On January 6, 1993, John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie died aged 75. He was musician (trumpet), singer, composer and bandleader, trumpet virtuoso and improviser, regarded as one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time. Together with Charlie Parker, Gillespie was major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz. He has recorded and performed with some of the most important musicians in the jazz history, including Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Charles Mingus, Max Roach, Stan Getz, Sonny Stit,Coleman Hawkins, Sonny Rollins,Benny Golson, Bobby Hackett, Mary Lou Williams, Willie Ruff, Dwike Mitchell, Art Blakey, Al McKibbon, Thelonious Monk, Kai Winding, Joe Turner, Roy Eldridge, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Clark Terry, Oscar Peterson, John Lewis, Hank Jones, Percy Heath, Roy Eldridge, Machito, Benny Carter, Lalo Schifrin, Count Basie, Freddie Hubbard, Arturo Sandoval, Phil Woods, Moe Koffman, United Nation Orchestra, Jackie McLean, Percy Heath, Ron Holloway, Ed Cherry, John Lee, Ignacio Berroa, Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Mike Longo, Manhattan Transfer, Carmen McRae, Katie Bell Nubin, Mongo Santamaria, Woody Shaw, Lillian Terry and Randy Weston.
Tag Archives: singer
John Parfitt
On December 24, 2016, Richard John Parfitt died aged 68. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, performed with The Harrison Twins (Jean and Gloria Harrison); The Spectres; Graham Bonnet; Rolf Harris, but he was best known as singer, songwriter and rhythm guitarist of Status Quo.
Pops Staples
On December 19, 2000, Roebuck “Pops” Staples died aged 85. He was musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, regarded as one of the key figures of the gospel, soul and R&B scene of the 60’ and 70’, and was best known as founder and leader of The Staple Singers. As leader he released three albums, and one posthumously released under his name.
Jack Bruce
On October 25, 2014, John Symon Asher “Jack” Bruce aka Jack Bruce died aged 71. He was musician (bass guitar, double bass, guitar, piano), singer and songwriter, best known as member and bass player of Cream. In his more than five decades long career, Bruce has performed and recorded with various famous musician including: Alexis Corner, Graham Bond, John Mayall, Manfred Mann, Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Michael Gibbs, Tony Williams, Leslie West, Corky Laing, Carla Bley, Lou Reed, Michael Mantler, Charlie Mariano, John McLaughlin, Cozy Powell, Bernie Marsden, Trevor Rabin, Robin Trower, Mose Allison, Allan Holdsworth, Kip Hanrahan, Mark Nauseef, Miroslav Tadic, Anton Fier, Kenji Suzuki, Dick Heckstall – Smith, John Stevens, Vernon Reid, Cindy Blackman and John Medeski. In March 2011, “Rolling Stone” magazine readers selected Bruce as the eighth greatest bass guitarist of all time. As leader, he released 14 studio and 8 live albums.
Shirley Horn
On October 20, 2005, Shirley Valerie Horn died aged 71. She was singer and musician (piano), became one of the best known and most successful female singers in the jazz history. Horn performed and recorded with many jazz greats including Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Toots Thielemans, Ron Carter, Carmen McRae, Wynton Marsalis, Stuff Smith, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Charlie Haden, Oscar Peterson, Joe Williams, Jeffery Smith, Clark Terry, Bill Charlap and others. For her work she had received many awards including: “Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance”; “National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award”, and “Honorary Doctor of Music Degree” from the “Berklee College of Music”.
Gene Vincent
On October 12, 1971, Vincent Eugene Craddock aka Gene Vincent died aged 35. Being singer and guitarist, he was one of the rockabilly and rock and roll pioneers. His 1956 song “Be-Bop-A-Lula” (together with his band Blue Caps) is considered to be one of the first rockabilly hits. Vincent was inducted both the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” and the “Rockabilly Hall of Fame”.
Jacques Brel
On October 9, 1978, Jacques Romain Georges Brel died aged 49. He was a Belgian singer, songwriter and actor, widely considered a master of the modern chanson. He recorded most of his songs in French and in Dutch, but he became a major influence on English speaking songwriters and performers such as David Bowie, Alex Harvey, Leonard Cohen, Marc Almond and Rod McKuen. The English translations of his songs were recorded by many famous performers including Ray Charles, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Judy Collins, John Denver, the Kingston Trio, Scott Walker and Andy Williams. Having sold over 25 million records worldwide, Brel is the fourth best-selling Belgian recording artist of all time.
Rick Wright
On September 15, 2008, Richard William “Rick” Wright died aged 65. He was musician (keyboards), composer, singer and songwriter, best known as founding member, keyboardist and vocalist of Pink Floyd. He recorded and performed on all Pink Floyd’s albums except on “The Final Cut”.
Cass Elliot
On July 29, 1974, Ellen Naomi Cohen aka Cass Elliot also known as Mama Cass, died aged 32. She was singer and actress, member of The Mugwumps, The Big 3, but she was best known as vocalist of The Mamas & the Papas.
Robin Gibb
On May 20, 2012, Robin Hugh Gibb died aged 62. He was singer, songwriter and record producer, best known as a member of the Bee Gees. With more than 200 million albums sold worldwide, Bee Gees are one of the most successful groups of all time. From 2008 to 2011, Gibb was President of the “Heritage Foundation”, honouring figures in British culture.
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