On March 2, 2021, Donald Christopher Barber died aged 90. He was musician (trombone) and bandleader, known for his support in development of the careers of many musicians, including Ottilie Patterson, Lonnie Donegan and Alexis Korner. Barber sponsored African-American blues musicians to visit Britain, making him a significant figure in promotion and development of the British rhythm and blues and “beat boom” in the 60s.
Tag Archives: rhythm and blues
Gerald “Jerry” Wexler
On August 15, 2008, Gerald “Jerry” Wexler died aged 91. He was music journalist and producer, one of the main music industry personalities in the period from the 50s through the 80s. He played significant role in signing and producing many of most famous music acts of that period, including Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Ray Charles, the Allman Brothers, Chris Connor, Wilson Pickett, Dire Straits and Dusty Springfield. Wexler coined the term “Rhythm and Blues” while writing for “Billboard” magazine in the late 1940s. In 1987, Wexler was inducted to the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, and in 2017 to the “National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame”.
Allen Toussaint
On November 10, 2015, Allen Toussaint died aged 77. He was musician (vocal, piano), songwriter, arranger, and record producer, an influential figure in New Orleans rhythm and blues from the 1950s to the end of the century. His compositions were recorded by many musicians, and he was producer of hundreds of recordings. Toussaint recorded and performed with many musicians including Irma Thomas, Lee Dorsey, The Meters, Ernie K Doe, Rosemary Butler, Merry Clayton, Elvis Costello, Dr. John, Venetta Fields, Etta James, Labelle, John Mayall, Paul McCartney, The Meters, Bonnie Raitt, and The Band. As leader Toussaint released eleven studio albums.
Curtis Ousley
On August 13, 1971, Curtis Ousley (born Curtis Montgomery) aka King Curtis died aged 37. He was music director, record producer, and musician (soprano, alto and tenor saxophone, trumpet), worked in various music genres, rhythm, and blues, rock and roll, soul, blues, funk, and soul-jazz. He performed and recorded with numerous musicians and bands including Aretha Franklin, Nat Adderley, Wynton Kelly, ]Buddy Holly, Waylon Jennings, Andy Williams, The Coasters, LaVern Baker, Joe South, John Lennon, the Rimshots, Champion Jack Dupree, Jerry Jemmott, Oliver Jackson, King Pins, Bernard Purdie, The Shirelles, The Noble Band, Cornell Dupree, and Duane Allman. At the 1970 “Grammy Awards”, Curtis won the “Best R&B Instrumental Performance Grammy” for “Games People Play”. In March 2000, he was posthumously inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”.
David Bartholomew
On June 23, 2019, David Louis Bartholomew died aged 100. He was a musician (trumpet), bandleader, composer, arranger, and record producer, active in various musical genres, including rhythm and blues, big band, swing music, rock and roll, New Orleans jazz, and Dixieland. In his induction into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, he was cited as a key figure in the transition from jump blues and swing to R&B and as “one of the Crescent City’s greatest musicians and a true pioneer in the rock and roll revolution.” His biggest success as a composer was in the partnership with Fats Domino producing some of his greatest successes. In the mid-50s they wrote more than forty hits for “Imperial Records”, including Ain’t That a Shame. Bartholomew’s other hit songs include I Hear You Knocking, Blue Monday” I’m Walkin’, My Ding-A-Ling, and One Night. He was a member of the “Songwriters Hall of Fame”, the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, and the “Louisiana Music Hall of Fame”.
Laura Nyro: Nested
In June 1978, “Columbia” label released “Nested”, the seventh Laura Nyro studio album. It was recorded in 1977 in Danbury, Connecticut, and was produced by Laura Nyro and Roscoe Harring.
Personnel:
- Laura Nyro – vocals, acoustic and electric piano, church organ, guitar, strings
- Vinnie Cusano- guitar
- John Tropea- guitar
- Felix Cavaliere- electric piano, organ
- John Sebastian- harmonica
- Cyril Cianflone – bass guitar
- Tony Levin – bass guitar
- Will Lee- bass guitar
- Andy Newmark- drums
- Nydia “Liberty” Mata – percussion
- Dale Ashby, Frank Koenig – engineer
- Adger W. Cowans – photography
Track listing:
All tracks by Laura Nyro.
- Blue (Song of Communications)
- Rhythm and Blues
- My Innocence
- Crazy Love
- American Dreamer
- Springblown
- The Sweet Sky
- Light
- Child in a Universe
- The Nest
Koko Taylor
On June 3, 2009, Cora Walton aka Koko Taylor died aged 80. She was blues singer, known by powerful and rough vocal, performing rhythm and blues, Chicago Blues and blues. Often called “The Queen of Blues”, for her work she received number of awards including:
- In 1985, Grammy Awardfor Best Traditional Blues Album
- In 1996, Howlin’ Wolf Award
- In 1997, inducted in the Blues Hall of Fame
- In 1999, Blues Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award
- In 2004, NEA National Heritage Fellowship
- 24 times the Blues Music Award in the following categories:
- Female Artist
- Traditional Blues Female Artist
- Vocalist of the Year
- Contemporary Blues Female Artist
- Entertainer of the Year
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