May 29, 1985 ~ Aaron Smith, commonly known as rapper, songwriter Shwayze, born ~ Best known for the singles Buzzin' and Corona And Lime of his eponymous 2008 Shwayze debut album
May 29, 1984 ~ Jazz bassist Jo Berger Myhre born in Sandefjord, Norway ~ Worked with Splashgirl, Blokk 5, Ingrid Olava, Solveig Slettahjell, Torgeir Vassvik, Lasse Passage, Jessica Sligter, Susanna Wallumrød, Randy Tytingvång, Nils Petter Molvær, and others
May 29, 1978 ~ Pop, hip-hop, drum and bass singer, songwriter Daniel Pearce born in Kent, UK ~ Member of One True Voice, a band created through the 2002 talent contest Popstars The Rivals aired on ITV. The band would score the UK top 10 hits Sacred Trust and Shakespeare's Way With Words. Following the band's disbandement has performed in the West End musical Jailhouse Rock, collaborated with Dizzee Rascal, and co-founded the funk, rock band Shuffler serving as the band's lead singer
May 29, 1978 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist, bassist, songwriter Pelle Almqvist born in Fagersta, Sweden ~ Lead singer of garage rock, garage punk outfit the Hives, known for a number of 2000s songs most notably 2004's Walk Idiot Walk, 2007's Tick Tick Boom and 2008's A Christmas Duel with Cyndi Lauper
May 29, 1978 ~ Trumpeter, composer Sean Jones born in Warren, Ohio, USA ~ Sessioned with artists such as Tia Fuller, Joe Lovano, Gerald Wilson, Tom Harrell, Jon Faddis, Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, Nancy Wilson, Charles Famborough, Steve Turre, and others. Has been releasing albums as a leader since the mid-2000s
May 29, 1977 ~ Blues harpist, mandolinist, guitarist, singer Gerry Hundt born in Appleton, Wisconsin, USA ~ Has worked with John-Alex Mason and Nick Moss prior to debuting with his Since Way Back in 2007
May 29, 1976 ~ Gülsen Colakoglu, mononymously known as singer, songwriter Gülsen, born in Istanbul, Turkey ~ Debuted with Be Adam in 1996. Would break through to mainstream audiences, becoming one of the most popular Turkish singers with her fourth album Of (Of) in 2004 and has recorded to commercial success since. Especially successful in the mid-2010s, songs such as Yurtta Ask Cihanda, Yeni Biri, Kardan Adam, and Bangir Bangir all reaching the No.1 spot in her native Turkey
May 29, 1975 ~ Melanie Janine Brown, commonly known as pop singer Mel B, born in Leeds, UK ~ Dubbed Scary Spice. Member of the Spice Girls, one of the all-time best-selling girl groups. Present on hits such as Wannabe, Say You Will Be There and 2 Become 1. Released her Hot solo debut album in 2000, which spawned the UK top 10 hits Tell Me, Feels So Good and I Want You Back, the latter reaching the No.1 spot
May 29, 1969 ~ Guitarist Chandler Kinchla, commonly known as Chan Kinchla, born in Hamilton, Canada ~ Co-founding member of jam band Blues Traveler, known for a string of acclaimed 1990s albums notably 1997's Straight On Till Morning. The band scored a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit with Run Around in 1995
May 29, 1967 ~ Jazz trombonist, composer, arranger Mark Nightingale born in Evesham, UK ~ Worked with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Bonestructure, Johnny Dankworth, Stan Tracey, Alan Barnes, Andy Panayi, Louie Bellson, Ray Brown, Carl Fontana, Urbie Green, Scott Hamilton, Slide Hampton, Bill Holman, Lee Konitz, Cleo Laine, Claire Martin, Clark Terry, Kenny Wheeler, Steely Dan, Kylie Minogue, Tom Jones, Madonna, Robbie Williams, Henry Mancini, Frank Sinatra, John Wilson, Michel Legrand, the BBC Big Band, James Galway, Charlie Watts, Georgie Fame, and others
May 29, 1967 ~ Singer, guitarist Noel Gallagher, full name Noel Thomas David Gallagher, born in Manchester, UK ~ Worked as roadie and technician for the Inspiral Carpets before joining his brother Liam Gallagher in what would become Oasis. The band debuted in 1994 with their acclaimed Definitely Maybe album and along with rivals Blur would define 1990s and early 2000s britpop. Well known songs include Cigarettes And Alcohol, Wonderwall, Don't Look Back In Anger, All Around The World, Lyla, The Importance Of Being Idle, and others
May 29, 1967 ~ Jazz trombonist, composer, bandleader Wycliffe Gordon born in Waynesboro, Georgia, USA ~ Besides trombone also sings and plays a number of instruments including trumpet, tuba, piano and didgeridoo. Son of church organist, classical piano teacher Lucius Gordon. Influenced by Louis Armstrong. Recording extensively as a leader since the late 1990s. Valued sideman. Has worked with Wynton Marsalis, Jay Leonhart, John Allred, Maurice Hines, Ted Nash, Marcus Roberts, Randy Sandke, Ron Westray, Chip White, and others
May 29, 1964 ~ Alternative rock, indie rock, indie pop, shoegazing singer Christina Rosenvinge, full name Christina Rosenvinge Hepworth, born in Madrid, Spain ~ Formed the 1980s duo Alex & Christina with guitarist Alex de la Nuez, with whom she recorded two albums. Fronted 1990s outfit Christina & los Subterráneos, with whom she recorded two albums. Has recorded about a dozen solo albums since the late 1990s, including the acclaimed Foreign Land released in 2004 which featured backing from Steve Shelley, Lee Ranaldo, and Smokey Hormel
May 29, 1964 ~ Christopher Wong Won, commonly known as rapper, producer Fresh Kid Ice, born in Port Of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago ~ Co-founding member of rap group 2 Live Crew, best known for their 1989 hit single Me So Horny and Banned In The USA the following year. The group would be considered controversial for their sexually explicit lyrics, often bordering on misogyny. Won remained with the group throughout its entire existence ~ Won passed away in 2017
May 29, 1961 ~ Singer, songwriter Melissa Etheridge, full name Melissa Lou Etheridge, born in Leavenworth, Kansas, USA ~ Released her eponymous Melissa Etheridge album in 1988, becoming an underground success and earning a Grammy Award-nomination for its lead single Bring Me Some Water. Broke through to mainstream with her 1993 Yes I Am album. Well known songs include Like The Way I Do, You Can Sleep While I Drive, Come To My Window, If I Wanted To and Just Stand Up
May 29, 1960 ~ Folk flutist, piper, guitarist Ceri Rhys Matthews born in Swansea, UK ~ Seminal figure in the renaissance of Welsh musical traditions. Member of folk outfit Fernhill, with whom he recorded over half a dozen albums. Served as producer for various compilation albums, including the acclaimed 2009 Blodeugerdd Song Of The Flowers (An Anthology Of Welsh Music And Song) album
May 29, 1958 ~ Jazz saxophonist Jim Snidero born in Redwood City, California, USA ~ Leader and sideman. Worked with Jack McDuff, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Frank Sinatra, Eddie Palmieri, Frank Wess, Walt Weiskopf, David Hazeltine, David Murray, Mike Ledonne, Joe Magnarelli, Maria Schneider, Mel Lewis, Jim Rotondi, Brian Lynch, Conrad Herwig, Tom Varner, Tom Harrell, Benny Green, Mulgrew Miller, Peter Washington, Benny Green, Billy Hart, Louis Hayes, Gene Jackson, Adam Nussbaum, Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, and others
May 29, 1958 ~ Jazz drummer Kenny Washington born ~ Brother of bassist Reggie Washington. Kenny has worked with artists such as Ronnie Mathews, Lee Konitz, Betty Carter, Johnny Griffin, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, George Cables, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Ahmad Jamal, Sonny Stitt, James Spaulding, Phil Woods, Bill Charlap, Bobby Watson, Curtis Lundy, Tommy Flanagan, Ruby Braff, Joshua Breakstone, Teddy Edwards, Benny Green, Etta Jones, Randy Johnston, Jane Monheit, David Fathead Newman, Hod O'Brien, Houston Person, Wallace Roney, Melvin Rhyne, Randy Sandke, James Spaulding, Michael Weiss, John Hicks, Doug Raney, Freddy Cole, Jim Rotondi, Tommy Flanagan, Andy Bey, and others
May 29, 1956 ~ Singer, actress La Toya Jackson born in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Member of the Jackson family. Has released about a dozen albums yet charted only one single, 1984's Heart Don't Lie, on the Billboard Hot 100 mainly due to pursuing her career outside the Jackson family. Jackson also co-wrote Jimmy Cliff's Reggae Nights
May 29, 1955 ~ Rock, hip hop, funk, jazz saxophonist Mars Williams born in Elmhurst, Illinois, USA ~ Influenced by Eric Dolphy, John Coltrane, and Charlie Parker. Closely associated with Hal Russell, Ken Vandermark, and the NRG Ensemble. An in-demand sideman, Williams has appeared on albums by Fred Frith (Speechless), the Waitresses, Billy Idol (Rebel Yell), the Psychedelic Furs (Mirror Moves), Power Station, Die Warzau, Sister Machine Gun, Nikki Sudden, Peter Brötzmann (Short Visit To Nowhere), Wayne Kramer, and Ike Reilly (We Belong To The Staggering Evening). Described as “one of the true saxophone players” by John Zorn, who once commented: “Williams is someone who takes pleasure in the sheer act of blowing the horn. His tremendous enthusiasm is an essential part of his sound, and it comes through each note every time he plays.” ~ Williams passed away in 2023
May 29, 1955 ~ Percussionist, composer Pandit Dinesh born ~ Specializes in Indian rhythms. Known for his collaborations with the West India Company, Dizrhythmia, Pax Trio, and with Blancmange
May 29, 1955 ~ Zbigniew Antoni Kowalski, commonly known as film composer Zbigniew Preisner, born in Bielsko-Biala, Poland ~ Has composed orchestral works, for solo instruments, and for theatrical productions. Best known as a film composer with some 50 scores to his name including for the films The Secret Garden, Three Colors (Red), Elisa, and The Island On Bird Street
May 29, 1954 ~ Elisabeth Juliana de la Fontaine und d'Harnoncourt-Unverzagt, commonly known as mezzo-soprano singer Elisabeth von Magnus, born in Vienna, Austria ~ Daughter of conductor Nikolaus Harnoncourt and violinist Alice Harnoncourt. Has worked with her father in several projects, notably a production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's The Marriage Of Figaro. Closely associated with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, with whom she recorded the complete vocal works of Johann Sebastian Bach under the direction of Ton Koopman
May 29, 1953 ~ Singer, songwriter, film composer Danny Elfman born in Amarillo, Texas, USA ~ Lead singer and primary songwriter of new wave outfit Oingo Bongo. Best known as a film composer, having scored over a 100 feature films including Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Good Will Hunting, Big Fish and Milk as well as TV shows such as Desperate Housewives and The Simpsons
May 29, 1952 ~ Jazz pianist Hilton Ruiz born in New York, New York, USA ~ Began playing the piano at age of five. Played at Carnegie Hall at age of eight. Studied jazz piano with Mary Lou Williams. Worked with Clark Terry, Betty Carter, Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Greg Abate, George Coleman, Art Davis, Chico Freeman, Dizzy Gillespie, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Abbey Lincoln, Tisziji Muñoz, and others
May 29, 1951 ~ Electric blues, funk pianist, organist Ron Levy born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA ~ Member of Roomful Of Blues from 1983 through 1987. Has also backed Albert King, BB King (Live In Cook County Jail), Earl King, and others
May 29, 1950 ~ Multi-instrumentalist Pete Zorn born in Somerset, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for his longtime association with Richard Thompson. Also a member of Steeleye Span, of the Albion Band, and of Driver 67. Has collaborated with Gerry Rafferty (including on the LP Snakes & Ladders), Elaine Page, Barbara Dickson, Chris Rainbow, and others ~ Zorn passed away in 2016
May 29, 1950 ~ Maureen Reillette Jackson, commonly known as singer Rebbie Jackson, born in Gary, Indiana, USA ~ Eldest sibling of the Jackson family. Released her Centipede debut album in 1984 featuring songs written by Prince, Smokey Robinson and her younger brother Michael Jackson. Known best for songs such as Centipede, Reaction and Plaything, all of which charted on the Billboard R&B charts
May 29, 1949 ~ Singer, guitarist Francis Rossi born in Forest Hill, UK ~ Co-founding member, lead singer, lead guitarist for rock outfit Status Quo, with whom he recorded well over two dozen albums starting with Picturesque Matchstickable Messages From The Status Quo released in 1968. The band has scored over a dozen UK top 10 hits including Down Down, Rockin' All Over The World, Whatever You Want, and You're In The Army Now
May 29, 1945 ~ Rock, pop rock, baroque pop singer, keyboardist Gary Brooker born in London, UK ~ Known for his emotive vocals. Member of the Paramounts. Co-founded Procol Harum with Keith Reid, serving as its lead singer until the band's disbandement in 1977. The band is perhaps best known for its 1967 single A Whiter Shade Of Pale, a top 10 hit on both sides of the Atlantic. Brooker has also recorded as a solo artist and worked with Alan Parsons, Eric Clapton, Liqourice John Death, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and with Bill Wyman. Played the role of Argentine foreign minister Juan Atilio Bramuglio in the 1996 musical film Evita alongside Madonna ~ Brooker passed away in 2022
May 29, 1943 ~ Oboist, conductor Burkhard Glaetzner born in Poznán, Poland ~ Considered the leading German oboist. Has performed over 100 works, including oboe concertos written by Reiner Bredemeyer, Georg Katzer, Luca Lombardi, Krzystof Meyer, and Toru Takemitsu. Closely associated with the MDR Leipzig Radio Symphony Orchestra, serving as principal oboist from 1966 through 1982. Artistic director of the Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum chamber orchestra. Co-founding member of the Forum Zeitgenössischer Musik Leipzig. Has also notably worked with the Aulos Trio and the Gruppe Neue Musik Hanns Eisler
May 29, 1942 ~ Joseph Montanez Junior, commonly known as singer Monti Rock III, born in the Bronx, New York, USA ~ One of the first disco artists to cross over into mainstream with Disco Tex & his Sex-o-lettes, a collaboration with producer Bob Crewe and Sugarloaf's Jerry Corbetta and known for the hits Get Dancin' and I Wanna Dance Wit Choo (Doo Dat Dance). Montanez would later appear in the music film Saturday Night Fever as the DJ
May 29, 1937 ~ Keyboardist Irmin Schmidt born in Berlin, Germany ~ Co-founded experimental rock band Can with Holger Czukay, Michael Karoli and Jaki Liebezeit in 1968, remaining with the band until its initial disbandement in 1979. Schmidt has also written scores for over 40 films, composed the 1998 Gormenghast opera and released several solo albums
May 29, 1936 ~ Jacqueline Norah Flood, commonly known as pop singer Jackie Lee, born in Dublin, Ireland ~ Child prodigy. Member of the Squadronaires. Member of the Raindrops. Sang backup for Tom Jones on Green Green Grass Of Home and Release Me. As a solo artist best known for White Horses, a UK top 10 hit in 1968
May 29, 1936 ~ Composer Vyacheslav Ovchinnikov, full name Vyacheslav Aleksandrovich Ovchinnikov, born in Voronezh, Russia ~ Started composing at age 9, entered the Moscow Conservatory at age 15. Wrote symphonies, symphonic poems, chamber music and works for small ensembles. Internationally perhaps best known as film composer, including for the 1967 film War And Peace directed by Sergei Bondarchuk ~ Ovchinnikov passed away in 2019
May 29, 1935 ~ Sylvia Vanterpool, commonly known as singer, producer, label executive, songwriter Sylvia Robinson, born in New York, New York, USA ~ Half of Mickey & Sylvia, the other half being guitarist Mickey Baker. Co-founded Sugarhill Records. Produced Sugarhill Gang's Rapper's Delight (1979). Produced Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five's The Message (1982) ~ Vanterpool passed away in 2011
May 29, 1932 ~ Free jazz, avant-garde jazz trumpeter, hornist Alan Shorter born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Brother of saxophonist Wayne Shorter. Recorded two albums as a leader, namely 1968's Orgasm with backing from Charlie Haden and 1971's Tes East. Has also worked with his brother Wayne, Grachan Moncur III, Archie Shepp, Marion Brown, François Tusques, and Alan Silva ~ Shorter passed away in 1988
May 29, 1931 ~ Saxophonist Headley Bennett, full name Felix Headley Bennett, born in Kingston, Jamaica ~ Session musician appeared on hundreds of Jamaican recordings since the 1950s. Worked with Lynn Taitt, the Jets, the Mighty Vikings, the Revolutionaries, the Sheiks, Bob Marley, Leslie Kong, the Abyssinians, Alton Ellis, Prince Far I, Ossie Scott, Adrian Sherwood, and others. Has released two solo albums as a main artist ~ Bennett passed away in 2016
May 29, 1929 ~ Jazz tenor saxophonist Sandy Mosse born in Detroit, Michigan, USA ~ Influenced by Lester Young. Plays clarinet and alto sax, switched to tenor sax in early-1950s. Has played with Wallace Bishop, Django Reinhardt, Woody Herman, Bill Russo, Chubby Jackson, James Moody, Cy Touff. The 1960s saw him teaming up with Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, Dave Remington. Moved to Amsterdam in the 1970s, recording less but occasionally touring with the likes of Zoot Sims and Al Cohn. While in the Netherlands Mosse played with Volume Two, alongside Irvin Rochlin, Klaus Flenter, Evert Hekkema, Ben Gerritsen, and Les Cohen ~ Mosse passed away in 1983
May 29, 1928 ~ Hard bop pianist, composer Freddie Redd born in New York, New York, USA ~ Though an in-demand sideman and revered bandleader, Redd is best known for composing the score to the 1960 film The Connection. Redd recorded over a dozen albums as a leader, especially acclaimed for Piano East Piano West and Shades Of Redd. As a sideman, Redd has appeared on albums by Tiny Grimes, Joe Roland (Joltin' Joe Roland), Gene Ammons, Art Farmer (Evening In Casablanca), Howard McGhee, Rolf Ericson, and John Zorn ~ Redd passed away in 2021
May 29, 1927 ~ Jazz tenor saxophonist Dick Hafer born in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Active since the late 1940s, starting out with Charlie Barnet. Would go on to become an in-demand sideman, present on albums by Nat Pierce, Ruby Braff, Charlie Byrd, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, Charles Mingus (The Black Saint & The Sinner Lady), and Johnny Hartman. Has sporadically recorded as a leader later on in his career, acclaimed for Prez Impressions released in 1994 ~ Hafer passed away in 2012
May 29, 1927 ~ Jazz guitarist Thornel Schwartz born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA ~ Best known for accompanying organist Jimmy Smith from the mid-1950s through the late-1960s including on quintessential albums such as The Champ and A New Sound A New Star. Other notable credits include Johnny Hammond Smith (That Good Feelin'), Larry Young, Sylvia Syms, Byrdie Green, Jimmy McGriff (The Worm), Grady Tate, Big Joe Turner, and Babs Gonzales ~ Schwartz passed away in 1977
May 29, 1925 ~ George Joseph Nowlan, commonly known as country singer, trumpeter, bandleader Danny Davis, born in Randolph, Massachusetts, USA ~ Active since the 1940s, playing trumpet with the likes of Bobby Byrne, Sammy Kaye, Art Mooney, and Freddy Martin. Enjoyed moderate success in the early 1950s as a solo singer, noted for the singles Object Of My Affection and Crazy Heart. Would go on to work as producer for MGM, notably working with Connie Francis, and later for RCA Records. Well-known for founding and leading the Nashville Brass starting in the late 1960s, a group of renowned studio musicians, with whom he enjoyed some success on the Billboard Country album charts with albums such as The Nashville Brass Featuring Danny Davis Play More Nashville Sounds and You Ain't Heard Nothing Yet ~ Nowlan passed away in 2008
May 29, 1923 ~ Jazz bassist Eugene Wright, full name Eugene Joseph Wright, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA ~ Best known for his association with Dave Brubeck, including on the Dave Brubeck Quartet landmark album Time Out which included the ensemble's classic Take Five. Also present on albums by Buddy DeFranco, Harry Belafonte (Calypso), Cannonball Adderley, Gerald Wiggins, Monty Alexander (We've Only Just Begun), Cal Tjader, Guatauba, and Abe Most ~ Wright passed away in 2020
May 29, 1922 ~ David Kenneth Brooks Jr, commonly known as jazz tenor saxophonist Bubba Brooks, born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA ~ Brother of Tina Brooks. Bubba worked with Pepper McAllister, James Moody, Sonny Payne, George Barkley, Sonny Thompson, Jimmy McCracklin, Phil Upchurch, Charles Williams, Don Pullen, Jimmy McGriff, Bill Doggett, Wynonie Harris, Bobby Forrester, and others ~ Brooks passed away in 2002
May 29, 1918 ~ Singer, pianist, guitarist Lazy Bill Lucas born in Wynne, Arkansas, USA ~ Worked with Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Willie Mabon, Earl Dranes, Johnny Man Young, Jo Jo Williams, Homesick James, Little Hudson, Snooky Pryor, Little Walter, Little Willy Foster, and others ~ Lucas passed away in 1982
May 29, 1909 ~ Jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader Dick Stabile, full name Richard Dominic Stabile, born in Newark, New Jersey, USA ~ Worked with Vincent Lopez, Ben Bernie, Bunny Berigan, Dave Barbour, Frank Signorelli, Paula Kelly, Burt Shaw, Dean Martin, Evelyn Oaks and with Gracie Barrie, eventually marrying the latter ~ Stabile passed away in 1980
May 29, 1899 ~ Pianist, songwriter Jack Palmer born in Nashville, Tennessee, USA ~ Best remembered for co-writing Everybody Loves My Baby, first recorded by Aileen Stanley in 1924, and I've Found A New Baby, first recorded by the Dixie Stompers in 1926. Both songs have become jazz standards covered by hundreds of artists ~ Palmer passed away in 1976