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.
January 24, 1938 ~ Jazz, avant-garde jazz, free jazz saxophonist, clarinetist Julius Hemphill, full name Julius Arthur Hemphill, born in Fort Worth, Texas, USA ~ Influenced by Gerry Mulligan, studied with John Carter, and early on in his career backed Ike Turner. Founded the World Saxophone Quartet, with whom he recorded well over half a dozen albums including the acclaimed Steppin' With The World Saxophone Quartet and Plays Duke Ellington. Hemphill also recorded well over a dozen album as a leader, notably Dogon AD and Fat Man And The Hard Blues, and has guested on albums by Anthony Braxton, Lester Bowie, Baikida Carroll (Shadows And Reflections), Jean-Paul Bourelly, Bill Frisell, Darrell Katz, and Björk. Songs written by Hemphill have been recorded by Oliver Lake, Doyle Lawson (Lord To Know I Have You), Hamiet Bluiett (Mirrors), and Marty Ehrlich ~ Hemphill passed away in 1995
January 24, 1936 ~ Robert Coull Wellins, commonly known as saxophonist Bobby Wellins, born in Glasgow, UK ~ Best known for collaborating with Stan Tracey on the album Jazz Suite Inspired By Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood (1965). Leader and sideman. Has worked with artists such as Buddy Featherstonhaugh, Kenny Wheeler, Tony Crombie, Lionel Grigson, Jim Richardson, Pete Jacobsen, Adrian Kendon, Ken Baldock, Andy Cleyndert, Spike Wells, Liam Noble, Simon Thorpe, Dave Wickens, and Jimmy Knepper ~ Wellins passed away in 2016January 24, 1936 ~ Cajun, country, folk, bluegrass singer, fiddler, songwriter Doug Kershaw, full name Douglas James Kershaw, born in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, USA ~ Half of Rusty & Doug, the other half being his brother Rusty Kershaw, best known for their recording of Louisiana Man. Recording as a solo artist since the late 1960s. Best known for Diggy Liggy Lo, Hello Woman and for collaborating with Hank Williams Jr on Cajun Baby
January 24, 1936 ~ Giovanni Domenico Scafone Jr, commonly known as rock & roll, rockabilly singer, songwriter Jack Scott, born in Windsor, Canada ~ Hailed as perhaps Canada's greatest rock & roll singer. Known for songs such as Leroy, Goodbye Baby, The Way I Walk, What In The World's Come Over You, Burning Bridges and It Only Happened Yesterday ~ Scafone passed away in 2019
January 24, 1934 ~ Operatic soprano Galina Pisarenko, full name Galina Alekseyevna Pisarenko, born in Leningrad, Russia ~ Best known for her association with the Stanislavski And Nemirovich-Danchenko Theatre, remaining with the ensemble from 1961 through 1990. Also worked regularly with the Komische Oper Berlin during the 1970s, notably performing the title role in Carmen in 1976 ~ Pisarenko passed away in 2022
January 24, 1933 ~ Leonard Louis McBrowne, commonly known as hard bop, soul jazz drummer Lenny McBrowne, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Drew comparisons to Chico Hamilton. Worked with Pete Brown, Randy Weston, Cecil Payne, Tony Scott, Billie Holiday, Sonny Stitt, Harold Land, Benny Golson, Curtis Fuller, Fred Katz, Sonny Rollins, Terry Trotter, Herbie Lewis, Daniel Jackson, Don Sleet, Jimmy Bond, Cannonball Adderley, Sarah Vaughan, Booker Ervin, Ray Bryant, Teddy Wilson, and Thelonious Monk
January 24, 1933 ~ Singer Zeke Carey born in Bluefeld, West Virginia, USA ~ Member of doo-wop, R&B outfit the Flamingos, known for songs such as A Kiss From Your Lips, I'll Be Home, and their best known I Only Have Eyes For You. The latter would reach top 20 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 and remains a radio staple to this day ~ Carey passed away in 1999
January 24, 1928 ~ Peter Sidney Mulligan, commonly known as jazz trumpeter, bandleader Mick Mulligan, born in Middlesex, UK ~ Closely associated with George Melly. Founded the Magnolia Jazz Band in the late 1940s, a band rivaling Humphrey Lyttelton's ensemble in popularity on the traditional jazz circuit. Though not a top-notch instrumentalist himself, and often hindered by his alcohol addiction, Mulligan is remembered as one of the most influential bandleaders of his day, often employing the finest sidemen such as Roy Crimmins, Ian Christie, and Archie Semple early on in their careers ~ Mulligan passed away in 2006
January 24, 1920 ~ Tenor saxophonist Jimmy Forrest born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Known for Hey Missus Jones, Bolo Blues and for his 1952 hit The Night Train. Worked with artists such as Fate Marable, Andy Kirk, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Harry Sweets Edison, Al Grey, Cat Anderson, Count Basie, Bennie Green, Grant Green, Jo Jones, Jack McDuff, Blue Mitchell, Oliver Nelson, Waymon Reed, Betty Roché, and Joe Williams ~ Forrest passed away in 1980
January 24, 1917 ~ Jazz, blues pianist Avery Parrish, full name James Avery Parrish, born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA ~ Best known for his association with Erskine Hawkins, Penned the jazz standard After Hours, first recorded with Hawkins and covered by numerous artists including Benny Goodman, Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Hazel Scott, Phineas Newborn Jr, Hank Crawford, Buck Clayton, Roy Buchanan, and Muddy Waters ~ Parrish passed away in 1959January 24, 1875 ~ Composer, conductor Arthur Wood born in Heckmondwicke, UK ~ Best remembered for composing the orchestral piece My Native Heath which included his best known song Barwick Green. The latter would be used as the signature theme for the BBC radio 4 show Radio. As a conductor associated with the Harrogate Municipal Orchestra, the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra and especially a wide array of London theater orchestras for over three decades. Has composed orchestral works and musicals including Yvonne, Petticoat Fair and Fancy Fair ~ Wood passed away in 1953