October 27, 2022 ~ Geraldine Milligan, commonly known as R&B, disco singer Geraldine Hunt, passed away ~ Enjoyed moderate success on the R&B and dance charts from the 1970s through the early 1980s. Well known songs include the Charlie Hodges duet You And I, the Supremes cover Baby I Need Your Loving, You Brought Joy and perhaps her best known Can't Fake The Feeling, the latter topping the Billboard Dance charts in 1980 ~ Milligan was born in 1945
October 27, 2021 ~ Conductor, composer Letieres Leite passed away ~ Perhaps best remembered for founding and fronting the brass and percussion ensemble the Orkestra Rumpilezz, critically acclaimed for their 2009 Letieres Leite & the Orkestra Rumpilezz album. Leite has worked with a wide array of artists including Nico Assumpção, Nana Vasconcelos, Gilberto Gil, Elba Ramalho, Lulu Santos, Hermeto Pascoal, Stanley Jordan, Carlinhos Brown, Toninho Horta, Ivete Sangalo, and others ~ Leite was born ca.1960
October 27, 2021 ~ Funk, disco keyboardist, singer William Shelby passed away ~ Co-founding member of 1980s R&B outfit Dynasty, co-wrote songs such as Groove Control, Do Me Right and Love In The Fast Lane. Subsequently a latter-day member of Lakeside ~ Shelby was born ca.1965
October 27, 2018 ~ Saxophonist Fred Hess passed away ~ Influenced by Lester Young, the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians, Eric Dolphy. Founded the Boulder Creative Music Ensemble. Has also worked with Ginger Baker, Ron Miles, and others ~ Hess was born in 1944
October 27, 2018 ~ Frederick Segrest, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Freddie Hart passed away in Burbank, California, USA ~ Country singer, best known for his 1971 crossover pop hit Easy Loving. Also known for songs such as The Key's In The Mailbox, Hank Williams' Guitar, Born A Fool, My Hang Up Is You, Got The All Overs For You All Over Me, Trip To Heaven, and I'd Like To Sleep Till I Get Over You. Would regularly hit the country charts from the early-1950s through the late-1980s. Later in life Hart would turn to gospel, performing untill he died. Artists who have covered Hart's songs include Carl Smith (Loose Talk), Patsy Cline (Loving In Vain), George Jones (My Tears Are Overdue), Porter Wagoner (Skid Row Joe), and others ~ Segrest was born in 1926
October 27, 2018 ~ Steel guitarist Herb Remington, full name Herbert Leroy Remington, passed away in Texas, USA ~ Member of Bob Wills' backing unit the Texas Playboys from 1946 through 1949, notably present on Boot Heel Drag. Also worked with Hank Penny, with whom he recorded Remington Ride which has since become a standard for steel guitarists ~ Remington was born in 1926
October 27, 2018 ~ Clarinetist Murray Khouri passed away in Bowral, Australia ~ Classical clarinetist worked with orchestras such as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, the Royal Ballet Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and conductors such as Leopold Stokowski, Pierre Boulez, Georg Solti, Bernard Haitink, Adrian Boult, and Eugen Jochem ~ Khouri was born in 1941
October 27, 2018 ~ Singer Teddy Scott, full name Bryce Theodore Scott, passed away ~ Member of doo-wop outfit the G-Clefs, consisting of four Scott brothers and a childhood friend, known for two hits, namely 1956's Ka-ding-dong and 1961's I Understand Just How You Feel ~ Scott was born in 1936
October 27, 2016 ~ Saxophonist Bobby Wellins passed away ~ Best known for collaborating with Stan Tracey on the album Jazz Suite Inspired By Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood (1965). Leader and sideman. Has worked with artists such as Buddy Featherstonhaugh, Kenny Wheeler, Tony Crombie, Lionel Grigson, Jim Richardson, Pete Jacobsen, Adrian Kendon, Ken Baldock, Andy Cleyndert, Spike Wells, Liam Noble, Simon Thorpe, Dave Wickens, Jimmy Knepper, and others ~ Wellins was born in 1936
October 27, 2016 ~ John Zacherley, commonly known as radio, TV personality, singer, voice actor John Zacherle, passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Best known as TV horror host during the 1950s and 1960s. Scored a novelty hit with Dinner With Drac in 1958 ~ Zacherley was born in 1918
October 27, 2016 ~ Napoleon Nelson Pinedo Fedullo, commonly known as singer Nelson Pinedo passed away in Valencia, Venezuela ~ Member of Cuban ensemble Sonora Matancera during the mid- to late-1950s, at the peak of their popularity ~ Fedullo was born in 1928
October 27, 2013 ~ Lewis Allan Reed, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Lou Reed, passed away in East Hampton, New York, USA ~ First gained attention as guitarist, singer, principal songwriter of the influential 1960s outfit the Velvet Underground, writing or co-writing some of the band's best-known including All Tomorrow's Parties, Waiting For The Man and Venus In Furs. Reed would go on to become one of the most celebrated solo artists of the 1970s, acclaimed for albums such as Transformer, Rock 'n Roll Animal and Coney Island Baby. Well known songs include Walk On The Wild Side, Satellite Of Love, Sweet Jane and Perfect Day ~ Reed was born in 1942
October 27, 2012 ~ Jazz, soul, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Terry Callier, full name Terrence Orland Callier, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Childhood friend of Curtis Mayfield, Major Lance and Jerry Butler. Started in doo-wop bands in his teens. Influenced by John Coltrane. Wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by HP Lovecraft (Spin Spin Spin, It's About Time) and by the Dells (The Love We Had Stays On My Mind). Worked with George Benson, Gil Scott-Heron, Paul Weller, Massive Attack, the Juju Orchestra, Hardkandy, Nujabes, Koop, Beth Orton, the Urban Species, and others ~ Callier was born in 1945
October 27, 2008 ~ Producer, songwriter Ray Ellis passed away ~ Orchestrated Billie Holiday's Lady In Satin album. Arranged many 1950s and 1960s hits, including for Johnny Mathis (A Certain Smile), Sarah Vaughan (Broken-hearted Melody), and the Four Lads (Standing On The Corner). Produced Emmylou Harris' 1970 debut album Gliding Bird. As arranger or conductor Ellis has also worked with Chris Connor, Joe Castro, Barbra Streisand, Lena Horne, Liza Minnelli, Esther Phillips, Ben E King, Harold Land, Herbie Mann, and others ~ Ellis was born in 1923
October 27, 2004 ~ Jazz guitarist Art Ryerson passed away in Brookfield, Connecticut, USA ~ Emerged in the 1930s. Played acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo. Appears on the early recordings of Bill Haley including on Crazy Man Crazy, What'cha Gonna Do, Pat-a-cake and I'll Be True. Worked with Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Mildred Bailey, Ruby Braff, Erroll Garner, Lionel Hampton, Bobby Hackett, Ellis Larkins, Red Norvo, Anita O'Day, Hot Lips Page, Artie Shaw, Mel Tormé, Sarah Vaughan, Charlie Parker, Fats Waller, Elvis Presley, Eartha Kitt, and others ~ Ryerson was born in 1913
October 27, 2004 ~ Pianist, composer Claude Helffer passed away in Paris, France ~ Member of the French Resistance during World War II. Revered classical, contemporary classical pianist. Premiered works by Iannis Xenakis, André Boucourechliev, Betsy Jolas, and Luis de Pablo. Also noted for his renditions of Arnold Schoenberg, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Pierre Boulez, Alban Berg, and Jean Barraqué ~ Helffer was born in 1922
October 27, 2004 ~ Jazz, big band, pop bandleader Lester Lanin, full name Nathaniel Lester Lanin, passed away in New York, USA ~ Active since the late 1920s, most popular during the 1950s, albums such as 1957's Dance To The Music Of Lester Lanin and Lester Lanin & his Orchestra, as well as Have Band Will Travel and Lester Lanin Goes To College the following year all reaching the Billboard top 10. Played at the wedding of Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley in 1985. Led the orchestra at the prestigious annual the International Debutante Ball until his death ~ Lanin was born in 1907
October 27, 2002 ~ Engineer, producer Tom Dowd, full name Thomas John Dowd, passed away in Aventura, Florida, USA ~ Noted engineer and producer. Worked with Eileen Barton, Ray Charles, the Drifters, the Coasters, the Spinners, Ruth Brown, Bobby Darin, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, the Bee Gees, Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Oak Arkansas, Derek & the Dominos, Rod Stewart, Wishbone Ash, New Model Army, Cream, Lulu, Chicago, the Allman Brothers Band, Joe Bonamassa, the J Geils Band, Meat Loaf, Sonny & Cher, the Rascals, Willie Nelson, Diana Ross, the Eagles, the Four Seasons, Kenny Loggins, the James Gang, Dusty Springfield, Eddie Harris, Charles Mingus, Herbie Mann, Booker T & the MG's, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Joe Castro, Primal Scream, and others ~ Dowd was born in 1925
October 27, 2000 ~ Operatic bass-baritone Walter Berry passed away in Vienna, Austria ~ Closely associated with the Vienna State Opera, remaining with the company for the most of his career. Married to mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig, with whom he has also worked, from 1957 through 1970. As a lieder singer praised for his interpretations of works by Franz Schubert and Gustav Mahler. Regularly appeared at the Metropolitan Opera during the 1960s and 1970s ~ Berry was born in 1929
October 27, 2000 ~ Winston Richards, commonly known as drummer, pianist, singer, songwriter Winston Grennan, passed away in Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA ~ Noted session drummer active in Jamaica in the 1960s, in New York throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Worked with Coxsone Dodd, Duke Reid, Leslie Kong, Sonia Pottinger, Clive Chin, Byron Lee, Winston Riley, Toots & the Maytals, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Desmond Dekker, Paul Simon, Eddie Kendricks, Peter Paul & Mary, Booker T & the MG's, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Garland Jeffreys, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, the O'Jays, Minnie Riperton, Herbie Mann, Kid Creole & the Coconuts, Pat Kelly, the Clarendonians, Yellowman, the Skatalites, and others ~ Richards was born in 1944
October 27, 1999 ~ Bandleader, arranger, composer Frank Devol passed away in Lafayette, California, USA ~ Began composing music at age 12. Played violin in his father's orchestra. Worked as arranger for Horace Heidt. Toured with Alvino Rey orchestra. Went on to arrange for a host of artists including Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Dinah Shore, Doris Day, Vic Damone, Jaye P Morgan, and others. Arranged string and piano for Nat King Cole's Nature Boy. Composed numerous film scores. Nominated for Academy Awards four times, Pillow Talk (1959}, Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte (1964), Cat Ballou (1965) and Guess Who's Coming To Dinner (1967). Worked extensively for a number of TV shows ~ DeVol was born in 1911
October 27, 1999 ~ Grunge, alternative rock guitarist Wes Berggren passed away ~ Co-founding member of Tripping Daisy, best known for their 1995 single I Got A Girl. Following the unexpected death of Berggren, who died of an overdose, the band would finish a few remaining tapes with Berggren's father playing piano on the unfinished song Soothing Jubilee released as the eponymous 2000 Tripping Daisy and then disband ~ Berggren was born in 1971
October 27, 1997 ~ James Taylor-Watts, commonly known as pop singer, guitarist, songwriter James TW, born in Barford, UK ~ Self-released a debut EP, Just A Number, in 2014. Best known for his 2016 single When You Love Someone. Attention garnered through online platforms would secure Taylor-Watts a record deal, leading to a full-length debut album, Chapters, released in 2019
October 27, 1994 ~ Dpnald Lee Owen, commonly known as singer, guitarist, producer, songwriter Donnie Owens, passed away ~ Close and long time associate of Lee Hazlewood. Session rhythm guitarist for Nancy Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Duane Eddy. As a solo artist known for recordings such as Need You, Ask Me Anything, Stormy Came To Town, Heart Attack, and Climbing The Walls. Produced albums by Barney Carl, Virgil Warner, Linda Owens, Honey Ltd, Suzi Jane Hokom, Buddy Long, Sanford Clark, Ann-Margret, Danny Michaels, Jimmie Lee Morris, and Joe Cannon. Wrote songs for Budd the Spudd & the Sprouts, Virgil Warner, Johnny Wakely, Ray Sharpe, Sanford Clark, and Mac Wiseman ~ Owens was born in 1932
October 27, 1994 ~ Guitarist Robert White, full name Robert Willie White, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced by Oscar Moore and Wes Montgomery. Best known as guitarist of the Funk Brothers, the house studio band at Motown. Appears on numerous recordings including the Temptations' My Girl for which White wrote and performed the guitar riff, Can I Get A Witness (Marvin Gaye), You Keep Me Hangin' On (the Supremes), My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder), Something About You (the Four Tops), and on It's A Shame (the Spinners) ~ White was born in 1936
October 27, 1990 ~ Tyshon Dwayne Nobles, commonly known as rapper, comedian T-Wayne, born in Abilene, Texas, USA ~ Best known for Nasty Freestyle, a Billboard top 10 hit in 2015
October 27, 1990 ~ Bandleader, violinist, arranger Xavier Cugat passed away in Barcelona, Spain ~ Leading figure in Latin music. Syndicated cartoonist. Restaurateur. Led the resident orchestra at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York and owned and operated a restaurant in West Hollywood, shuttling between the two for some 30 years. His orchestra included musicians such as Desi Arnaz, Abbe Lane, Tito Rodriguez, Yma Sumac, and Miguelito Valdes. Cugat's music career also led to a number of appearances in films from the 1930s through the 1950s. ~ Cugat was born in 1900
October 27, 1986 ~ Jazz pianist, vibraphonist, saxophonist Alan Branscombe passed away in London, UK ~ Closely associated with Johnny Dankworth, serving in Dankworth's orchestra on and off from 1960 through 1972. Has also worked with the likes of Cleo Laine, Georgie Fame, Jackie Lomax, Harold McNair, Kenny Wheeler, and Tubby Hayes. To pop and rock audiences perhaps best known for his saxophone playing on the Beatles track Got To Get You Into My Life of their 1966 Revolver album ~ Branscombe was born in 1936
October 27, 1984 ~ Singer Kelly Osbourne, Kelly Michelle Lee Osbourne, born in London, UK ~ Daughter of Ozzy Osbourne
October 27, 1983 ~ Heavy metal, symphonic metal soprano singer, keyboardist Elina Siirala born in Helsinki, Finland ~ Classically trained. Co-founding member, frontwoman of melodic metal band Angel Nation. Member of Leaves' Eyes since 2016, replacing Liv Kristine
October 27, 1983 ~ Keyboardist Vince van Reeken born in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Best known as member of Di-rect from 2009 through 2016. Appears on singles such as Hold On, The Chase and The Young Ones, all of which reached the Dutch top 30. Previously a member of Juice, a minimal techno producer known under the moniker Vince John and founder of the Jam de la Creme festival an annual music festival in Scheveningen
October 27, 1981 ~ Gilbert Anthony Milam Jr, commonly known as rapper Berner, born ~ As a solo artist over a dozen albums to his name since the mid-2000s, best known for his 2015 Hempire release. In-demand collaborator, has worked with the Jacka, Messy Marv, Ampichino, San Quinn, B Real, Cam'ron, Styles P, Curren$y, Larry June, and others
October 27, 1981 ~ Jazz trumpeter Louis Metcalf passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Willie The Lion Smith, Jelly Roll Morton, Benny Carter, King Oliver, Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, Art Pepper, Fats Navarro, Sonny Rollins, and others ~ Metcalf was born in 1905
October 27, 1980 ~ Stephen Ross Porter, commonly known as rock, psychedelic pop singer, guitarist, bassist, drummer Steve Peregrin Took, passed away in Notting Hill, UK ~ First gained attention as member of T.Rex alongside Marc Bolan, remaining with the band through 1969. After his split from the band would go on to work with the Pink Fairies, Shagrat, and others ~ Porter was born in 1949
October 27, 1980 ~ Singer, songwriter Tanel Padar born in Uhtna, Estonia ~ Best known for winning the 2001 Eurovision Songfestival, teaming up with Dave Benton and 2XL, with the song Everybody written by Ivar Must and Maian Kärmas
October 27, 1979 ~ Country, bluegrass singer, guitarist, songwriter Jimmie Skinner passed away ~ Wrote Let's Say Goodbye Like We Said Hello, a 1946 hit for Ernest Tubb. Influenced Johnny Cash, who covered Skinner's Doing My Time. As a recording artist Skinner is best known for a number of late-1950s, early-1960s recordings including What Makes A Man Wander, Dark Hollow, I Found My Girl In The USA, The Riverboat Gambler, and Reasons To Live ~ Skinner was born in 1909
October 27, 1978 ~ Singer, songwriter Sabrina Washington, full name Sabrina Fredrica Washington, born in Harlesden, UK ~ Alongside Alesha Dixon and Su-Elise Nash a member of Mis-Teeq from its inception in 1999 to its disbandement in 2005. The band would score a string of UK top 10 hits including Why, All I Want, B With Me and Scandalous, the latter also reaching the American top 40. Released a solo debut single, OMG (Oh My Gosh), in 2010 which didn't chart in the singer's native England but did chart modestly across Europe
October 27, 1975 ~ Saxophonist Igor Lumpert born in Novo Mesto, Yugoslavia ~ Worked with Reggie Workman, John Abercrombie, Chico Hamilton, Sonny Simmons, Boris Kozlov, Andy McKee, and others
October 27, 1975 ~ Singer, songwriter, film composer Kate Havnevik born in Oslo, Norway ~ Acclaimed for her electronica-infused Melankton debut album, produced by Guy Sigsworth, released in 2008. Has also worked with Marius de Vries, Röyksopp, Noel Hogan, Carmen Rizzo, the Dark Flowers, and
October 27, 1969 ~ Jazz drummer Stephane Galland born ~ Worked with Pierre van Dormael, the Nasa Na Band, Fabrizio Cassol, Doudou Ndiaye Rose, the Liege Philharmonic Orchestra, Zap Mama, Axelle Red, Joe Zawinul, Bzzz Puk, Greeting From Mercury, Ibrahim Maalouf, Jeroen van Herzeele, KD's Basement Party, Octun, Tomas & Co, Jacques Schwarz-Bart, Malcolm Braff, Laurent David, and others
October 27, 1967 ~ Didier Morville, commonly known as rapper Joeystarr, born in St Denis, France ~ Best known as co-founder of Suprême NTM
October 27, 1967 ~ Alternative rock, nard rock, grunge singer, songwriter Scott Weiland, full name Scott Richard Weiland, born in San Jose, California, USA ~ Best known as frontman of the Stone Temple Pilots from 1989 through 2002 and again from 2008 through 2013. Has also worked with supergroup Velvet Revolver, Art of Anarchy, Camp Freddy, the Wildabouts, and others ~ Weiland passed away in 2015
October 27, 1965 ~ Rock bassist Chad Larson born in Los Angeles County, California, USA ~ Co-founded the Aquabats with Christian Jacobs and Boyd Terry, writing or co-writing a vast amount of the band's material. Has also worked with hardcore punk outfit BHR and the Sandfleas
October 27, 1965 ~ Oliver Albee La Farge, commonly known as folk singer, guitarist Peter La Farge, passed away ~ Emerged from New York's Greenwich Village folk scene, alongside the likes of Bob Dylan, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Dave Van Ronk, and Pete Seeger. Mentored by Cisco Houston. Best known for The Ballad Of Ira Hayes. The song would later be notably covered by Johnny Cash on his 1964 Bitter Tears (Ballads Of The American Indian) album. Cash credited La Farge with inspiring the entire album, which also included the La Farge-penned As Long As The Grass Shall Grow, Custer, Drums, and White Girl ~ La Farge was born in 1931
October 27, 1964 ~ William Barnhart, commonly known as jazz trumpeter Scotty Barnhart, born ~ Worked with the Count Basie Orchestra, Marcus Roberts, Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, Ray Charles, Tito Puente, Clark Terry, Ellis Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Jamie Davis, Etienne Charles, and others
October 27, 1963 ~ Lawrence Nelson, commonly known as R&B singer, guitarist, songwriter Prince La La, passed away in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known for She Put The Hurt On Me. Died of a drug overdose at age 27, his death the subject of Oliver Morgan's song Who Shot The La La ~ Nelson was born ca.1936
October 27, 1961 ~ Singer, actress Mia Gundersen born in Stavanger, Norway ~ Member of Asfalt. Debuted as a solo artist with the album Temptation. Played Eliza Doolittle in a 1990 production of My Fair Lady
October 27, 1960 ~ R&B singer Ben E King records Stand By Me ~ Written by Ben E King, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller. Produced by Leiber and Stoller. An early draft was originally intended for the Drifters, King's previous band, who passed on the opportunity. Reportedly based in part, inspired by two other songs, namely the Soul Stirrers' Stand By Me Father written by Sam Cooke and JW Alexander and Charles Albert Tindley's Stand By Me gospel hymn. Released as a single in 1961, b/w On The Horizon, in early 1961. King's single would top the Billboard R&B chart in 1961, be covered over an estimated 400 times, and again become a hit in the mid-1980s after being used in films and a Levi's TV commercial
October 27, 1959 ~ Keyboardist, singer Michael Sherwood born ~ Formed Lodgic with Jimmy Haun in 1977, known for their sole album, 1985's Nomadic Sands co-produced by David Paich, Steve Porcaro and Tom Knox ~ Sherwood passed away in 2019
October 27, 1958 ~ Jazz pianist David Hazeltine, full name David Perry Hazeltine, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Peter Washington, Louis Hayes, One For All, Slide Hampton, Jim Rotondi, Joe Farnsworth, Joe Locke, George Mraz, Eric Alexander, Javon Jackson, and others
October 27, 1958 ~ Singer Simon Le Bon, full name Simon John Charles Le Bon, born in Bushey, UK ~ Best known as lead singer of Duran Duran, known for hits such as Girls On Film, Hungry Like The Wolf, Save A Prayer, Is There Something I Should Know, Union Of The Snake, The Reflex, The Wild Boys, A View To A Kill, and others
October 27, 1953 ~ Pianist, composer, arranger Robert Irving III born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his association with Miles Davis from the late 1970s through the late 1980s, present on the 1981 album The Man With The Horn. Has also worked with Al Foster, John Scofield, Mike Stern, Gary Thomas, Bob Berg, Kenny Garrett, Hiram Bullock, Robben Ford, Darryl Jones, Wallace Roney, Lenny White, Terri Lyne Carrington, Kahil El-Zabar, Ramsey Lewis, and others
October 27, 1952 ~ Hi-NRG, dance-pop singer, songwriter Hazell Dean born in Great Baddow, UK ~ Known for a number of 1980s singles of which Searchin' (I Gotta Find A Man), Whatever I Do and Who's Leaving Who all reached the UK top 10
October 27, 1952 ~ Jazz, orchestral bassist Ken Filiano born in Patchoque, New York, USA ~ Active since the 1970s. Has worked with Anthony Braxton, Fred Ho, Nels Cline, Bill Dixon, Fay Victor, Richard Grossman, Steve Adams, Kim Richmond, Don Minasi, Fred Hess, Roswell Rudd, Paul Smoker, Rodrigo Amado, Andrea Wolpe, Jason Kao Hwang, Marco Cappelli, the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra, the Princeton Chamber Orchestra, Connie Crothers, Taylor Ho Bynum, Nate Wooley, Anders Nilsson, Vinny Golia, and others
October 27, 1951 ~ Producer, songwriter, label executive Scott Billington born in Melrose, Massachusetts, USA ~ Longtime label executive for Rounder Records. Produced artists in blues, country, cajun, jazz and zydeco idioms including Johnny Shines, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Charlie Rich, Solomon Burke, Johnny Adams, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Irma Thomas, James Booker, Tangle Eye, the Soul Rebels, the Girl Authority, George Thorogood, Amanda Shaw, Corey Harris, Boozoo Chavis, Candye Kane, Chris Ardoin, the Holmes Brothers, and others
October 27, 1949 ~ Producer, label executive Clifford Antone born in Port Arthur, Texas, USA ~ Founder, owner of Antone's blues club, Austin, Texas. Label founder, owner. Mentor to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmy Vaughan, Kim Wilson, Gary Clark Jr, and others ~ Antone passed away in 2006
October 27, 1948 ~ Pianist Byron Allred born in Logan, Utah, USA ~ Best known as a member of the Steve Miller Band from 1976 through 1987, first appearing on the 1977 Book Of Dreams album
October 27, 1948 ~ Singer, actor Gianni Nazzaro born in Naples, Italy ~ Recorded some 50-odd singles, mostly covers, from 1965 through 1968 going by the moniker Buddy before reverting to his given name. Best known for Solo Noi released in 1968 and Me Chiammi Ammore released in 1970. Would continue to chart regularly throughout the decade before slowing down in the 1980s ~ Nazzaro passed away in 2021
October 27, 1948 ~ Blues singer, guitarist, songwriter Sherman Robertson born in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, USA ~ Draws from zydeco, swamp blues, electric blues, R&B. First gained serious attention backing Clifton Chenier during the 1980s, notably present on the albums Live At The and San Francisco Blues Festival. Guested on Paul Simon's Graceland album. Following Chenier's death in 1987 Robertson would work with Rockin' Dopsie and Terrance Simien before venturing out on his own. As a solo artist best known for the album I'm The Man released in 1994 ~ Robertson passed away in 2021
October 27, 1946 ~ Country keyboardist, clavinetist, songwriter Steve Hardin, full name Stephen Joseph Hardin, born in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Best known as a songwriter. Penned songs such as I Love My Truck for Glen Campbell and Breakin' Down for Waylon Jennings. Member of Point Blank, for whom he wrote the concert favorite Mean To Your Queenie ~ Hardin passed away in 2015
October 27, 1945 ~ Jazz bassist Arild Andersen born in Strømmen, Norway ~ One of Norway's best known bassists. Known especially for his stint with Jan Garbarek, notably present on the aclaimed Afric Pepperbird album. Well over a dozen albums as a leader or co-leader, including collaborations with Sheila Jordan, John Abercrombie, and Bill Frisell. Also present on albums by the likes of George Russell, Don Cherry (Eternal Rhythm), Robin Kenyatta, Roswell Rudd, Charlie Mariano, Frode Alnæs, Ketil Bjørnstad, and Karin Krog
October 27, 1943 ~ Pianist, bandleader, composer, playwright, poet Weldon Irvine, full name Weldon Jonathan Irvine Jr, born in Hampton, Virginia, USA ~ Wrote or co-wrote over 500 songs including To Be Young Gifted & Black with Nina Simone, first recorded by the latter on her 1970 Black Gold album and notably covered by Aretha Franklin 2 years later. Mentor to many New York hip-hop artists including Q-Tip and Mos Def ~ Irvine passed away in 2002
October 27, 1942 ~ Country singer, songwriter Lee Greenwood, full name Melvin Lee Greenwood, born in South Gate, California, USA ~ Best known for his hit single God Bless The USA, which crossed over to the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Also known for songs such as Somebody's Gonna Love You, Going Going Gone, Dixie Road, I Don't Mind The Thorns If You're The Rose, Don't Underestimate My Love For You, Hearts Aren't Made To Break (They're Made To Love) and Mornin' Ride, all of which did well on Billboard Country charts
October 27, 1942 ~ Guitarist Philip Catherine born in London, UK ~ Released his debut album, Stream, in 1972. Has worked with Larry Coryell, Charles Mingus, Benny Goodman, Didier Lockwood, Christian Escoudé, Chet Baker, Tom Harrell, Lou Bennett, Kenny Drew, Dexter Gordon, Stéphane Grappelli, Karin Krog, Paul Kuhn, Sylvain Luc, Michael Mantler, Charlie Mariano, Palle Mikkelborg, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Enrico Rava, Toots Thielemans, Miroslav Vitous, Focus, Jean-Luc Ponty, Laura Fygi, Laila Dalseth, Vladimir Cosma, Karin Krog, Charlie Mariano, Airto Moreira, Alphonse Mouzon, Zbigniew Seifert, Jasper van 't Hof, Johan Verminnen, Barney Wilen, Enrico Pieranunzi, Robert Wyatt, and others
October 27, 1941 ~ Singer, songwriter Don Partridge, full name Donald Eric Partridge, born in Bournemouth, UK ~ Best known as a solo artist scoring late-1960s hits such as Rosie, Blue Eyes and Breakfast On Pluto. Also co-founded Accolade ~ Partridge passed away in 2010
October 27, 1940 ~ Guitarist, trumpeter John Greek born ~ Member of the Wailers, generally credited as one of the first, if not the first, American garage bands, best known for Tall Cool One, a top 40 hit in 1959 ~ Greek passed away in 2006
October 27, 1939 ~ Singer, songwriter Dallas Frazier born in Spiro, Oklahoma, USA ~ Moderately successful as a late 1950s singer best known for writing and first recording Alley Oop, later a hit for the Hollywood Argyles. Best known as a songwriter. Artists who recorded songs written or co-written by Frazier include Ferlin Husky (Timber I'm Falling), OC Smith, George Jones, Jack Greene (There Goes My Everything), Diana Ross, Johnny Duncan (Johnny One Time), Engelbert Humperdinck, Jerry Lee Lewis (Touching Home), Connie Smith (In My Baby's Arms Again), Willie Nelson, Brenda Lee, Charley Pride, Merle Haggard, Charlie Rich (Mohair Sam), Gene Watson (Fourteen Carat Mind), Elvis Presley (True Love Travels On A Gravel Road), Moe Bandy (Don't Anyone Make Love At Home Anymore), Roy Head, Charlie Louvin, Rodney Crowell, Dan McCafferty, Poco, Ronnie Hawkins, Henson Cargill (This Just Ain't No Good Day For Leavin'), Anne Murray, Stoney Edwards (Hank And Lefty Raised My Country Soul), Glen Campbell, George Strait, Randy Travis, Patty Loveless, and others ~ Frazier passed away in 2022
October 27, 1939 ~ Singer Ruby Wright born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Eldest child of Johnnie Wright and Kitty Wells ~ Wright passed away in 2009
October 27, 1934 ~ Jazz bassist, double bassist Barre Phillips born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Eric Dolphy, Jimmy Giuffre, Archie Shepp, Peter Nero, Attila Zoller, Lee Konitz, Marion Brown, the Trio alongside John Surman and Stu Martin, Barry Guy, the London Jazz Composers Orchestra, Gong, Peter Kowald, Joëlle Léandre, Derek Bailey, Theo Jörgensmann, Aurélien Besnard, Peter Brötzmann, Evan Parker, Joe Maneri, Paul Bley, Jay Crawford, Chris McGregor, Terje Rypdal, Alfred Harth, François Cotinaud, and others
October 27, 1934 ~ Flutist, saxophonist Hector Costita born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Worked with Lalo Schifrin, Manfredo Fest, Sérgio Mendes, the Zimbo Trio, Hermeto Pascoal, Elis Regina, João Donato, Xu Vianna, the Sexteto Bossa Rio, Dick Farney, Luiz Chaves, Wilson Simonal, Carlos Piper, Nelson Aires, and others
October 27, 1934 ~ Jazz trumpeter Ivan Julien born ~ Worked with Claude Bolling, Jacques Denjean, the Paris Jazz All-Stars, Lester Bowie, Elton John, Maynard Ferguson, Ben Webster, and others ~ Julien passed away in 2015
October 27, 1933 ~ Pianist Floyd Cramer born in Samti, Louisiana, USA ~ Considered one of the pioneers of the Nashville sound. Frequent collaborator of guitarist Don Gibson and saxophonist Boots Randolph. Dozens of albums to his own name. Renowned for his slip note technique. Known for instrumental renditions of classics, with Last Date, On The Rebound and San Antonio Rose all reaching the Billboard top 10. In-demand session musicians appearing on records by Elvis Presley (Heartbreak Hotel, Are You Lonesome Tonight), Brenda Lee, Hank Locklin (Please Help Me I'm Falling), Patsy Cline, the Browns, Jim Reeves, Eddy Arnold, Roy Orbison, Don Gibson, the Everly Brothers, and others ~ Cramer passed away in 1997
October 27, 1931 ~ Francis Dominic Joseph Dallas, commonly known as jazz bassist, singer Sonny Dallas, born in Rankin, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Most closely associated with Lennie Tristano. Also worked with Charlie Spivak, Ray Eberle, Claude Thornhill, Sal Salvador, Tony Scott, Chet Baker, Buck Clayton, Lee Konitz, Warne Marsh, Phil Woods, Gene Quill, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Elvin Jones, Mary Lou Williams, George Wallington, Jackie Paris, and others ~ Dallas passed away in 2007
October 27, 1928 ~ R&B, soul, pop, jazz trumpeter, songwriter, producer Waldo Holmes, sometimes credited as Wally Holmes, born in San Diego, California, USA ~ Formed the late 1960s group Brothers & Sisters. Staff songwriter and producer for Famous Music. Best known for penning Rock The Boat, a Billboard Hot 100 charttopper for the Hues Corporation of their 1974 Freedom For The Stallion debut album ~ Holmes passed away in 2021
October 27, 1927 ~ Composer Bernard Parmegiani born in Paris, France ~ Known for his electronic or acousmatic music. Studied mime from 1957 to 1961, a period he later regarded as important to his work as a composer. Worked with Iannis Xenakis, Westdeutscher Rundfunk, the Third Ear Band, François Bayle, and others. Cited as a major influence by later acts such as Aphex Twin, Autechre and Sonic Youth ~ Parmegiani passed away in 2013
October 27, 1927 ~ Operatic and choral composer Dominick Argento born ~ Wrote fourteen operas, including Miss Havisham's Fire Opera, Masque Of The Angels, and Aspern Papers Opera, orchestral works, major song cycles, of which From The Diary Of Virginia Woolf won him the 1975 Pullitzer Prize for Music, and choral works. Married to soprano singer Carolyn Bailey, whom he often referred to as his muse ~ Argento passed away in 2019
October 27, 1927 ~ Opera singer Robert White born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and others. Premiered works, some written specifically for him, by composers such as Mark Adamo, William Bolcom, John Corigliano, Lukas Foss, Stephen Hough, Libby Larsen, Lowell Liebermann, Gian Carlo Menotti, Tobias Picker, Ned Rorem, David Del Tredici, and others
October 27, 1924 ~ Mary Joan Kath, commonly known as Bonnie Lou, born in Towanda, Illinois, USA ~ Generally recognized as one of the first female rock and roll singers ~ Kath passed away in 2015
October 27, 1924 ~ Giacinto Figlia, coommonly known as jazz pianist, composer George Wallington born in Palermo, Italy ~ Starting in 1943 Wallington spend a decade playing with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Marsala, Charlie Parker, Serge Chaloff, Allen Eager, Kai Winding, Terry Gibbs, Brew Moore, Al Cohn, Gerry Mulligan, Zoot Sims, and with Red Rodney, and recording as a leader for Savoy Records and Blue Note Records. Toured Europe in 1953 as a member of Lionel Hampton's big band. From 1954 onwards Wallington led groups that included young talents including Donald Byrd, Jackie McLean and Phil Woods. In 1960 Wallington retired from the music business, citing the stress of endless touring, but has made a number of albums in the 1980s ~ Figlia passed away in 1993
October 27, 1919 ~ Lee Brown, commonly known as jazz singer, songwriter Babs Gonzales, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Noted for penning Pop Pop-a-da. Worked with Charlie Barnet and with Lionel Hampton before forming his first own ensemble in 1946. His sidemen over the years would include Tadd Dameron, Tony Scott, Roy Haynes, James Moody, JJ Johnson, Julius Watkins, Sonny Rollins, Art Pepper, Wynton Kelly, Don Redman, and others. Later in his career he would collaborate with artists such as Jimmy Smith, Bennie Green, Lenny Hambro, and Johnny Griffin ~ Brown passed away in 1980
October 27, 1913 ~ Bandleader, bass saxophonist Boyd Raeburn born in Faith, South Dakota, USA ~ Big band leader active mostly in the mid-1940s, known for at the time avant-garde arrangements, often by George Handy, similar to Stan Kenton's ~ Raeburn passed away in 1966
October 27, 1909 ~ Blues singer, guitarist, pianist Henry Townsend, full name Henry Jesse James Townshend, born in Shelby, Mississippi, USA ~ Worked with Walter Davis, JD Short, Yank Rachell, and others ~ Townshend passed away in 2006
October 27, 1908 ~ Dewitt Jenkins. commonly known as old time banjoist, fiddler Snuffy Jenkins, born in Harris, North Carolina, USA ~ Worked with the Jenkins String Band, the Wow String Band, the Mountaineers, EJ Mainer, Byron Parker, Pappy Sherrill, Jim Eanes, the Hired Hands, Mike Seeger, and others ~ Jenkins passed away in 1990
October 27, 1896 ~ Jazz bandleader, impresario Husk O'Hare born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Muggsy Spanier, Floyd O'Brien, Jim Lanigan, and others ~ O'Hare passed away in 1970
October 27, 1782 ~ Violinist, guitarist, composer Niccolò Paganini born in Genoa, Republic of Genoa ~ Violin virtuoso. Regarded to this day as pillar of modern violin technique ~ Paganini passed away in 1840