September 1, 1996 ~ Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, singer, actress, commonly known simply as Zendaya, born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Former child model, backup dancer, Disney Channel actress. Released self-recorded singles Zwag It Out and Watch Me in 2011, the latter a collaboration with Bella Thorne. Her major-label debut followed with 2013's Replay, which reached No.40 US singles, and the eponymous album Zendaya, peaked at No.51 US albums chart. Currently best known as an actress in feature films
September 1, 1987 ~ Alternative rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist, producer, engineer, songwriter Dann Hume born in Feilding, New Zealand ~ Member of Evermore alongside his brothers Peter Hume and Jon Hume. Has co-written songs such as Running, Light Surrounding You and It's Too Late. Has also served as producer and songwriter for artists such as Lisa Mitchell, Matt Corby (Telluric), Amy Shark (Weekends), Alpine, Troye Sivan, Sticky Fingers (Caress Your Soul), Tones And I and Kita Alexander
September 1, 1986 ~ Adegbenga Adejumo, commonly known as dubstep, UK garage producer Benga, born in London, UK ~ Released his full-length Newstep debut album in 2006. Best known for songs such as Pour Your Love featuring Marlene and Forefather featuring Kano. Member of Magnetic Man alongside Skream and Artwork
September 1, 1985 ~ Country singer, songwriter Charlie Worsham born in Grenada, Mississippi, USA ~ Member of the Old Crow Medicine Show, member of Kingbilly. Toured with Taylor Swift. Opened for Miranda Lambert and Wade Bowen. Debuted in 2013 with the Rubberband album, featuring guest appearances by Vince Gill and Marty Stuart
September 1, 1984 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist Joe Trohman, full name Joseph Mark Trohman, born in Hollywood, Florida, USA ~ Lead guitarist of Fall Out Boy, known for songs such as Sugar We're Going Down, Dance Dance and This Ain't A Scene (It's An Arms Race). Also worked with the Damned Things, With Knives, and others
September 1, 1981 ~ Singer, bassist, actress Shinga Shoniwa, full name Shingai Elizebeth Maria Shoniwa, born in London, UK ~ Bassist of indie rock band the Noisettes, known for their 2009 hit Don't Upset The Rhythm (Go Baby Go). Also worked with artists such as Guillemots, Annie Lennox, Dennis Ferrer, and others
September 1, 1978 ~ Coralie Biolay, commonly known as singer Coralie Clément, born in Villefanche-sur-Saône, France ~ Influenced by Françoise Hardy, Jane Birkin, Serge Gainsbourg. Debuted in 2001 with the album Salle De Pas Pardus. Known for songs such as Dorénavant
September 1, 1976 ~ Singer, songwriter Angaleena Presley, full name Angaleena Loletta McCoy Presley, born in Beauty, Kentucky, USA ~ One third of the Pistol Annies, alongside Miranda Lambert and Ashley Monroe. Debuted as a solo artist with the American Middle Class album in 2014
September 1, 1976 ~ Scott Hoffman, commonly known as glam rock, alternative pop bassist, keyboardist, saxophonist, guitarist, banjoist, singer Babydaddy, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Co-founding member of the Scissor Sisters. Co-wrote Kylie Minogue's I Believe In You with bandmate Jake Shears. Has also served as producer and remixer for artists such as the Pet Shop Boys, Blondie, and Tinashe
September 1, 1974 ~ Singer, actor Filip Nikolic born in St Ouen, France ~ Actor, singer. Best known as lead singer of boy band 2BE3. Also a member of Ima Robot. Was in the process of making a solo debut album when he died at 35 of a heart attack induced by a fatal mix of sleeping pills ~ Nikolic passed away in 2009
September 1, 1970 ~ Alt-country singer, guitarist Brent Best born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Frontman of Slobberbone, acclaimed for their 2000 Everything You Thought Was Right Was Wrong Today album. The album included Gimme Back My Dog, referenced by fan Stephen King in his Black House novel
September 1, 1968 ~ Regina Aparecida Saraiva, commonly known as singer, dancer, actress Regina Queen Alcasid, born in São Paulo, Brazil ~ Enjoyed chart and club succes across Europe from the late 1990s through the early 2000s with a number of Eurodance hits including Killing Me Softly and perhaps her best-known Day By Day
September 1, 1964 ~ Jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, producer Dave O'Higgins born in Birmingham, UK ~ Leader and sideman. Influenced by Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Joe Henderson, Stanley Turrentine, Michael Brecker, and others. Worked with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Jim Mullen, Martin Taylor, Sebastiaan de Krom, Geoff Gascoyne, Graham Harvey, Matt Bianco, Roadside Picnic, Trudy Kerr, US3, Matthew Herbert, Roisin Murphy, Kyle Eastwood, Nasio Fontaine, Jazzanova, and others
September 1, 1963 ~ Singer Carola Smit born in Volendam, the Netherlands ~ Best known as female lead of BZN from 1984, succeeding Anny Schilder, until the band's disbandement in 2007. Present on songs such as The Summertime, Amore, The Banjo Man and Wedding Bells. Released her eponymous Carola Smit debut album in 2008, spawning a modest local hit with With You (I'm In Heaven)
September 1, 1961 ~ James Oppenheim, commonly known as saxophonist, songwriter Boney James, born in Lowell, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Acclaimed as one of the premier contemporary jazz artists. Heavily influenced by R&B, especially Motown and Grover Washington Jr. Well over a dozen albums to his name starting with 1992's Trust. Has had artists such as Raheem DeVaughn, Faith Evans, George Benson, George Duke, Dwele, Al Jarreau, Earth Wind & Fire's Philip Bailey, Anthony Hamilton, Eric Benét, Stokley Williams, Avery Sunshine, Kenny Lattimore and Angie Stone guest on his albums
September 1, 1957 ~ Gloria Maria Milagrosa Fajardo Garcia, commonly known as Latin pop, dance-pop singer Gloria Estefan, born in Havana, Cuba ~ Fronted the Miami Sound Machine. Known for hits such as Conga, Anything For You, The Rhythm's Gonna Get You, 1-2-3, Get On Your Feet and Turn The Beat Around
September 1, 1956 ~ Bassist Essiet Essiet born in Omaha, Nebraska, USA ~ Worked with Famoudou Don Moye, Abdullah Ibrahim, Art Blakey, Marty Cook, Ralph Peterson Jr, George Adams, Ron Affiff, Kenny Barron, the Blue Note All-Stas, Paul Bollenback, Donald Brown, Bruce Cox, Kurt Elling, Kenny Garrett, Benny Golson, Jim Hartog, David Hazeltine, Freddie Hubbard, Victor Jones, Joe Locke, Kevin Mahogany, Cedar Walton, Bobby Watson, George Cables, Vincent Herring, Frank Morgan, and others
September 1, 1956 ~ Jazz singer Hilde Hefte born in Kristiansand, Norway ~ Debuted in 1999 with the critically acclaimed Round Chet's Midnight album. Has since recorded steadily, including collaborations with Jon Larsen, the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, Ola Kvernberg, Paul Weeden, and others
September 1, 1955 ~ Rock, punk rock, new wave, mod revival bassist Bruce Foxton, full name Bruce Douglas Foxton, born in Woking, UK ~ Rose to prominence as key member of the Jam alongside drummer Rick Buckler and singer Paul Weller, known for songs such as All Around The World, Down In The Tube Station At Midnight, The Eton Rifles, Going Underground, Town Called Malice and Beat Surrender. After the band disbanded has recorded as a solo artist, starting with 1984's Touch Sensitive, and has worked with the Casbah Club, Sharp and perhaps most notably Stiff Little Fingers
September 1, 1955 ~ Jazz, experimental rock keyboardist Wayne Horvitz born in New York, New York, USA ~ Rose to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s New York Downtown scene. Married to singer, pianist Robin Holcomb, with whom he also collaborated. Founded the New York Composers Orchestra. Closely associated with John Zorn, including in the ensembles Naked City and Pigpen. As a leader especially acclaimed for the early 2000s albums American Bandstand and Forever. In-demand sideman and collaborator, present on albums by Elliott Sharp, Peter Kuhn, Bobby Previte, Bill Frisell, Marty Ehrlich, and Warne Marsh
September 1, 1953 ~ Donald Blackman, commonly known as jazz, funk, R&B, soul pianist, singer, songwriter Don Blackman, born in Jamaica, New York, USA ~ As a solo artist known for his eponymous Don Blackman debut album released in 1982. Best known as an in-demand session musician, present on albums by Lenny White, Bernard Wright, Roy Ayers, Kurtis Blow, Najee, the World Saxophone Quartet, Sting (Brand New Day), and Wayman Tisdale ~ Blackman passed away in 2013
September 1, 1946 ~ Barry Alan Crompton Gibb, commonly known as singer, songwriter Barry Gibb, born in Douglas, Isle Of Man ~ Co-founding member of sibling outfit the Bee Gees, known for songs such as New York Mining Disaster 1941, Massachusetts, I Started A Joke, Lonely Days, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, Jive Talkin', You Should Be Dancing, How Deep Is Your Love, Stayin' Alive, Night Fever, Tragedy, and You Win Again
September 1, 1946 ~ Rock, hard rock singer, guitarist, songwriter Shalom Hanoch born in Kibbutz Mishmarot, Israel ~ Known as “the King of Israeli Rock”, having delivered some of the first Israeli rock albums especially in partnership with Arik Einstein. Has also worked with the High Windows, the Churchills, Shmulik Kraus, Josie Katz, Tamouz, and others
September 1, 1944 ~ Singer Archie Bell born in Henderson, Texas, USA ~ While still in junior high school formed the Drells, known especially for the hit Tighten Up. Has also released solo work and ventured into country music working with country producer Tommy Allsup
September 1, 1940 ~ Singer, guitarist, songwriter Bobby Kimmel born ~ Worked with Linda Ronstadt, the Stone Poneys, Kenny Edwards, Shep Cooke, Kit Alderson, the Floating House Band, Doc Watson, Merle Watson, Jo Wilkinson, I Hear Voices, the 4 Corners, BK Special, and others
September 1, 1938 ~ Singer, songwriter Alton Ellis, full name Alton Nehemiah Ellis, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Pivotal to development of rocksteady. Half of Alton & Eddy, the other half being Eddy Parkins, known for recordings such as Muriel, Lullabye Angel and I'm Never Gonna Cry. As a solo artist best known for the quintessential rocksteady songs Girl I've Got A Date, featuring Gladstone Anderson, Paul Douglas, Hux Brown, Lynn Tait and Al Jackson Jr, and for Rocksteady, the song that actually named the genre. Ellis also worked with Coxsone Dodd, Vincent Chin, John Holt, Duke Reid, Winston Jarrett, Tommy McCook, Lloyd Charmers, Phyllis Dillon, the Heptones, Bunny Lee, Keith Hudson, and Aspo ~ Ellis passed away in 2008
September 1, 1935 ~ Conductor Seiji Ozawa born in Mukden, Japan ~ Closely associated with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, serving as its music director for nearly three decades. Has also worked with the San Francisco Symphony, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and others
September 1, 1934 ~ Shirley Enid Avery, commonly known as jazz singer Teri Thornton, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Recorded a number of albums in the early 1960s only to fade from view by the end of the decade. Rediscovered in the late 1990s, which prompted the 1999 I'll Be Easy To Find album ~ Avery passed away in 2000
September 1, 1933 ~ Harold Lloyd Jenkins, commonly known as country, rock & roll, pop singer, songwriter Conway Twitty, born in Friar's Point, Mississippi, USA ~ Known for a string of duets with Loretta Lynn as well as his own hits including It's Only Make Believe, Next In Line, Hello Darlin', Lead Me On, You've Never Been This Far Before, and others ~ Twitty passed away in 1993
September 1, 1933 ~ Eugene Haire, commonly known as jazz pianist Gene Harris born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, USA ~ Blues and gospel infused jazz pianist. Member of the Three Sounds from 1956 through 1970, alongside Andy Simpkins and Bill Dowdy. Also worked with Ray Brown, Stanley Turrentine, Mickey Roker, Ron Escheté, Herb Ellis, Frank Wess, Jack McDuff, Ernie Watts, Red Holloway, Martin Drew, Nat Adderley, James Clay, Anita O'Day, Ernestine Anderson, Milt Jackson, Benny Carter, BB King, Marian McPartland, and others ~ Haire passed away in 2000
September 1, 1931 ~ Jazz hornist, bassist Willie Ruff, full name Willie Henry Ruff Jr, born in Sheffield, Alabama, USA ~ Half of longtime duo the Mitchell-Ruff Duo, the other half being pianist Dwike Mitchell. The duo has recorded well over a dozen albums and made history in 1959 when they became the first jazz act to play in the Soviet Union since World War II. Half of Pisano & Ruff, the other half being John Pisano. An in-demand sideman and collaborator, Ruff has appeared on albums by Clifford Coultier, Miles Davis, Gil Evans, Benny Golson, Bobby Hutcherson, Milt Jackson, Quincy Jones, Lalo Schifrin, Leonard Cohen (Songs Of Leonard Cohen), Jimmy Smith, and Sonny Stitt. Ruff was also particularly known as a music scholar and teacher, graduating in 1954 from the Yale School of Music, New Haven, Connecticut, and serving as a professor at his alma mater from 1971 through 2017 ~ Ruff passed away in 2023
September 1, 1931 ~ R&B, gospel singer Zilla Mays, full name Zilla Florine Mays, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ As a singer known for a number of early 1950s R&B, gospel recordings, notably I'll Keep Singing My Song, If You Were On The Other Side, Seems Like You Just Don't Care, and Don't Take My Good Love Away. Best known as a radio host and community leader in Atlanta from the mid-1950s until her death four decades later, hosting a number of shows on WAOK ~ Mays passed away in 1995
September 1, 1929 ~ Jazz drummer Grassella Oliphant born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Worked with Ahmad Jamal, Sarah Vaughan, Gloria Lynne, Shirley Scott, Harold Ousley, Bobby Hutcherson, Ray McKinney, John Patton, Grant Green, Clark Terry, Major Holley, Tony Scott, Herman Foster, Joe Kennedy Jr, and others ~ Oliphant passed away in 2017
September 1, 1925 ~ Arthur Edward Pepper Jr, commonly known as saxophonist Art Pepper, born in Gardena, California, USA ~ First gained attention backing Stan Kenton. Though early on his career was regularly interrupted serving several stints in prison on drug charges, Pepper overcame his addiction and would go on to become a leading figure in bop and cool jazz. Pepper has recorded prolifically as a leader or co-leader since the mid-1950s, and is especially acclaimed for albums such as Art Pepper Meets The Rhythm Section, Plus Eleven, and Intensity. An in-demand sideman, Pepper has appeared on albums by Shorty Rogers, Shelly Manne, Annie Ross, Stan Getz (West Coast Jazz), Joe Morello (The Joe Morello Sextet), Marty Paich, Chet Baker, Quincy Jones (This Is How I Feel About Jazz), Herb Ellis, Gerry Mulligan, Art Blakey, Barney Kessel (Some Like It Hot), Helen Humes, Buddy Rich, and Dizzy Gillespie ~ Pepper passed away in 1982
September 1, 1898 ~ Mary Ellen Reynolds, commonly known as dancer, actress, singer Marilyn Miller, born in New York, New York, USA ~ One of the most popular Broadway musical stars of the 1920s and 1930s. Rose to fame with her appearances in the 1918 Ziegfeld Follies and headlining the next year's edition playing the role of producer Florenz Ziegfeld Jr's wife. Rumored to be Ziegfeld's mistress, though this was never proven. Also known for roles in stage productions of Peter Pan, Sunny and Rosalie, becoming the highest-paid Broadway star by the late 1920s ~ Reynolds passed away in 1936
September 1, 1878 ~ Conductor, musical director Tullio Serafin born ~ Leading opera conductor known for reviving many 19th century bel canto operas by Vincenzo Bellini, Gioachino Rossini, and Gaetano Donizetti. Closely associated with La Scala, the Teatro Colón, and the Metropolitan Opera. Incremental to the careers of Rosa Ponselle, Magda Olivero, Joan Sutherland, Renata Tebaldi, and most notably Maria Callas ~ Serafin passed away in 1968