Composer

Died On This Date (January 2, 1977) Erroll Garner / Jazz Piano Great

Errol Garner
June 15, 1921 – January 2, 1977

Erroll Garner was a jazz pianist and composer who came to prominence in the 1940s.  Although he made numerous acclaimed recordings for such esteemed labels as Blue Note, Verve, Mercury and Columbia Records, it is his composition, “Misty,” that he is most celebrated for.  The song became the centerpiece for the 1971 Clint Eastwood film, Play Misty For Me.  Erroll Garner was 55 when he passed away on January 2, 1977.



Died On This Date (December 28, 1952) Fletcher Henderson / Jazz Great

Fletcher Henderson
December 18, 1897 – December 28, 1952

Fletcher Henderson was a respected big band and swing jazz pianist, composer and band leader.  During a career that began in the early ’20s, Henderson lead bands that included the likes of Coleman Hawkins, Louis Armstrong, Sun Ra and Benny Carter.  As a composer, his most famous song was “Gin House Blues,” which found itself recorded by Bessie Smith and Nina Simone among others.  As an arranger, he was responsible for key recordings by Benny Goodman and others.  In 1950, Fletcher Henderson suffered a stroke that left him unable to play the piano.  He passed away two years later.



Died On This Date (December 27, 1981) Hoagy Carmichael / Influential Composer

Hoagy Carmichael
November 22, 1899 – December 27, 1981

Hoagy Carmichael was a highly influential composer and musician who, over the course of a career that spanned from 1918 to 1981 wrote three of the most recorded songs in history.  They are “Stardust,” “Georgia on My Mind,” and “Heart and Soul.”  Over the years, he collaborated with the likes of Bix Beiderbecke, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, and Johnny Mercer to name just a few.  His songs have been recorded by the likes of George Harrison, Ray Charles, Bing Crosby, NOFX, Jan and Dean, and Jamie Foxx with Alicia Keyes.  Perhaps one of his biggest honors came in 1961, when he was immortalized as “Stoney Carmichael” in an episode of The Flintstones.  On December 27, 1981, Hoagy Carmichael died of heart failure at the age of 82.

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Hoagy Carmichael

Died On This Date (December 23, 2007) Oscar Peterson / Jazz Great

Oscar Peterson
August 15, 1925 – December 23, 2007

Oscar Peterson was a prolific Canadian jazz pianist and composer who, over the course of a 60+ year career, released over 200 albums, seven of which earning him Grammys.  Peterson actually started out with the trumpet as a child, but after coming down with tuberculosis at the of seven, he could no longer play it, so he turned his focus to the piano.  Peterson is regarded for his choice of duet partners over the years.  Some of those he worked with were Ray Brown, Herbie HancockClark Terry and Herb Ellis.  He also put together some of the greatest trios and quartets jazz has ever known.  Peterson was an educator as well, teaching at advanced music schools and universities in Canada.  He continued to perform up until the final months of his life.  On December 23, Oscar Peterson died of renal failure at the age of 82.

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Night Train - Oscar Peterson

Died On This Date (December 19, 2008) Page Cavanaugh / Jazz Pianist And Composer

Page Cavanaugh
January 26, 1922 – December 19, 2008

page-cavanaugh

Page Cavanaugh was jazz singer and pianist who came to prominence during the ’40s.  He and his trio had hits with such songs as “All Of Me” and “Walkin’ My Baby Back Home.”  The group performed in several Hollywood films during the late ’40s and beyond.  Cavanaugh performed in Los Angeles clubs in later years and released his last album in 2006.  Page Cavanaugh was 88 when he died of kidney failure on December 19, 2008.