Died On This Date (May 19, 2001) Susannah McCorkle / Respected Jazz Vocalist

Susannah McCorkle
January 4, 1946 – May 19, 2001

Susannah McCorkle was an American jazz vocalist who made a name for herself during the late ’70s to early ’90s thanks to her quietly intensive voice.  She signed to respected jazz label, Concord Records in the early ’90s and released two critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums.  Around that time, she also made recordings for the Smithsonian Institution, being the youngest artist to do so at the time.  McCorkle was also a published author, having penned short stories for Cosmopoliton and Madamoiselle as well as essays in the New York Times Magazine.  McCorkle was a breast cancer survivor, but suffered from depression for many years.  She took her own life at the age of 55 by leaping from the balcony of her Manhattan apartment.

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Died On This Date (May 19, 2009) Ricardo “Papin” Abreu / Respected Cuban Drummer

Ricardo Abreu
DOB Unknown – May 19, 2009

papinesAlong with his brothers, Ricardo Abreu formed Los Papines, a popular Cubun band over 45 years ago.  The band was somewhat unique in that it was just vocals and percussion.  The band has been very influential to countless Afro-Cuban musicians that have come since.  They have been named a National Cultural Heritage of Cuba.  Abreu died of a stroke at the age of 75.

Died On This Date (May 18, 2004) Elvin Jones / Respected Jazz Drummer

Elvin Jones
September 9, 1927 – May 18, 2004

Elvin Jones was a jazz drummer who found his fame during the post bop era.  Over the course of his illustrious career, Jones played with just jazz luminaries as Charles Mingus, Miles Davis and John Coltrane with whom he played for six years during the ’60s.  He can be heard on Coltrane’s landmark album, A Love Supreme.  He also played behind several of his own groups over the years.  J0nes’ style was highly influential on rock drummers – Mitch Mitchell and Ginger Baker have cited him as a direct influence.  He was also a tireless educator, often taking part in drum clinics and free performances at prisons.  Elvin Jones died of heart failure on May 18, 2004.

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It Don't Mean a Thing... - Elvin Jones

Died On This Date (May 16, 2010) Hank Jones / Acclaimed Jazz Pianist

Hank Jones
July 31, 1918 –  May 16, 2010

Hank Jones was a multi-Grammy nominated jazz pianist who came from a musical family that included brothers, Thad Jones and Elvin Jones.  An early adapter to the instrument, Jones began playing around his neighborhood in his early teens, and before he knew it, he was playing with Ella Fitzgerald.   That was from 1948 to 1953, after which he played with the likes of Charlie Parker, Benny Goodman and Cannonball Adderley, to name just of few of the greats with whom he collaborated.  Throughout the ’60s and early ’70s, Jones played in the CBS house band which afforded him the opportunity to play on the Ed Sullivan Show over the years.  One highlight was backing Frank Sinatra.  Jones released nearly 20 albums throughout his career, and played as a sideman on at least that many as well.  He stayed active nearly up to the time of his passing.  Hank Jones was 91 when he died on May 16, 2010.

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Died On This Date (May 16, 1953) Django Reinhardt / Jazz Great

Django Reinhardt
January 23, 1910 – May 16, 1953

Django Reinhardt was one of Europe’s earliest jazz musician’s to gain fame on the international level. His style of choice was Gypsy Jazz on the guitar, spending much of his youth in gypsy camps near Paris. By the mid ’30s he was playing alongside the likes of Coleman Hawkins, Benny Carter and Louis Armstrong. During WWII, Reinhardt escaped the fate of many other gypsies who were sent to their deaths at the hands of the Nazis. It has been reported that Reinhardt had an influential fan in the Luftwaffe. His popularity soared in post war Europe and beyond thanks in part to his musical partnership with Stephane Grappelli. Reinhardt retired in 1951 and died in 1953 after collapsing outside his house from a brain hemorrhage.

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