Category Archives: Music

Today’s Music: Jack Teagarden, Jim Reeves, Isaac Hayes, Robert Plant

Called by some the ‘Father of the Jazz Trombone,’ Jack Teagarden was born today in 1905 (d. 1964). Country star ‘Gentleman Jim’ Reeves was born this day in 1923 (d. 1964). As well as helping to get Stax Records going, … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Fats Waller, Ada Brown, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Otis Rush

The genius himself, Fats Waller, with Ada Brown on “That Ain’t Right” from 1943: More genius with John Coltrane and Thelonious Monk at Carnegie Hall in 1957 doing “Sweet and Lovely”: Finally, blues guitar master Otis Rush whips up an … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Jimmy Rowles, Ginger Baker, Billy J. Kramer

Jazz pianist Jimmy Rowles was born today in 1918 (d. 1996). Cream drummer Ginger Baker was born this day in 1939. It’s safe to say his energetic, driving percussion was as much a part of the power trio’s success as … Continue reading

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Today’s (and Yesterday’s) Music: Eddie Kirkland, Bill Evans, Luther Allison, Dave Ray

Bluesman Eddie Kirkland was born August 16 in 1923 (d. 2011). Jazz pianist extraordinaire Bill Evans was born on August 16 in 1929 (d. 1980). Words fail so let his music do the talking. Blues great Luther Allison was born … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Ton Van Bergeyk, John Pizzarelli, Howard Roberts

The great Dutch finger-picker Ton Van Bergeyk shows his mastery on this arrangement of Fats Waller’s Lulu’s Back in Town. Jazz guitar virtuoso John Pizzarelli does it up on Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm: And the underrated jazz guitarist Howard Roberts … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Buddy Greco, Dash Crofts, David Crosby

Jazz big band singer and part-time Rat Packer Buddy Greco was born today in 1926. And here he is four years ago, at the age of 82, still groovin’ along: Dash Crofts of Seals and Crofts was born today in … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: George Shearing, Don Ho, Dave “Baby” Cortez, Dan Fogelberg

Piano magician George Shearing was born today in 1919 (d. 2011). There are no words to do justice to how talented he was. “Tiny Bubbles” man Don Ho was born today in 1930 (d. 2007). Keyboardist Dave “Baby” Cortez was … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Percy Mayfield, Porter Wagoner, Buck Owens, Pat Metheny

Composer and soul singer Percy Mayfield was born this day in 1920 (d. 1984). These days, he is more famous for his compositions like Hit the Road Jack than his performances. Country star Porter Wagoner, who first brought Dolly Parton … Continue reading

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Today’s Music: Otis Spann, Etta James, Dr. John

Blues piano maestro Otis Spann plays a couple. Etta James and Dr. John at the Ebony Showcase Theatre, April 15, 1987, “I’d Rather Go Blind”: (Note: ‘birthdays’ will return tomorrow.)

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Today’s Music: Eddie Fisher, Jimmy Dean, Bobby Hatfield, Ronnie Spector, Ian Anderson, Leo Fender

Pop singer Eddie Fisher was born today in 1928 (d. 2010). Though he was a pre-Elvis heartthrob in the early-to-mid ’50s, he drifted into obscurity after the advent of rock and roll. He is also the father of actress Carrie … Continue reading

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