About maketodayrock.com: We celebrate musicians' birthdays, remember those we've lost, and highlight key moments in music such a release dates, chart peak dates, or anything else tied to a specific date. Pick any day from the menu in the top right. The front page shows recent obituaries.
April 26, 1919 ~ Saxophonist Don Raffell born in Washington DC, USA ~ Closely associated with arranger, conductor Nelson Riddle. Also worked with Benny Goodman, Sonny Burke, Johnny Burke, Charlie Barnet, Louis Armstrong, Ray Conniff, Mel Tormé, Skitch Henderson, Les Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, Johnny Mathis, Rosemary Clooney, Keely Smith, Nancy Wilson, Sammy Davis Jr, Anita O'Day, the Platters, and Gerald Wilson ~ Raffell passed away in 2003
April 26, 1915 ~ Blues guitarist, singer Johnny Shines, full name John Ned Shines, born in Memphis, Tennessee, USA ~ Influenced by Robert Johnson, whom he also backed on tours. As a solo artist has recorded a number of records from the mid 1940s onwards which were all shelved. Would continue to play locally and release records from time to time though most were unsuccessful. Got his big break in 1966 when some of his performances were included on the Chicago/The Blues Today album series in the mid 1960s. Has released a number of fondly remembered albums since. Also backed musicians such as Big Walter Horton, Willie Dixon, and Robert Lockwood Junior ~ Shines passed away in 1992
April 26, 1907 ~ Dixieland, swing drummer Dave Tough, full name David Jarvis Tough, born in Oak Park, Illinois, USA ~ Worked with Tommy Dorsey, Red Norvo, Bunny Berigan, Benny Goodman, Bud Freeman, Jack Teagarden, Eddie Condon, Mezz Mezzrow, Joe Marsala, Charlie Spivak, Claude Thornhill, Artie Shaw, Woody Herman, Jerry Gray, Muggsy Spanier, and Will Bradley ~ Tough passed away in 1948
April 26, 1899 ~ Oscar Rabinowitz, commonly known as dance band, jazz saxophonist, violinist Oscar Rabin, born in Riga, Russian Empire ~ Eponym of the popular dance band the Oscar Rabin Band, which actually was led by Harry Davis as Rabin preferred to play the bass saxophone. Key sidemen in the ensemble included Ken Mackintosh, Eric Jupp, Kenny Clare, and Jimmy Deuchar ~ Rabinowitz passed away in 1958
April 26, 1895 ~ Flutist William Kincaid born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA ~ Principal flute of the Philadelphia Orchestra for four decades. Respected teacher. Students included Julius Baker, Joseph Mariano, Frances Blaisdell, Ann Cherry, Paul Lusting Dunkel, Doriot Anthony Dwyer, Katherine Hoover, John C Krell, George Ellers Morey, Claire Pollin, Elaine Shaffer, Felix Skowronek, John Solum, and Albert Tipton ~ Kincaid passed away in 1967
April 26, 1886 ~ Gertrude Pridgett, commonly known as blues singer Ma Rainey born in Columbus, Georgia, USA ~ Dubbed “the Mother of the Blues” and one of the first generation of blues singers to record. Bridged vaudeville and Southern blues. Worked with Will Rainey, the Rabbit's Foot Minstrel Show, the Tub Jug Washboard Band, Louis Armstrong, Reverend Thomas A Dorsey, the Georgia Jazz Band. Recorded over 100 songs in the 1920s including Bo-Weevil Blues, Moonshine Blues, See See Rider and Soon This Morning ~ Pridgett passed away in 1939