Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974)
I will just say this, it don't mean a thing if it ain't go that swing.
Blues Birthdays
Rev Gary Davis. Born 30th April 1896. Along with other Piedmont Blues players he is a big favourite of mine. I love this song, I've gone with the recorded version because the only live performance I could find was half the length and you don't get to hear that wonderful playing and singing as clearly
Mabel Louise Smith (May 1, 1924 – January 23, 1972), known professionally as Big Maybelle, was an American R&B singer. Her 1956 hit single "Candy" received the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999.
That voice! and I don't mean when she belts, when she keeps it just ticking over, it's just sublime.
That voice! and I don't mean when she belts, when she keeps it just ticking over, it's just sublime.
Connie Mac Booker born 2nd of May 1929, there isn't a Wiki bio so there isn't a lot of info out there about the man, except this snippet; Texas blues and rhythm & blues singer and pianist, who recorded in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
I have some books, but they are all packed away at the moment so I can't find out anything else.
I have some books, but they are all packed away at the moment so I can't find out anything else.
A catch up for yesterday
Blind Willie McTell was just one of the names William Samuel McTier was known by, born May the 5th 1898. Another of the Piedmont Bluesmen, he was slightly unusual in playing a 12 string guitar. He has been an influence on a huge number of musicians and you can hear it in contemporary artists such as Pokey LaFarge. His library of Congress recording are well worth a listen.
(Also, I love the Bob Dylan song.)
Blind Willie McTell was just one of the names William Samuel McTier was known by, born May the 5th 1898. Another of the Piedmont Bluesmen, he was slightly unusual in playing a 12 string guitar. He has been an influence on a huge number of musicians and you can hear it in contemporary artists such as Pokey LaFarge. His library of Congress recording are well worth a listen.
(Also, I love the Bob Dylan song.)
Admirl Amos Easton (May 7, 1905 – June 8, 1968), better known by the stage name Bumble Bee Slim, was an American Piedmont blues singer and guitarist.
Easton was born in Brunswick, Georgia, United States. Several original sources confirm that he spelled his first name "Admirl". Around 1920 he joined the Ringling Brothers circus. He then returned to Georgia and was briefly married before heading north on a freight train to Indianapolis, where he settled in 1928. There he met and was influenced by the pianist Leroy Carr and the guitarist Scrapper Blackwell.
By 1931 he had moved to Chicago, where he made his first recordings, as Bumble Bee Slim, for Paramount Records. The following year his song "B&O Blues" was a hit for Vocalion Records, inspiring several other railroad blues and eventually becoming a popular folk song. In the next five years, he recorded over 150 songs for Decca Records, Bluebird Records and Vocalion, often accompanied by other musicians, including Big Bill Broonzy, Peetie Wheatstraw, Tampa Red, Memphis Minnie, and Washboard Sam.
In 1937, he returned to Georgia. He relocated to Los Angeles, California in the early 1940s, apparently hoping to break into motion pictures as a songwriter and comedian. During the 1950s he recorded several albums, but they had little impact. His last album was released in 1962 by Pacific Jazz Records.
He continued to perform in clubs around Los Angeles until he died in 1968.
Easton was born in Brunswick, Georgia, United States. Several original sources confirm that he spelled his first name "Admirl". Around 1920 he joined the Ringling Brothers circus. He then returned to Georgia and was briefly married before heading north on a freight train to Indianapolis, where he settled in 1928. There he met and was influenced by the pianist Leroy Carr and the guitarist Scrapper Blackwell.
By 1931 he had moved to Chicago, where he made his first recordings, as Bumble Bee Slim, for Paramount Records. The following year his song "B&O Blues" was a hit for Vocalion Records, inspiring several other railroad blues and eventually becoming a popular folk song. In the next five years, he recorded over 150 songs for Decca Records, Bluebird Records and Vocalion, often accompanied by other musicians, including Big Bill Broonzy, Peetie Wheatstraw, Tampa Red, Memphis Minnie, and Washboard Sam.
In 1937, he returned to Georgia. He relocated to Los Angeles, California in the early 1940s, apparently hoping to break into motion pictures as a songwriter and comedian. During the 1950s he recorded several albums, but they had little impact. His last album was released in 1962 by Pacific Jazz Records.
He continued to perform in clubs around Los Angeles until he died in 1968.
It's only Robert flippin' Johnson's birthday
Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938) was an American blues musician and songwriter. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians. Although his recording career spanned only seven months, he is recognized as a master of the blues, particularly the Delta blues style, and as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as perhaps "the first ever rock star".
As a traveling performer who played mostly on street corners, in juke joints, and at Saturday night dances, Johnson had little commercial success or public recognition in his lifetime. He participated in only two recording sessions, one in San Antonio in 1936, and one in Dallas in 1937, that produced 29 distinct songs (with 13 surviving alternate takes) recorded by Don Law. These songs, recorded solo in improvised studios, were the totality of his recorded output. Most were released as 10-inch, 78 rpm singles from 1937–1938, with a few released after his death. Other than these recordings, very little was known of his life outside of the small musical circuit in the Mississippi Delta where he spent most of his time. Much of his story has been reconstructed by researchers. Johnson's poorly documented life and death have given rise to legends. The one most often associated with him is that he sold his soul to the devil at a local crossroads in return for musical success.
This is The Source for so many musicians. I love this, I love the singing, the playing and all the mythology surrounding this man
Robert Leroy Johnson (May 8, 1911 – August 16, 1938) was an American blues musician and songwriter. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians. Although his recording career spanned only seven months, he is recognized as a master of the blues, particularly the Delta blues style, and as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as perhaps "the first ever rock star".
As a traveling performer who played mostly on street corners, in juke joints, and at Saturday night dances, Johnson had little commercial success or public recognition in his lifetime. He participated in only two recording sessions, one in San Antonio in 1936, and one in Dallas in 1937, that produced 29 distinct songs (with 13 surviving alternate takes) recorded by Don Law. These songs, recorded solo in improvised studios, were the totality of his recorded output. Most were released as 10-inch, 78 rpm singles from 1937–1938, with a few released after his death. Other than these recordings, very little was known of his life outside of the small musical circuit in the Mississippi Delta where he spent most of his time. Much of his story has been reconstructed by researchers. Johnson's poorly documented life and death have given rise to legends. The one most often associated with him is that he sold his soul to the devil at a local crossroads in return for musical success.
This is The Source for so many musicians. I love this, I love the singing, the playing and all the mythology surrounding this man
Ted Bogan
Theodore R. Bogan (May 10, 1909 – January 29, 1990)[1] was an American country blues guitarist, singer and songwriter,[2] best known for his work with Howard Armstrong and Carl Martin. His career spanned over 50 years. His finger-picking guitar style was much admired. He played in various string bands for most of his career, including Martin, Bogan & Armstrong (or Martin, Bogan & the Armstrongs)
Theodore R. Bogan (May 10, 1909 – January 29, 1990)[1] was an American country blues guitarist, singer and songwriter,[2] best known for his work with Howard Armstrong and Carl Martin. His career spanned over 50 years. His finger-picking guitar style was much admired. He played in various string bands for most of his career, including Martin, Bogan & Armstrong (or Martin, Bogan & the Armstrongs)
Sidney Joseph Bechet (May 14, 1897 – May 14, 1959) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. He was one of the first important soloists in jazz, and first recorded several months before trumpeter Louis Armstrong. His erratic temperament hampered his career, and not until the late 1940s did he earn wide acclaim. Bechet spent much of his later life in France (I actually thought he was French, just down to the following tune)
This is a great melody, even the title is so evocative
This is a great melody, even the title is so evocative
This is the one I skipped the other day because it coincided with Stevie Wonder. Gil Evans, born 13th of May 1912. I think he is widely appreciated as one of the greatest orchestrators in jazz. I chose this particular track because it tickled me that it's a Leadbelly song. If I remember when it's Huddie's turn I'll post his song as a comparison.
Henry St. Claire Fredericks Jr. (born May 17, 1942), better known by his stage name Taj Mahal, is an American blues musician. He plays the guitar, piano, banjo, harmonica, and many other instruments, often incorporating elements of world music into his work. Mahal has done much to reshape the definition and scope of blues music over the course of his more than 50-year career by fusing it with nontraditional forms, including sounds from the Caribbean, Africa, India, Hawaii, and the South Pacific.
I love this song, but what makes it even better is the video being filmed in the New Orleans French Quarter, my favourite part of any city I've been to.
I love this song, but what makes it even better is the video being filmed in the New Orleans French Quarter, my favourite part of any city I've been to.
Joseph Vernon "Big Joe" Turner Jr. (May 18, 1911 – November 24, 1985) was an American blues shouter from Kansas City, Missouri.[3] 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
This is a beaut.
Burl C. "Jaybird" Coleman (May 20, 1896 – January 28, 1950) was an American country blues harmonica player, vocalist, and guitarist. He was a popular musical attraction throughout Alabama and recorded several sides in the late-1920s and early-1930s.
Burl C. "Jaybird" Coleman (May 20, 1896 – January 28, 1950) was an American country blues harmonica player, vocalist, and guitarist. He was a popular musical attraction throughout Alabama and recorded several sides in the late-1920s and early-1930s.
Thomas Wright "Fats" Waller (May 21, 1904 – December 15, 1943) was an American jazz pianist, organist, composer, and singer. His innovations in the Harlem stride style laid much of the basis for modern jazz piano. A widely popular star in the jazz and swing eras, he toured internationally, achieving critical and commercial success in the United States and Europe. His best-known compositions, "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose", were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1984 and 1999.
From the 1943 film "Stormy Weather"
From the 1943 film "Stormy Weather"
Le Sony'r Ra (born Herman Poole Blount, May 22, 1914 – May 30, 1993), better known as Sun Ra, was an American jazz composer, bandleader, piano and synthesizer player, and poet known for his experimental music, "cosmic" philosophy, prolific output, and theatrical performances. For much of his career, Ra led The Arkestra, an ensemble with an ever-changing name and flexible line-up.
I have no idea where to start with him as he is not someone I've listened to and I've always been a bit intimidated by the fact that he has recorded 90 albums - so I googled "best tunes" and this came up
I have no idea where to start with him as he is not someone I've listened to and I've always been a bit intimidated by the fact that he has recorded 90 albums - so I googled "best tunes" and this came up
That sounds terrific, yermum
Artie Shaw (born Arthur Jacob Arshawsky; May 23, 1910 – December 30, 2004) was an American clarinetist, composer, bandleader, actor and author of both fiction and non-fiction.
Widely regarded as "one of jazz's finest clarinetists", Shaw led one of the United States' most popular big bands in the late 1930s through the early 1940s. Though he had numerous hit records, he was perhaps best known for his 1938 recording of Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine."
Push back the chairs and have a wee jig about to this, it's a nice sunny day here and the world can take care of itself for a few minutes.
Artie Shaw (born Arthur Jacob Arshawsky; May 23, 1910 – December 30, 2004) was an American clarinetist, composer, bandleader, actor and author of both fiction and non-fiction.
Widely regarded as "one of jazz's finest clarinetists", Shaw led one of the United States' most popular big bands in the late 1930s through the early 1940s. Though he had numerous hit records, he was perhaps best known for his 1938 recording of Cole Porter's "Begin the Beguine."
Push back the chairs and have a wee jig about to this, it's a nice sunny day here and the world can take care of itself for a few minutes.
John Arthur Lee (May 24, 1915 – October 11, 1977) was an American country blues guitarist, pianist, singer and songwriter. He recorded two singles released by Federal in 1952 and, despite a period of 13 years away from music, Lee was 'rediscovered' and recorded an album released on Rounder in 1974.
His most notable track, "Down at the Depot", was described as a "masterpiece".
This is a great track, I'm pretty sure the guitar in this later became the Blues guitar standard Vestapol, a piece that is a bit of a rite of passage for aspiring players -it's a good one to learn because it sounds really flashy but is actually quite simple
His most notable track, "Down at the Depot", was described as a "masterpiece".
This is a great track, I'm pretty sure the guitar in this later became the Blues guitar standard Vestapol, a piece that is a bit of a rite of passage for aspiring players -it's a good one to learn because it sounds really flashy but is actually quite simple
Mamie Smith born 26th of May 1891. Vaudeville singer, dancer, pianist and actress. I knew this song from the singing of Leon Redbone, but Mamie Smith's 1920 version is said to be one of the first ever blues recordings, from wiki-
On February 14, 1920, Smith recorded "That Thing Called Love" and "You Can't Keep a Good Man Down" for the Okeh label in New York City,[5] after African-American songwriter and bandleader Perry Bradford persuaded Fred Hager to break the color barrier in black music recording.[6] Okeh Records recorded many iconic songs by black musicians. Although this was the first recording by a black blues singer, the backing musicians were all white. Hager had received threats from Northern and Southern pressure groups saying they would boycott the company if he recorded a black singer.[6] Despite these threats, the record was a commercial success and opened the door for more black musicians to record.[7]
Smith's biggest hit was recorded on August 10, 1920, when she recorded a set of songs written by Perry Bradford, including "Crazy Blues" and "It's Right Here for You (If You Don't Get It, 'Tain't No Fault of Mine)", again for Okeh Records,[8][9][10] A million copies were sold in less than a year.[11] Many were bought by African Americans, and there was a sharp rise in sales of "race records".[12] Because of its historical significance, "Crazy Blues" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1994[13] and was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2005
On February 14, 1920, Smith recorded "That Thing Called Love" and "You Can't Keep a Good Man Down" for the Okeh label in New York City,[5] after African-American songwriter and bandleader Perry Bradford persuaded Fred Hager to break the color barrier in black music recording.[6] Okeh Records recorded many iconic songs by black musicians. Although this was the first recording by a black blues singer, the backing musicians were all white. Hager had received threats from Northern and Southern pressure groups saying they would boycott the company if he recorded a black singer.[6] Despite these threats, the record was a commercial success and opened the door for more black musicians to record.[7]
Smith's biggest hit was recorded on August 10, 1920, when she recorded a set of songs written by Perry Bradford, including "Crazy Blues" and "It's Right Here for You (If You Don't Get It, 'Tain't No Fault of Mine)", again for Okeh Records,[8][9][10] A million copies were sold in less than a year.[11] Many were bought by African Americans, and there was a sharp rise in sales of "race records".[12] Because of its historical significance, "Crazy Blues" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1994[13] and was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2005
I just realised that I missed one of my all time favourites in March - what an eedjit 
I was given a blues mix tape when I was around 15 years old, that was when I fell in love with the proper country blues. One of the songs on that tape was Make Me a Pallet on the Floor by Mississippi John Hurt. The thing that struck me about it, apart from the gorgeous guitar playing, was the lovely mellow vocal tones, especially when compared to the almost all of the other voices on that tape.
John Smith Hurt, born 8th of March 1893.
I was given a blues mix tape when I was around 15 years old, that was when I fell in love with the proper country blues. One of the songs on that tape was Make Me a Pallet on the Floor by Mississippi John Hurt. The thing that struck me about it, apart from the gorgeous guitar playing, was the lovely mellow vocal tones, especially when compared to the almost all of the other voices on that tape.
John Smith Hurt, born 8th of March 1893.
A long time ago I bought a Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee album in a second hand record shop which was just around the corner from our flat. I checked for scratches and it all seemed fine. When I got it home and put it on it turned out that I hadn't checked the label and it was actually a T-Bone Walker LP.I took it back and we eventually found the Sonny and Brownie album which I bought as well. It was my first introduction to Walker's music. So, Aaron Thibeaux "T-Bone" Walker, born 28th of May 1910, one of the very early electric guitar players and writer of a song I've also associated with great Edinburgh Bluesman, Stonemason, Actor, Tam White
There are a couple to catch up with as and when but for now...
Curtis Mayfield, born 3rd of June 1942, hugely influential singer, songwriter, activist, producer, guitarist, Superfly.
This song has one of the greatest intro passages of all time, in my humble onion
Curtis Mayfield, born 3rd of June 1942, hugely influential singer, songwriter, activist, producer, guitarist, Superfly.
This song has one of the greatest intro passages of all time, in my humble onion
I may be offline for a few days, it depends if I can find the time or not, so I’m Skipping forward to Skip James, born 9th of June 1907, he was able to make a living from music in the 20s and 30s and then had to turn his hand to other things before being "rediscovered" in the 60s, this kickstarted the so-called Blues Revival. There is something so very dark and spiritual about Skip James' music, I just love it
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Tilly Orifice
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That's beautifulTichtheid wrote: ↑Wed Jun 05, 2024 9:58 am I may be offline for a few days, it depends if I can find the time or not, so I’m Skipping forward to Skip James, born 9th of June 1907, he was able to make a living from music in the 20s and 30s and then had to turn his hand to other things before being "rediscovered" in the 60s, this kickstarted the so-called Blues Revival. There is something so very dark and spiritual about Skip James' music, I just love it
The Wolf, Chester Arthur Burnett, Howlin Wolf, born 10th of June 1910. I've been listening to this song for forty five years, though not continuously.
This would definitely appear on a mix tape of my all time favourite songs, I love it. I'm convinced this is where Beefheart got his singing style from, and Tom Waits too. There is a live version on youtube with different lyrics that is worth seeking out, it's slightly slower and you never get the live vibe on screen, so I'm going with the version that I've played all these years,
This would definitely appear on a mix tape of my all time favourite songs, I love it. I'm convinced this is where Beefheart got his singing style from, and Tom Waits too. There is a live version on youtube with different lyrics that is worth seeking out, it's slightly slower and you never get the live vibe on screen, so I'm going with the version that I've played all these years,
Erroll Louis Garner (June 15, 1921 – January 2, 1977) was an American jazz pianist and composer known for his swing playing and ballads. His instrumental ballad "Misty", his best-known composition, has become a jazz standard. It was first recorded in 1956 with Mitch Miller and his orchestra, and played a prominent part in the 1971 motion picture Play Misty for Me.
This harks back to the majestic Sarah Vaughan and her rendition of the song for her birthday in March, here is Garner with his composition
This harks back to the majestic Sarah Vaughan and her rendition of the song for her birthday in March, here is Garner with his composition
Sara Martin (June 18, 1884 – May 24, 1955) was an American blues singer, in her time one of the most popular of the classic blues singers. She was billed as "The Famous Moanin' Mama" and "The Colored Sophie Tucker" (FFS!). She made many recordings, including a few under the names Margaret Johnson and Sally Roberts
That's quite a lineup on that record
That's quite a lineup on that record
I couldn't find a decent vid of the person whose birthday it is and there is a bit of a scarcity at the moment, so I'll move swiftly along to a vid of someone whose birthday it isn't...or it might be, his wiki page doesn't have a birthday on it so this is just for the sake of keeping the thread going.
Anyway, Robi Botos was born in Hungary to a Roma family and grew up there before emigrating to Toronto - this one of my favourite versions of one of my favourite tunes, written by Bill Lee for his son Spike's film of the same name
Anyway, Robi Botos was born in Hungary to a Roma family and grew up there before emigrating to Toronto - this one of my favourite versions of one of my favourite tunes, written by Bill Lee for his son Spike's film of the same name