Actress, composer, vocalist, dancer, and harpist Asnaketch Worku is also known as Asnaqètch Wèrqu. She was born in 1935 in Sidist Kilo, a community in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Her mother died during her childhood when she was three, and she did not know her father. … Read MoreAsnaketch Worku (1935-2011)
José Carlos Lamartine Salvador dos Santos Costa is an Angolan musician, diplomat, and statesman who played an essential role in shaping contemporary music in Angola. Lamartine was born in the city of Benguela in 1943. At age ten, Carlos moved with his father and two … Read MoreCarlos Lamartine (1943- )
Jazz musician Donald Ulysses Walden was born to Gracie Buck and Louis Walden on July 12, 1938. The family lived in Clarksville, Tennessee, from 1938 to 1946. Being musically gifted, Walden’s mother took him to see bands that toured the South. After seeing the Silas … Read MoreDonald Ulysses Walden (1938-2008)
Media critic Eric Deggans was born on November 6, 1965, in Washington, D.C. to Chuck Deggans and Carolyn Jean McClellan Deggans Williams, a life member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Deggans was reared, however, in Gary, Indiana, and graduated from Andrean High School, a … Read MoreEric Deggans (1965- )
R&B bass guitarist and 6’ 9” professional basketball player Wayman Lawrence Tisdale was born on June 9, 1964, in Fort Worth, Texas, the youngest of six children of Louis Tisdale, a minister, and Deborah “Momma Tiz” Mathias Tisdale. He was reared, however, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, … Read MoreWayman Lawrence Tisdale (1964-2009)
Blues Guitarist Gary Lee Clark Jr. was born on February 15, 1984, in Austin, Texas, to Sandy Clark and Gary Clark Sr., a car salesman. Clark received the first guitar at Christmas when he was 13, an Ibanez RX20. During that time, he read music … Read MoreGary Lee Clark Jr. (1984- )
Bobby McFerrin is a popular folk-jazz vocalist known for his vocal percussion and a cappella singing, as well as his hit song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He was born Robert Keith McFerrin Jr. in Manhattan, New York, on March 11, 1950, to Robert McFerrin Sr., … Read MoreBobby McFerrin Jr. (1950- )
Ziggy Marley is a Jamaican Grammy award-winning reggae musician, singer, and philanthropist. Marley was born in the Trench Town section of Kingston, Jamaica, on October 17, 1968, to parents and famed reggae artists Robert “Bob” Nesta and Alpharita “Rita” Constantia (Anderson) Marley. Ziggy’s family features … Read MoreDavid Nesta “Ziggy” Marley (1968- )
Jonathan (“Jon”) Michael Batiste is an American bandleader, composer, arranger, actor, “harmonabord” player, and television personality. He was born on November 11, 1986, in Metairie, Louisiana, and grew up in the neighboring New Orleans suburbs. By age 8, he was playing percussion and drums with … Read MoreJon Batiste (1986- )
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana on February 22, 1933, Ernest Kador Jr., whose stage name was Ernie K-Doe, was a R&B singer and drummer who was best known for his 1961 hit, “Mother-in-Law,” which went to no. 1 on both the Billboard pop chart and … Read MoreErnie K-Doe/Ernest Kador, Jr. (1933-2001)
