Jazz

Died On This Date (June 16, 2010) Bill Dixon / Jazz Trumpeter

Bill Dixon
October 5, 1925 – June 16, 2010

Among other things, Bill Dixon was an experimental jazz trumpeter who was somewhat unique in that he often included delay and reverb in his playing.  Over the course of a career that spanned some 60 years, he formed the Jazz Composers Guild and collaborated with the likes of Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp and Rob Mazurek.  Dixon was also an educator, teaching at Bennington College in Vermont for nearly 30 years and chairing its Black Music Division for nearly 20.  Bill Dixon was 84 when he passed away in his sleep on June 16, 2010.

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Vade Mecum Ii - Bill Dixon

 

Died On This Date (June 15, 1996) Ella Fitzgerald / Jazz Legend

Ella Fitzgerald
April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996

With a career that spanned nearly 60 years and achievements that included thirteen Grammys, there is no doubt that Ella Fitzgerald was one of the most important voices in popular music.  After making her singing debut at the Harlem Opera House at the age of 17, Fitzgerald quickly earned a spot at one of the Apollo Theater’s famed amateur nights and handily took first prize.  Within a year, she was singing in front of the Chick Webb Orchestra, staying with him until he died in 1939.  She subsequently took over the band with which she had recorded upwards of 150 songs.  In 1942, Fitzgerald signed a solo deal with the famed Decca label where she stayed until she moved over to the legendary Verve Records.  By now she was one of the most popular vocalists in the world.  Fitzgerald continued to record and perform throughout the ’80s, but due to poor health, made her last record in 1991 and final performance in 1993.  Ella Fitzgerald suffered from diabetes in her final years, and succumbed to it on June 15, 1996.

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Something to Live For - Ella Fitzgerald

Died On This Date (June 15, 1982) Art Pepper / Jazz Sax Great

Art Pepper
September 1, 1925 – June 15, 1982

artpepperArt Pepper was one of West Coast Jazz’s great saxophone players of the ’40s and ’50s, sharing the stage with the likes of Benny Carter and Stan Kenton, and later, Buddy Rich.  Unfortunately, Pepper was addicted to heroin and served approximately twelve years spread over four separate terms throughout the late ’50s and early ’60s, even serving two in San Quentin.  No doubt due to these breaks in his career, he was never able to reach the heights he might have.  Art Pepper died of a brain hemorrhage at the age of 56.

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Click to find at amazon.com



Died On This Date (June 15, 1968) Wes Montgomery / Jazz Legend

John “Wes” Montgomery
March 6, 1925 – June 15, 1968

The brother of fellow jazz greats, Buddy Montgemery and Monk Montgomery, Wes Montgomery was an acclaimed jazz guitarist whose style of playing strongly influenced the likes of, not only jazz artists like Pat Metheny an George Benson, but also such rock greats as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix and  Joe Satriani.  A relative late-comer to music, Montgomery taught himself to play the guitar at the age of nineteen, and although he could not read music, he had the uncanny ability to learn by ear.  Throughout his short career by jazz standards, Montgomery was known to astound the likes of John Coltrane (who asked him to join his band), and Cannonball Aderley (who helped him get his first record deal) with his supurb playing.   Wes Montgomery died of a heart attack at the young age of 45.

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