Category Archives: Jazz

Today’s Music: Tom Glazer, Billy Preston, Memphis Slim**

Posted on September 3, 2012 by admin

** This post has been corrected. Blues icon Memphis Slim was born today in 1916 (d. 1988). Folk singer and songwriter Tom Glazer was born Sept. 2 in 1914 (d. 2003). Keyboardist extraordinaire Billy Preston, who worked with everyone from … Continue reading →

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Today’s (and Yesterday’s) Music: John Phillips, Van Morrison, Conway Twitty, Archie Bell

Posted on September 1, 2012 by admin

Founder of The Mamas and Papas, composer, arranger and musician John Phillips was born on August 30, 1935 (d. 2001). Irish blues belter and multi-instrumentalist Van Morrison was born August 31, 1945. Today in 1933 country star Conway Twitty first found … Continue reading →

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Today’s Music: Charlie Parker, Dinah Washington

Posted on August 29, 2012 by admin

One of the greatest musical geniuses of the 20th century, and a sax player who changed the way not only saxophonists played their instrument, but other musicians as well, Charlie “Bird” Parker was born today in 1920 (d. 1955). A few videos … Continue reading →

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Today’s (and Yesterday’s) Music: Danny Seraphine, Shania Twain, Léon Theremin, Lester Young

Posted on August 28, 2012 by admin

Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine was born today in 1948. Country-pop star Shania Twain was born this day in 1965. Prolific inventor and musical innovator Léon Theremin was born yesterday (Aug. 27) in 1896 (d. 1993). Theremin set the course of electronic … Continue reading →

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Today’s Music: Jimmy Rushing, Valerie Simpson, Shirley Manson

Posted on August 26, 2012 by admin

Blues belter Jimmy Rushing was born today in 1905 (d. 1972). Valerie Simpson of the vocal/composing duo of Ashford and Simpson, was born today in 1946. Scottish altie rocker and front-woman for the band Garbage, Shirley Manson was born today … Continue reading →

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Today’s Music: Wayne Shorter, Walter Williams, Elvis Costello

Posted on August 25, 2012 by admin

Jazz sax innovator and prolific composer Wayne Shorter was born today in 1933. Walter Williams of The O’Jays was born today in 1943. Eclectic singer, songwriter Elvis Costello was born today in 1954. He’s managed to make his mark in … Continue reading →

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Today’s Music: Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, Wynonie Harris, Louis Teichner

Posted on August 24, 2012 by admin

Blues legend Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup was born today in 1905 (d. 1974). He’s best-known for a song he wrote that became Elvis Presley’s first hit, “That’s All Right, Mama.” Blues-belter Wynonie Harris was born today in 1915 (d. 1969). … Continue reading →

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Today’s Music: Tex Williams, Rudy Lewis, Keith Moon

Posted on August 23, 2012 by admin

Tobacco fiend Tex Williams was born today in 1917 (d. 1985, but not of lung cancer). Rudy Lewis of The Drifters was born today in 1936. He died tragically at the young age of 27 in 1964. Rudy sang lead … Continue reading →

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Today’s Music: Claude Debussy, John Lee Hooker

Posted on August 22, 2012 by admin

French composer Claude Debussy was born today in 1862 (d. 1918). Along with Maurice Ravel and Erik Satie, he was part of what was then called the French impressionist musical movement. Blues icon John Lee Hooker boogied his first beat … Continue reading →

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Today’s Music: Count Basie, James Burton, Jackie DeShannon

Posted on August 21, 2012 by admin

The big band Big Man, Count Basie, was born today in 1904 (d. 1984). In his heyday, he was as popular as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller or any of the other jazz orchestras of the Swing Era. A … Continue reading →

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