Leon Ware was an American singer, songwriter and producer who was celebrated for the many hits he crafted for others. Born in Detroit, Ware began writing professionally in 1967. Later that year, the first recording note of a song he co-wrote was released; “Got To Have You Back,” by the Isley Brothers. A couple of years later, he hooked up with Ike & Tina Turner to co-write six songs on their album, Nuff Said. What followed was nearly four decades of hit songs for the likes of Michael Jackson, Minnie Riperton, Quincy Jones, and Marvin Gaye. In Gaye’s case, every song on his I Want You album was penned or co-penned by Ware who also produced the landmark album. It sold over a million copies and is considered a must-have for any album collection. Ware also recorded nearly a dozen albums of his own, the most successful being 1979’s Inside Is Love, and the most recent, 2008’s Moon Ride. Leon Ware was 77 when he died of prostate cancer on February 23, 2017.
Clark Terry was an American jazz trumpeter who is widely considered one of the most influential and popular jazz musicians of his time. Terry launched his career during the early ’40s, just in time to serve in the US Navy Band during World War II. After his discharge, Terry went on to perform with Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and later, Quincy Jones, among others, as well as leading his own bands. As one of the most recorded artists jazz music has ever known, Terry appeared on nearly 1000 known recordings. Throughout his career, he wrote over 200 jazz songs, performed for seven US Presidents, and put on several jazz festivals and jazz camps. In 1991 he was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Award, and in 2010, he became one of only five trumpet players to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. A lifetime student of jazz as well as a respected educator, Clark held sixteen honorary doctorates. He was even knighted in Germany. Clark Terry was 94 when he passed away on February 21, 2015.
Phil Ramone was a successful record producer who, over a career that spanned some five decades, was awarded 15 Grammys, one Emmy, and countless other accolades. A child prodigy born in South Africa, Ramone, was playing the violin at age three, and performing for Queen Elizabeth II before he hit his teens. During the ’40s, he moved to the United States where he attended The Julliard School before becoming a U.S. citizen in 1953. In 1959, Ramone opened his own studio, A & R Recording and quickly built a name for himself due to his use of the latest technologies. Artists he went to produce landmark albums with include Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Quincy Jones, Chicago and Barbra Streisand. And albums he produced for Ray Charles, Billy Joel, and Paul Simon each went on to earn Album Of The Year awards at the Grammys. Ramone also recorded Marilyn Monroe‘s notorious rendition of “Happy Birthday To You” to President John F. Kennedy. He was also considered one of the industry’s top innovators. In 1982, his digitally recorded version of Billy Joel’s 52nd Street became the first album to be released on compact disc in Japan. He was also largely responsible for Surround Sound for movies. Phil Ramone was 72 when he passed away on March 30, 2013. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Clare Fischer was a pianist, composer and arranger who, besides having his own respectable career as a musician, arranged music for some of pop music’s biggest stars. Fischer was still a child when he first started making music, and after graduating from college and serving in the Army, he pursued a career in music. During the late ’50s, he took on his first gig of note as the pianist and arranger for popular vocal quartet, the Hi-Los. It was his work with the group that helped establish them as a major influence on the likes of the Manhattan Transfer, Brian Wilson, and Quincy Jones. It was around that time that he also arranged music for jazz greats Cal Tjader, Donald Byrd, and George Shearing among others. Fischer began recording his own albums in 1962. His output includes First Time Out, Surging Ahead, and Clare Fischer & Salsa Picante Present 2+2 , for which he won a Grammy. Throughout his career, he was recognized with 11 Grammy nominations and two wins. In 1985, Fischer began writing arrangements for Prince. Albums on which they collaborated include Under A Cherry Moon and Graffiti Bridge. Other artists he arranged for include Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, and Robert Palmer. On January 26, 2012, Clare Fischer died as a result of a heart attack he suffered some three weeks prior. He was 83.
Living up to his motto, “Have Percussion, Will Travel,” Phil Kraus is one of the most recorded percussionists in history. Kraus was just 8 years old when he began playing the xylophone, and upon graduation from high school, he was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Julliard School of Music. After graduating, he was hired by WNEW to play in the studio band. After serving during WWII, Kraus became one of the industry’s most in-demand session players, and he would continue to be as such through the 1970s. He also played in the studio band for numerous television programs. Over the years, he graced recordings by and/or shared the stage with such luminaries as Benny Goodman, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Buddy Holly, Quincy Jones, Billie Holiday and Ray Charles. On May 19, 1962, he was playing in the orchestra at Madison Square Garden when Marilyn Monroe famously sang, “Happy Birthday To You,” to President John F. Kennedy. In later years, Kraus worked with the Houston Symphony and Houston Pops. He also taught percussion at Rice University. Phil Kraus was 93 when he passed away on January 13, 2012.
Clark Terry was an American jazz trumpeter who is widely considered one of the most influential and popular jazz musicians of his time. Terry launched his career during the early ’40s, just in time to serve in the US Navy Band during World War II. After his discharge, Terry went on to perform with 
Phil Ramone was a successful record producer who, over a career that spanned some five decades, was awarded 15 Grammys, one Emmy, and countless other accolades. A child prodigy born in South Africa, Ramone, was playing the violin at age three, and performing for Queen Elizabeth II before he hit his teens. During the ’40s, he moved to the United States where he attended The Julliard School before becoming a U.S. citizen in 1953. In 1959, Ramone opened his own studio, A & R Recording and quickly built a name for himself due to his use of the latest technologies. Artists he went to produce landmark albums with include Rod Stewart, Bob Dylan, 
Clare Fischer was a pianist, composer and arranger who, besides having his own respectable career as a musician, arranged music for some of pop music’s biggest stars. Fischer was still a child when he first started making music, and after graduating from college and serving in the Army, he pursued a career in music. During the late ’50s, he took on his first gig of note as the pianist and arranger for popular vocal quartet, the Hi-Los. It was his work with the group that helped establish them as a major influence on the likes of the Manhattan Transfer, Brian Wilson, and Quincy Jones. It was around that time that he also arranged music for jazz greats Cal Tjader, Donald Byrd, and 
Living up to his motto, “Have Percussion, Will Travel,” Phil Kraus is one of the most recorded percussionists in history. Kraus was just 8 years old when he began playing the xylophone, and upon graduation from high school, he was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Julliard School of Music. After graduating, he was hired by WNEW to play in the studio band. After serving during WWII, Kraus became one of the industry’s most in-demand session players, and he would continue to be as such through the 1970s. He also played in the studio band for numerous television programs. Over the years, he graced recordings by and/or shared the stage with such luminaries as