On June 12th, in 1941, jazz musician, pianist, fusion jazz pioneer, arranger, sideman, post bop innovator, composer, bandleader, drummer, multi-label recording artist, vibraphonist, founder of the fusion jazz band Return to Forever and former member of Mile Davis’ band-Chick Corea (Armoando Anthony Corea) was born in Chelsea, Massachusetts. His jazz legacy is undeniable. Corea was one of the forefathers of fusion jazz that came about in the late 60s. He was the featured pianist/organist with Miles Davis on 3 of his LPs that are credited with birthing the sound-Filles de Kilimanjaro (1968), In a Silent Way (1969-the first ‘official’ fusion jazz record) and Bitches Brew (1970). Corea replaced Herbie Hancock who was a member of Miles’ second great quintet. His father was a jazz trumpeter that served as his major musical influence, introducing him to jazz at an early age.
He started playing piano when he was 4. He added drumming to his repertoire when he was 8. This gave Corea more insight into the various ways the piano could be used to compose melodies, as well as acting as a percussion instrument. He started playing professionally when he was a teenager and was a sideman for Herbie Mann, Stan Getz and Mongo Santamaria. In 1968, he released his first LP as a co-leader with Miroslav Vitous and Roy Haynes-Now He Sings, Now He Sobs (1968). Miles Davis hired him later that year and they combined to create fusion jazz. In 1970, he started Circle with bassist Dave Holland. Shortly after this, he founded Return to Forever with jazz standouts like Flora Purim, Stanley Clarke and Billy Cobham. The group was commonly confused with Weather Report as they shared some band members and had a similar sound. Chick is 78 today.
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On June 12th, in 1957, we lost a prominent jazz musician, trumpeter, composer, clarinetist, arranger, bandleader, little brother of Tommy Dorsey, swing jazz innovator, saxophonist, Grammy Hall of Fame artist and sideman-Jimmy Dorsey (James Dorsey) AKA JD. He’s most known for his contributions to jazz during the Dixieland/Big Band era (10s/20s-associated with the formal birth of jazz), the swing era (30s/40s) and the bebop era (40s/50s). Although he’s not considered a bebop musician, he was an extremely popular performer during the time that it was ‘underground’-unrecorded private jam sessions held before, during or after shows (40s). He borrowed some of the phrasing and melodic solos, incorporating them into his own swing sound and making it more contemporary. Audiences raved over the new style that they otherwise would not have heard if Dorsey didn’t play it.
He drew large crowds, mostly White due to segregation and the fascination with White musicians that could play ‘Black’ music. However, in the 50s, when bebop was revealed, Dorsey saw a change in his fan base from young and old, to those that only wanted to hear swing jazz. A lot of swing jazz fans snubbed their noses at bebop, while Dorsey loved it, preferring to play it more than swing. I feel for him, and other artist’s like him that are type cast by the greater public. They're forced to play what the public expects from them. This stifles one’s creativity, which is the primary thing that made them popular in the first place. For example, when Jimi Hendrix wanted to do jazz with Miles Davis and stop singing Foxy Lady or burning his guitar-his fans were livid and would shout songs they wanted him play from the audience-instead of just enjoying the new stuff he was playing...Dorsey was 53 when he passed.
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On June 12th, in 1972, dancehall musician, Jamaican music pioneer, rapper, songwriter, producer, toaster, Dee Jay, multi-label recording artist and founder of the Alliance (a dancehall Dee Jay collective)-Bounty Killer (Rodney Basil Price) was born in Jamaica. He’s one of the major figures that pioneered dancehall, catapulting it to an international level. Before Bounty Killer, many dancehall MCs would largely use Jamaican rhythms just like the original sound system Dee Jays. He was one of the first to start using old funk, soul, rock, hip hop and R&B breaks in his music, much like Mary J. Blige did when inventing the Hip Hop Soul sound. His toasting style is street credible, with references to gun play, hustles and similar ‘fast life’ characteristics. He got his start during his teens via his father that had his own sound system-Black Scorpio.
He got shot when he was 14 and while in the hospital he decided on the name-Bounty Killer. After he got out, he up’d his game by toasting and spinning more. His sound and explicit/violent lyrics caught the attention of King Jammy (early 90s). Bounty Killer recorded his first single with him, but King refused to release it due to its content. Uncle T-Jammy’s brother released it instead-Coppershot. In 1993, he began a major beef that lasted nearly a decade with his rival-Beenie Man. Although the two came to a peaceful resolution, it caused a lot of division in the dancehall industry. Like him or hate him, Bounty Killer’s from the ‘rude boy’ school-kind of like NWA meets Public Enemy. He’ll ‘bring the noise’ if need be, but usually doesn’t go out looking for it-backing down is not an option. He has poignant and insightful songs like Babylon System, Defend the Poor and Down in the Ghetto that speak to the plight of impoverished people all over the world. He's 47 today.
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HONORABLE MENTION: On June 12th, in 1921, jazz musician, trumpeter, sideman, composer, arranger, bandleader and co-founder of the Fairweather-Brown All Stars-Al Fairweather (Alastair Fairweather) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He’s most known for his recordings with Sandy Brown during the 50s. They worked with drummer/producer-Stan Greig. Al joined the Cy Laurie Jazz Band in the early 60s. In the mid and late 60s, he was a member of Acker Bilk’s band (clarinetist). He became an educator in Harrow, London, UK in the 70s up to the late 80s. In 1987, he returned to music and continued to perform up to his death. He was 66 when he passed.
On June 12th, in 1928, jazz/pop musician, vocalist, songwriter, radio/TV personality, multi-label recording artist and stage performer-Vic Damone (Vito Rocco Farinola) was born in Brooklyn, NYC, NY. Damone was discovered by Milton Berle who got him a contract with Mercury Records in the late 40s. His major influence was Frank Sinatra. He sang in a similar style and released his first single that peaked in top 10-I Have but One Heart (Mercury, 1945). He rose to stardom quickly and appeared on several TV shows like: Ed Sullivan, Dean Martin Show, Red Skelton Show, Carol Burnett Show, Andy Williams Show, Perry Como Show and the Bell Telephone Hour. He was 89 when he died.
On June 12th, in 1950, rock musician, percussionist, music archivist, former member, drummer and co-founder of Cheap Trick-Bun E. Carlos was born in Rockford, IL. He’s most known for his work with Cheap Trick, serving as their archivist and releasing old videos and music from their discography called Bun E’s Bootlegs. He also was a member of the All-Star band called-Tinted Windows. It contains members from the Smashing Pumpkins and Fountains of Wayne. Bun E. co-founded the Monday Night Band and the Bun E Clarlos Experience. He released one solo LP in 2016-Greetings from Bunezuela! He’s 69 today.
On June 12th, in 2011, doo wop innovator, songwriter, lead singer and co-founder of the Coasters-Carl (Edward) Gardner was born in Port St. Lucie, FL. He got his start as the lead singer for the The Robins-a soul group from the mid 50s. They had some success with their 1995 single-Smokey Joe’s Café. He started the Coasters in 1956. Their biggest selling singles were Yakety Yak (1958) and Charlie Brown (1959). Gardner was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Coasters in 1987. They're one of the seminal doo wop groups of their time and added a bit of comedy to their songs. Gardner was 83 when he passed.
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