Woodrow Wilson “Buddy” Johnson was a popular bandleader and recording artist in the 1940s and 1950s whose compositions and arrangements made him an important figure in the transition from the big band sound to Rhythm & Blues. His many hit records earned his band a … Read MoreBuddy Johnson (1915-1977)
Multi-talented musician Morris Eugene Day was born on December 13, 1956, in Springfield, Illinois, to LaVonne Daugherty. When he was eight years old, however, his family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. There he privately studied the piano and percussion, but his passion was always the drums. … Read MoreMorris Eugene Day (1956- )
Bass guitarist, vocalist Jermaine LaJuane Jackson was born on December 11, 1954, in Gary, Indiana, to Joseph Walter Jackson, a steelworker and manager of the family’s band from Fountain Hill, Arkansas, and Kattie B. Screws Jackson, a homemaker from Clayton, Alabama. He is the fourth … Read MoreJermaine LaJuane Jackson (1954 – )
Legendary composer, lyricist, guitarist Roebuck (Pop) Staples, born on December 28, 1914, in Winona, Mississippi, and his wife, Oceola Staple, a pianist from Louisville, Mississippi, was born on September 10, 1917, The couple met as children at the Rosenwald’s Little Red Schoolhouse in Drew, Mississippi … Read MoreThe Staple Singers (1954-2018)
Curtis DuBois Fuller was a renowned Jazz trombonist whose career spanned over 68 years as a musician, composer, and educator. His musical genre was steeped in hard-bop jazz with the driving force of blues and gospel. Curtis DuBois Fuller was born on December 15, 1932 … Read MoreCurtis DuBois Fuller (1932-2021)
Nel Ust Wyclef Jean is an rapper, musician and actor. Jean was born on October 17, 1969, in a hut with no electricity, in Croix-des-Bouquest, Haiti. His parents, Nazarene Pastor Gesner and mother Yolanda immigrated to the United States, and in 1978, Jean and his … Read MoreNel Ust Wyclef Jean (1969- )
María Teresa Vera was an Afro-Cuban guitarist, singer, and composer, who is held up as an example of the Cuban “trova” movement. Trova is a rural folk style of music and Vera’s career was extraordinary for a woman of her time. “Viente Anos,” (Twenty Years) … Read MoreMaría Teresa Vera (1895-1965)
Rick James was a singer-songwriter, producer, and instrumentalist, who was born on February 1, 1948 and raised in Buffalo, New York. His Father James Ambrose Johnson, Sr., was said to be abusive and ended up leaving when James was eight years old. His mother Mabel Gladden worked as … Read MoreRick James/James Ambrose Johnson (1948-2004)
Buddy Catlett was a solo jazz multi-instrumentalist but is known for playing the bass. Catlett was born in Long Beach, California on May 13, 1933. He moved to Seattle, Washington when he was three years old and lived there most of his life. He came from a family of pioneers, his grandfather, … Read MoreGeorge James (“Buddy”) Catlett (1933-2014)
Agenor de Oliveira, known as “Cartola,” renowned Brazilian musician, was born on October 11, 1908 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and died on November 30, 1980 at the age of 72. From humble origins, Cartola worked at various odd jobs, including the construction industry, where … Read MoreCartola (1908-1980)
