October 8, 2023 ~ Singer Nina Matviienko, full name Nina Mytrofanivna Matviienko, passed away ~ Considered a pivotal voice in Ukrainian folk. Member of the Ukrainian State Folk Choir from 1966 through 1991. Member of folk trio Zoloti Kliuchi. Well-known for her 2017 performance with the Lviv National Opera of Yevhen Stankovych's folk opera When The Fern Blooms. The opera had been banned during the Soviet era, the recording featuring Matviienko would be streamed online following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine ~ Matviienko was born in 1947
October 8, 2021 ~ Drummer, songwriter Everett Morton, full name Everett Matthew Livingstone Morton, passed away ~ Reggae-influenced drummer known for his syncopated and polyrhythmic drumming. Member of 1980s ska revival band the Beat, known for hits such as The Tears Of A Clown, Mirror In The Bathroom, Too Nice To Talk To and perhaps their best known Can't Get Used To Losing You, all of which reached top 10 in the band's native UK ~ Morton was born in 1950
October 8, 2020 ~ Bassist, clarinetist, keyboardist Brian Locking passed away ~ Briefly a member of Cliff Richard's backing unit the Shadows, including in the Summer Holiday film. Has also worked with the Wildcats, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Joe Brown, Conway Twitty, and Brenda Lee ~ Locking was born in 1938
October 8, 2019 ~ Saxophonist, flutist, songwriter Malcolm Duncan, also known as Molly Duncan, passed away in Bocholt, Germany ~ Founding member of funk, pop, R&B outfit the Average White Band from 1972 to 1983, present on the acclaimed albums AWB which spawned the hit Pick Up The Pieces and Cut The Cake. Also worked with Ray Charles, Tom Petty, Buddy Guy, Ben E King, the Dire Straits, Bryan Ferry, Marvin Gaye, Chaka Khan, Knee Deep, Cold Sweat & the Horny Horns, and others ~ Duncan was born in 1945
October 8, 2017 ~ Jazz, soul jazz drummer, singer Grady Tate passed away in Manhattan, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Got his start in music in the early-1960s working with Quincy Jones. Would go on to work with the New York Jazz Quartet during the 1970s. Drummed for Simon & Garfunkel during their famed 1981 Central Park concert. As a singer known best for I Got Six, Naught Number Nine and Fireworks. In-demand sideman, worked with Jimmy Smith, Astrud Gilberto, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Stan Getz, Cal Tjader, Wes Montgomery, Eddie Harris, JJ Johnson, and others ~ Tate was born in 1932
October 8, 2016 ~ Pop rock singer, guitarist, bassist Don Ciccone, full name Donald Joseph Ciccone, passed away in Ketchum, Idaho, USA ~ Founding member of the Critters, known for songs such as Younger Girl and Mr Dieingly Sad. Member of the Four Seasons in the 1970s, present on December 1963 (Oh What A Night) and Rhapsody. Subsequently a member of the Shondells through 1987 ~ Ciccone was born in 1946
October 8, 2015 ~ Funk, rock singer, guitarist, producer Bruce Nazarian passed away ~ First-call session musician. Worked with George Clinton, Don Was, Earl Van Dyke, Richard Pistol Allen, Uriel Jones, Robert White, the Austin Moro Big Band, the 8th Day, Brownsville Station, the A-Band, Randy Jacobs, Midway, Millie Scott, Nighthawk, and Jimmy Lifton ~ Nazarian was born in 1949
October 8, 2015 ~ Pop rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Jim Diamond, full name James Aaron Diamond, passed away in London, UK ~ Lead singer of PhD, known for the 1982 UK top 10 hit I Won't Let You Down. As a solo artist known for 1984's I Should Have Known Better and 1986's Hi Ho Silver, both of which also reached top 10 in the UK ~ Diamond was born in 1951
October 8, 2013 ~ Philip Ryan, commonly known as singer, guitarist Philip Chevron passed away in Dublin, Ireland ~ Regarded as one of the most influential figures in Irish punk. Best known as lead guitarist of celtic punk rockers the Pogues. Chevron wrote several classic Pogues songs including Thousands Are Sailing and Lorelei. Previously fronted Radiators From Space ~ Ryan was born in 1957
October 8, 2011 ~ Alternative rock, emo, indie rock bassist, guitarist, singer Mikey Welsh, full name Michael Edward Welsh, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his association with Weezer, joining the band in 1998 replacing original bassist Matt Sharp. Present on the Weezer (Green Album) album released in 2001. Had previously played with Left Nut, Heretix, Jocobono, Juliana Hatfield. In 2001, Welsh suffered a mental breakdown and retired from music shortly thereafter ~ Welsh was born in 1971
October 8, 2011 ~ Louis Jacob Weertz, commonly known as pianist Roger Williams, passed away in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of Brass Monkey. Majored in piano but reportedly expelled for playing Smoke Gets In Your Eyes in the practice room instead of classical music. Known for songs such as Almost Paradise, Till, Near You, Born Free, and Autumn Leaves. The latter stands as the only piano instrumental since 1955 to top the Billboard charts ~ Weertz was born in 1924
October 8, 2010 ~ Gospel singer, songwriter, actress Albertina Walker passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Mahalia Jackson. Known for songs such as Please Be Patient With Me, I Can Go To God In Prayer, The Best Is Yet To Come, The Impossible Dream, and Joy Will Come. Worked with the Pete Williams Singers, the Willie Webb Singers, the Robert Anderson Singers, the Caravans, James Cleveland, Bessie Griffin, Shirley Caesar, Dorothy Norwood, Inez Andrews, Loleatta Holloway, John McNell, Cassietta George, Delores Washington, the Cathedral Of Love Choir, Metro Mass Choir, the West Point Choir, the Sisters Of Glory, Thelma Houston, CeCe Peniston, Phoebe Snow, and Lois Walden ~ Walker was born in 1929
October 8, 2009 ~ Fred Leroy Robinson, commonly known as R&B, blues guitarist Abu Talib, passed away in Lancaster, California, USA ~ Influenced by Joe Willie Wilkins. Active since the mid-1950s, getting his start in music backing blues harpist Birmingham Jones. Would go on to tour with Little Walter, record with Howlin' Wolf including on Wolf's classics Spoonful, Back Door Man, and Wang Dang Doodle, and work with R&B singers such as Jerry Butler, Syl Johnson, and notably Ray Charles. Robinson would record sporadically as a solo artist, known perhaps best for the modest instrumental hit Black Fox, and has appeared on albums by Monk Higgins, Milt Jackson, John Mayall (Moving On), and Blue Mitchell ~ Robinson was born in 1939
October 8, 2003 ~ Ranchera singer, pianist Angela Aguilar, full name Angela Aguilar Alvarez, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Daughter of Pepe Aguilar and sister of Leonardo Aguilar, both singers. Released her Primero Soy Mexicana debut album in 2018 earning her three Grammy Award-nominations including for Best New Artist making her the youngest person to achieve this feat
October 8, 1997 ~ Annabell Avery Thorne, commonly known as singer, actress Bella Thorne, born in Penbroke Pines, Florida, USA ~ Best known as an actress, first gaining attention playing the role of CeCe Jones in the Disney series Shake It Up from 2010 to 2013. As a singer released a number of recordings, most notably 2014's Call It Whatever which charted reasonably well on the Billboard dance charts
October 8, 1991 ~ Lodewijk Fluttert, commonly known as singer, producer, DJ Bakermat, born in Markelo, the Netherlands ~ Majored in psychology. Would rise to fame as a jazz and soul influenced DJ and producer mashing up electronic, techno, deep and tropical house and incorporating a wide array of live musicians on-stage. Hit the Dutch, Belgian and French charts in late 2012, early 2013 with the single Vandaag and has been recording and performing to critical acclaim and commercial success since. Bakermat's earlier work is considered to be at the forefront of tropical or melodic house, alongside the works of Klingande, Kungs, Lost Frequencies, Felix Jaehn, Sam Feldt, Thomas Jack and Kygo
October 8, 1990 ~ Barrie James Wilson, commonly known as baroque pop, rock, progressive rock drummer BJ Wilson, passed away in Eugene, Oregon, USA ~ Member of the Paramounts, known for their 1963 single Poison Ivy. Declined an offer by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant to join Led Zeppelin. Best known as longtime drummer for Procol Harum, joining the band in 1967 right after the succes of their A Whiter Shade Of Pale debut single and present on all subsequent recordings through 1977 ~ Wilson was born in 1947
October 8, 1985 ~ Peter Gene Hernandez, commonly known as pop, R&B, funk, soul singer, guitarist, pianist, drummer Bruno Mars born in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA ~ Probably the youngest Elvis Presley impersonator in history, performing with his family's band at age 3. One third of producer, songwriter team the Smeezingtons, alongside Philip Lawrence and Ari Levine. Guested on singles such as BoB's Nothing On You and Travie McCoy's Billionaire. As a solo artist rose to stardom starting with international charttoppers Just The Way You Are, Grenade and The Lazy Song of his 2010 debut Doo-wops & Hooligans album. Would go on to score numerous international hits, at times collaborating with Cardi B, Gucci Mane, Kodak Black, Ed Sheeran, Lil' Wayne, Snoop Dogg, Mark Ronson and others. Has sold over 130 million records to date
October 8, 1982 ~ Bassist Bas van Wageningen born in The Hague, the Netherlands ~ Founding member, bassist of Di-rect, known for hits such as Inside My Head, She, Als Je Iets Kan Doen, Hungry For Love, Cool Without You and A Good Thing, all of which reached top 10 in the Netherlands
October 8, 1982 ~ Daniel Carrillo, commonly known as rapper, producer Termanology, born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA ~ First gained attention with the 2006 single Watch How It Go Down. Released a full-length solo album Politics As Usual in 2008. Collaborated with DJ Premier, Pete Rock, the Large Professor, Easy Mo Bee, Buckwild, Statik Selektah, Kid Ink, Cory Gunz, DJ Kay Slay, Sheek Louch, Lil' Fame, Sean Price, Inspectah Deck, Skyzoo, and others
October 8, 1981 ~ Jazz guitarist Oscar Moore, full name Oscar Frederick Moore, passed away in Clark, Nevada, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for his association with Nat King Cole. Brother of singer Johnny Moore, with whom he also worked. Also collaborated with Leon René, Helen Humes, Barney Kessel, Tal Farlow, Leroy Vinnegar, Charles Brown, Lester Young, Buddy Rich, and others ~ Moore was born in 1916
October 8, 1980 ~ Singer Prince releases When You Were Mine as a promotional 12" off Dirty Mind, released on the same day ~ Paired with Gotta Broken Heart Again and Uptown on the flip side. The singer later commented he was inspired to write When You Were Mine while listening to John Lennon. The song would be notably covered as a mid-tempo synthesizer-based ballad by Cyndi Lauper for her 1983 She's So Unusual debut album. In 2019 Lauper's version would be used as the theme song to the second season of the true crime show Dirty John (The Betty Broderick Story)
October 8, 1978 ~ Jazz guitarist Mike Moreno born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Cites Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, and Bill Frisell as main musical influences. Worked with Joshua Redman, Lizz Wright, Nicholas Payton, Meshell Ndegeocello, Greg Osby, Wynton Marsalis, Rober Glasper, Stefon Harris, Aaron Parks, Terence Blanchard, Kenny Garrett, Ravi Coltrane, Bilal, Q-Tip, John Ellis, Jeremy Pelt, Marcus Strickland, Jesse Chandler, Kendrick Scott, Gaetano Partipilo, Michael Janisch, Brince Winston, and James Francies
October 8, 1974 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinettist Harry Carney, full name Harry Howell Carney, passed away in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for spending over four decades as a member of the Duke Ellington orchestra. Also worked with Benny Goodman (The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert), with Rosemary Clooney, Johnny Hodges, Billy Taylor, and others ~ Carney was born in 1910
October 8, 1968 ~ Corey Brent Penn Sr, commonly known as rapper CL Smooth, born in New Rochelle, New York, USA ~ Half of the hip-hop duo Pete Rock & CL Smooth known for their 1992 hit They Reminisce Over You (TROY), which became a staple of classic golden age hip-hop, and for collaborations with artists such as Johnny Gill, Heavy D & the Boyz and Run-DMC (on the 1993 track Down With The King)
October 8, 1968 ~ DJ, keyboardist Leeroy Thornhill born in Barking, UK ~ Dancer and occasional keyboardist for the Prodigy, leaving the band in 2000. Has recorded a number of unnoticed solo EPs under various monikers. Would go on to play DJ sets at larger venues, work as a remixer for artists including Subsonica, and found the nu-skool breaks Electric Tastebuds record label
October 8, 1967 ~ House, R&B, dance-pop singer, pianist, violinist Joi Cardwell, full name Joi Bernadette Cardwell, born in New York, New York, USA ~ First gained attention in the early-1990s as guest vocalist on Lil Louis' dance hits Club Lonely and Saved My Life. Debuted as a solo artist in 1995 with the album The World Is Full Of Trouble, spawning hits such as Jump For Joi and Love & Devotion. Would go on to score with singles such as Soul To Bare, Run To You, Found Love, Freedom, and It's Over
October 8, 1965 ~ Christopher Joseph Ward, commonly known as punk rock, rock basssist CJ Ramone, born in Queens, New York, USA ~ Best known as latter-day member of the Ramones, with whom he recorded three studio albums. Ward joined the band in 1989, succeeding original bassist Dee Dee Ramone, and remained with the band until its disbandement about half a decade later. Ward has also worked with Guitar Pete's Axe Attack, Los Gusanos, and Bad Chopper, and recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album Reconquista released in 2012
October 8, 1964 ~ Priscilla Marie Winans, commonly known as gospel, R&B singer CeCe Winans, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Half of Bebe & CeCe Winans, the other half being her brother BeBe Winans, known for songs such as Heaven, Addictive Love, and It's OK. As a solo artist recording since the mid-1990s, won a dozen Grammy Awards, sold over 17 millions records, making her the all-time best-selling female gospel artist. Known for singles such as Well Alright, the Lauryn Hill-penned On That Day and Anybody Wanna Pray. Close friend of Whitney Houston, with whom she also duetted on Count On Me from the Waiting To Exhale soundtrack, and Godmother to Houston's daughter. Also collaborated with Barbara Mandrell, Vince Gill, Wynonna Judd, Patti Labelle, and Mary Mary
October 8, 1962 ~ Singer, songwriter Jon Stevens born in Upper Hut, New Zealand ~ Released a number of overlooked solo albums before finding succes as frontman of Noiseworks in the late-1980s, scoring hits with Take Me Back, Touch and Hoy Chilli Woman. Has also fronted INXS for a number of years in the early-2000s after the death of Michael Hutchence, notably present on the 2003 single I Get Up. Has also starred as Judas in an Australian production of Jesus Christ Superstar, and collaborated with the Dead Daisies, Dave Stewart, Kate Ceberano, and others
October 8, 1961 ~ Trumpeter, slide trumpeter, bandleader Steven Bernstein born in Washington DC, USA ~ Over half a dozen albums to his name as leader or co-leader. Perhaps best known for his work with Sexmob. Also closely associated with the Lounge Lizards, Spanish Fly and the Millennial Territory Orchestra. Collaborated with Roswell Rudd, Don Byron, Aretha Franklin, Lou Reed, Linda Ronstadt, Digable Planets, Sting, Levon Helm, Rufus Wainwright, Nels Cline, Mario Pavone, the Baby Loves Jazz Band, Elton John, and others
October 8, 1959 ~ Fionan Martin Hanvey, commonly known as singer, songwriter, actor, painter Gavin Friday, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Founded and fronted post-punk group the Virgin Prunes. After the band broke up devoted himself to painting, sharing a studio with Charlie Whisker, Prunes bandmate Guggi and childhood friend U2's Bono. Has also musically collaborated with the latter on several occasions, notably on the soundtracks for In The Name Of The Father and In America. Songs from both films, respectively You Made Me The Thief Of Your Heart sung by Sinéad O'Connor and In America sung by Andrea Corr, would be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Friday has released several solo albums, notably the acclaimed Adam 'n' Eve in 1992, and collaborated with artists such as Maurice Seezer, Quincy Jones, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Fall, Dave Ball, Shannon McNally, and with Talking Heads members Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison and Tina Weymouth
October 8, 1957 ~ Singer, pianist Jerry Lee Lewis records Great Balls Of Fire at Sun Studio, Memphis, Tennessee ~ Written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer. Produced by Sam Phillips. Raw, wild, explosive, would become one of Lewis' signature songs and one of the tunes that defined rock & roll. Lewis is backed by Sidney Stokes on bass, Roland Janes on guitar and Jimmy Van Eaton on drums. Released the next month, paired with You Win Again featured on the flip side
October 8, 1956 ~ Singer Tony Bennett releases his Just In Time single, originally from the 1956 Bells Are Ringing musical ~ Originally introduced by Judy Holliday & Sydney Chaplin in the Bells Are Ringing musical, penned by Jule Styne with lyrics by Adolph Green and Betty Comden. Bennett's version would be released as a single, paired with The Autumn Waltz on the flip side, and would peak in the mid-40s on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Bennett would continue to perform the song throughout his career, and re-record it as a duet with Michael Bublé for his 2006 Duets (An American Classic) album. Others who have recorded the song include Peggy Lee, Blossom Dearie, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, and Rickie Lee Jones
October 8, 1955 ~ Bassist, composer, producer James Singleton, full name James Evan Singleton, born ~ Worked with John Scofield, Stanton Moore, John Medeski, John Abercrombie, the Astral Project, Art Baron, Ellis Marsalis Jr, Earl Tubinton, Eddie Harris, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Lionel Hampton, Arnett Cobb, Banu Gibson, Chet Baker, Alvin Tyler, James Booker, Johnny Adams, Charlie Rich, Zachary Richard, Robert Walter, Rob Wagner, Oliver Bou, Steve Masakowski, and others
October 8, 1953 ~ Bassist, singer, songwriter Anthony Kenney born ~ Best known as member of the Kentucky Headhunters from 1968 through 1982 and again from 1992 through 2008
October 8, 1953 ~ Country singer, guitarist Ricky Lee Phelps born in Edmonton, Kentucky, USA ~ Formed the duo Brother Phelps with his brother guitarist, singer Doug Phelps. The duo would score a number a early-1990s country hits, their highest charting being Let Go reaching top 10 Billboard Country in 1993. Prior both brothers had played with the Kentucky Headhunters, leaving the band after the successful 1989 Pickin' On Nashville debut album
October 8, 1952 ~ Trombonist Clifford Adams, full name Clifford Alanza Adams Jr, born in Trenton, New Jersey, USA ~ Member of Kool & the Gang, joining the band in 1977. Present on some of the band's best known, notably the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Ladies Night and Too Hot ~ Adams passed away in 2015
October 8, 1951 ~ Singer, songwriter, actress Caroline Peyton born in Brookhaven, Mississippi, USA ~ Known for a number of 1970s albums, notably Mock Up and Intuition. Would go on to appear in theatrical productions, including on Broadway, and work as a voice actress in Disney animated films. Released a self-penned album, Homeseeker's Paradise, in 2014 ~ Peyton passed away in 2021
October 8, 1950 ~ Robert Earl Bell, commonly known as jazz, R&B, funk, soul, disco singer, bassist Robert Kool Bell born in Youngstown, Ohio, USA ~ Founding and longtime member of Kool & the Gang, known for hits such Ladies Night, Celebrate, Something Special and Emergency, all of which reached the Billboard top 20
October 8, 1950 ~ Bluegrass guitarist, mandolinist Ruis Barenberg born ~ Influenced by Clarence White. Worked with Heartlands, Fiddle Fever, the Laughing Hands, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Maura O'Connell, Béla Fleck, Mel Tillis, Randy Travis, Ray Repp, Peter Wernick, Hazel Dickens, Andy Statman, Bill Keith, Rodney Miller, Tony Trischka, Alison Krauss, Hugh Moffatt, Roy Book Binder, Mark O'Connor, Jesse Winchester, Laurie Lewis, Rhonda Vincent, Darol Anger, Chris Thile, Bryan Sutton, Charlie Haden, Steve Martin, Craig Duncan, and others
October 8, 1949 ~ Guitarist, bassist, singer Hamish Stuart, full name James Hamish Stuart, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Best known as a member of the Average White Band from 1972 to 1982, including on the acclaimed albums AWB which spawned the hit Pick Up The Pieces and Cut The Cake. Has also worked with Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, and David Sanborn. Wrote or co-wrote songs for Smokey Robinson, Jeffrey Osborne, George Benson, Diana Ross, and for Atlantic Starr, notably the 1986 hit If Your Heart Isn't In It for the latter
October 8, 1948 ~ John William Cummings, commonly known as guitarist, singer Johnny Ramone, born in Forest Hills, New York, USA ~ Co-founding member and rhythm guitarist of the Ramones. Known within the punk community as one of the few conservatives and a staunch supporter of the GOP. The UK single Bonzo Goes To Bitburg would be retitled My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down (Bonzo Goes To Bitburg) on American releases as Cummings found the title insulting to Reagan, at the time US President ~ Cummings passed away in 2004
October 8, 1948 ~ Bluegrass banjoist Lynn Morris born ~ Won the 1974 National Banjo Championship, making her the first female to achieve this feat. Member of City Limits and Whetstone Run. Founded her own group, the Lynn Morris Band, in the late-1980s whose members over time included Jesse Brock, Tad Marks, David McLaughlin, Audie Blaylock and her husband Marshall Wilborn
October 8, 1944 ~ Josephine Armstead, commonly known as singer, songwriter Jo Armstead in Yazoo, Mississippi, USA ~ Sang backup for Bobby Blue Bland. Member of the Ikettes, backing Ike Turner & Tina Turner. As a songwriter teamed with Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson writing hits for Ray Charles (Let's Go Get Stoned), Chuck Jackson, Maxine Brown, Aretha Franklin (Cry Like A Baby), Ruby Andrews, Garland Green, Tina Britt, Ronnie Milsap, Syl Johnson (Come On Sock It To Me), Carl Carlton, and others. Also sang backup for Esther Phillips, Roberta Flack, Quincy Jones, BB King, David Bromberg, Randall Bramblett, Burt Bacharach, Taj Mahal, Nina Simone, Stephanie Mills, Luther Vandross and was cast in the 1972 Broadway production of Don't Play Us Cheap in the role of Mrs Washington
October 8, 1941 ~ Rock & roll, country guitarist George Bellamy born in Sunderland, UK ~ Father of Muse frontman Matt Bellamy. Active since the late-1950s. Best known as member of the Tornados, present on their instrumental hit Telstar and co-writer of Ridin' The Wind. Also worked with Don Charles, Rough Terrain, the Lyrics, and others
October 8, 1941 ~ Songwriter, lyricist Gus Kahn, full name Gustave Gerson Kahn, passed away in Beverly Hills, California, USA ~ Songwriting partner of Richard Whiting, Walter Donaldson, Ira Gershwin, Ted Fio Rito, George Gershwin, and Nacio Herb Brown. Songs co-written by Kahn include Who Wants Love (Billie Holiday), Dream A Little Dream Of Me (Ozzie Nelson, Dinah Shore, Patti Page, the Mamas & the Papas), Love Me Or Leave Me (Ruth Etting, Perry Como, Peggy Lee, Nina Simone), I'll See You In My Dreams (Isham Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Pat Boone, the Platters), and It Had To Be You (the Ambassadors, Betty Hutton, Eddy Arnold, Ray Charles) ~ Kahn was born in 1886
October 8, 1941 ~ Gospel quartet the Selah Jubilee Singers record Just A Closer Walk With Thee ~ Released in 1941 as the B-side of A-Walking In The Light Of God. Lead vocals by Thurman Ruth and John Ford. Arguably the definitive version of this traditional gospel song, Sister Rosetta Tharpe's 1941 version a close runner-up
October 8, 1939 ~ Jazz double bassist Aladar Pege born in Hungary ~ Dubbed the “ Niccolò Paganini of double bass” ~ Pege passed away in 2006
October 8, 1930 ~ Park Frederick Adams III, commonly known as jazz, hard bop, post-bop saxophonist Pepper Adams, born in Highland Park, Michigan, USA ~ Unlike his contemporaries who favored cool jazz, Adams is praised for bringing the baritone sax into the fast speeds of hard bop. Well over a dozen albums as a leader, especially noted for 10 To 4 At The Five Spot released in 1958. An in-demand sideman, Adams has appeared on over an estimated 600 sessions including albums by Chet Baker, Teddy Charles (The Teddy Charles Tentet), Kenny Clarke, Quincy Jones (This Is How I Feel About Jazz), Lee Morgan, John Coltrane (Dakar), Gene Ammons, Philly Joe Jones, Donald Byrd (Byrd In Hand), Charles Mingus (Blues & Roots), Maynard Ferguson, Blue Mitchell (Boss Horn), Lou Donaldson (Lush Life), Jimmy Smith, Duke Pearson (Now Hear This), Rahsaan Roland Kirk, George Benson, Aretha Franklin (Soul '69), Elvin Jones (Poly-Currents), Carmen McRae, and Dakota Staton ~ Adams passed away in 1986
October 8, 1930 ~ Composer Toru Takemitsu born in Tokyo, Japan ~ Founding member Jikken Kobo, considered a highly influential experimental, avant-garde collective. Influenced by Olivier Messiaen, Claude Debussy and traditional Japanese music. Wrote several hundreds compositions, scored over 90 films, authored twenty books on aesthetics and music theory. Best known for his 1957 Requiem For String Orchestra ~ Takemitsu passed away in 1996
October 8, 1929 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Paulinho Nogueira born in Campinas, Brazil ~ With influences ranging from bossa nova to Johann Sebastian Bach Noguiera has well over two dozen albums to his name and is especially acclaimed for his 1994 eponymous Paulinho Noguiera album and Tons E Semitons released in 1997 ~ Noguiera passed away in 2003
October 8, 1927 ~ R&B, blues drummer Al Duncan born in McKinney, Texas, USA ~ Considered a forefather of rhythm & blues. In-demand session drummer. Has worked with Billy The Kid Emerson, Buddy Guy, Dale Hawkins, Red Holloway, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Camille Howard, and Phil Upchurch ~ Duncan passed away in 1995
October 8, 1926 ~ Operatic tenor Gaetano Bardini born in Riparbella, Italy ~ Italian tenor, popular in the Czech Republic. Known for recordings with conductors such as Jan Stych and Ino Savini, orchestras such as the Prague Smetana, the Brno State Opera and the Prague Chamber Orchestra ~ Bardini passed away in 2017
October 8, 1923 ~ Owen Joseph Igoe, commonly known as jazz, swing, big band drummer Sonny Igoe, born in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA ~ Active from the mid-1950s through the late-1980s. Influenced by Gene Krupa, Kenny Clarke, and Max Roach. Got his start in music while still in high school, winning a contest organized by Krupa. Igoe would go on to tour with Les Elgart, Ina Ray Hutton, Benny Goodman, and Woody Herman. Igoe has recorded with the likes of Buddy Stewart, Neal Hefti, Charlie Ventura, Tony Bennett, Billy Maxted, Chuck Wayne, Phil Napoleon, and Pee Wee Irwin. Igoe is also well known for his association with the NBC Television Orchestra during the 1960s, the orchestra serving as house band for among others The Ed Sullivan Show and The Jackie Gleason Show. Igoe's son, Tommy Igoe, is also a professional drummer and bandleader ~ Igoe passed away in 2012
October 8, 1919 ~ Harold Joseph Singer, commonly known as R&B saxophonist Hal Cornbread Singer, born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA ~ Best known for Fine As Wine, Corn Bread and Beef Stew. Leader, sideman, saxophonist, session musician. Worked with Ernie Fields, Jay McShann, Hot Lips Page, Earl Hines, Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, and Al Grey ~ Singer passed away in 2020
October 8, 1916 ~ Clarinetist, arranger Bill Stegmeyer born ~ Worked with Austin Wylie, Glenn Miller, Bob Crosby, Billy Butterfield, Yank Lawson, the Lawson-Haggart Band, Bobby Hackett, Will Bradley, Billie Holiday, Bob Haggart, Jimmy McPartland, and Ruby Braff ~ Stegmeyer passed away in 1968
October 8, 1905 ~ Raul Salvador Intini Pepe, commonly known as actor, singer Raul Roulien, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Widely considered the first male Brazilian star in Hollywood. As a singer enjoyed popularity in his native Brazil during the late-1920s. Moved to Hollywood by the early 1930 where he would feature in over a dozen films, notably 1933's Flying Down To Rio starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers ~ Intini passed away in 2000