Died On This Date (October 21, 2011) Edmundo Ros / Famous Trinidadian Bandleader

Edmundo Ros
December 7, 1910 – October 21, 2011

Edmundo Ros was a Trinidad born but England based Latin jazz singer, musician and bandleader who came to prominence during the 1940s.  Ros’ first instrument of choice was the euphonium, a wind brass instrument, which he played in the Venezuelan Military Band from the late ’20s to late ’30s.  Soon after, he received a proper music education from London’s Royal Academy of Music.  It was during that time that he played a handful of recordings by Fats Waller.    In 1940, Ros formed a rumba band which eventually swelled to 16 musicians and was renamed Edmundo Ros and his Orchestra.  The band became very popular throughout Europe, playing for royalty and celebrities alike.  His 1949 78 record, “The Wedding Samba,” sold over 3 million copies, while his Rhythms Of The South LP of 1958 sold well over a million.  In all, Ros made more than 800 recordings throughout his career.  He also ran his own record label and one of London’s most popular nightclubs of its era.  Edmund Ross made his farewell performance in 1994, and passed away at 100 years old on October 21, 2011.

Thanks to Dan Del Fiorentino at NAMM for the assist.

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Edmundo Ros

Died On This Date (October 16, 2011) Pete Rugolo / Jazz Composer & Arranger

Pietro Rugolo
December 25, 1915 – October 16, 2011

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, Nat King Cole, Harry Belafonte, Mel Torme, and Stan Kenton.  Throughout the ’60s and ’70s, Rugolo focused primarily on television, helping create music for such TV programs as Leave It To Beaver, The Fugitive, Run For Your Life, and many others.  He also arranged and composed music for several films up until his retirement in the late ’90s.  Pete Rugolo was 95 when he passed away on October 16, 2011.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.



Died On This Date (October 15, 2011) Betty Driver / Noted English Singer & Actress

Betty Driver
May 20, 1920 – October 15, 2011

Betty Driver was an English singer, author, and actress who is best known for her  2800+ appearances on the popular British soap opera, Coronation Street.  Prior to that, Driver starred in numerous musicals where she was able to show off her skills as a singer, mostly of ballads.  She also entertained millions via the radio for many years.  During the ’40s, Driver fronted big bands with whom she traveled around Europe entertaining WWII soldiers.    Betty Driver was 91 when she passed away on October 15, 2011.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.



Died On This Date (October 8, 2011) Piet Noordijk / Respected Dutch Saxophonist

Piet Noordijk
May 26, 1932 – October 8, 2011

Piet Noordijk was a respected Dutch saxophonist who, over a career that stretched several decades played in both orchestras and big bands.  The list of groups he played with includes the Skymasters, Malando, the Ramblers, and the Metropole Orchestra.  In 1965, Noordijk was presented with the Boy Edgar Prize, the highest achievement for a Dutch jazz musician, and in 1987, he won the Bird Award which is also bestowed upon only the best in his field.  He went on to win other awards as well. Over the course of his career, Noordijk is known to have played with the likes of Nina Simone, Dexter Gordon, Toots Thielemans, and Wynton Marsalis.  Piet Noordijk was 79 when he passed away on October 8, 2011.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.

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Swinging With Strings (Live At the Bimhuis Amsterdam) - Piet Noordijk & The String & Rhythm Section of The Metropole Orchestra

Died On This Date (September 20, 2011) Frank Driggs / Record Producer & Jazz Historian

Frank Driggs
1930 – September 20, 2011

Frank Driggs was a jazz lover who became one of the genre’s most respected historians and collectors.  Because of his reputation, producer legend, John Hammond hired him during the late ’50s to help him put packages together for Columbia Records.  While at the label, Driggs worked on releases by the likes of Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, and the most celebrated, Robert Johnson’s Robert Johnson: The Complete Recordings which won Driggs a Grammy in 1991.  He also produced records for Bluebird, Okeh, and MCA, to name a few.  Meanwhile, Driggs was gathering jazz photos, hand bills, ticket stubs and such for his own personal collection which, by the mid 2000s, swelled to over 100,000 images.   After retiring in 1977,  Driggs continued to earn a living by providing photographs for books and documentaries, the highest profile being perhaps Ken Burns’ Jazz series of 2001.  Frank Driggs passed away of natural causes on September 20, 2011.  He was 81.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.