On April 23rd, in 1999, we lost a prominent female jazz musician, former classmate of Dexter Gordon, arranger for Randy Weston, friend of Eric Dolphy, trombonist, composer and former member of Gerald Wilson’s Orchestra-Melba Doretta Liston. The Kansas City native got her start playing trombone via her grandfather who was a guitar player. She was a self-taught musician that had her first professional gig when she was 8 (radio spot). When she was 10, her family moved to Los Angeles where she became good friends with Eric Dolphy and Dexter Gordon. All of them were formally trained by Alma Hightower.
After high school, she joined Gerald Wilson’s Orchestra (1944) and recorded a few sides with Dexter Gordon (1947). In the late 40s, she worked with Dizzy Gillespie who had a then young John Coltrane in his band. She also toured with Billie Holiday and Count Basie. In the early 50s, she started working for Hollywood directors on movies like the Ten Commandments and The Prodigal. In the late 50s, she worked with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Quincy Jones and Billy Eckstine. The 60s was her ‘official’ decade. She became the primary co-arranger and composer for Randy Weston’s band. Other notable musicians she worked with include: Joe Sample/Wilton Felder (The Crusaders), Milt Jackson, Ray Charles, Calvin Scott (Stax), Paul Humphrey and Clark Terry. She continued to work on post bop jazz projects up to her death. She was 73 when she passed.
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On April 23rd, in 1991, we lost a glam/punk rock pioneer, bassist, singer, songwriter, guitarist and co-founding member of the New York Dolls-Johnny Thunders (John Anthony Genzale). He’s a Queens, NYC native that started playing with bands in the mid 60s. He joined the Reign first, then Johnny and the Jay Walkers. He had aspirations of starting his own band after appearing in Gimme Shelter (film 1970). In the early 70s, he began sitting in with various groups and became a staple in the West Village music scene. He linked up with Arthur Kane, joining his band called Actress. They morphed into the New York Dolls and at this point Johnny coined himself Johnny Thunders (from a comic book character).
He’s featured on their first 2 LPs-the self-titled New York Dolls (1973) and Too Much Too Soon (1974). He left the band shortly after this and started his own band with Jerry Nolan (former drummer of the NY Dolls)-The Heartbreakers. He joined the budding punk scene that was infused by a lot of former glam rockers. One of the first bands he played with was The Demons and his own band the Heartbreakers. They toured with The Clash, The Damned and the Sex Pistols in Europe. While there he recorded his only LP with the band-L.A.M.F. (Like a Mother Fucker). They disbanded shortly after this and Thunders went solo. He recorded a couple solo LPs in the late 70s. He also moved back to the states (Detroit Rock City USA) and joined Gang War featuring former members of MC5. He was 38 when he passed.
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On April 23rd, in 1984, we lost yet another important figure in jazz music, block chord innovative jazz pianist, composer, clarinetist, bandleader, saxophonist, sideman, former welterweight boxer, arranger and former member of the Miles Davis Quintet-Red Garland (William McKinley Garland). He’s most known for his work with Miles Davis and Art Blakey during the late 40s (until the late 50s). He started off on sax and clarinet, before switching to piano in 1941 (age 18). In 1945, he started playing with Hot Lips Page’s band (trumpeter) and stayed in NY after his tour ended. He then started gigging in nightclubs and was discovered by Art Blakey and Billy Eckstine. Interesting fact: Garland fought over 30 welterweight fights in the 40s, one of which was an exhibition match against Sugar Ray Robinson.
He joined Miles Davis in the early 50s. His line up included: John Coltrane of sax, Philly Joe Jones on drums, Paul Chambers on bass and Miles on trumpet. Garland recorded a few LPs with Miles: Workin’ Steamin’ Cookin’ and Relaxin’, The New Miles Davis Quintet, ‘Round About Midnight and Milestones. His piano style was heavily influenced by cool jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal and the classical composer George Shearing. He was instrumental in transforming Miles’ sound from bebop to cool jazz. A style that Miles would use for the duration of his career. Garland left Miles in 1958 and recorded as a solo artist and a sideman with others up to his death (Nat Adderley, John Coltrane, Blue Mitchell, Jimmy Heath, Donald Byrd, Kenny Burrell). He was 60 when he passed.
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HONORABLE MENTION: On April 23rd, in 1973, we lost an innovative session musician, bassist, former member of Bunky & Jake, Loading Zone and Santana-Doug Rauch (Douglass Haywood Rauch). He started off playing bass for Buzzy Linhart. Soon after he worked with the Voices of East Harlem before moving to San Francisco. While hew as there, he joined Loading Zone and played with Gabor Szabo. He replaced David Brown in 1972 when he joined Santana. Rauch brought his love for jazz, specifically fusion, to the band making Santana’s 70s sound more Prog Rock based. He also was a member of Tony Williams’ Lifetime band (third lineup). He was 28.
April 23rd proved to be a significant day for the Rolling Stones in 1971 and 1976. In 1971, they released one of my top 5 favorite LPs by them-Sticky Fingers. It features my favorite Rolling Stones song: Can’t You Hear Me Knocking. Other tight songs include: Brown Sugar, Bitch, Wild Horses, Sister Morphine and Moonlight Mile. Billy Preston lays some mean organ on the LP, while other featured guests like Ry Cooder, Ian Stewart, Bobby Keys and Nicky Hopkins add some nice instrumentation. Andy Warhol designed the LP cover that came with a zipper. However, it damaged the vinyl and was difficult to mass produce so an alternate cover with the zipper halfway down was made to save the condition of the vinyl.
In 1976, the Stones released their 15th LP-Black & Blue. Much controversy surrounded the release of this album due to the cover art. The original jacket shows the model Anita Russell being bound by Mick Jagger with writing under the photo saying: I’m Black and Blue from the Rolling Stones-and I Love it! It was protested by Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW). The Stones did a cover of a reggae song on this LP-Cherry Oh Baby by Eric Donaldson. The song-Melody was inspired by Billy Preston and Crazy Mama was written by Mick. Notable personnel include: Arif Mardin, Billy Preston, Wayne Perkins and Ollie Brown.
On April 23rd, in 1976, on the same day the Stones released their 15th LP Black and Blue-the innovative punk band the Ramones released their full-length self-titled debut-The Ramones. It’s one of the first official American punk LPs to be released. It features a black and white cover photo taken by Punk magazine photographer Roberta Bayley. Truly an iconic image, it has been imitated by many musicians after. The entire album is good, however, some notable songs include: Blitzkrieg Bop, Judy is a Punk and I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend. Personnel on the LP include: Tommy Ramone-drums, Johnny Ramone-guitar, Joey Ramone-lead vocals, Dee Dee Ramone-bass. Buy it!
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