March 11, 2023 ~ Constantinos Tsobanoglou, commonly known as amapiano, Afrobeat, Afro pop singer, rapper Costa Titch, passed away in Johannesburg, South Africa ~ Known for hits such as Nkalakatha, Activate, Ayeye, and Big Flexa. Notably collaborated with Senegalese-American rapper Akon on a remix of the latter. Tsobanoglou passed away at age 27 after collapsing on stage while performing at the Ultra South Africa music festival in Johannesburg ~ Tsobanoglou was born in 1995
March 11, 2022 ~ Ramón Eduardo Cedeño, commonly known as jazz, rock, world music guitarist, bassist, percussionist Guayo Cedeño, passed away ~ Married to singer Gaby Flores, the couple have one daughter. In-demand sideman, has worked with artists such as Andy Palacio, the Garifuna Collective, and Aurelio Martínez. Released his sole solo album, Coco Bar, in 2015. Died of respiratory failure at age 48 ~ Cedeño was born in 1974
March 11, 2022 ~ R&B, soul singer, keyboardist, songwriter Timmy Thomas passed away ~ Best known for the self-penned Why Can't We Live Together, which topped the Billboard R&B charts in 1972 and reached top 10 on the pop charts on both sides of the Atlantic. The song would be covered by a wide array of artists including Tinga Stewart, Sade, Joan Osborne, Maria Muldaur, Lucky Peterson, Ronnie Earl, and others. Thomas would record well throughout the 1980s, songs such People Are Changin', What Can I Tell Her and Gotta Give A Little Love (Ten Years After) all reaching top 30 on the Billboard R&B charts ~ Thomas was born in 1944
March 11, 2021 ~ Rock & roll, rockabilly double bassist Ray Campi, full name Raymond Charles Campi, passed away ~ Active since the mid-1950s. Resurged in the early 1970s. Best known for songs such as Caterpillar, You Gambled Me, and for The Ballad Of Donna And Peggy Sue. Has toured extensively, especially throughout Europe. Worked with Mae West, Rosie Flores, Bobby Fats Mizell, Ian Whitcomb, Kevin Fennell, Rip Masters, and others ~ Campi was born in 1934
March 11, 2019 ~ Harold Simon Belsky, commonly known as drummer Hal Blaine, passed away in Palm Desert, California, USA ~ One of the most recorded drummers in history, appearing on over an estimated 35,000 recordings and well over 150 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits including He's A Rebel (the Crystals), I Get Around (the Beach Boys), Mr Tambourine Man (the Byrds), I Got You Babe (Sonny & Cher), These Boots Are Made For Walkin' (Nancy Sinatra), Strangers In The Night (Frank Sinatra), Mrs Robinson (Simon & Garfunkel), (They Long To Be) Close To You (the Carpenters), Cracklin' Rosie (Neil Diamond), Annie's Song (John Denver), Love Will Keep Us Together (Captain & Tennille), and Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To) (Diana Ross) ~ Blaine was born in 1929
March 11, 2017 ~ Guitarist Evan Johns passed away in Austin, Texas, USA ~ Worked with guitar virtuoso Danny Gatton, performing on and writing several tracks on Gatton's 1978 Redneck Jazz including the title track. Founded and fronted Evan Johns & the H-Bombs, a band that counted the Dead Kennedys-frontman Jello Biafra among its fans. Johns has also worked with the LeRoi Brothers ~ Johns was born in 1956
March 11, 2016 ~ Keyboardist Keith Emerson, full name Keith Noel Emerson, passed away in Santa Monica, California, USA ~ Considered one of the most important British rock keyboardists and a key figure in progressive rock. First gained attention in the late 1960s as co-founding member of the Nice, blending rock, jazz and classical music. Departed the band in 1970 to form Emerson Lake & Palmer, one of the first progressive rock supergroups. The band is best known for the pivotal Emerson Lake & Palmer 1970 debut album and Brain Salad Surgery released in 1973. Following the band's initial disbandement by the end of the decade Emerson has recorded as a solo artist and composed over half a dozen soundtracks, notably Nighthawks released in 1981 ~ Emerson was born in 1944
March 11, 2016 ~ Ruth Mae McMahon, commonly known as singer, actress Ruth Terry, passed away in Rancho Mirage, California, USA ~ Sang with both Paul Ash and Clyde McCoy in her early teens. Best known as an actress, singer in musical westerns alongside the likes of Gene Autry (Call Of The Canyon), Robert Livingston (Pistol Packing Mamas) and Roy Rogers (The Heart Of The Golden Wesst) ~ McMahon was born in 1920
March 11, 2015 ~ Keyboardist, singer Jimmy Greenspoon, full name James Boyd Greenspoon, passed away in North Potomac, Maryland, USA ~ Member of surf outfit the New Dimensions. Co-founding member of Three Dog Night, known for 1970s Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits such as One, Easy To Be Hard, Eli's Coming, Mama Told Me Not To Come, Joy To The World, Liar, An Old Fashioned Love Song, Never Been To Spain, Black & White, Shambala, and The Show Must Go On. Greenspoon has also worked with artists such as Linda Ronstadt, America, the Beach Boys, Nils Lofgren, Stephen Stills, Steve Cropper, Leon Russell, the East Side Kids, and others ~ Greenspoon was born in 1948
March 11, 1997 ~ Jazz pianist Hugh Lawson passed away in White Plains, New York, USA ~ Influenced by Bud Powell, Hampton Hawes, and Bill Evans. Leader and sideman. Best known for his association with Yusef Lateef. Also worked with Harry Sweets Edison, Roy Brooks, Stanley Cowell, Harold Mabern, Charles Mingus, Charlie Rouse, George Adams, Kenny Burrell, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Doug Watkins, and others ~ Lawson was born in 1935
March 11, 1995 ~ Over the course of two days, singer Michael Jackson records Smile for his HIStory (Past Present & Future Book I) album ~ Often cited by Jackson as his all-time favorite song, this tune dates back to 1936 when Charlie Chaplin wrote the song as an instrumental for his Modern Times film. The song would become a standard covered by numerous artists, and is most closely associated with Nat King Cole who recorded the song in 1954, with lyrics added by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons. For Jackson, the single was scheduled as the seventh single of his 1995 HIStory (Past Present & Future Book I) album, but only a few copies, mostly promo versions, went into circulation before the single was pulled, making it one of the rarest and most desirable collectibles of all Jackson releases
March 11, 1995 ~ Alexandra Artourovna Yatchenko, commonly known as singer, songwriter Sasha Sloan, born in Boston, Massachusetts, USA ~ First gained attention as featured singer on Kaskade's 2015 Phoenix single. Wrote for artists such as Idina Menzel, Maggie Lindemann, Camila Cabello, Kygo. Released her full-length debut album, Only Child, in 2020
March 11, 1983 ~ Contralto jazz singer Lurlan Hunter passed away in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA ~ First gained attention singing with Red Saunders at Club DeLisa in Chicago and subsequently as featured vocalist with George Shearing at famed New York jazz club Birdland. Would spend most of the 1950s working hotels and night clubs around the country. Released her full-length Blue And Sentimental debut album in 1961 ~ Hunter was born in 1919
March 11, 1981 ~ R&B, pop singer, actress Letoya Luckett, full name Letoya Nicole Luckett, born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Member of Destiny's Child from 1997 through 2000, present on hits such as No No No featuring Wyclef Jean, Bills Bills Bills, Say My Name and Jumpin' Jumpin'. As a solo artist released her debut album, Letoya, in 2006. Has collaborated with Ali & Gipp, Webbie, Mims, Boney James, and others
March 11, 1981 ~ Alternative rock, hard rock, post-hardcore drummer, guitarist, bassist Luke Johnson, full name Luke Anthony Johnson, born in Redditch, UK ~ Active since the late 1990s starting in punk and metal. Member of Amen from 2003 through 2005. Subsequently co-founded the Beat Union. Member of alternative metal band the Lostprophets from 2009 until its disbandement in 2013, appearing on the band's two most acclaimed albums The Betrayed and Weapons. Has since released a handful of solo singles, and founded both No Devotion and Lowlives
March 11, 1980 ~ Tango conductor, violinist, composer Julio de Caro passed away ~ Brother of pianist, composer Francisco de Caro, with whom he regularly collaborated. Influenced by Juan Carlos Cobián, Roberto Firpo, Eduardo Arolas. The latter would offer De Caro a position in his orchestra after an impromptu performance in 1917, giving him his start in music. By the mid-1920s De Caro would lead his own band with a recording contract with RCA-Victor. Over the course of his career De Caro would work with numerous artists, notably Osvaldo Fresedo, Minotto di Cicco, Edmundo Rivero and Pedro Maffia ~ De Caro was born in 1899
March 11, 1979 ~ Twin brothers guitarist Benji Madden and singer Joel Madden born in Waldorf, Maryland, USA ~ Formed pop rock formation the Madden Brothers as well as the band Good Charlotte, the latter known for hits such as Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous and Dance Floor Anthem (I Don't Want To Be In Love
March 11, 1978 ~ Pop singer, drummer, songwriter Claude François, full name Claude Antoine Marie François, passed away in Paris, France ~ Known for Comme D'Habitude, co-written with Jacques Revaux, later translated into English as My Way and recorded by Frank Sinatra and numerous others. Sold some 70 million records and said to be “the French equivalent of the Beatles, meaning the great talent of a generation” by former French President Valéry Giscard D'Estaing. Known for songs such as Le Téléphone Pleure, Le Lundi Au Soleil, Magnolias For Ever, Alexandrei Alexandra and Cette Année La. Accidentally electrocuted at age 39 as he was about to embark for America ~ François was born in 1939
March 11, 1974 ~ Keyboardist, guitarist Adam Wakeman born ~ Son of Yes-keyboardist Rick Wakeman, with whom he has also recorded. Recorded as a solo artist, starting with the album Soliloquy released in 1993. Formed progressive metal outfit Headspace with singer Damian Wilson. Toured and recorded with Ozzy Osbourne, notably present on the 2010 Scream. Member of Jazz Sabbath, a fictional jazz combo covering Black Sabbath songs, in which he used the moniker Milton Keanes. Has also worked with Annie Lennox, Travis, the Company Of Snakes, the Strawbs, and Atomic Kitten
March 11, 1970 ~ Andre L Adams, commonly known as hip-hop, hyphy rapper Andre Nickatina, born in San Francisco, California, USA ~ Active since the early 1990s, recording the albums The New Jim Jones and I Hate You With A Passion using the moniker Dre Dog. Has recorded over a dozen albums since, switching to the stage name Nickatina by the end of the decade. Frequent collaborator of Equipto. Has also worked with Mac Dre, Smoov-E, and the Jacka
March 11, 1970 ~ Country songwriter Ben Hayslip born in Evans, Georgia, USA ~ Frequent songwriting partner of Rhett Akins and Dallas Davidson. Songs written or co-written by Hayslip have been recorded by Brooks & Dunn (Put A Girl In It), Jack Ingram, Blake Shelton (All About Tonight), Brantley Gilbert, Joe Nichols (Gimmie That Girl), Craig Morgan, Josh Turner (All Over Me), Rodney Atkins, Martina McBride (I'm Gonna Love You Through It), Luke Bryan (I Don't Want This Night To End), Thomas Rhett, Jeff Bates (Long Slow Kisses), Jason Aldean (The Only Way I Know), and Dustin Lynch
March 11, 1969 ~ John Allen Gamble, commonly known as keyboardist, organist Al Gamble, born in Columbus, Georgia, USA ~ Formed the Gamble Brothers in 2001, which also included his brother drummer Chad Gamble. Member of St Paul & the Broken Bones, first appearing on the band's 2013 Half The City debut album as a session organist, joining the band as a full member later the same year. Has also worked with Alex Chilton (A Man Called Destruction), Pat Ramsey, the Bluebirds, Larry Garner, Jimmy Thackery, Deborah Coleman, the City Champs, the Bo-Keys, and Alexa Rose
March 11, 1969 ~ Alternative rock, folk rock singer, songwriter Pete Droge born in Seattle, Washington, USA ~ Released his debut album, Necktie Second, in 1990. Best known for songs such as Sunspot Stopwatch, So I Am Over You, You Should Be Running, Dear Diane and If You Don't Love Me (I'll Kill Myself), the latter featured on the Dumb & Dumber soundtrack
March 11, 1969 ~ Keyboardist Rami Jaffee born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Member of the Wallflowers from 1990 to 2005, and again from 2013 to 2015. Member of the Foo Fighters, initially working with the band as a touring and session musician since 2005 and eventually becoming an official member. Has also worked with Pete Yorn, Stone Sour, Joseph Arthur, Coheed & Cambria, and others
March 11, 1967 ~ Opera singer Geraldine Farrar passed away in Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA ~ Enjoyed a devoted fanbase especially among young women, lovingly dubbed “Gerry-flappers”. Praised for the intimate timbre of her voice and remarkable acting ability. Worked with the Berlin Hofoper, the Monte Carlo Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, and other major orchestras. Had a seven-year love affair with the married conductor Arturo Toscanini who abruptly resigned from the NY Met in 1915 following Farrar's ultimatum to leave his wife ~ Farrar was born in 1882
March 11, 1967 ~ Heavy metal, power metal drummer, keyboardist, songwriter Uli Kusch, full name Ulrich Kusch, born in Aachen, West Germany ~ Active since the late 1980s sessioning for a variety of rock, hard rock bands including Holy Moses and Mekong Delta. Briefly a member of Gamma Ray during the early 1990s, replacing original drummer Mathias Burchard on the band's Sigh No More sophomore album. Best known as a member of Helloween, with whom he recorded about half a dozen albums starting with Master Of The Rings released in 1994. Other notable associations include Shockmachine, Sinner, the Masterplan, Beautiful Sin, and Symfonia
March 11, 1965 ~ Pop, power pop, children's music singer, guitarist, keyboardist, drummer, songwriter Andy Sturmer, full name Marvin Andrew Sturmer, born in Los Angeles County, California, USA ~ Member of Beatnik Beatch. Best known as lead singer for Jellyfish, co-founded with Batch bandmate Roger Joseph Manning Jr. The band, spangly indie rock infused with '60s psychedelia and '70s power pop, is acclaimed for the 1990s albums Bellybutton and its follow-up Spilt Milk. Following the band's dissolution in the mid-1990s Sturmer has primarily written for others, most notably for Japanese pop duo PUFFY and regularly for several Cartoon Network TV series
March 11, 1965 ~ Conductor, pianist, producer, arranger Vittorio Cosma born in Varese, Italy ~ Worked with Volpini Volante, Premiata Forneria Marconi, Eugenio Finardi, Pino Daniele, Ornella Vanoni, Renato Zero, Ivano Fossati, Stewart Copeland, Roberto Vecchioni, Enrico Ruggero, Teresa de Sio, Nino Buonocore, Grazia di Michele. Member of supergroup Gizmodrome alongside Adrian Belew, Level 42's Mark King and the Police's Stewart Copeland
March 11, 1964 ~ Vincent Paul Abbott, commonly known as drummer Vinnie Paul born in Dallas, Texas, USA ~ Generally regarded as one of the premier heavy metal drummers. Influenced by Peter Criss, Alex van Halen, and Tommy Aldridge. Best known for co-founding Pantera with his brother guitarist Dimebag Darrell, a band credited with pioneering the groove metal genre and especially acclaimed for their 1992 Vulgar Display Of Power album. Abbott remained with the band through 2003, and has also worked with Damageplan, and with Hellyeah ~ Abbott passed away in 2018
March 11, 1961 ~ Guitarist Bruce Watson born in Timmins, Canada ~ Best known as guitarist for Scottish pop rock outfit Big Country, usually in a supportive role with Stuart Adamson taking the lead chords. The band scored a string of hits starting in the early 1980s with songs such as Fields Of Fire, Chance, Wonderland and Look Away all reaching top 10 in the UK. Watson has also worked with the Delinquents, Eurosect, Fourgoodmen, the Casbah Club and Dead Men Walking
March 11, 1960 ~ Rock, soul, glam metal singer Tommy Nilsson, full name Erik Tommy Nilsson, born in Solna, Sweden ~ Active since the late 1970s. Lead singer of heavy metal outfit Horizont, with whom he recorded two albums. Scouted by French producer Yves Accary Nilsson would score a 1981 solo hit in France with No Way No How. The single would sell a million copies, the album of the same name with disco tracks and ballads would sell 200,000. Nilsson also worked with metal band Easy Action, appearing on the 1986 That Makes One album, and represented his native Sweden at the 1989 Eurovision Songfestival where he reached 4th place with the ballad En Dag
March 11, 1959 ~ Singer Teddy Scholten wins the 4th edition of the Eurovision Songfestival held in Cannes, France ~ Representing the Netherlands Scholten wins with the song Een Beetje written by Dick Schallies and Willy van Hemert
March 11, 1957 ~ R&B, funk guitarist Miko Weaver born in Berkeley, California, USA ~ Best known for his association with Prince, who invited him to join the Revolution after seeing him work with Sheila E. Weaver first appeared on a jam version of I Would Die 4 U, which would be used for the 12" release and subsequently played on the 1986 Parade album. Weaver was also part of the touring band for the Sign O' The Times and Lovesexy tours
March 11, 1955 ~ Country singer Jimmy Fortune born in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA ~ Member of the Statler Brothers, joining the band in 1982 as replacement for Lew DeWitt and remaining with the band for over two decades. Wrote a vast amount of the band's best-known including Elizabeth, Too Much On My Heart, My Only Love and More Than A Name On The Wall
March 11, 1955 ~ Catharina Hagen, commonly known as punk, punk rock singer Nina Hagen, born in East Berlin, East Germany ~ Pivotal to European punk. Debuted in 1978 with the album The Nina Hagen Band. Known for songs such as Auf'm Bahnhof Zoo, Unbeschrieblich Weiblich, Smack Jack and Zarah (Ich Weiss Es Wird Einmal Ein Wunder Geschehn)
March 11, 1954 ~ Jazz trumpeter Frankie Newton, full name William Frank Newton, passed away ~ Worked with Sam Wooding, Chick Webb, Charlie Barnet, Andy Kirk, Charlie Fess Johnson, Lucky Millinder, Pete Brown, James P Johnson, Art Tatum, Sid Catlett, Edmond Hall, Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday (including on the 1939 original of Strange Fruit), Ulysses Livingston, Elmer Snowden, Sonny White, and others ~ Newton was born in 1906
March 11, 1954 ~ Jazz singer Judy Niemack born in Pasadena, California, USA ~ As a solo singer about a dozen albums to her name, starting with 1977's By Heart. Has also worked with Toots Thielemans, James Moody, Lee Konitz, Clark Terry, Kenny Barron, Fred Hersch, Kenny Werner, Joe Lovano, Eddie Gomez, the WDR Big Band, Simon Wettenhall, Cedar Walton, Mal Waldron, and others
March 11, 1953 ~ Engineer, producer, label executive Jimmy Iovine born in Brooklyn, New York, USA ~ Dropped out of college at age 19, and was introduced to the music business via a friend who landed him a job cleaning a recording studio. Iovine would soon find employ as engineer and went on to music production. Co-founded Interscope Records. Co-founded Beats Electronics with close friend Dr Dre, a consumer audio products company. Has been involved in the production of over an estimated 200 albums, including John Lennon's Walls And Bridges, the Golden Earring's Grab It For A Second, Patti Smith's Easter, Tom Petty's Damn The Torpedoes, Bruce Springsteen's The River, Stevie Nicks's Bella Donna, U2's Rattle & Hum, and Gwen Stefani's Love Angel Music Baby
March 11, 1950 ~ Folk-jazz singer, pianist, songwriter Bobby McFerrin, full name Roberth Keith McFerrin Jr, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Best known for his 1988 hit Don't Worry Be Happy, which reached top of the charts in numerous countries including America. Has worked with artists such as Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Joe Zawinul, Yo-Yo Ma, and others
March 11, 1950 ~ Pianist Katia Labèque born in Bayonne, France ~ Half of the Labèque Sisters, an internationally acclaimed piano duo with her sister Marielle Labèque, best known for their 1980- recording of George Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue. Also played traditional classical repertoire, jazz, ragtime, flamenco, pop, and experimental rock
March 11, 1947 ~ Derek John Weaver, commonly known as pianist, keyboardist Blue Weaver, born in Cardiff, UK ~ Co-founding member of 1960s rock band Amen Corner, known for their UK No.1 hit If Paradise Is Half As Nice, and co-founder of its successor Fair Weather. Joined the Strawbs in 1971, notably present on the albums Grave New World and Bursting At The Seams. Toured with Mott The Hoople and the Streetwalkers. Appeared on the Bee Gees albums Main Course, Children Of The World, and Spirits Having Flown. Co-wrote Andy Gibb's Our Love (Don't Throw It All Away), and co-wrote Jimmy Ruffin's Hold On To My Love, both of which reached top 10 Billboard Hot 100
March 11, 1947 ~ Trumpeter Stan Lokhin born ~ Dubbed “the Godfather of Surinam music”. Best known for leading the Stan Lokhin Band and the Resurrection Singers, drawing from kaseko, soul, calypso, and jazz. Lokhin has also worked with the Needles, Mariah Carey, Céline Dion, Stevie Wonder, and Ruth Jacott. To Dutch audiences also remembered for conducting the Residentie Orkest at the abdication ceremony of Queen Juliana in 1980 ~ Lokhin passed away in 2010
March 11, 1945 ~ Rock, blues, blues rock guitarist Harvey Mandel born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Present on Charlie Musselwhite's Stand Back (Here Comes Charley Musselwhite's Soutside Band) album released in 1966, considered a landmark album bridging the gap between blues and rock & roll. On and off member of Canned Heat since 1969, notably present on the band's pivotal 1970 Future Blues album. As a solo artist, Mandel has recorded extensively since the late 1960s and is especially acclaimed for his 1971 Baby Batter album. Plays lead guitar on Hot Stuff and Memory Motel, both taken off the Rolling Stones's 1976 Black And Blue album. Mandel has also collaborated with Barry Goldberg, Graham Bond, and John Mayall
March 11, 1943 ~ Richard Dean Tyree, commonly known as jazz drummer Richie Pratt, born in Olathe, Kansas, USA ~ Majored in music at the University of Kansas, Kansas, on a footbal scholarship. Eventually drafted by the New York Giants, however, his potential professional career in sports cut short due to an injury. As a drummer, Pratt first gained attention on the New York scene sitting in with Jaki Byard, after which he quickly made a name for himself. Served as member of the New York Jazz Quartet for three years in the 1970s. As a sideman, Pratt appears on recordings by the American Symphony Orchestra, Frank Foster, Aretha Franklin (Hey Now Hey (The Other Side Of The Sky)), Lionel Hampton, Roland Hanna, Carrie Smith, and Phyllis Hyman, and has worked in Broadway pit orchestras, including notably for the Duke Ellington tribute musical Sophisticated Ladies in the early 1980s ~ Tyree passed away in 2015
March 11, 1942 ~ Rock guitarist, singer Bo Starander born ~ Co-founded the Rebels with Björn Thelin, initially a duo. With over time a number of additions and name changes, the band would find succes as the Spotnicks, scoring 1960s hits such as Amapola, Ol' Man River, Drina, Just Listen To My Heart, Spanish Gypsy Dance, and Papa Oom Mow Mow ~ Starander passed away in 2020
March 11, 1942 ~ Folk singer, guitarist, songwriter David Wiffen born in Surrey, UK ~ Member of 1960s outfit 3's A Crowd, known for their 1966 single Bound To Fly. Also a member of the Pacers and the Children. As a solo artist known for Driving Wheel (Lost My Driving Wheel) and More Often Than Not. Both songs have been covered numerous times, the former by Tom Rush, Roger McGuinn, the Cowboy Junkies, the Jayhawks, Ray Wylie Hubbard and others, the latter by Jerry Jeff Walker, Ian & Sylvia and by Eric Andersen
March 11, 1940 ~ Jose Alberto Garcia Gallo, commonly known as singer, songwriter Alberto Cortez born in Rancul, Argentina ~ Began elementary school at Conservatory at age 6. Began composing by age 12. Sang in Argentine with the Arizona Orchestra and with Mario Cardi. Sang and toured with the San Francisco Jazz Orchesetra. Moved to Belgium at age 20 and recorded his first album, Suco Suco. Eventually established himself as one of Latin America's most renowned composers ~ Gallo passed away in 2019
March 11, 1940 ~ Minimalist flutist, saxophonist, songwriter Jon Gibson born ~ Best known for his association with Philip Glass, co-founding member of the Philip Glass Ensemble and crucial to the development of Glass' sound. Acclaimed for his 1973 Visitations solo debut album, considered a landmark in minimalist music. Has also worked with Larry Austin, Richard Swift, Stanley Lunetta, Steve Reich, and others ~ Gibson passed away in 2020
March 11, 1939 ~ Leonardo Jiménez, commonly known as accordionist, singer Flaco Jiménez, born in San Antonio, Texas, USA ~ Son of conjunto pioneer Santiago Jiménez Sr. Influenced by Clifton Chenier. Vibrant accordion virtuoso drawing from norteño, tex mex and tejano music, with some two dozen albums to his name starting in the early 1970s. Especially acclaimed for the 1988 Arriba El Norte album. Member of Los Super Seven and the Texas Tornados. Guested on Ry Cooder's Chicken Skin Music and on the Rolling Stones's Voodoo Loung. Has also collaborated with the likes of Doug Sahm, Dr John, David Lindley, Peter Rowan, Bob Dylan, Dwight Yoakam, and others
March 11, 1939 ~ Susanna Talley, commonly known as country, folk singer, songwriter Susanna Clark, born in Atlanta, Texas, USA ~ Married to Guy Clark. Wrote or co-wrote several well known country songs including Dottsy's I'll Be Your San Antone Rose, Don Williams' Come From The Heart and Carlene Carter's Easy From Now On ~ Talley passed away in 2012
March 11, 1932 ~ Trumpeter, flugelhornist Atle Hammer born in Oslo, Norway ~ Towering figure on the Oslo jazz scene known for several international collaborations. Trained in the USA as a civil engineer and worked at the Norwegian State Railways before establishing himself as the leading trumpeter in Norway in the 1950s. Played with a host of artists including Erik Amundsen, Mikkel Flagstad, Egil Kapstad, Laila Dalseth, Pepper Adams, George Russell, Red Holloway, Bjarne Nerem, James Moody, Terje Venaas, Elvin Sannes, Tom Olstad, Harald Bergersen, Erling Aksdal, Thorgeir Stubø, and the Per Husby Quintet ~ Hammer passed away in 2017
March 11, 1932 ~ Avant-garde jazz, contemporary classical violinist, violist, composer Leroy Jenkins born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Leader and sideman. First gained attention playing with the loose collective the Association For The Advancement Of Creative Musicians in the mid-1960s, led by Muhal Richard Abrams. First recorded in 1967, appearing on Abrams' Levels And Degrees Of Light. Would team up with Anthony Braxton and Wadada Leo Smith recording Braxton's 3 Compositions Of Jazz album the following year. Would go on to collaborate with Creative Construction Company, Archie Shepp, Philly Joe Jones, Alan Silva, Don Cherry, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Paul Motian, Dewey Redman, Andrew Cyrille, Cecil Taylor, and others. As a composer gapped the bridge between several idioms including jazz, classical and rap, and perhaps best known for his 1994 Fresh Faust jazz-rap opera. At the time of his death Jenkins was working on two new operas, Bronzeville and Minor Triad, the latter a musical drama about the lives of Paul Robeson, Lena Horne and Cab Calloway ~ Jenkins passed away in 2007
March 11, 1931 ~ Jazz drummer, arranger Allan Ganley, full name Allan Anthony Ganley, born in Tolworth, UK ~ Took up drumming in his mid-teens, playing professionally a few years later after a stint in the Royal Air Force. Got his start in music playing in ensembles led by Jack Parnell, Bert Ambrose, and Johnny Dankworth. Closely associated with Tubby Hayes and Cleo Laine, recording several albums with each since the early 1960s. Would go on to appear on albums by the likes of Ronnie Ross, Joe Harriott (Indo-Jazz Suite), Jim Hall, Slim Gaillard, Stéphane Grappelli, Spike Robinson (It's A Wonderful World), Al Cohn (Keeper Of The Flame), Carol Kidd, Ruby Braff, Tony Coe, David Newton, and Ronnie Scott. To non-jazz audiences perhaps best known for backing Amy Winehouse on sessions for the BBC, included on Winehouse's posthumously released Amy Winehouse At The BBC album ~ Ganley passed away in 2008
March 11, 1930 ~ Harpsichordist Anneke Uittenbosch born in Haarlem, the Netherlands ~ Has taught harpsichord at the Maastricht Academy of Music. Well known for recording Leonhardt Consort with Gustav Leonhardt and Ton Koopman. Toured the USA with her husband baritone Lieuwe Visser, performing 17th and 18th century choral compositions. Throughout her career Uittenbosch was primarily devoted to the works of organist Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck ~ Uittenbosch passed away in 2023
March 11, 1926 ~ Contemporary, electronic composer, producer Ilhan Mimaroglu, full name Ilhan Kemaleddin Mimaroglu, born in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Staff producer for Atlantic Records. Notably worked with Freddie Hubbard, produced Charles Mingus's Changes One and Changes Two, and contributed to the soundtrack of Fellini's Fellini Satyricon ~ Mimaroglu passed away in 2012
March 11, 1921 ~ Bandoneon player, composer Astor Piazzolla born in Mar del Plata, Argentina ~ Virtuoso bandoneonist. Father of Nuevo Tango. Worked with Anibal Troilo, the Orquesta Tipica, the Orquesta de Cuerdas, Jorge Sobrel, Octeto Buenos Aires, Leopoldo Federico, Enrique Mario Francini, Hugo Baralis, Juan Vasssalo, Jose Bragato, Atilio Stampone, Juan Carlos Copes, Maria Nieves, Jaime Gosis, Simón Bajour, Horacio Malvicino, Kicho Diaz, Joge Luis Borge, Edmundo Rivero, Amelita Baltar, Gerry Mulligan, Tullio de Piscope, Roberto Goyneche, Cacho Tirao, Osvaldo Pugliese, the Kronos Quartet, and Pablo Ziegler ~ Piazzolla passed away in 1992
March 11, 1920 ~ Jazz pianist, bandleader Ike Carpenter, full name Isaac Monroe Carpenter, born in Durham, North Carolina, USA ~ Active during the 1940s and 1950s. Worked briefly with Boyd Raeburn before becoming a popular attraction in his own right working the West Coast nightclubs. Featured with his band in the 1950s films Rhythm And Rhyme and Holiday Rhythm. Employed sidemen such as Lucky Thompson, Gerald Wilson, Ted Nash, Jay Cameron, and George Weidler ~ Carpenter passed away in 1998
March 11, 1919 ~ Trumpeter, composer, arranger Mercer Ellington born in Washington DC, USA ~ The only child of Duke Ellington. Mercer led his own bands which at one time or another included Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Dorham, Idrees Sulieman, Chico Hamilton, Charles Mingus, and Carmen McRae. Mercer wrote several pieces that became standards including Things Ain't What They Used To Be, Jumpin' Punkins, Moon Mist, and Blue Serge. Mercer also was a road manager for Cootie Williams, musical director for Della Reese, composed for and played trumpet and horn in his father's orchestra, and led the orchestra after Duke's death ~ Ellington passed away in 1996
March 11, 1914 ~ Symphony conductor James Guthrie, full name James Kelley Guthrie, born ~ Founded the San Bernardino Community Orchestra at age 15, the orchestra would later evolve into the San Bernardino Symphony. Known for conducting the first performance of the Hollywood Grand Opera Association in 1936, earning him critical acclaim. Also closely associated with the Riverside Symphony Orchestra. Established the Guthrie Music Rental Library in 1974 with the aim to rent out scores and sheet music at affordable prices to schools, colleges and orchestras in order to encourage music performance ~ Guthrie passed away in 1996
March 11, 1914 ~ Organist, composer William Lloyd Webber, full name William Southcombe Lloyd Webber, born in London, UK ~ Father of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and cellist Julian Lloyd Webber. Composed orchestral music, chamber music, choral and vocal music. Firmly embedded in the romanticism of composers such as Sergei Rachmaninoff, Jean Sibelius, and César Franck ~ Lloyd Webber passed away in 1982
March 11, 1905 ~ Maurice Alfred Cohen, commonly known as songwriter, lyricist Michael Carr, born in Leeds, UK ~ Best remembered for co-writing South Of The Border with Jimmy Kennedy for the 1939 film of the same name. The song would be first recorded by Billy Cotton and covered by numerous artists including Gene Autry, Frank Sinatra, Sam Cooke, Patsy Cline, Fats Domino, Gene Pitney, and others ~ Cohen passed away in 1968
March 11, 1898 ~ Irving Milfred Mole, commonly known as trombonist Miff Mole, born in Roosevelt, New York, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Known for recordings such as Slippin' Around, Red Hot Mama, Miff's Blues and There'll Come A Time (Wait And See). Worked with the Original Memphis Five, Sophie Tucker, Roger Wolfe Kahn, Sam Lanin, Eddie Lang, Jimmy Dorsey, Red Nichols, Vic Berton, the Charleston Chasers, and others ~ Mole passed away in 1961
March 11, 1897 ~ Classical, avant-garde pianist, composer, impresario, techer, publisher Henry Cowell, full name Henry Dixon Cowell, born in Menlo Park, California, USA ~ Earned a reputation as a controversial and eccentric composer, blending folk melodies, dissonant counterpoint and unconvential orchestration. Leading figure of avant-garde music for the first half of the 20th century. Influential on composers such as Béla Bartók, Olivier Messiaen, Krzysztof Penderecki, progressive rock keyboardists such as Keith Emerson and Pink Floyd's Richard Wright, and free jazz pianists such as Cecil Taylor and Sun Ra. Also known as an author, his 1930 book New Musical Resources is still considered a useful resource for composers ~ Cowell passed away in 1965
March 11, 1893 ~ Eugene Staples, commonly known as jazz singer, trombonist, bandleader Blue Steele, born in Arkansas, USA ~ Enjoyed popularity through the 1930s, working with sidemen such as Pat Davis, Gene Gifford, and Kenny Sargent, and singers such as Kay Austin, Mabel Batson, and Bob Nolan. His popularity waned over the course of the 1930s, yet Staples would continue to work, conducting a radio orchestra in the 1940s, leading smaller ensembles, and notably leading the dixieland revival group the Rhythm Rebels in the 1950s, the latter including Elmer Schoebel ~ Staples passed away in 1971
March 11, 1881 ~ Pianist, conductor, composer Nikolai Rubinstein, commonly known as Nikolai Grigoryevich Rubinstein, passed away in Paris, France ~ Generally regarded as one of the greatest pianists of his day, though his reputation over time would become overshadowed by that of his brother Anton Rubinstein. Founded the Moscow Conservatory in 1866, serving as its director until his death. Also known for encouraging and advancing the appeal of Pyotr Tchaikovsky, including premiering the latter's Eugene Onegin opera in 1879. Tchaikovsky would later write Piano Trio In A Minor in Rubinstein's memory ~ Rubinstein was born in 1835