September 16, 1993 ~ Leland Tyler Wayne, commonly known as producer, DJ, label executive Metro Boomin', born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Also known under the monikers Metro and Young Metro. Closely associated with the Atlanta hip-hop and trap scene and easily counted as one of its most important producers during the 2010s. Hits produced or co-produced include Tuesday (ilovemakonnen), Mask Off (Future), Bank Account (21 Savage), Congratulations (Post Malone), Bad & Boujee (Migos), Tunnel Vision (Kodak Black), and Heartless (the Weeknd). As a solo artist, DJ, has released several mixtapes, collaborative albums and the acclaimed 2018 Not All Heroes Wear Capes solo album
September 16, 1992 ~ Singer, songwriter Nick Jonas born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Rose to fame as member of sibling outfit the Jonas Brothers alongside Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas, known for the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Burnin' Up and Tonight. After the band folded in 2013 would focus on acting and a solo singing career, notably reaching succes with his third solo album, 2016's Last Year Was Complicated release. In 2019 the brothers reformed
September 16, 1984 ~ Ketevan Melua, commonly known as singer, songwriter Katie Melua, born in Kutaisi, Soviet Union ~ Recorded over half a dozen albums, starting with Call Off The Search released in 2003. Best-known for her 2005 hit Nine Million Bicyles off her sophomore Piece By Piece album, her first UK top 10 hit. Although most of her subsequent albums would reach top 10 in her native UK, making her the best-selling female artist in the UK during the mid-2000s despite rarely reaching the charts with singles. In 2007 though, she scored her sole UK No.1 hit with What A Wonderful World, a charity single for the British Red Cross, which featured Melua singing over the original recording by the late Eva Cassidy
September 16, 1984 ~ Rock, hard rock, alternative rock guitarist Oumi Kapila born in Coventry, UK ~ Best known as lead guitarist for rock outfit Filter. Touring member of Combichrist. Guested on Billy Ray Cyrus's 2012 Change My Mind album, noted for his guitar solo on Good As Gone. Released his full-length Bending Stress solo debut album to critical acclaim in 2019
September 16, 1979 ~ Tramar Lacel Dillard, commonly known as singer, rapper and songwriter Flo Rida, born in Opa Locke, Florida, USA ~ Broke through with the 2007 single Low which held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks. His debut studio album, 2008's Mail On Sunday, would reach No.4 on the album charts. Has been recording and scoring hits since, including Right Round, Can't Handle Me, Good Feeling, Wild Ones, Whistle, I Cry, GDFR, and My House. Has collaborated with Fresh Kid Ice, Rick Ross, T-Pain, DJ Khaled, Timbaland, will.i.am, Trey Songz, Lil' Wayne, Trina, Wynter Gordon, Akon, Nickelback, and others
September 16, 1978 ~ Twin sisters singer, conductor Ane Carmen Roggen and jazz singer Ida Roggen born in Oslo, Norway ~ Baby sisters of singer Live Maria Roggen. Both sisters would become known as members of Quatro Stagioni and subsequently Pitsj, the latter acclaimed for their eponymous Pitsj album released in 2006
September 16, 1978 ~ Country, pop singer, TV personality Matthew Rogers, full name Matthew Wyatt Rogers, born in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA ~ First gained attention as finalist on the third season of American Idol in 2004. Would go on to become a popular TV host and correspondent for several shows, focusing especially on entertainment and sports. As a singer best known for the self-penned I'm Coming Home, the theme song of the reality show Coming Home showing surprise reunions of members of the military with their families. The show was also hosted by Rogers
September 16, 1977 ~ Taalib Hassan Johnson, commonly known as singer Musiq Soulchild, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Acclaimed R&B, hip-hop singer drawing from funk, blues, jazz and gospel. Released his Aijuswanaseing debut album in 1998 to critical acclaim. The follow-up, 2002's Juslisen, would debut atop the Billboard Hot 200 album charts, reach Platinum status and spawn the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits Halfcrazy and Dontchange. Recorded to a devoted and growing fanbase ever since, and is an in-demand collaborator guesting on recordings by Carlos Santana, the Roots, Ice Cube, and others
September 16, 1969 ~ Indie rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, percussionist Doug Martsch born in Twin Falls, Idaho, USA ~ Heavily influenced by Dinosaur Jr-singer and guitarist J Mascis, as well as by Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Mississippi Fred McDowell, and Neil Young. Martsch is best known as lead singer, guitarist of Built To Spill with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums since its inception in the early-1990s. One of the most popular indie rock bands, they have earned a reputation as an exciting live act, have progressed from sparse lo-fi in their early days to sophisticated emo on their later records, and are especially acclaimed for Perfect From Now On, the band's third studio album released in 1997. Martsch has also recorded as a solo artist, releasing his Now You Know debut album in 2002, and has worked with Farm Days, Treepeople, and the Halo Benders
September 16, 1968 ~ Jazz saxophonist Chris Cheek, full name Christopher Carson Cheek, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Sessioned on over 100 albums. Worked with Paul Motian, the Electric Bebop Band, the Bloom Daddies, Seamus Blake, Guillermo Klein, Mika Pohjola, Luciana Souza, David Berkman, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Burak Bedikyan, Frank Carlberg, Jen Chapin, Stephen Furic, Chris Lightcap, Brad Mehldau, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Steve Swallow, and others
September 16, 1968 ~ Marco Antonio Muñiz Rivera, commonly known as singer Marc Anthony, born in New York, New York, USA ~ All-time best selling tropical salsa artist with over 12 million copies sold. Influenced by a wide array of artists from rock, R&B, pop and salsa including José Feliciano, Air Supply, Héctor Lavoe, Rubén Blades and especially Tito Puente. Sang backup for Menudo. Released his Rebel debut album in 1988. Would go on to score well over a dozen top 10 hits on the Billboard Latin charts, the singles I Need To Know and You Sang To Me also reaching top 10 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100
September 16, 1968 ~ Singer, actress Maura O'Connell born in Ennis, Ireland ~ Influenced by tradional Irish music and American country, bluegrass, newgrass. Began her professional career touring the USA with Celtic group De Dannan in 1980. Appeared on the band's 1981 Star Spangled Molly landmark album. Debuted as a solo artist in 1983 with the eponymous Maura O'Connell which didn't make much of an impact. Would gain serious attention with her 1989 Grammy Award-nominated album Helpless Heart and has recorded to critical acclaim and commercial succes through the 2000s. Perhaps best known for her 2009 Naked With Friends album which featured guest singers such as Paul Brady, Alison Krauss, Tim O'Brien and Dolly Parton. O'Connell retired from music in 2013
September 16, 1963 ~ Pop rock, soft rock singer, songwriter Richard Marx, full name Richard Noel Marx, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ The only male artist in history to have his first seven singles all reach top 5 Billboard Hot 100. Released his eponymous Richard Marx debut album in 1987, it would reach triple Platinum status. As a solo artist enjoyed his biggest succes through the mid-1990s, charting with songs such as Hold On To The Nights, Satisfied, Angelia, Hazard and Now And Forever. In-demand songwriter and collaborator, writing or co-writing songs such as What About Me (Kenny Rogers), Swear Your Love (Steve Lukather), Live My Life Without You (Freddie Jackson), I Know (Luther Vandross), Right Here Waiting (Monica), This I Promise You (NSYNC), Holdin' On To A Dream (Billy Ray Cyrus), and Surrender (Sister Hazel)
September 16, 1961 ~ Alternative rock, shoegaze singer, guitarist, keyboardist Bilinda Butcher born in London, UK ~ Best known as member of My Bloody Valentine, joining the band in 1987 as replacement for David Conway. Also worked with Collapsed Lung, notably on the tracks Ballad Night and Casino Kisschase, Dinosaur Jr and with the Jesus & Mary Chain
September 16, 1960 ~ Donald Wayne Evans, commonly known as bassist Ean Evans, born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Active since his teens. Influenced by John Paul Jones, Geddy Lee, Leon Wilkeson. Member of rock unit Five Miles High, earning regional popularity in the early-1980s. Formed Babe Blu with keyboardist Joey Huffman. Formed Noon with Rick Craig, blending metal with southern rock. Joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2001, replacing the late Wilkeson, remaining with the band until his death at age 48 ~ Evans passed away in 2009
September 16, 1958 ~ Jazz pianist, composer Rodney Franklin born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Influenced by McCoy Tyner, George Duke, Chick Corea, Lonnie Liston Smith. Best known for the 1980 album You'll Never Know and its hit single The Groove. Worked with John Handy, Bill Summers, Freddie Hubbard, Marlena Shaw, Stanley Clarke, Jennifer Holliday, and others
September 16, 1958 ~ Country bassist, singer Terry McBride born in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Son of country singer Dale McBride. Lead singer, bassist for McBride & the Ride, active from the early through the mid-1990s. McBride is also an in-demand songwriter, writing or co-writing songs for Alan Jackson, Rosie Flores, Brooks & Dunn, George Strait (Always Never The Same), David Ball, Josh Gracin, Reba McEntire (I Keep On Loving You), Casey James, Emerson Drive, and Jim Lauderdale
September 16, 1956 ~ Pop, rock singer, guitarist Michael Falch, full name Michael Ehlert Falch, born in Køge, Denmark ~ Rose to fame as lead singer in Malurt from its inception in 1976 through the mid-1980s. Following the band's initial disbandement would go on to record over a dozen solo albums, reaching chart succes from the mid-2000s forward with albums such as Falder Du Nu, Sommeren Kom Ny Tilbage and For&aaring;r I Brystet all reaching top 5 in his native Denmark. Has also worked with Boat Man Love including on the 2007 Sang Til Undren album, and with Poul Krebs
September 16, 1954 ~ Guitarist, keyboardist Colin Newman born in Wiltshires, UK ~ Best known as lead singer and songwriter of post-punk band Wire. Has also been releasing solo albums starting with 1980's A-Z, recorded in Wire's temporary split. Has produced and arranged for other artists as well including the Virgin Prunes, Parade Ground, Minimal Compact, Alain Bashung, Silo & Lobe, Hawkwind, Dead Man Ray, Fennesz, Polypsics, Celebricide, and others
September 16, 1953 ~ Smooth jazz, jazz fusion guitarist Earl Klugh born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Influenced by Bob James, Ray Parker Jr, Wes Montgomery and notably by Chet Atkins, having guested on several of the latter's albums. Active since his teens, initially with Yusef Lateef (Suite 16) and George Benson (White Rabbit). Over 30 albums to his name, starting with the eponymous Earl Klugh released in 1976
September 16, 1953 ~ Bassist Michael Rhodes born in Monroe, Louisiana, USA ~ In-demand touring and session musician from the early-1980s forward, present on albums by Stevie Nicks (Bella Donna), JJ Cale (Shades), Dolly Parton, Keith Whitley, Michael Martin Murphey, John Jarvis, Crystal Gayle, Hank Williams Jr, Rodney Crowell (Diamonds & Dirt), Marie Osmond, Rosanne Cash (King's Record Shop), Reba McEntire (Reba), Kenny Rogers, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Delbert McClinton, Steve Winwood, Etta James, Kelly Willis, Alan Jackson (Don't Rock The Jukebox), Vince Gill (Pocket Full Of Gold), Bob Seger, Jason Ringenberg, Faith Hill, Tammy Wynette, Mark Knopfler, Clint Black (Nothin' But The Taillights), Allison Moorer, the Dixie Chicks, Green On Red, Lee Ann Womack (Something Worth Leaving Behind), Aaron Neville, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Sheryl Crow, Gretchen Wilson, George Strait, India Arie, Darius Rucker, Tommy Emmanuel (Little By Little), Buddy Guy, Joss Stone, Joe Bonamassa, and numerous others ~ Rhodes passed away in 2023
September 16, 1952 ~ Jazz trumpeter Frank Szabo born in Budapest, Hungary ~ Toured with Ray Charles in the early-1970s, with Count Basie in 1975 and 1983. Member of the Capp-Pierce Juggernaut, including on albums such as The Live At The Century Plaza and Juggernaut Strikes Again. Also present on albums by Louie Bellson, Tom Talbert, Grover Mitchell, Pat Longo (Billy May For President), Toni Tennille, Diane Schuur, and Natalie Cole
September 16, 1952 ~ Rock, heartland rock bassist Ron Blair, full name Ronald Edward Blair, born in Macon, Georgia, USA ~ Member of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers from 1976 through 1981. Returned to the band in 2002, taking over for Howie Epstein who had replaced him twenty years earlier. Present on the band's first four albums, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, You're Gonna Get It, Damn The Torpedoes and Hard Promises. Towards the end of his first tenure with the band Blair regularly considered leaving and was occasionally replaced in the studio by session bassists including Donald Duck Dunn
September 16, 1952 ~ Rock guitarist, bassist, songwriter Tom Leadon born in Rosemoung, Minnesota, USA ~ Co-founding member of Mudcrutch, which also included a then-unknown Tom Petty, remaining with the band through 1972. Backed Johnny Rivers, Linda Ronstadt, and others, and was a member of 1970s country-rock outfit Silver. In 1975 the Eagles, which included his brother guitarist Bernie Leadon, recorded Tom's original composition Hollywood Waltz for their One Of These Nights album ~ Leadon passed away in 2023
September 16, 1950 ~ Singer David Bellamy, full name David Milton Bellamy, born ~ Half of sibling duo the Bellamy Brothers, the other half being his baby brother Howard Bellamy, known for country-pop songs such as Let Your Love Flow and If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me
September 16, 1948 ~ Guitarist, percussionist, singer José Sébéloue born in Ounary, French Guyana ~ Member of pop unit La Compagnie Créole, founded in 1975. The band originally sang in Creole but quickly adopted French as their main language. Known for their feel-good, happy-go-lucky vibe they have recorded about two dozen albums and would enjoy popularity in the Francophone world and beyond especially in the 1980s, reportedly selling over 60 million records over the course of their career. Well-known songs include Vive Le Douanier Rousseau, C'est Bon Pour Le Moral, Le Bal Masqué, Ça Fait Rire Les Oiseaux, and Ma Première Biguine-Partie ~ Sébéloue passed away in 2023
September 16, 1948 ~ Drummer Kenney Jones, full name Kenneth Thomas Jones, born in London, UK ~ Best known for his association with the Small Faces, its successor the Faces and the Who, replacing the late Keith Moon in 1978. Co-founded the Law with singer Paul Rodgers in the 1990s and the Jones Gang with Rick Wills and Robert Hart in the 2000s. In-demand collaborator, has worked with Rod Stewart, the Rolling Stones, Roger Daltrey, Andy Fairweather Low, Marsha Hunt, David Essex, Wings, and others
September 16, 1948 ~ Percussionist, composer Madeleine Yayodele Nelson born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Founder, director of the Women Of The Calabash, who performed with the Temptations, Richie Havens, Philip Glass, Odetta, Max Roach, Ashford & Simpson, and others. As a solo artist Nelson has collaborated with Paul Simon, Edie Brickell, and with Billy Harper, amongst others ~ Nelson passed away in 2018
September 16, 1946 ~ Camilo Blanes Cortés, commonly known as singer, songwriter, producer Camilo Sesto, born in Alcoy, Spain ~ Member of Los Dayson and of Los Botines in the 1960s. Went solo in 1970, known for songs such as Algo De Mi, Yo Soy Asi, Isabel, and Mienteme. Has written songs for Angela Carrasco, Miguel Bosé, Lucía Méndez, Charytin Goyco and José José ~ Cortés passed away in 2019
September 16, 1946 ~ Songwriter Wood Newton, full name Wood Arnold Newton, born ~ Co-wrote songs recorded by Kenny Dale, Rita Coolidge, Janie Fricke, Steve Wariner, Martin Delray, and perhaps most notably the Oak Ridge Boys, the latter reaching the top of the Billboard Country charts with Bobbie Sue co-written with Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Dan Tyler and Adele Tyler
September 16, 1945 ~ John Peter Robinson, commonly known as keyboardist J Peter Robinson, born in Fulmer, UK ~ In-demand session keyboardist starting in the 1970s. Has worked with Brand X, Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford, Quatermass, Carly Simon, Bryan Ferry, David Bowie, Stealers Wheel, Eric Clapton, the Manhattan Transfer, Al Jarreau, Melissa Etheridge. Would turn to a career as a film and TV composer in the mid-1980s, scoring films such as Cocktail, Highlander III (The Sorcerer), Vampire In Brooklyn, The Bank Job, and others
September 16, 1945 ~ José Alberto Iglesias, commonly known as rock singer, guitarist Tanguito, born in Buenos Aires, Argentina ~ Leading Buenos Aires underground countercultural figure by the late-1960s. Helped birth Argentine rock. Reportedly co-wrote Los Gatos' La Balsa hit. Struggled with amphetamine addiction and the law, received electroshock therapy and was declared legally insane and imprisoned by early 1972 before escaping and losing his life under the San Martin train. His sole sole album, Tango, would be released posthumously and is regarded as one of the most important albums in Argentine rock ~ Iglesias passed away in 1972
September 16, 1944 ~ R&B, pop singer Betty Kelly born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Member of Martha & the Vandellas from 1961 replacing Annette Beard through 1967, present on most of the band's best known including I'm Ready For Love, Nowhere To Run and My Baby Loves Me. Also sang with the Velvelettes
September 16, 1944 ~ Winston Richards, commonly known as drummer, pianist, singer Winston Grennan, born in Duckenfield, Jamaica ~ 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, and the Skatalites ~ Richards passed away in 2000
September 16, 1942 ~ Rock, blues guitarist, singer Don Preston, full name Donald Jack Preston, born in Denver, Colorado, USA ~ Influenced by BB King, Lowell Fulson, Johnny Guitar Watson, and Wes Montgomery. Active since the late-1950s. Appears on classic albums such as Leon Russell's Leon Russell And The Shelter People, Joe Cocker's Mad Dogs & Englishmen and George Harrison's all-star The Concert For Bangladesh. Over the course of his career Preston has also worked with artists as diverse as the Penguins, the Coasters, the Olympics, the Righteous Brothers, Ritchie Valens, Gene Vincent, Delaney Bramlett, JJ Cale, Canned Heat, Klaus Voormann, Freddie King, and Eric Clapton
September 16, 1940 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer Hamiet Bluiett born in Brooklyn, Illinois, USA ~ Considered one of the finest baritone saxophonists of his day. Co-founded the World Saxophone Quartet, which also included Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake, and David Murray. Has worked with Charles Mingus, Sam Rivers, Babatunde Olatunji, Abdullah Ibrahim, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, 360 Degree Music Experience, Anthony Braxton, James Carter, Gil Evans, the Music Revelation Ensemble, Craig Harris, and others ~ Bluiett passed away in 2018
September 16, 1940 ~ Jazz double bassist Lisle Atkinson, full name Lisle Arthur Atkinson, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Worked with Nina Simone, the New York Bass Choir, Les Spann, Betty Carter, Kenny Burrell, George Coleman, Andrew Cyrille, Maynard Ferguson, Dizzy Gillespie, John Gordon, Jon Hendricks, Helen Humes, Hank Jones, Wynton Kelly, Howard McGhee, Horace Parlan, Hazel Scott, Norma Simmons, Frank Strozier, Billy Taylor, Clark Terry, Stanley Turrentine, Richard Wyands, the Neo Bass Ensemble, Paul H Brown, Al Harewood, Benny Carter, Lee Konitz, Grover Mitchell, Joe Newman, Dakota Staton, Ernie Wilkins, Barry Harris, Leroy Williams, Jeanne Lee, Charles Thompson, Walt Dickerson, Horace Parlan, Frank Strozier, and others ~ Atkinson passed away in 2019
September 16, 1936 ~ Pianist, composer Gordon Beck, full name Gordon James Beck, born in London, UK ~ Worked with Don Byas, was in Gyroscope with Tubby Hayes and Jeff Clyne, played with Tony Oxley, Helen Merrill, Phil Woods, played as house pianist at the famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, played funk with George Gruntz's six-keyboard outfit the Piano Conclavo, free jazz with drummer John Stevens, was briefly a member of Nucleus, and also played with Allan Holdsworth, Henri Texier, Didier Lockwood, and others ~ Beck passed away in 2011
September 16, 1931 ~ Willie Littlefield, commonly known as R&B, jump blues, boogie-woogie pianist, singer Little Willie Littlefield, born in El Campo, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by Albert Ammons, Charles Brown, Amos Milburn. Served as the bridge between boogie-woogie and rock & roll. Noted for his early-1950s recording especially It's Midnight and Little Willie's Boogie. Worked with Don Wilkerson, Maxwell Davis, Buddy Floyd, Chuck Norris, Johnny Moore, Al Wichard, Jesse Price, Little Lora Wiggins, and others ~ Littlefield passed away in 2013
September 16, 1928 ~ Steel guitarist, songwriter Ralph Mooney, full name Ralph Eugene Mooney, born in Duncan, Oklahoma, USA ~ Key player on the Bakersfield country scene. Has worked with Wynn Stewart, Buck Owens, and with Merle Haggard. Member of Waylon Jennings' backing band for two decades. Co-wrote Crazy Arms, Ray Price's first major hit topping the country chart in 1956. Especially known for his instrumental work, notably showcased on Corn Pickin' & Slick Slidin', a 1968 collaborative album with guitarist James Burton ~ Mooney passed away in 2011
September 16, 1925 ~ Riley B King, commonly nown as blues guitarist, singer BB King, born in Indianola, Mississippi, USA ~ Given the nickname “Beale Street Blues Boy” while working as a singer and radio DJ at WDIA, later shortened to “Blues Boy” and eventually to “BB”. Member of the Beale Streeters in the late-1940s, alongside Bobby Blue Bland, Johnny Ace and Earl Forest. Debuted in 1949 as a solo singer with the single Miss Martha King, which charted poorly, backed by Phineas Newborn Jr, Calvin Newborn, Tuff Green, Ben Branch and Thomas Branch. Would score his first major success in 1952 with the single 3 O'Clock Blues, reaching the top 5 of the R&B charts. An impressive string of hits soon followed including You Know I Love You, Woke Up This Morning, Everyday I Have The Blues, Sneaking Around, Sweet Little Angel, and Please Accept My Love. Would go on to become widely seen as one of the most influential and important blues musicians ~ King passed away in 2015
September 16, 1924 ~ Bandleader, saxophonist, clarinetist, producer, arranger Joe Reisman born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ As a saxophonist and clarinetist Reisman played with the Casa Loma Orchestra, Louis Prima, Bob Crosby, Frankie Masters, and Jack Teagarden. As an arranger and producer worked for Ray Bauduc, Gene Williams, Patti Page (including on The Tennessee Waltz and How Much Is That Doggie In The Window), Eartha Kitt, Sarah Vaughan, June Valli, Georgia Gibbs, and the Ames Brothers. Reisman was also closely associated with Henry Mancini, serving as producer for about thirty years starting with 1964's Our Man In Hollywood ~ Reisman passed away in 1987
September 16, 1903 ~ Giuseppe Venuti, commonly known as jazz violinist Joe Venuti, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Active since the late-1920s, often in partnership with childhood friend virtuoso guitarist Eddie Lang. Venuti is considered “the Godfather of jazz violin”, pioneering the use of the violin in jazz. Venuti was also influential on early western swing players, including notably Cecil Brower. As a duo Venuti and Lang are especially known for songs such as Stringing The Blues, Goin' Places, and Jig Saw Puzzle Blues. Venuti has also worked with Benny Goodman, Adrian Rollini, the Dorsey Brothers, Bing Crosby, Bix Beiderbecke, Jack Teagarden, and the Boswell Sisters. With the unexpected death of Lang in 1933, Venuti's career began to wane, only to resurge in the mid-1960s, collaborating with the likes of Zoot Sims, Earl Hines, Marian McPartland, Dave McKenna, and Bucky Pizzarelli ~ Venuti passed away in 1978
September 16, 1898 ~ Charles Bullock, commonly known as jazz, dance band singer Chick Bullock, born in Montana, USA ~ A popular session vocalist during the late-1920s and 1930s, Bullock has sung on some 500 sides working with the likes of Duke Ellington, Luis Russell, Cab Calloway, Bunny Berigan, Bill Coleman, Jack Teagarden, Tommy Dorsey, Joe Venuti, and Eddie Lang. Bullock rarely performed live because of a disfigurement due to an eye disease. In the early-1940s the recording ban, a union strike over royalty payments, effectively ended Bullock's recording career. Bullock would retire from music altogether two years later, and has spent the remainder of his life working in real estate ~ Bullock passed away in 1981