Rufus Thomas born 26th of March 1917.
Rufus C. Thomas, Jr. was an American rhythm-and-blues, funk, soul and blues singer, songwriter, dancer, DJ and comic entertainer from Memphis, Tennessee. He recorded for several labels, including Chess Records and Sun Records in the 1950s, before becoming established in the 1960s and 1970s at Stax Records. He is best known for his novelty dance records, including "Walking the Dog" (1963), "Do the Funky Chicken" (1969) and "(Do the) Push and Pull" (1970). According to the Mississippi Blues Commission, "Rufus Thomas embodied the spirit of Memphis music perhaps more than any other artist, and from the early 1940s until his death . . . occupied many important roles in the local scene."[4]
He began his career as a tap dancer, vaudeville performer, and master of ceremonies in the 1930s. He later worked as a disc jockey on radio station WDIA in Memphis, both before and after his recordings became successful. He remained active into the 1990s and as a performer and recording artist was often billed as "The World's Oldest Teenager". He was the father of the singers Carla Thomas (with whom he recorded duets) and Vaneese Thomas and the keyboard player Marvell Thomas.
Whilst I was tempted to post Walking the Dog as it's the song I know best, I really like this,
Blues Birthdays
A real treat.
Sarah Lois Vaughan (March 27, 1924 – April 3, 1990) was an American jazz singer and pianist. Nicknamed "Sassy" and "The Divine One", she won two Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and was nominated for a total of nine Grammy Awards. She was given an NEA Jazz Masters Award in 1989. Critic Scott Yanow wrote that she had "one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century".
Sarah Lois Vaughan (March 27, 1924 – April 3, 1990) was an American jazz singer and pianist. Nicknamed "Sassy" and "The Divine One", she won two Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and was nominated for a total of nine Grammy Awards. She was given an NEA Jazz Masters Award in 1989. Critic Scott Yanow wrote that she had "one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century".
The name is a reflection of the times perhaps, "Cripple" Clarence Lofton, born 28th March 1887, maybe, it's not even clear if that is the right year, the place of his birth is also open to question, but there is a lot of that in this subject. Despite being born with the limp that he gained the nick name from, he actually started his performing career as a tap dancer before becoming a professional piano player and singer.
Michael Brecker, born 29th of March 1949. A jazz saxophonist who worked across many genres, including with the like of Sinatra, Carly Simon and Zappa as well as many Jazz greats, such as McCoy Tyner, Billy Cobham and Jaco Pastorius to name but a few.
John Lee Curtis "Sonny Boy" Williamson, sometimes known as Sonny Boy Williamson I, due to Lee Miller calling himself Sonny Boy Williamson and also playing harmonica. Sonny Boy Williamson II is actually more well-known than the original and to add to the confusion there was a piano player, Enoch Williams who also used the name. But our man was born on the 30th of March 1914.
Herb Alpert (born March 31, 1935) is an American trumpeter who led the band Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass (sometimes called "Herb Alpert and the TJB") in the 1960s. During the same decade, he co-founded A&M Records with Jerry Moss. Alpert has recorded 28 albums that have landed on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, five of which became No. 1 albums; he has scored 14 platinum albums and 15 gold albums. Alpert is the only musician to hit No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 as both a vocalist ("This Guy's in Love with You", 1968) and an instrumentalist ("Rise", 1979)
I can't say this is my sort of thing, tbh
I can't say this is my sort of thing, tbh
Never even opened this thread before today - thought it was an Auckland thread 
Anyway:
Lowell Fulson (March 31, 1921 – March 7, 1999) was an American blues guitarist and songwriter, in the West Coast blues tradition. He also recorded for contractual reasons as Lowell Fullsom and Lowell Fulsom. After T-Bone Walker, he was the most important figure in West Coast blues in the 1940s and 1950s.
Anyway:
Lowell Fulson (March 31, 1921 – March 7, 1999) was an American blues guitarist and songwriter, in the West Coast blues tradition. He also recorded for contractual reasons as Lowell Fullsom and Lowell Fulsom. After T-Bone Walker, he was the most important figure in West Coast blues in the 1940s and 1950s.
Glad you’re enjoying it Dan.
Gilbert Scott-Heron (April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011)was an American jazz poet, singer, musician, and author known for his work as a spoken-word performer in the 1970s and 1980s. His collaborative efforts with musician Brian Jackson fused jazz, blues, and soul with lyrics relative to social and political issues of the time, delivered in both rapping and melismatic vocal styles. He referred to himself as a "bluesologist",[9] his own term for "a scientist who is concerned with the origin of the blues".His poem "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised", delivered over a jazz-soul beat, is considered a major influence on hip hop music.
I’m sure most will know this but some may not, his dad Gil Heron was the first black player to play in the Scottish leagues when he signed for Glasgow Celtic.
He had his demons for sure, I can’t believe it’s coming up for 13 years since he died.
This is one of my all time favourites, regardless of genre and I wholeheartedly endorse the sentiment, listening to Lady Day and John Coltrane will indeed wash your troubles away. Gil Scott-Heron has the same effect imo.
Gilbert Scott-Heron (April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011)was an American jazz poet, singer, musician, and author known for his work as a spoken-word performer in the 1970s and 1980s. His collaborative efforts with musician Brian Jackson fused jazz, blues, and soul with lyrics relative to social and political issues of the time, delivered in both rapping and melismatic vocal styles. He referred to himself as a "bluesologist",[9] his own term for "a scientist who is concerned with the origin of the blues".His poem "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised", delivered over a jazz-soul beat, is considered a major influence on hip hop music.
I’m sure most will know this but some may not, his dad Gil Heron was the first black player to play in the Scottish leagues when he signed for Glasgow Celtic.
He had his demons for sure, I can’t believe it’s coming up for 13 years since he died.
This is one of my all time favourites, regardless of genre and I wholeheartedly endorse the sentiment, listening to Lady Day and John Coltrane will indeed wash your troubles away. Gil Scott-Heron has the same effect imo.
Some names are so big and important in terms of the development of the music that you can't go with the lesser-known ones
Marvin Pentz Gaye Jr. (né Gay; April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was an American singer and songwriter. He helped shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player and later as a solo artist with a string of successes, which earned him the nicknames "Prince of Motown" and "Prince of Soul".
Marvin Pentz Gaye Jr. (né Gay; April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was an American singer and songwriter. He helped shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player and later as a solo artist with a string of successes, which earned him the nicknames "Prince of Motown" and "Prince of Soul".
"What's Going On" is a song by American singer-songwriter Marvin Gaye, released in 1971 on the Motown subsidiary Tamla. It is the opening track of Gaye's studio album of the same name. Originally inspired by a police brutality incident witnessed by Renaldo "Obie" Benson, the song was composed by Benson, Al Cleveland, and Gaye and produced by Gaye himself. The song marked Gaye's departure from the Motown Sound towards more personal material. Later topping the Hot Soul Singles chart for five weeks and crossing over to number two on the Billboard Hot 100, it would sell over two million copies, becoming Gaye's second-most successful Motown song to date.[4] It was ranked at number 4 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of all Time in 2004 and 2010.[5][6]
I've been sooo looking forward to this one. Hugh Masekela, born 4th of April 1939. There is another huge birthday today, but I will post that tomorrow. Anyway, The Father of South African Jazz, a man who stood tall in the face of the harshest of conditions. I've sifted through various versions of this and this is the best version I found on YouTube, it's a terrific performance.
Stuff it.
McKinley Morganfield, known professionally as Muddy Waters, born 4th of April 1913. I know I said I was going to keep this one until tomorrow due to the clash with Hugh Masekela, but you don't keep Muddy Waters waiting, that's just the rules.
That man could wear a suit alright.
McKinley Morganfield, known professionally as Muddy Waters, born 4th of April 1913. I know I said I was going to keep this one until tomorrow due to the clash with Hugh Masekela, but you don't keep Muddy Waters waiting, that's just the rules.
That man could wear a suit alright.
In for a penny and all that...
Robert William Gary Moore (4 April 1952 – 6 February 2011) was a Northern Irish musician. Over the course of his career, he played in various groups and performed a range of music including blues, blues rock, hard rock, heavy metal and jazz fusion.
I love this "over the top heroic guitar solo stuff"
Robert William Gary Moore (4 April 1952 – 6 February 2011) was a Northern Irish musician. Over the course of his career, he played in various groups and performed a range of music including blues, blues rock, hard rock, heavy metal and jazz fusion.
I love this "over the top heroic guitar solo stuff"
Larry McCray (born April 5, 1960), is an American blues guitarist and singer from Magnolia, Arkansas.
McCray, the second youngest of nine siblings, grew up living on a farm. McCray learned guitar from his sister, Clara. "She used to play real low-down and dirty", McCray recalled years later.
edit, I just noticed Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith in the band in the video here
McCray, the second youngest of nine siblings, grew up living on a farm. McCray learned guitar from his sister, Clara. "She used to play real low-down and dirty", McCray recalled years later.
edit, I just noticed Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith in the band in the video here
Walter Horton (April 6, 1921 – December 8, 1981), known as Big Walter (Horton) or Walter "Shakey" Horton, was an American blues harmonica player. A quiet, unassuming, shy man, he is remembered as one of the premier harmonica players in the history of blues. Willie Dixon once called Horton 'the best harmonica player I ever heard'.
Carmen Mercedes McRae (April 8, 1920 – November 10, 1994) was an American jazz singer. She is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century and is remembered for her behind-the-beat phrasing and ironic interpretation of lyrics
This is very much the cut of my jib, you can just luxuriate in it.
This is very much the cut of my jib, you can just luxuriate in it.
Paul Leroy Robeson ( April 9, 1898 – January 23, 1976) was an American bass-baritone concert artist, stage and film actor, professional football player, and activist who became famous both for his cultural accomplishments and for his political stances.
This story always tickled me, part of my family were miners who worked in pits outside Edinburgh
This story always tickled me, part of my family were miners who worked in pits outside Edinburgh
Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson (April 11, 1939 – December 25, 2022)[1] was an American blues singer and guitarist.[2] He is not to be confused with Luther "Georgia Boy" Johnson, Luther "Houserocker" Johnson, or Lonnie "Guitar Junior" Brooks.
Wiki seems concerned with who he is not.
Wiki seems concerned with who he is not.
Ta!
Thought this was an interesting snippet:
Motown songwriting pioneer, solo artist and future member of the Originals Freddie Gorman.
Who in 1961 turned his day job into R&B gold when he co-wrote 'Please Mr. Postman' Tamla's first number 1 hit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYc8MkacTUs
Thought this was an interesting snippet:
Motown songwriting pioneer, solo artist and future member of the Originals Freddie Gorman.
Who in 1961 turned his day job into R&B gold when he co-wrote 'Please Mr. Postman' Tamla's first number 1 hit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYc8MkacTUs
Herbie Hancock, born 12th of April 1940. Miles Davis saw him as one of the most promising talents when he sought Hancock out for his band, he wasn't wrong.
I'd say Maiden Voyage is my favourite of his, but I'm going for this tune, from the Empyrean Isles album. Miles Davis' autobiography is funny in the way everything and everyone is a "motherfucker", Miles might say this tune swings like a motherfucker
I'd say Maiden Voyage is my favourite of his, but I'm going for this tune, from the Empyrean Isles album. Miles Davis' autobiography is funny in the way everything and everyone is a "motherfucker", Miles might say this tune swings like a motherfucker
Albert Leornes Greene (born April 13, 1946), known professionally as Al Green,
Green was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. He was referred to on the museum's site as being "one of the most gifted purveyors of soul music". He has also been referred to as "The Last of the Great Soul Singers". Green is the winner of 11 Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also received the BMI Icon award and is a Kennedy Center Honors recipient
Green was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. He was referred to on the museum's site as being "one of the most gifted purveyors of soul music". He has also been referred to as "The Last of the Great Soul Singers". Green is the winner of 11 Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also received the BMI Icon award and is a Kennedy Center Honors recipient
Bessie Smith, born 15th of April 1895. She was one of the most popular singers in the 20s and 30s.
Bessie is just wild about that thing, it makes her laugh and sing.
I get the feeling the censors listened to this on a Friday afternoon after a long lunch.
Bessie is just wild about that thing, it makes her laugh and sing.
I get the feeling the censors listened to this on a Friday afternoon after a long lunch.
Raymond Ventura (16 April 1908, Paris, France – 29 March 1979, Palma de Mallorca, Spain) was a French jazz pianist and bandleader. He helped popularise jazz in France in the 1930s. His nephew was singer Sacha Distel.
In 1925 he was the pianist for the Collegiate Five, which recorded as the Collegians for Columbia beginning in 1928 and for Decca in the 1930s. A year later he led the band, and it became a dance orchestra resembling a big band. His sidemen included Alix Combelle, Philippe Brun, and Guy Paquinet. In the early 1940s he led a big band in South America and in France during the rest of the decade.
In 1925 he was the pianist for the Collegiate Five, which recorded as the Collegians for Columbia beginning in 1928 and for Decca in the 1930s. A year later he led the band, and it became a dance orchestra resembling a big band. His sidemen included Alix Combelle, Philippe Brun, and Guy Paquinet. In the early 1940s he led a big band in South America and in France during the rest of the decade.
Clifford "Grandpappy" Gibson (April 17, 1901 – December 21, 1963) was an American blues singer and guitarist. He is best known for the tracks, "Bad Luck Dice" and "Hard Headed Blues".
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in the 1920s and lived there for the rest of his life. He played in St. Louis clubs, and in 1929 began recording for the QRS and Victor labels. He is regarded as one of the earliest urban blues performers, with no pronounced rural influences. His guitar playing style resembled that of Lonnie Johnson, with an emphasis on vibrato and improvisation. His playing could be distinguished from Johnson's by a sharper tone resulting from the use of a capo high up the neck, and his use of open tunings. Among the many themes touched on in his songs, "Don't Put That Thing on Me" is notable for its references to hoodoo, an African American form of folk magic.
Gibson accompanied Jimmie Rodgers on a Victor single, "Let Me Be Your Side Track", in 1931, then spent parts of the next three decades playing in the streets around St. Louis. Gibson resurfaced on recordings in 1960 on Little Milton's Bobbin label, and worked another three years in St. Louis' Gaslight Square, before his death from pulmonary edema in 1963
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, United States, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, in the 1920s and lived there for the rest of his life. He played in St. Louis clubs, and in 1929 began recording for the QRS and Victor labels. He is regarded as one of the earliest urban blues performers, with no pronounced rural influences. His guitar playing style resembled that of Lonnie Johnson, with an emphasis on vibrato and improvisation. His playing could be distinguished from Johnson's by a sharper tone resulting from the use of a capo high up the neck, and his use of open tunings. Among the many themes touched on in his songs, "Don't Put That Thing on Me" is notable for its references to hoodoo, an African American form of folk magic.
Gibson accompanied Jimmie Rodgers on a Victor single, "Let Me Be Your Side Track", in 1931, then spent parts of the next three decades playing in the streets around St. Louis. Gibson resurfaced on recordings in 1960 on Little Milton's Bobbin label, and worked another three years in St. Louis' Gaslight Square, before his death from pulmonary edema in 1963
I've been away for the last month and only catching up with this thread now, which is a real treat. Haven't fully caught up yet, but how the fuck had I never listened to The Funkiest Man Alive before?? I'm going to listen to the shit out of Rufus over the next week or so.
Big fan of George Benson as well and so I'm going to cheat a little a post another video of his (I'll spoiler it to keep the flow going), but this is one of my favourite covers of all time and is another track that I've listened to countless times. Surprisingly not on Youtube, but found it on DailyMotion. It's kick into gear around the 2:45 mark just always brings such a huge grin onto my face.
I also reserve the right to interject again as I continue to catch up 
Big fan of George Benson as well and so I'm going to cheat a little a post another video of his (I'll spoiler it to keep the flow going), but this is one of my favourite covers of all time and is another track that I've listened to countless times. Surprisingly not on Youtube, but found it on DailyMotion. It's kick into gear around the 2:45 mark just always brings such a huge grin onto my face.
Spoiler
Show
Good to see you back, PD.
Joseph Vernon "Big Joe" Turner Jr. (May 18, 1911 – November 24, 1985) was an American blues shouter from Kansas City, Missouri. According to songwriter Doc Pomus, "Rock and roll would have never happened without him". Turner's greatest fame was due to his rock and roll recordings in the 1950s, particularly "Shake, Rattle and Roll", but his career as a performer endured from the 1920s into the 1980s.
Turner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, with the Hall lauding him as "the brawny voiced 'Boss of the Blues'". AllMusic called Turner "the premier blues shouter of the postwar era".
I love this
Joseph Vernon "Big Joe" Turner Jr. (May 18, 1911 – November 24, 1985) was an American blues shouter from Kansas City, Missouri. According to songwriter Doc Pomus, "Rock and roll would have never happened without him". Turner's greatest fame was due to his rock and roll recordings in the 1950s, particularly "Shake, Rattle and Roll", but his career as a performer endured from the 1920s into the 1980s.
Turner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, with the Hall lauding him as "the brawny voiced 'Boss of the Blues'". AllMusic called Turner "the premier blues shouter of the postwar era".
I love this
Oops! That is May the 18,
So, drawing a veil over that until we come back to Big Joe next month, or possibly someone else on that date
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, born 18th of April 1924. The story goes that he was given his nickname by a highschool teacher because he had a voice like a gate! He was a terrific multi-instrumentalist, playing across genres from jazz to blues to country to Cajun to R&B and all points in between. Here he is singing and playing guitar, fiddle and harmonica with Canned Heat, a great band themselves
So, drawing a veil over that until we come back to Big Joe next month, or possibly someone else on that date
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, born 18th of April 1924. The story goes that he was given his nickname by a highschool teacher because he had a voice like a gate! He was a terrific multi-instrumentalist, playing across genres from jazz to blues to country to Cajun to R&B and all points in between. Here he is singing and playing guitar, fiddle and harmonica with Canned Heat, a great band themselves
Alexis Korner born 19th of April 1928. He was of course hugely influential in the British Blues scene, his radio show is where I first heard a lot of the people I came to "know" and love. I saw him perform at the Cambridge Folk Festival in 1983, it was real thrill to see him live
Johnny Fuller (April 20, 1929 – May 20, 1985) was an American West Coast and electric blues singer and guitarist. Fuller showed musical diversity, performing in several musical genres including rhythm and blues, gospel and rock and roll. His distinctive singing and guitar playing appeared on a number of 1950s San Francisco Bay Area recordings, although he ceased performing regularly by the late 1970s. He worked as an auto mechanic from 1968 to 1983. His best known recording, "Haunted House", was later covered with some success by Jumpin' Gene
Charles Mingus Jr. (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979) was an American jazz upright bassist, composer, bandleader, pianist, and author. A major proponent of collective improvisation, he is considered to be one of the greatest jazz musicians and composers in history, with a career spanning three decades and collaborations with other jazz greats such as Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Max Roach, and Eric Dolphy. Mingus' work ranged from advanced bebop and avant-garde jazz with small and midsize ensembles, to pioneering the post-bop style on seminal recordings like Pithecanthropus Erectus (1956) and Mingus Ah Um (1959), and progressive big band experiments such as The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (1963).
This is another of my all-time favourite pieces of music, as an aside, the art work and photography on many of the jazz albums of the 50s and 60s was superb
This is another of my all-time favourite pieces of music, as an aside, the art work and photography on many of the jazz albums of the 50s and 60s was superb
Charles Edward "Cow Cow" Davenport (April 23, 1894 – December 3, 1955) was an American boogie-woogie and piano blues player as well as a vaudeville entertainer. He also played the organ and sang.
Davenport, who also made recordings under the pseudonyms of Bat The Humming Bird, George Hamilton and The Georgia Grinder, is a member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.
Davenport, who also made recordings under the pseudonyms of Bat The Humming Bird, George Hamilton and The Georgia Grinder, is a member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.
Joe Henderson (April 24, 1937 – June 30, 2001) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. In a career spanning more than four decades, Henderson played with many of the leading American players of his day and recorded for several prominent labels, including Blue Note, Milestone, and Verve.
in terms of jazz, this is a superstar band, Joe Henderson - Tenor Sax ▪ McCoy Tyner - Piano ▪ Elvin Jones - Drums ▪ Bob Cranshaw - Bass
in terms of jazz, this is a superstar band, Joe Henderson - Tenor Sax ▪ McCoy Tyner - Piano ▪ Elvin Jones - Drums ▪ Bob Cranshaw - Bass
Albert Nelson (April 25, 1923 – December 21, 1992), known by his stage name Albert King, was an African-American guitarist and singer who is often regarded as one of the greatest and most influential blues guitarists of all time. He is perhaps best known for his popular and influential album Born Under a Bad Sign (1967) and its title track. He, B.B. King, and Freddie King, all unrelated, were known as the "Kings of the Blues".[6] The left-handed Albert King was known for his "deep, dramatic sound that was widely imitated by both blues and rock guitarists"
This is all about feel and emotion over virtuosity, which I'll take every damn time
This is all about feel and emotion over virtuosity, which I'll take every damn time
I'm staying with the 25th for today's Blues Birthday
Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing.
Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing.