Died On This Date (December 2, 2011) Howard Tate / Soul Music Legend

Howard Tate
August 14, 1939 – December 2, 2011

Howard Tate was an American soul and gospel singer and songwriter who first found his audience during the ’60s and early ’70s.  With bluesy soul records like “Ain’t Nobody Home,” “Granny,” and “Stop,” Tate built a sizable following which included no less than Janis Joplin, who recorded his “Get It While You Can” on her Pearl album.  After retiring from the music business during the late ’70s, Tate fell into some hard times, and eventually found work as a drug and mental illness counselor and preacher.  In 2003, he mounted a much welcomed comeback with the release of the Grammy nominated Rediscovered which was produced by Jerry Ragavoy who died the same for Tate’s hits back in the 1960s.  Tate back in  A live album followed the following year, and in 2006 he released A Portrait Of Howard, produced by Steve Weisberg and featuring songs by Carla Bley, Lou Reed, and Nick Lowe.  Howard Tate died from complications of Multiple Myeloma and Leukemia on December 2, 2011.  He was 72.

Thanks to Steve Weisberg for the assist.

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A Portrait of Howard - Howard Tate & The Steve Weisberg Orchestra

Died On This Date (December 2, 2011) Bill Tapia / 103 Year Old Ukulele Legend

Bill Tapia
January 1, 1908 – December 2, 2011

Bill Tapia was arguably the greatest if not longest working ukulele player the world has ever known.  Born in Honolulu, HI, Tapia was only 10 when he was entertaining American troops who were stationed in Hawaii during WWI.  Before he knew it, Tapia was touring with vaudeville shows and playing on steam ships between Hawaii and the mainland.  When the ukulele became all the rage during the ’40s and ’50s, Tapia was the teacher to the stars, tutoring the likes of Shirley Temple, Clark Gable, and Elvis Presley.   He also played with such music luminaries as Fats Waller, Bing Crosby, and Billie Holiday.  Tapia moved to San Francisco following WWII and was more or less retired – outside of guitar teaching. Then in 2004, he launched his comeback at the age of 96!  He released an album of jazz and Hawaiian tunes later that year.  In 2001, Tapia celebrated his 100th birthday with a jazz concert which was recorded and later released.  He continued to tour until 2010.  Bill Tapia was 103 when he passed away on December 2, 2011.

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Live At the Warner Grand - The 100th Birthday Concert - Bill Tapia

Died On This Date (December 2, 2011) Al Vega / Jazz Piano Great

Al Vega (Born Aram Vagramian)
DOB Unknown – December 2, 2011

Al Vega  was a legendary jazz pianist who, over a career that spanned some 70 years, entertained crowds throughout the Boston, MA clubs alongside the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, and Miles Davis.   He also fronted his own jazz combo and played on literally 100s of recordings.  Al Vega was 90 when he passed away on December 2, 2011.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.