June 11, 2023 ~ Violinist Suna Kan passed away ~ Gave her first public performance at age 9, playing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Violin Concerto In A Major and Giovanni Battista Viotti's Violin Concerto In A Minor with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra. Would go on to study in Paris and work with renowned orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Moscow Symphony. Co-founded the TRT Ankara Chamber Orchestra with conductor Gürer Aykal, and served as the orchestra's principal violinist ~ Kan was born in 1936
June 11, 2020 ~ Singer Elly Stone passed away in Ecuador ~ Barbra Streisand's understudy for the 1962 I Can Get It For You Wholesale Broadway musical. Best known as an interpreter of Jacques Brel, notably in the revue Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living In Paris in 1968, on Broadway in 1972, and in the 1975 film version ~ Stone was born in 1927
June 11, 2016 ~ The 47th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 2 of 3. Mostly sunny and warm, this year's edition would draw some 116,750 visitors in total. Included on today's, Saturday the 11th's bil would be Walk Off The Earth, James Morrison, Lianne La Havas, Doe Maar, Rammstein, Imelda May, Halestorm, Skillet, de Staat, Puscifer, Miamigo, Lucas Hamming, Matt Simons, Nothing But Thieves, Robin Schulz, the Sore Losers, Parquet Courts, Lucky Fonz III, Bazart, Noisia, and Madi Hermens
June 11, 2015 ~ Singer, songwriter Jim Ed Brown passed away in Franklin, Tennessee, USA ~ Rose to fame in the 1950s as member of sibling outfit the Browns, known for hits such as The Three Bells, Scarlet Ribbons, and The Old Lamplighter. As a solo artist active since the 1970s, scoring hits with Morning, Sunday, Southern Loving, It's That Time Of The Night, as well as a streak of hit duets with Helen Cornelius including I Don't Want To Have To Marry You, I'll Never Be Free, If The World Ran Out Of Love Tonight, and Morning Comes Too Early ~ Brown was born in 1934
June 11, 2011 ~ The 42nd edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 1 of 3. Mostly sunny and warm with just a splash of rain, this year's edition would draw close to some 92,000 visitors. Included on today's, Saturday the 11th's bill would be de Staat, Lifehouse, Elbow, Coldplay, the Manic Street Preachers, Simple Plan, Alter Bridge, Madi Hermens, Ash, and Selah Sue
June 11, 2007 ~ Salsa singer Tito Gómez, full name Humberto Luis Gómez Rivera, passed away in Cali, Colombia ~ Co-lead singer of Sonora Poncena from 1967 through 1973, rejoining later in the 1970s. Co-founding member of La Terrifica. As a solo artist known for a string of popular 1990s albums and the hit Dejala. Also worked with Ray Barretto, Grupo Niche, and others ~ Gómez was born in 1948
June 11, 2000 ~ The 31st edition of Pinkpop takes place in Landgraaf, the Netherlands ~ Day 2 of 3. Extremely sunny and warm, this year's edition would draw a crowd of in total 66,300 visitors. Included on today's, Sunday the 11th's bill would be Andreas Jonnson, Tracy Bonham, Novastar, Krezip, Guano Apes, 16 Horsepower, Laïs, Green Lizard, de Spookrijders, Def Rhymz, Laurent Garnier, and Junkie XL
June 11, 1999 ~ Jazz pianist, bandleader Henri Chaix passed away in Geneva, Switzerland ~ Worked with Loys Choquart, Claude Albert, Sidney Bechet, Bill Coleman, Albert Nicholas, Roger Zufferey, Michel Pilet, Milt Buckner, Buck Clayton, Guy Lafitte, Ray Nance, Rex Stewart, Ben Webster, Alan du Bois, Romano Cavicchiolo, the Tremble Kids, Hot Malletts, Oscar Klein, Buddy Tate, Clark Terry, the European Jazz Giants, Bob Barnard, Doc Cheatham, Jesper Thilo, Roy Williams, and others ~ Chaix was born in 1925
June 11, 1997 ~ Dieuson Octave, commonly known as rapper Kodak Black, born in Pompano Beach, Florida, USA ~ First gained attention with his 2014 No Flockin' single. Released his full-length Painting PIctures debut album in 2017, which included the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit Tunnel Vision. Other well known songs include Wake Up In The Sky featuring Gucci Mane and Bruno Mars and Zeze featuring Travis Scott and Offset. Has also collaborated with French Montana, Yo Gotti, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Lil' Yachty, and others
June 11, 1988 ~ Roman René Ramirez, commonly known as singer, guitarist, songwriter Rome Ramirez, born in Fremont, California, USA ~ Influenced by Muse, Jimi Hendrix, Bad Brains, Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Public Enemy, the Beastie Boys, Primus. Best known for his association with Sublime's Eric Wilson, recording under the group moniker Sublime with Rome. Has also collaborated with the Dirty Heads, including co-writing their song Lay Me Down. Guested on the Blues Traveler's 2015 Blow Up The Moon album
June 11, 1988 ~ Natalie Laurie Mering, commonly known as psychedelic folk, noise, experimental rock singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist, songwriter Weyes Blood, born in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Cites church music, figured prominently in her upbringing, as a major influence on her songwriting. Had her music labeled as chamber pop, psychedelic folk, and experimental rock. Has been recording to critical acclaim since the early 2000s using various variants of the moniker Weyes Blood. Especially acclaimed for the albums The Innocents and Titanic Rising, released respectively in 2014 and 2019
June 11, 1986 ~ Singer Madonna releases Papa Don't Preach, the second single off her True Blue album ~ Praised by critics, noting the singer for her artistic growth, and in retrospect marking the song as a milestone in her career. The song's main storyline had Madonna trying to tell her father about her pregnancy. Shortly after its release, the song would spark controversy, the singer criticized by women's organizations for encouraging teen pregnancy, while groups opposed to abortion saw the song as having a positive anti-abortion message. The single would reach No.1 in over half a dozen countries, including Canada, the UK, and the USA
June 11, 1985 ~ Christopher Ryan Pask, commonly known as singer, actor Chris Trousdale, born in New Port Richey, Florida, USA ~ Made his Broadway debut at age 8, touring with a production of Les Miserables, starring alongside Ashley Tisdale. Member of the Broadway Kids, a concert group consisting of a rotating company of children, all of whom have performed in at least one Broadway, off-broadway, or major national touring production. Member of pop boy band Dream Street, with whom he recorded the albums Dream Street and The Biggest Fan. Has also ventured into acting for film and TV ~ Pask passed away in 2020
June 11, 1984 ~ The 15th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Geleen, the Netherlands ~ Cloudy, some 20,000 visitors show up for this edition's bill which includes Jimmy Cliff, Big Country, John Hiatt, Marillion, Dio, the Pretenders, Wang Chung, Billy Bragg, and the Rick Nolov Band
June 11, 1983 ~ Soul, rock, blues, funk keyboardist, singer Alex Veley born in Eugene, Oregon, USA ~ Co-founding member of neo-soul outfit Maktub, notably present on the band's 2000 Subtle Ways album, which he co-produced. Has toured with acts such as Tuatara and Minus 5, and recorded with CeDell Davis and Dave Matthews, appearing on the latter's 2003 Grammy award-winning solo album Some Devil. Relocated to Brazil in 2003, where he releasing his jazz-funk solo album Maconha Baiana the same year, and went on to back musicians such as Nando Reis, and Erasmo Carlos
June 11, 1983 ~ Benjamin Stanford, commonly known as dub, dubstep, hip hop, drum and bass, jungle, reggae, ska, dancehall singer, beatboxer, guitarist Dub FX, born ~ Member of local alternative rock, rapcore unit NON, known for their sole Exeunt Omnes album released in 2004. Starting with Live In The Street released in 2007, Stanford has completely independently released over half a dozen solo albums using only live performance, word of mouth, and internet social networking
June 11, 1982 ~ Singer, songwriter Al Rinker passed away in Burbank, California, USA ~ Began in the early 1920s as a teen performing with Bing Crosby. By the mid-1920s the pair moved to LA, eventually forming the Rhythm Boys with Harry Barris. The vocal threesome sang with Paul Whiteman's big band for three years and on their own for about a year until Crosby went solo, effectively disbanding the group ~ Rinker was born in 1907
June 11, 1977 ~ Bassist Ozan Musluoglo born in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Best known as former member of Turkish ska-punk outfit Athena. Has since collaborated with artists such as Kerem Gorsev, Vanessa Rubin, Danny Grissett, Dena Derose, Allan Harris, Tune Otenel, Donovan Mixon, Marcus Miller, Roy Hargrove, Mike Stern, Willy Jone, Eric Reed, Katy Roberts, Leslie Harrison, Erik Smith, Bebel Gilberto, Ilhan Ersahin, EJ Strickland, George Colligan, Bernard Maury, and others
June 11, 1974 ~ Bassist, songwriter Frode Jacobsen born in Stokmarknes, Norway ~ Co-founding and constant member of Madrugada, one of the most successful Norwegian acts of the late 1990s and 2000s known for their blues-inspired alternative rock. The band is especially acclaimed for the albums The Nightly Disease and The Deep End. The band would initially disband in 2008, following the death of band member, guitarist Robert Burås, but has reformed in the 2020s
June 11, 1973 ~ The 4th edition of Pinkpop takes place in Geleen, the Netherlands ~ A warm day, some 26,000 visitors show up for this edition's bill which includes Beck Bogert & Appice, Stealers Wheel, Alquin, Fairport Convention, Colin Blunstone, and Wishbone Ash
June 11, 1973 ~ Pianist Vanessa Wagner born in Rennes, France ~ Actively recording since the mid-1990s, well known and praised for her interpretations of Sergei Rachmaninoff, Alexander Scriabin, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Claude Debussy. Awarded the Victoire de la Musique, the French equivalent of the Grammy Award, in 1999 for Most Promising Instrumental Soloist. To non-classical audiences, Wagner is best known for her collaborations with electronic musicians Murcof, notably appearing on his 2016 Statea album, and Aphex Twin
June 11, 1971 ~ Benjamin Baruch Ambrose, commonly known as violinist, bandleader Bert Ambrose passed away in Leeds, UK ~ Dance band bandleader popular from the 1920s up to the rise of rock & roll in the 1950s. Discovered Vera Lynn. Also worked with singers such as Sam Browne, Elsie Carlisle, Denny Dennis, Max Bacon, Evelyn Dall, Anne Shelton and musicians such as Sylvester Ahola, Ted Heath, Joe Crossman, Joe Jeannette, Bert Read, Joe Brannelly, Dick Escott and Max Goldberg ~ Ambrose was born in 1896
June 11, 1970 ~ R&B, vocal R&B group the Spinners release It's A Shame, which would become their breakout hit ~ Reaching top 10 Billboard R&B and top 20 Billboard Hot 100, it would not only become their first major hit, but also one of their biggest and a signature song for the band. Beverly Dewitt Yancey, father of hip-hop producer J Dilla, claims to have ghostwritten the song, but this is disputed by Stevie Wonder, Lee Garrett, and Syreeta Wright, the authors of the song. Wonder also produced the track, marking it as the very first song Wonder produced for an act other than himself. Twenty years after its release, It's A Shame would be heavily sampled by Monie Love in her track It's A Shame (My Sister), which reached top 30 Billboard Hot 100, top 20 in her native UK, and top 10 in the Netherlands
June 11, 1969 ~ Saxophonist, clarinetist Assif Tsahar born ~ Recorded about a dozen albums as a leader starting in the mid-1990s, especially acclaimed for The Hollow World released in 1999. As a sideman present on albums by the Little Huey Creative Music Orchestra, In Order To Survive, Rashied Ali, Susie Ibarra (Flower After Flower, Hamid Drake, the New York Underground Orchestra, Andy McWain, Derek Bailey, and Digital Primitives
June 11, 1969 ~ Alternative rock guitarist, keyboardist, drummer Steven Drozd, full name Steven Gregory Drozd, born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Best known as member of the Flaming Lips, initially on drums and switching to guitar in 2002 when newly joined member Kliph Scurlock took over drumming duties. Has also worked with Elliott Smith, Jay Farrar, Steve Burns, You In Me, the Electric Wurms, and others
June 11, 1967 ~ Trumpeter Alex Sipiagin born in Yaroslavi, Russia ~ Leader and sideman. Has worked with Gil Evans, George Gruntz, Dave Holland, the Mingus Big Band, Michael Brecker, Mulgrew Miller, Opus 5, Conrad Herwig, Monday Michiru, Toshiko Akiyoshi, David Binney, Bill Bruford, Larry Coryell, Deborah Cox, Michael Franks, Andy Laverne, Luis Perdomo, Lonnie Plaxico, Ryuichi Sakamoto, David Sanborn, and Jim Snidero
June 11, 1967 ~ The KFRC Fantasy Fair & Magic Mountain Music Festival held in Marin County, California, USA ~ One-time event. Day 2 of 2. Would serve as a template for rock festivals and as the start of the Summer Of Love. In total some 36,000 visitors would attend the two-day festival. Today's bill included the Jefferson Airplane, the Byrds, PF Sloan, Captain Beefheart, the Seeds, the Grass Roots, the Loading Zone, Tim Buckley, Every Mothers Son, the Steve Miller Band, Country Joe & the Fish, Sons Of Champlin, Lamp Of Childhood, the Mystery Trend, Penny Nichols, the Merry-Go-Round, and the New Salvation Army Band
June 11, 1966 ~ Country, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter Bruce Robison, full name Bruce Ben Robison, born in Bandera, Texas, USA ~ Brother of singers Robyn Ludwyck and Charlie Robison. Married to singer Kelly Willis since 1996. Released his eponymous Bruce Robison in 1996 and has recorded to local fame and a devoted fanbase since. Wrote or co-wrote several songs that became hits for others, including Angry All The Time recorded by Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, Travelin' Soldier recorded by the Dixie Chicks and Wrapped recorded by George Strait
June 11, 1964 ~ Asa Harris, commonly known as jazz, R&B pianist Ace Harris, passed away in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Spent most of the 1930s with territory bands, including a stint leading the Sunset Royal Serenaders starting in 1937. Well known as pianist for the Ink Spots, taking over from Bob Benson in 1940. Has appeared on some of the group's best known including Whispering Grass, We Three (My Echo My Shadow & Me), I'll Never Smile Again, Until The Real Thing Comes Along, and It's A Sin To Tell A Lie. Harris has also worked with Hot Lips Page, and Erskine Hawkins ~ Harris was born in 1910
June 11, 1964 ~ Clarinetist Antti Sarpilla, full name Antti Juhani Sarpila, born in Helsinki, Finland ~ Leader and sideman. Best known for fronting his Benny Goodman-inspired the AS Swing Band active since 1982. Has worked with the Swedish Swing Society, Lars Estrand, Mark Shane, Björn Sjödin, and Gerhard Aspheim
June 11, 1964 ~ Singer, producer, songwriter Penny Ford born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA ~ Lead singer of Eurodance act Snap, featured on songs such as The Power, Ooops Up, Cult Of Snap, and Mary Had A Little Boy. Also worked with Klymaxx and Soul II Soul. As a solo artist known for recordings such as Daydreaming and I Lose Control
June 11, 1963 ~ Singer, bassist, songwriter, actress, voice actress Britta Phillips born in Boyne City, Michigan, USA ~ First gained attention as the singing voice of the lead character in the animated Jem TV series, which ran from 1985 through 1988. Starred in the teen rock movie Satisfaction performing several tracks. Married to Galaxie 500's Dean Wareham since 2006, with whom she also worked in the indie pop, dream pop band Luna and the duo Dean & Britta. Previously married to Fountains Of Wayne lead guitarist Jody Porter
June 11, 1963 ~ Dance-pop, house, Hi-NRG singer Gioia Bruno, full name Carmen Gioia Bruno, born in Italy ~ Member of girl group Exposé, known for a string of late 1980s, early 1990s hits mostly taken of the band's first two albums. Well-known songs include Come Go With Me, Point Of No Return, Let Me Be The One, and the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hit Seasons Change. Bruno has also recorded as a solo artist and recorded with Will To Power
June 11, 1958 ~ Bassist, singer, songwriter, film composer Barry Adamson born in Manchester, UK ~ First gained attention as member of late-1970s, 1980s group Magazine, best known for their single Shot By Both Sides. Briefly a member of the Buzzcocks. Member of Visage, present on the albums Visage and The Anvil. Worked with Nick Cave, appearing on the albums From Her To Eternity, The Firstborn Is Dead, Kicking Against The Pricks, and Your Funeral My Trial. Has also recorded over half a dozen albums as a solo artist, starting with Moss Side Story released in 1989
June 11, 1958 ~ Singer Elvis Presley records I Got Stung at RCA Studios, Nashville, Tennessee ~ Written by Aaron Schroeder and David Hill. Produced by Steve Sholes. It would be Presley's last recording of the 1950s as he was about to deploy to Germany to serve in the Army. The single would be released in October as a double A-side, also featuring One Night
June 11, 1956 ~ Jazz, dixieland saxophonist, composer Frankie Trumbauer, full name Orie Frank Trumbauer, passed away in Kansas City, Missouri, USA ~ Leading jazz saxophonist of the 1920s and 1930s. Known for songs such as Krazy Kat, Red Hot, Plantation Moods and Trumbology. Closely associated with Bix Beiderbecke and Eddie Lang, recording under the group moniker Tram Bix & Lang including the landmark recordings Singin' The Blues in 1927 and the first hit recording of the Hoagy Carmichael-penned Georgia On My Mind in 1931 ~ Trumbauer was born in 1901
June 11, 1954 ~ Jazz drummer John Bernard Riley born in Aberdeen, Maryland, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Woody Herman, Stan Getz, Milt Jackson, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, John Scofield, Bob Mintzer, Gary Peacock, Mike Stern, Joe Lovano, Franck Amsallem, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, John Patitucci, Bob Berg, George Gruntz, Bobby Paunetto, Mike Metheny, Lalo Schifrin, Randy Sandke, Todd Coolman, Steve Hobbs, Red Rodney, Haze Greenfield, Ludwig Nuss, Vince Mendoza, and others
June 11, 1952 ~ Southern rock, country singer, guitarist Donnie Van Zant, full name Donald Newton Van Zant, born in Jacksonville, Florida, USA ~ Younger brother of the late Lynyrd Skynyrd-lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, older brother of Johnny Van Zant. Formed 38 Special with Johnny, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums including the acclaimed early 1980s albums Wild-Eyed Southern Boys and Special Forces. Donnie and Johnny also formed the duo Van Zant, known best for their 2005 Get Right With The Man. Van Zant retired from music in 2013 due to health reasons related to inner-ear nerve damage
June 11, 1948 ~ Lynsey Monckton Rubin, commonly known as singer, songwriter Lynsey de Paul, born in London, UK ~ Songwriter, wrote or co-wrote songs for Jack Wild (Taking It Easy, Bring Yourself Back To Me), Del Davis (Sugarloaf Hill), and the Fortunes (Storm In A Teacup). As a solo artist best known for a string of 1970s hits including Sugar Me, Getting A Drag and Won't Somebody Dance With Me. Represented UK in the 1977 Eurovision Songfestival with the song Rock Bottom, co-written with Michael Moran. The song would reach 2nd place, losing out to France's Marie Myriam's L'Oiseau Et L'Enfant ~ Rubin passed away in 2014
June 11, 1948 ~ Patricia Mary Higgins, commonly known as pop singer, music journalist Pat Wilson, born ~ Married to singer Ross Wilson, who wrote Bop Girl for her. The single would reach top 10 in her native Australia. A follow-up single, Strong Love, reached top 30. Wilson released her sole full-length album, Strong Love, in 1984. Wilson had previously worked as a music journalist, going by the pen name Mummy Cool, for the pop music newspaper Go-Set
June 11, 1947 ~ Reggae singer, songwriter Eric Donaldson born in St Catherine, Jamaica ~ Founded reggae trio the West Indians with Leslie Burke and Hector Brooks known for their 1968 JJ Johnson-produced Right On Time. Went solo in the early 1970s, known for songs such as Sweet Jamaica, Land Of My Birth and perhaps his best-known Cherry Oh Baby, the latter notably covered by the Rolling Stones
June 11, 1944 ~ Maurus Turso, commonly known as saxophonist Turk Mauro, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Active since his mid-teens. A controversial saxophonist enjoying highs but specifically in his personal life just as many lows. Released his The Underdog solo debut album in 1977. Best known for backing Buddy Rich, including on the 1976 Speak No Evil album. Mauro has also guested on recordings by Red Rodney, Eric Allison, Billy Ross, and Billy Marcus
June 11, 1939 ~ Bernard Lee Purdie, commonly known as jazz, rock, R&B, funk, soul drummer Bernard Pretty Purdie in Elkton, Maryland, USA ~ In-demand collaborator known for his impeccable sense of time and trademark groove. Well over a dozen albums as a leader, noted especially for 1968's Soul Drums and 1972's Soul Is Pretty Purdie. Present on albums by Gábor Szabó, Nina Simone (Silk And Soul), Benny Golson, Shirley Scott, Insect Trust, Gene Ammons, Jimmy Smith, Carla Thomas (Memphis Queen), Albert Ayler, James Brown, John Lee Hooker, Quincy Jones (Walking In Space), David Fathead Newman, King Curtis, Aretha Franklin (Young Gifted & Black), Duane Allman, Archie Shepp (Kwanza), Hank Crawford, Todd Rundgren, Jimmy Witherspoon, the Manhattan Transfer, Steely Dan (Aja), Roy Ayers, Houston Person, Biréli Lagrène, Gil Scott-Heron, and Jon Faddis
June 11, 1938 ~ Jazz drummer Stu Martin, full name Stuart Victor Martin, born in Liberty, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Playing professionaly since age 16. Has worked with Count Basie, Jimmy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Maynard Ferguson, Quincy Jones, Billy May, Gary Burton, Donald Byrd, Curtis Fuller, Herbie Hancock, Oliver Nelson, Sonny Rollins, Steve Swallow, Lambert Hendricks & Ross, Lee Konitz, Albert Mangelsdorff, Attila Zoller, Joachim Kühn, Carla Bley, Slide Hampton, John McLaughlin, New York Gong, Barre Phillips, Sonny Rollins, Tomasz Stańko, Karin Krog, and others ~ Martin passed away in 1980
June 11, 1931 ~ Jessie Lee Frealls, commonly known as blues singer Bonnie Lee, born in Bunkie, Louisiana, USA ~ Big-voiced blues singer dubbed “the Sweetheart of the Blues” and best known for her associations with pianist Sunnyland Slim and bassist Willie Kent. As a solo artist known for songs such as Sad & Evil Woman, I'm Good and Need Your Love So Vad ~ Frealls passed away in 2006
June 11, 1929 ~ Dulce Pinto Bressano, commonly known as singer, songwriter Dulce Nunes, born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ~ Known for a handful of 1960s, starting with 1964's Pober Menina Rica, a collaboration with Carlos Lyra. Married to pianist Bene Nunes through 1965. Married to guitarist, pianist Egberto Gismonti from 1968 to 1976 ~ Bressane passed away in 2020
June 11, 1929 ~ Maurice Vanderschueren, commonly known as jazz keyboardist Maurice Vander, born in Paris, France ~ Worked with Don Byas, Django Reinhardt, Bobby Jaspar, Jimmy Raney, Stéphane Grappelli, Chet Baker, Kenny Clarke, Roger Guerin, Pierre Gossez, Boulou Ferre, Claude Nougaro, Ivan Jullien, Richie Cole, Art Farmer, Benny Powell, and others
June 11, 1926 ~ Composer Carlisle Floyd, full name Carlisle Sessions Floyd, born in Latta, South Carolina, USA ~ Wrote about a dozen operas typically set in in the American South, themed around post-civil war South, the Great Depression and rural life. Best known for Susannah, a Biblical story transcribed to rural Tennessee and written for a Southern dialect. Its 1956 performance at the New York City Opera met with mixed reviews, some degrading it to “folk opera” while others considered it a masterpiece. It would quickly become one the most performed American operas ~ Floyd passed away in 2021
June 11, 1920 ~ Jazz, classical pianist, singer, actress Hazel Scott, full name Hazel Dorothy Scott, born in Port Of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago ~ Child prodigy. Outspoken critic of racial discrimation. Popular jazz, blues, boogie-woogie nightclub performer during the 1930s and 1940s. One of the first Afro-Caribbean women to land respectable roles in major Hollywood films including I Dood It alongside Lena Horne, The Heat's On and Rhapsody In Blue ~ Scott passed away in 1981
June 11, 1913 ~ Risë Gus Steenberg, commonly known as operatic mezzo-soprano singer Risë Stevens, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Closely associated with the Metropolitan Opera, starring in numerous operas for over two decades starting in 1938. Would go on to serve as director of the Metropolitan Opera National Company from 1963 through 1968 ~ Steenberg passed away in 2013
June 11, 1904 ~ Clarence Smith, commonly known as blues, boogie-woogie pianist Pinetop Smith, born in Troy, Alabama, USA ~ Best known for his 1928 recording Pinetop's Boogie Woogie, foreshadowing rock & roll and considered the song to have named the boogie-woogie genre. The song would become hugely popular after Smith's death, in particular due to a 1938 cover by Tommy Dorsey, becoming Dorsey's best-selling record. It would also be covered by Bing Crosby, Count Basie, and numerous others as well as serve as the basis for Mess Around, a 1957 Ray Charles hit ~ Smith passed away in 1929
June 11, 1902 ~ Joseph Marshall, commonly known as jazz drummer Kaiser Marshall, born in Savannah, Georgia, USA ~ Considered one of the premier jazz drummers of the 1920s. Worked with Charlie Dixon, Shrimp Jones, Fletcher Henderson, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Art Hodes, Wild Bill Davison, Sidney Bechet, Bunk Johnson, Mezz Mezzrow, Louis Armstrong (notably on the 1929 recording Knockin' A Jug), and was a member of McKinney's Cotton Pickers in the late 1920s which at the time also included Benny Carter, Fats Waller and Coleman Hawkins ~ Marshall passed away in 1948