Died On This Date (December 2, 2011) Al Vega / Jazz Piano Great
themusicsover 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.
Known as “Mama Jazz” to fans throughout Southwest Ohio, Phyllis Campbell was a longtime on-air personality at WMUB-FM out of Miami University. A lifelong fan of jazz, Campbell was working at the school as a secretary when she dropped by the station during a fund raiser to talk music. Within a few hours, she was offered a job. Since 1979, Campbell has built a legion of fans thanks in part to her eclectic playlists on such programs as “Traditional Jazz Night” and “The Gospel According to Mama.” All the while, Campbell retained her “day job” at the University, often putting in over 60 hours a week between the two gigs. She retired from her administrative job in 1994 but continued on air until health issues brought that to a close in 2006. Phyllis Campbell was 89 when she passed away on November 26, 2011.
Ross MacManus was an English musician and singer who made his mark performing with the Joe Loss Orchestra beginning in 1955. He had several children, including pop music icon, Elvis Costello. For a decade beginning in 1973, MacManus could be heard on British television singing the jingle he penned for R. White’s Lemonade. A young Costello is featured playing drums and singing back-up on the track. MacManus also sang and penned several songs for the British film, Secrets of a Superstud (1975). In 1997, he released the album Elvis’ Dad Sings Elvis, but in this case the Elvis he honored was 
