May 1, 1994 ~ Trip hop, electronica, alternative R&B, dream pop singer, songwriter Kacy Hill, full name Kacy Anne Hill, born in Phoenix, Arizona, USA ~ Backup dancer for Kanye West during his 2013 The Yeezus Tour. During the tour West was presented with a tape of Hill's song Experience and he immediately signed her to his GOOD Music label. Hill released her Bloo debut EP in 2015, a full-length Like A Woman debut album followed two years later
May 1, 1989 ~ Singer, songwriter Victoria Monét born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ Has been releasing singles and EPs since the mid 2010s, leading up to her full-length Jaguar II debut album in 2023, which spawned the Billboard R&B No.4 hit On My Mama. The album earned the singer several Grammy Award nominations, of which Monét won the awards for Best R&B Album and Best New Artist. Monét had been active in performing arts since a young age, she sang in the church choir in her youth, formed her own dance group in high school, taught dancing at two dance studios, and was a member of Purple Reign. The latter was a short-lived girl group put together by Rodney Jerkins, more commonly known as Darkchild, but the group was dropped by Motown before any recordings were released. Starting somewhere near the turn of the 2010s, Monét pursued a solo recording career yet while waiting for success to come, she became an in-demand songwriter. Prior to her own Grammy Award wins in 2023, Monét has been most closely associated with Ariana Grande for whom she co-wrote over a dozen songs including the Billboard Hot 100 No.1 hits Thank U (Next) and 7 Rings. Others who recorded songs co-written by Monét include Diddy Dirty Money, Nas, TI, Chrisette Michele, Fifth Harmony, Machine Gun Kelly, Sara Evans, Chloe x Halle (Do It), Blackpink, and Normani
May 1, 1986 ~ Rapper, producer, songwriter Tommy Brown, full name Thomas Lee Brown, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for his work as a producer with Ariana Grande, Meghan Trainor, Rodney Jerkins, Jennifer Lopez, Wyclef Jean, Black Eyed Peas, Meek Mill, Travis Scott, Cee Lo Green, Nas, TI, John Legend, Teyana Taylor, Cyhi the Prynce, Victoria Monét, Mario, Chrisette Michele, Kelly Rowland, 2 Chainz, Naya Rivera, Machine Gun Kelly, and Fifth Harmony
May 1, 1982 ~ Jazz trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire born in Oakland, California, USA ~ Played with his high school jazz ensemble when he was discovered by Steve Coleman, who visited the school to lead a workshop and employed the young trumpeter for a European tour. Subsequently Akinmusire would continue his musical studies, while gigging professionally on the side. 2007 would be a good year for the trumpeter as he won two of the most prestigious jazz competitions, the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition and the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition, and released his well-received Prelude (To Cora) debut album. While firmly rooted in jazz traditions, influenced by the likes of Miles Davis, Terence Blanchard, Kenny Dorham, and Brad Mehldau, the adventurous and daring Akinmusire would show new facets on each subsequent album, at times showing glimpses of post-bop, free jazz, funk, classical and hip hop influences. As a sideman and collaborator, Akinmusire has appeared on albums by Vijay Iyer, Alan Pasqua (The Anti-Social Club), Sara Gazarek, Esperanza Spalding (Esperanza), Joel Harrison, David Liebman, Roy Hargrove, Chris Dingman, Sachal Vasandani (Hi-Fly), David Binney (Graylen Epicenter), Jack DeJohnette, Dayna Stephens, Trilok Gurtu (Spellbound), Gerald Clayton, the Yellowjackets, Somi, Marcus Miller (Afrodeezia), Wolfgang Muthspiel, Mary Halvorson, Meshell Ndegeocello (The Omnichord Real Book), Billy Childs, Walter Smith III, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson (Les Jardins Mystiques Vol.1), Cautious Clay, and Thomas Morgan. To non-jazz audiences, Akinmusire may be known for his trumpet playing on Kendrick Lamar's Mortal Man, the closing track of Lamar's 2015 To Pimp A Butterfly album. In 2023, Akinmusire would be appointed Artistic Director of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance at the University of California, Los Angeles. Following his installment as director, Herbie Hancock would comment: “Ambrose is the perfect person to inspire the students of the Institute. I remember working with him when he was a student in the program, and watching him develop over the years has been really exciting. Now he will be able to cultivate a new wave of creative artists through his role in the program”
May 1, 1975 ~ Hip-hop, jazz bassist, rapper Aslak Hartberg, full name Aslak Rakli Hartberg, born in Oslo, Norway ~ Co-founded hip-hop band Klovner & Kamp with Sveinung Eide. Also known for his work in jazz, working with artists such as Morten Halle, Jon Eberson, Jørgen Munkeby, and Morten Qvenild
May 1, 1972 ~ Country singer, guitarist, songwriter Cory Morrow born in Houston, Texas, USA ~ Enjoying popularity especially in his native Texas. Actively recording since the late 1990s. Closely associated with Pat Green, notably on the acclaimed 2001 collaborative Songs We'd Wish We'd Written album. Has also collaborated with Roger Creager, Reckless Kelly, and Stoney Larue
May 1, 1970 ~ Singer, guitarist, bassist, pianist Bernard Butler, full name Bernard Joseph Butler, born in Stamford Hill, UK ~ Rose to fame as guitarist for Suede, remaining with the band through 1994. Present on the band's eponymous Suede and its follow-up Dog Man Star. Subsequently formed the duo McAlmont & Butler with David McAlmont, known for the singles Yes and You Do. Co-founded Tears in 2004, scoring the UK top 10 hit Refugees. Has also recorded as a solo artist, and collaborated with a wide array of artists including Aimee Mann, Edwyn Collins, Neneh Cherry, the Libertines, Heather Nova, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and Duffy
May 1, 1969 ~ Jorge Antonio Alvarez, commonly known as hip-hop rapper, producer Kurious, born in New York, New York, USA ~ First gained attention in 1993 appearing on Pete Nice & DJ Richie Rich's collaborative album Dust To Dust. The duo would help him land a record deal, Kurious releasing his Walk Like A Duck debut single in 1992. His full-length A Constipated Monkey debut album followed in 1994. Has guested on recordings by Del The Funky Homosapien, KMD, and MF Doom
May 1, 1967 ~ Country singer, guitarist, actor Tim McGraw, full name Samuel Timothy McGraw, born in Delhi, Louisiana, USA ~ Released his eponymous Tim McGraw debut album in 1993 and has recorded consistently to critical acclaim and commercial succes since. Married to singer Faith Hill since 1996, with whom he has also recorded. Known for songs such as Don't Take The Girl, Not A Moment Too Soon, She Never Lets It Go To Her Heart, Just To See You Smile, Where The Green Grass Grows, Something Like That, My Next Thirty Years, Watch The Wind Blow By, Back When, Felt Good On My Lips, and Humble And Kind
May 1, 1966 ~ Charles Brandt, commonly known as southern rock, rock, hard rock, pop rock bassist Johnny Colt, born in Cherry Point, North Carolina, USA ~ Original bassist for the Black Crowes present on the albums Shake Your Money Maker, Southern Harmony & The Musical Companion, Amorica, and Three Snakes And One Charm. Following his disbandement from the band in 1997 formed the Brand New Immortals with David Ryan Harris and Kenny Cresswell. Member of Train from 2003 through 2006. Replaced Jason Newsted in the supergroup Rock Star Supernova. Member of Lynyrd Skynyrd from 2012 through 2017
May 1, 1964 ~ Country, folk singer, guitarist, banjoist, dobroist, producer, songwriter Will Kimbrough born in Mobile, Alabama, USA ~ Co-founding member of Will & the Bushmen. Co-founding member of the Bis-Quits. Would go on to become a renowned producer and songwriter. Has worked with Adrienne Young, Rodney Crowell, Todd Snider, Kim Richey, Matthew Ryan, Josh Rouse, Rosanne Cash, Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, the Jayhawks, Mark Knopfler, Billy Joe Shaver, and Mavis Staples
May 1, 1954 ~ Singer, guitarist Ray Parker Jr born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Studio musician for Holland-Dozier-Holland's 1970s Invictus and Hot Wax labels. Sessioned for Stevie Wonder, both on tour on record (Maybe Your Baby). Sideman in Barry White's the Love Unlimited Orchestra. Founded Raydio in 1977, which also included Vincent Bonham, Jerry Knight and Arnell Carmichael, best known for Jack And Jill, You Can't Change That and perhaps their best known A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do). Over the course of his career Parker has sessioned for, and co-written with artists such as Chaka Khan, Rufus, the Carpenters, Nils Landgren Funk Unit, the Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Deniece Williams, Bill Withers, Michael Henderson, Jean-Luc Ponty, Leon Haywood, the Temptations, Boz Scaggs, David Foster, Rhythm Heritage, Gladys Knight, Honey Cone, Herbie Hancock, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, New Edition, Randy Hall, and Cheryl Lynn
May 1, 1953 ~ Jazz, classical flutist, bandleader, composer James Newton born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Influenced mainly by Eric Dolphy. Leader and sideman. Worked with artists such as David Murray, Bobby Bradford, Arthur Blythe, Anthony Davis, Abdul Wadud, John Carter, the Mingus Dynasty, Jon Jang, Gao Hong, Kadri Gopalnath, Shubhendra Rao, the New York Philharmonic, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Vladimir Spivakov, the New York Music Ensemble, the San Francisco Ballet, Buddy Collette, Chico Freeman, and Leroy Jenkins. In 2000, Newton sued the the Beastie Boys for use of a three-note sample of Choir in their song Pass The Mic. In 2002 the judge ruled in favor of the Beastie Boys as the sample did not exceed 6 seconds
May 1, 1949 ~ R&B singer, songwriter, producer Gavin Christopher born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Member of Lyfe, which also included Chaka Khan. Member of High Voltage. Best known for writing several Rufus tracks, Once You Get Started, Dance With Me, and Fools Paradise. As a solo artist best known for his sole Billboard Hot 100 charter One Step Closer To You. Has produced artists such as Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, and Ritchie Family, as well as mentored a young Mariah Carey ~ Christopher passed away in 2016
May 1, 1948 ~ Jazz bassist Carl Morten Iversen born in Oslo, Norway ~ Son of jazz violinist Arild Iversen. Central figure in the Oslo jazz scene. Actively recording since the mid 1960s, initially as accompaniest for folk singers gravitating towards jazz by the early 1970s. Has worked with Lars Klevstrand, Lillebjørn Nilsen, Jon Balke, Ditlef Eckhoff, Magni Wentzel, Jon Eberson, and Oslo 13 ~ Iversen passed away in 2023
May 1, 1946 ~ Conductor Andrew Massey born in Nottingham, UK ~ Perhaps best known as principal conductor of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra based in Toledo, Ohio, from 1990 through 2001, occasionally serving as guest conductor thereafter. Massey is remembered in the Toledo community for bringing audiences works across eras and styles, ranging from Ludwig van Beethoven, Gustav Mahler, and Edward Elgar to contemporary composers such as John Adams and Toledo native Stanley Cowell, as well as for several firsts with the orchestra including performances of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem and Edward Elgar's choral work The Dream Of Gerontius, and the world premiere of Charles Wuorinen's The Mission Of Virgil with the composer in attendance. Upon hearing of his passing, close friend and longtime board member of the orchestra Richard Anderson would comment: “Every music director brings something special. He definitely brought a British flavor. The orchestra grew and prospered under that.” The British-born Massey would spend the majority of his professional career in America, starting in 1978, and besides his tenure with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra has conducted the Cleveland Orchestra, the Fresno Philharmonic, the New Orleans Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Vermont Symphony Orchestra. Reportedly, while living in Ohio, Massey had a personalized license plate which read “MAHLER” ~ Massey passed away in 2018
May 1, 1945 ~ Blues, R&B, country keyboardist, songwriter Carson Whitsett, full name James Carson Whitsett, born in Jackson, Mississippi, USA ~ Co-wrote Why Not Me, a 1980 hit for Fred Knobloch. As a keyboardist especially proficient on the Hammond organ. Worked with artists such as James Stroud, Paul Simon (appearring on the album There Goes Rhymin' Simon), Anita Ward (Ring My Bell), Dorothy Moore, Connie Francis, ZZ Hill, Bobby Blue Bland, Little Milton, Johnnie Taylor, and Kathy Mattea. Revered as songwriter, wrote or co-wrote songs recorded by Etta James, Eddie Floyd, John Anderson (Mississippi Moon), Johnny Adams, James Carr, Ruth Brown, Solomon Burke (Don't Give Up On Me), Wilson Pickett, Conway Twitty, Barbara Mandrell, Albertina Walker, the Staple Singers, BB King, Jerry Butler, Suzy Bogguss, and Irma Thomas ~ Whitsett passed away in 2007
May 1, 1945 ~ Singer Rita Coolidge born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Popular 1970s, 1980s singer known for the Billboard top 10 hits (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher & Higher and We're All Alone of her 1977 Anytime Anywhere album, her 1983 James Bond-theme All Time High for the Octopussy film and numerous duets with Kris Kristofferson with whom she was married from 1973 through 1980. Coolidge has also been romantically involved with various other famous musicians, notably leaving Stephen Stills for Graham Nash which reportedly was a factor in the initial 1970 break-up of Crosby Stills & Nash, with Leon Russell and with Joe Cocker. Has sung backup for Russell, Cocker, Delaney & Bonnie, Harry Chapin, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Clapton
May 1, 1944 ~ Marva Ann Manning, commonly known as singer Marva Whitney born in Kansas City, Kansas, USA ~ Regarded as one of the rawest and brassiest divas in funk. Turned down offers from Little Richard and Bobby Blue Bland to join James Brown backing unit, the latter eventually nicknaming her “Soul Sister No.1”. As a solo artist known for classic funk releases such as Your Love Was Good To Me, Unwind Yourself, It's My Thing (You Can Tell Me Who To Sock It To) and Things Got To Get Better (Get Together) ~ Manning passed away in 2012
May 1, 1937 ~ Composer Bo Nilsson born in Skellefteå, Sweden ~ Classified as a serialist composer akin to Pierre Boulez and Karlheinz Stockhausen, though Nilsson himself rejected the label. Self-taught. Best known for compositions such as Zwei Stucke, Audiogramme, Entrée, Quantitäten, and for film and TV scores including Hemsöborna ~ Nilsson passed away in 2018
May 1, 1936 ~ Blues guitarist, singer, songwriter Lacy Gibson born in Salisbury, North Carolina, USA ~ Influenced by Sunnyland Slim, Muddy Waters, Lefty Bates, Matt Guitar Murphy, Wayne Bennett. As a solo artist best known for the songs My Love Is Real and Switchy Titchy. As a session and touring musician has backed Willie Mabon, Billy The Kid Emerson, Buddy Guy, Son Seals (Live & Burning), Billy Boy Arnold, Big Time Sarah ~ Gibson passed away in 2011
May 1, 1933 ~ Singer Titus Turner born in Atlanta, Georgia, USA ~ R&B, East Coast blues singer, songwriter best known for songs such as We Told You Not To Marry, Sound Off, Leave My Kitten Alone (later recorded by Johnny Preston, the Beatles, and Elvis Costello), Sticks And Stones (later recorded by Ray Charles), and Tell Me Why ~ Turner passed away in 1984
May 1, 1931 ~ Jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist, flutist, saxophonist, composer Ira Sullivan born in Washington DC, USA ~ Started in the 1950s playing trumpet and sax with jazz greats such as Charlie Parker, Lester Young, Wardell Gray, Roy Eldridge, and with Art Blakey. Moved to Florida in the 1960s, out of the spotlight, playing with local younger players including Jaco Pastorius and Pat Metheny. This would lead to focusing more on teaching as well as incorporating other instruments and genres, such as rock. Sullivan also performed and recorded extensively with Red Rodney in the 1980s, focusing on the music of their youth ~ Sullivan passed away in 2020
May 1, 1930 ~ Marion Walter Jacobs, commonly known as blues harpist, guitarist, singer Little Walter, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ One of the most influential and admired blues harpists. Best known for songs such as Juke and My Babe. Has worked with Sonny Boy Williamson II, Sunnyland Slim, Muddy Waters (Country Boy), David Honeyboy Edwards, Floyd Jones, Ike Turner, Willie Dixon, Junior Wells, John Brim, Memphis Minnie, Bo Diddley, Otis Rush, Robert Nighthawk, the Rolling Stones, Hound Dog Taylor, and Koko Taylor ~ Jacobs passed away in 1968
May 1, 1928 ~ James Hugh Loden, commonly known as country, country pop singer, guitarist Sonny James, born in Hackleburg, Alabama, USA ~ Dubbed the “Southern Gentleman”, known best for his 1957 hit single Young Love, considered by some the first teenage country crossover hit, topping both the pop and country charts. James would regularly reach the higher echelons of the Billboard Country charts into the 1970s, well known songs including First Date First Kiss First Love, Uh-huh-mm, The Minute You're Gone, Baltimore, You're The Only World I Know, I'll Keep Holding On Just To Your Love, Behind The Tear, Take Good Care Of Her, Room In Your Heart, and I'll Never Find Another You ~ Loden passed away in 2016
May 1, 1927 ~ Jazz trombonist, arranger Billy Byers, full name William Mitchell Byers, born in Los Angeles, California, USA ~ Arthritis forced Byers to give up the piano in his teens, yet he would go on to become a respected arranger and trombonist. Byers got his start in music playing with Karl Kiffe, and following a stint in US Army at the end of World War II would spend the remainder of the 1940s playing with Georgie Auld, Buddy Rich, Benny Goodman, and Teddy Powell. In the 1950s, he wrote for radio and television, notably associated with the New York station WMGM-FM, worked with Ray Ventura in Paris, France, and teamed up with Quincy Jones, eventually serving as the latter's assistant at Mercury Records through the mid 1960s. Over the course of his lengthy career, Byers has arranged music for the likes of Coleman Hawkins, Eydie Gormé, Shirley Horn, Dizzy Gillespie, Chris Connor, Diahann Carroll, Rod McKuen, Liza Minnelli, Al Jarreau, and Pat Longo, and played trombone and horn on albums by Al Cohn, Manny Albam (Jazz Workshop), Kenny Clarke, Nat Pierce, Cootie Williams (Cootie Williams In Hi-Fi), Woody Herman, Gene Krupa, Charlie Byrd, Bob Brookmeyer, Oliver Nelson (Afro-American Sketches), Jimmy Rushing, Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, and Sarah Vaughan. Later on in his career, Byers would tour with Frank Sinatra and work extensively as an arranger and conductor for film, TV, and Broadway, his work on a 1989 production of the musical comedy City Of Angels earning him a Drama Desk Award. As a composer, Byers is best known for writing Doodle Oodle and Rabble Rouser, both recorded by Count Basie in 1964. Byers has sporadically recorded as a leader, perhaps most notably the acclaimed 1961 album Impressions Of Duke Ellington. To rock audiences, Byers may be known for his trombone solo on the title track of Frank Zappa's 1972 album The Grand Wazoo ~ Byers passed away in 1996
May 1, 1924 ~ Mabel Louise Smith, commonly known as singer Big Maybelle, born in Jackson, Tennessee, USA ~ Revered singer known best for her 1956 hit Candy. Also known for recording Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On in 1955, produced by a then-unknown Quincy Jones, two years before Jerry Lee Lewis's pivotal rock & roll version. Active since the mid 1930s working with the all-female the International Sweethearts Of Rhythm, Christine Chatham, Tiny Bradshaw, and Hot Lips Page. Other well known early R&B recordings include Gabbin' Blues, My Country Man, and Way Back Home ~ Smith passed away in 1972
May 1, 1913 ~ Pianist, conductor, teacher Walter Susskind, full name Jan Walter Susskind, born in Prague, Czechoslovakia ~ While in Amsterdam for a piano recital, Germany invaded his native Czechoslovakia. On advise from his mother he decided not to return home, but flee to the UK. Susskind would go on to become a sought-after conductor, working with renowned orchestras in his adopted homeland the UK, Australia, the USA, and Canada, where he founded the National Youth Orchestra of Canada in 1960. Although Susskind, a naturalised Brit, spent considerable periods of time outside of Britain, he said he would never dream of giving up his British citizenship. Susskind's mother would be interned by the Nazis, but survived the war ~ Susskind passed away in 1980
May 1, 1911 ~ Ralph Basso Jr, commonly known as jazz, R&B talent scout, A&R executive, producer, songwriter Ralph Bass, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ Considered a pioneer in bring African-American music into the mainstream. Worked for labels such as Black & White Records, Savoy Records, King Records, Federal Records and Chess Records. Incremental in the careers of Lena Horne, Roosevelt Sykes, Jack McVea, T-Bone Walker, Johnny Otis, Clara Ward, the Platters, the Dominoes, Etta James, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Sam Cooke, James Brown, and Earl Bostic ~ Basso passed away in 1997
May 1, 1908 ~ Jazz trombonist Henderson Chambers born in Alexandria, Louisiana, USA ~ Best known as a trombonist, active since the early 1930s, over the course of his career Chambers has also doubled on tenor saxophone, trumpet, and tuba. Most closely associated with Buck Clayton during the 1950s, with Ray Charles during the pianist's early 1960s hit streak, and with Count Basie with whom he played intermittently throughout most of his career. An in-demand touring and session musician, Chambers has appeared on albums by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald (Lullabies Of Birdland), Jimmy Rushing (Goin' To Chicago), Earl Coleman (Earl Coleman Returns), Mildred Bailey, Sammy Davis Jr, Cat Anderson, Ernie Wilkins, Gene Ammons, and Frank Sinatra (At The Sands). Chambers passed away at age 59 from a heart attack ~ Chambers passed away in 1967
May 1, 1907 ~ Soprano singer Kate Smith, full name Kathryn Elizabeth Smith, born in Greenville, Virginia, USA ~ Dubbed “the Songbird of the South” and active since the mid-1920, most notably on radio and TV including several own radio shows throughout the 1930s. Best known for her rendition of Irving Berlin's God Bless America ~ Smith passed away in 1986