Jazz

On This Date (June 28, 1982) Harry Mills / The Mills Brothers

Harry Mills
August 19, 1913 – June 28, 1982

Harry Mills was one-quarter of the popular vocal quartet, the Mills Brothers who scored several pop vocal hits throughout the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s.  They made a remarkable 2000+ recordings that sold over 50 million copies, earning them over 30 gold records.  Any worthy collection of their hits should include “Dinah,” “Caravan,” “Tiger Rag,” “Paper Doll,” and “Cab Driver.”  Harry Mills passed away from natural causes on June 28, 1982 although he did suffer from diabetes in his later years.  He was 68 when he died.

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The Mills Brothers

 

Died On This Date (June 28, 2008) Ronnie Matthews / Jazz Pianist

Ronnie Matthews
December 2, 1935 – June 28, 2008

Ronnie Matthews was a respected jazz pianist who graced many hard bop albums of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.  Over the years he’s recorded with Freddie Hubbard, Horace Silver, and McCoy Tyner, as well as toured with both Art Blakey and Johnny Griffin. Matthews was also recognized for his sensitive interpretations of Thelonious Monk. He died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 72.

 



Died On This Date (June 27, 2008) Daihachi Oguchi / Master Japanese Drummer

Daihachi Oguchi
1924 – June 27, 2008

Daihachi Oguchi was a Japanese drummer who was closely associated with the taiko form of drumming.  Oguchi formed several taiko groups including the famed San Fracisco Taiko Dojo who have been seen performing in several Hollywood movies over the past 40 years.  Oguchi died the day after being hit by a car.  He was 84.

Died On This Date (June 27, 2009) Jackie Washington / Canadian Jazz & Blues Icon

Jackie Washington
November 12, 1919 – June 27, 2009

jack3Jackie Washington was one of those artists that was referred to as both a jazz and blues singer.  Born in Ontario, Canada, Washington taught himself how to play the guitar at thirteen.  This helped the family during the depression as he and his brothers began performing to earn extra money for their large family. During the late ’40s, Washington became Canada’s first African American disc jockey, hosting a jazz show on a Hamilton radio station.  Washington’s career as a musician kicked into high gear during the folk revival of the ’60s, becoming a regular along Canada’s folk and blues festival circuits.  Besides making several albums of his own, including four excellent titles for Vanguard Records, Washington appeared on recordings by such greats as Lionel Hampton, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, and Duke Ellington.  He was also an inspiration to many, including a young Bob Dylan, who liberally “borrowed” from Washington’s version of “Nottumun Town” for his own “Masters Of War.” There was even talk of Washington suing Dylan, but that never came to be. Jackie Washington died of complications from an earlier heart attack.  He was 89.

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Keeping Out of Mischief - Jackie Washington

 

Died On This Date (June 27, 2009) Gale Storm / Popular Actress & Singer

Gale Storm (Born Josephine Cottle)
April 5, 1922 – June 27, 2009

gstorm1Besides being one of he most popular film and television actresses of her day, Gale Storm was also a recording artist.  She is perhaps most famous for her starring role in television’s My Little Margie and her own The Gale Storm Show. In 1954, she signed to Dot Records and released a cover of Smiley Lewis’ “I Hear You Knockin,'”  which sold over 1 million copies.  She went on to have numerous hits and successful runs as a headliner in Las Vegas.  Gale Storm passed away at the age of 87.

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Sentimental Me - Gale Storm