Died On This Date (January 23, 1973) Kid Ory / New Orleans Jazz Pioneer

Edward “Kid” Ory
December 25, 1886 – January 23, 1973

Kid Ory was one of Dixieland jazz’s most influential trombonists.  His was one of the most popular New Orleans jazz bands during the first decade of the 20th century.  It was the one-time home to such greats as King Oliver and Louis Armstrong.  Ory moved to Los Angeles in 1919 and quickly became the premier New Orleans jazz band there.  It was in Los Angeles that he began making records.  He moved to Chicago during the mid ’20s and retired from the business during the Depression years.  He came back in 1944 and for the better part of the next twenty years, he was the top New Orleans jazz band in the country.  Ory retired completely in 1966 and passed away on January 23, 1973 at the age of 86.

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Kid Ory

Died On This Date (October 3, 1976) Victoria Spivey / Early Blues Great

Victoria Spivey
October 15, 1906 – October 3, 1976

With Louis Armstrong
With Louis Armstrong

Victoria Spivey was a Houston born blues singer who came to prominence in the 1930s.  Her career began with her singing at local parties and clubs while still in her teens.  Before she knew it she was sharing the stage or singing on records with the likes of Blind Lemon Jefferson, Louis Armstrong and King Oliver.  Spivey transitioned to film during the ’30s, appearing in such movies as Hallelujah!.  She retired from show business in 1951, but made a comeback during the folk revival of the early ’60s.  During her later career she recorded with the likes such greats as Otis Rush, Otis Spann, Willie Dixon, and even Bob Dylan who played harmonica and sang back-up on a 1962 recording.  Victoria Spivey died of an internal hemorrhage at the age of 69.

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Victoria Spivey Vol. 1 1926-1927 - Victoria Spivey