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.
July 16, 1925 ~ Vibraphonist, bandleader Cal Tjader, full name Callen Radcliffe Tjader Jr, born in St Louis, Missouri, USA ~ Often described as the most successful non-Latino in Latin jazz, although Tjader did also explore other jazz idioms. As a leader, Tjader recorded over 50 albums, and is especially acclaimed for Tjader Plays Mambo and A Night At The Blackhawk from the 1950s, and Latino Con Cal Tjader and Bamboléate from the 1960s. On occasion, Tjader has served as sideman, including on recordings by Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz, Anita O'Day, Mongo Santamaria, and Eddie Palmieri ~ Tjader passed away in 1982July 16, 1925 ~ Pianist, arranger Nat Pierce, full name Nathaniel Pierce Blish Jr, born in Somerville, Massachusetts, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Perhaps best known for his association with Woody Herman, serving as Herman's pianist and arranger from 1951 through 1955. Has also worked with Charlie Mariano, Pee Wee Russell, Lester Young, Emmett Berry, Ruby Braff, Buck Clayton, Gus Johnson, Paul Quinichette, Quincy Jones, and Coleman Hawkins ~ Pierce passed away in 1992
July 16, 1903 ~ Singer, songwriter Carmen Lombardo born in London, Canada ~ Brother of Guy Lombardo, his bandmate in the Royal Canadians. Sang lead on the Canadians' hit Charmaine. In-demand songwriter. Songs written or co-written by Lombardo include Ridin' Around In The Rain recorded by Gene Austin, Return To Me recorded by Dean Martin, Powder Your Face With Sunshine for Evelyn Knight, and Coquette recorded by his brother Guy ~ Lombardo passed away in 1971
July 16, 1890 ~ Mabel Wimpfheimer, commonly known as songwriter, pianist, singer Mabel Wayne, born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Noted as one of the first female songwriters to have her songs published. Wrote or co-wrote songs such as In A Little Spanish Town (Paul Whiteman, the Revelers, Pérez Prado), I Understand (Jimmy Dorsey, Bert Ambrose, Keely Smith), It Happened In Monterey (Jack Hylton, Billy Cotton, Ruth Etting), and Little Man You've Had A Busy Day (Les Allen, Connee Boswell, Isham Jones) ~ Wimpfheimer passed away in 1978
July 16, 1886 ~ Minnie Guyer, commonly known as singer, dancer, actress Blossom Seeley, born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA ~ Known as “the Queen of Syncopation” helped bring jazz and ragtime into the mainstream. Best known for a number of 1920s recordings including Way Down Yonder In New Orleans, Rose Room, Lazy, Yes Sir That's My Baby, and her best known Toddling The Todalo ~ Guyer passed away in 1974
July 16, 1858 ~ Violinist, conductor, composer Eugène Ysaÿe, full name Eugène-Auguste Ysaÿe, born in Liège, Belgium ~ Dubbed “the King of the Violin” for his virtuosity. Principal violinist with the Benjamin-Bilse Beer Hall Orchestra, which would later develop into the Berlin Philharmonic. Held in the highest regard by the likes of Joseph Joachim, Franz Liszt, Clara Schumann, Anton Rubinstein, Pablo Casals. Had works written especially for him by composers such as Claude Debussy, Camille Saint-Saëns, Ernest Chausson, and César Franck. The latter would write Violin Sonata In A as a wedding present for Ysaÿe and his wife in 1886, a composition Ysaÿe would regularly perform for the rest of his life. Close friend Debussy dedicated his only string quartet, String Quartet In G-Minor, to Ysaÿe ~ Ysaÿe passed away in 1931