People, Locations, Episodes

Toshiko Akiyoshi, Jazz Pianist born

*Toshiko Akiyoshi was born on this date in 1929.  She is a Japanese-American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and bandleader.   Toshiko Akiyoshi was born in Liaoyang, Manchuria, to Japanese emigrants. She was the youngest of four sisters. In 1945, after World War II, Akiyoshi’s family lost their home and returned to Japan, settling in Beppu. […]

Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland, Blues Singer born

*Bobby Bland was born on this date in 1930. He was a Black blues singer. He was born Robert Calvin Brooks in the small town of Barretville, Tennessee. His father, I. J. Brooks abandoned the family not long after his birth. He later acquired the name ‘Bland’ from his stepfather, Leroy Bridgeforth, who was also […]

Ornette Coleman, Jazz Musician, and Composer born

*Ornette Coleman was born on this date in 1930. He was an African American musician and composer.

Tommy Flanagan, Jazz Pianist born

*Tommy Flanagan was born on this date in 1930.  He was a Black jazz pianist and composer.   Thomas Lee Flanagan was born in Conant Gardens, Detroit, Michigan. He was the youngest of six children, five boys, and a girl.  His parents were both originally from Georgia.  His father, Johnson Sr, was a postman, and […]

Grover Mitchell, Trombonist born

*The birth of Grover Mitchell in 1930 is marked on this date. He was an African American musician and lead trombonist and the third leader of the Count Basie Orchestra.

Otis Spann, Blues Musician born

*On this date in 1930, Otis Spann was born. He was an African American blues singer.

Little Walter, Blues Musician born

On this date in 1930, Little Walter was born. He was an African American blues singer and harmonica player, one of the most influential harmonica improvisers of the late 20th century.

Betty Carter, Singer, and Businesswoman born

Betty Carter was born this date in 1930. She was an African American singer and entertainer.

Ahmad Jamal, Jazz Pianist born

Ahmad Jamal was born on this date in 1930. He is an African American jazz pianist.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA., he has been a professional musician since he was 11. In his early years (the late 1940s) Jamal joined trumpeter George Hudson’s orchestra. The pianist formed his first trio, The Three Strings, in 1951. This trio consisted of piano, guitar and bass. Erroll Garner’s melodic technique was an early influence on him. While his crossover success might have buried his reputation in some jazz circles, Jamal’s simplicity in his music had a major impact on late 1950s cool jazz.

Hank Mobley, Saxophonist born

Hank Mobley was born on this date in 1930. He was an African American jazz saxophonist.

Annie Ross, Singer born

*Annie Ross was born on this date in 1930.  She was a white-American (British) singer and actress.   Annabelle Allan Short was born in Mitcham, London, the daughter of Scottish vaudevillians John “Jack” Short and Mary Dalziel Short. Her brother was a Scottish entertainer and theatre producer and director Jimmy Logan. At age four, she traveled to New York by ship […]

Abbey Lincoln, Singer, and Composer born

*Abbey Lincoln was born on this date in 1930. She was an African American singer, composer and actress.

Sonny Rollins, Jazz Musician born

On this date in 1930, Sonny Rollins was born. He is an African American jazz musician.

Rollins was born in New York City and has been one of the true jazz giants. He was one of the all-time great tenor saxophonists for over 50 years.

Muhal Richard Abrams, Musician and Educator born.

*Muhal Richard Abrams was born on this date in 1930.  He was an American educator, administrator, composer, arranger, clarinetist, cellist, and jazz pianist in the free jazz medium. Born Richard Lewis Abrams in Chicago, Illinois, his mother, Edna, was born in Memphis. His father, Milton, was born in Alabama. Abrams was the second of nine children. As […]

Ray Charles, Arranger, Musician, Composer, and Singer born

Ray Charles, an African American singer, composer, and arranger, was born on this date in 1930.