Died On This Date (November 11, 2011) Michael Garrick / Jazz Pianist
themusicsover Michael Garrick
May 30, 1933 – November 11, 2011
Michael Garrick was an influential English pianist and composer who was one of the earliest practitioners of merging jazz with poetry recitations. Mostly self-taught on the piano, Garrick formed his first group while studying English literature in college. During the late ’60s, Garrick began working choral groups into his music, a style which quickly earned him praise. Over the course of a career that spanned five decades, Garrick released over 30 albums and collaborated on numerous others. In 2010, he was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire. As reported by Tiny Mix Tapes, Michael Garrick passed away on November 11, 2011. He was 78.
What You Should Own
George Rountree is perhaps best remembered as the long time music director for legendary Motown group, the Four Tops. For over 30 years, Rountree helped the quartet deliver its best possible sound to adoring fans around the world. He also served as their arranger, composer, and keyboardist from time to time. Throughout the years, Rountree also performed with the likes of Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Temptations, Martha Reeves, and Frankie Valli, to name a few. George Rountree was 61 when he passed away on October 30, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Pete Rugolo was an Italian born American jazz composer and arranger who, over a career that spanned over five decades worked on albums by the likes of June Christy, 
Jagjit Singh was an immensely popular Indian singer and composer who was known as the “King of Ghazal” due to the role he played in the revitalization of this form of Persian rhyming. He and his wife and musical partner, Chitra Singh, initially gained fame during the ’70s and ‘8os, and have since been recognized as the first-ever successful husband-and-wife duo in Indian music history. They were also reportedly the first Indian act to ever use digital multi-track while their 1987 release, Beyond Time is widely considered the nation’s first digitally recorded album. Over the course of a career that spanned some 50 years, Singh’s music has appeared in numerous popular Indian films and on no fewer than 80 of his own albums. Singh has also been recognized for his many philanthropic ventures. Jagjit Singh passed away on October 10, 2011, as the result of a brain hemorrhage. He was 70.
Roger Williams was a popular American pianist who released several hit instrumental records during the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. Williams reportedly began playing the piano at age 3, and except for a break to give boxing a respectable shot during his late teens, Williams devoted his life to the instrument. After majoring in piano in college – which he was expelled from, Williams enlisted in the US Navy during World War II where he earned for his Bachelor’s degree. After being discharged, he went on to earn his Master’s, and then moved to New York City to study at famed music school, Julliard. It was while filling in one night for an absent performer on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, Williams was discovered and signed to Kapp Records. In 1955, he released “Autumn Leaves” which is still the only piano instrumental to ever reach #1 on the Billboard pop charts. The record went on to sell over 2 million copies. His next big hit came in 1966 with “Born Free,” the theme song to the popular motion picture of the same name. Other hits included “Near You,” “The Impossible Dream,” and “The Theme From Somewhere In Time.” Over a career that spanned more than 56 years, he released over 116 albums. Always a popular guest at the White House, Williams performed for nine different Presidents, beginning with Harry S. Truman. His last was at a 2008 luncheon hosted by Laura Bush. As reported by the 