Died On This Date (December 15, 2011) Bob Brookmeyer / Notable Jazz Trombonist
themusicsover Bob Brookmeyer
December 19, 1929 – December 15, 2011
Bob Brookmeyer was an American jazz musician, arranger and composer who is most often remembered for his contributions to Gerry Mulligan’s Quartet during the late ’50s. He went on to work with the likes of Jimmy Giuffre, Clark Terry, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis. In later years, Brookmeyer taught jazz composition at the New England Conservator of Music. In 2006, he released Spirit Music which was nominated for a Grammy. Bob Brookmeyer was 81 when he passed away on December 15, 2011.
Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.
What You Should Own
Billie Joe Spears was a popular American country singer who made her biggest mark during the 1970s. With hits like “Mr. Walker It’s All Over,” “Blanket On The Ground” and “What I’ve Got In Mind,” Spears hit the Top 10 of the country charts five times between 1969 and 1977. Her bluesy voice and slick pop-leaning production helped define the popular “countrypolitan” of the era. As country tastes changed in America during the 1980s, Spears popularity dwindled at home, but she did however, continue to sell records and perform in front of sell-out crowds in the UK, where she was dubbed “The Queen Mother Of Country Music.” In 1993, Spears survived triple bypass surgery but continued to tour and record well into the 2000s. Her most recent album was 2005’s I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry. Billie Jo Spears died of cancer on December 14, 2011. She was 74.
Ed Roman was a fiercely independent Las Vegas guitar builder whose creations were lovingly played by Ted Nugent, 
Nicholas Bliss was a Chicago area jazz trumpeter who came to some prominence during the 1970s. Born in Iowa, Bliss moved with his family to Chicago when he was just seven years old. He took up the trumpet during high school and was awarded a scholarship to De Paul University to study music. Before long, Bliss was making a name for himself throughout the nightclubs of Chicago. During the ’70s, he led a Dixieland band at the city’s storied private prohibition styled speakeasy, the Gaslight Club. It has been reported that the nightclub was Hugh Hefner’s inspiration for his Playboy Clubs. Bliss performed at the Gaslight Club for many years and also acted as its talent booker for a time. When the nightclub added locations in Paris, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington DC, he oversaw the musicians at those locales as well. After retiring from performing, Bliss became president of the local musicians union, serving from 1977 to 1982. Nicholas Bliss died of kidney failure on December 13, 2011. He was 90.
John Atterberry was a respected music manager, publisher, and promoter who began his career at Tabu Records where he worked in A&R. After a short detour into the fashion industry, Atterberry was named Vice President of Death Row Records where he was instrumental to the success of such acts as Snoop Dog,