the City Slickers in 1944. Especially noted for his ability to imitate children in a remarkably childlike voice. Present on some of the band's best known, notably singing lead vocals on the classic All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth. Other songs featuring Rock include I'm The Captain Of The Space Ship and You Wanna Buy A Bunny ~ Rock passed away in 1988
October 11, 1914 ~ Vaudeville actress, singer, dancer, choreographer Aida Overton Walker passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Dubbed “the Queen of the Cakewalk” ~ Overton was born in 1880
October 11, 1908 ~ Angenor de Oliveira, commonly known as songwriter, poet, singer Cartola, born in Catete, Brazil ~ Major figure in the development of samba music. Although he had been active since the 1920s, writing or co-writing over an estimated 500 songs, it would not be until into his sixties he would record his debut album as a singer. As a songwriter known for often recorded songs such as O Sol Nascerá (Isaura Garcia, Maria Toledo, Beth Carvalho), Tive Sim (Cyro Monteiro, Dora Vergueiro), Acontece (Paulinho da Viola, Gal Costa, Leny Andrade), As Rosas Não Falam (Freddy Cole, Nelson Gonçalves, the Trio Irakitan), O Mundo É Um Moinho (Carmen Costa, Ney Matogrosso), and Basta De Clamares Inocência (Elis Regina, Claudia Telles) ~ De Oliveira passed away in 1980
October 11, 1897 ~ Bandleader, violinist Leo Reisman born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ Bandleader from the the 1920s and 1930s with some 80 hits to his name. Reisman had a habit of featuring composers and Broadway performers as band vocalists, including Harold Arlen, Fred Astaire, Clifton Webb, Arthur Schwartz, and Lee Wiley. Usually though Reisman used vocalists such as Frank Luther, Dick Robertson and later Sally Singer and George Buller. Notably musicians employed by Reisman included trumpeter Bubber Miley, pianist Eddy Duchin, and Mitch Miller ~ Reisman passed away in 1961
October 11, 1896 ~ Composer, organist Anton Bruckner, full name Josef Anton Bruckner, passed away in Vienna, Austria ~ Late-era Romantic composer admired by peers, most notably Gustav Mahler ~ Bruckner was born in 1824
October 11, 1896 ~ Composer, songwriter Cesare Andrea Bixio born in Naples, Italy ~ One of the most popular Italian songwriter of the 1930s through the 1950s. Artists who recorded his songs include Tito Schipa, Beniamino Gigli (Mamma), Carlo Buti, Oscar Carboni (La Mia Canzone Al Vento), Giuseppe di Stefano, Luciano Pavarotti, and Vittorio de Sica (Parlami D'Amore Mariu) ~ Bixio passed away in 1978
October 11, 1888 ~ Violinist, conductor, composer Emil Bohnke born in Zdunska Wola, Poland ~ Composed orchestral music, concertos and works for piano. Worked with the Bandler Quartet, the Busch String Quartet, the Leipzig Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin Symphony Orchestra. Best known for his composition Symphony Op.16 premiered by the Staatskapelle Berlin shortly after his death ~ Bohnke passed away in 1928