Died On This Date (May 15, 2009) Wayman Tisdale / NBA Star & Jazz Musician

Wayman Tisdale
June 9, 1964 – May 15, 2009

wayman-tisdaleWayman Tisdale first came to the world’s attention as an NBA basketball player for the Indiana Pacers and later the gold medal winning US Olympic basketball team of 1984.  Tisdale averaged 15 points and six rebounds per game over his twelve-season career, playing with the Pacers, Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns.  After retiring from basketball, Tisdale pursued his other dream, music.  But unlike most other professional athletes who dabbled in music, Tisdale avoided rap and focused on smooth jazz.  In the early ’90s, Tisdale started the Fifth Quarter Band, for which he played bass.  The band was signed to MoJazz Records and released their debut in 1995.   He went on to release seven more albums that included such guests as George Duke, Bob James, Dave Koz and country star, Toby Keith.  Tisdale was diagnosed with cancer in his knee in early 2008, he had broken the knee falling down a flight of stairs.  His leg was partially amputated in May of 2008.   Plans for a 21-date concert tour were cut short when Wayman Tisdale died of cancer in a Tulsa hospital.  He was just 44.

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The Wayman Tisdale Story - Wayman Tisdale

Died On This Date (May 15, 2008) Bob Florence / Grammy Winning Jazz Composer

Bob Florence
May 30, 1932 – May 15, 2008

Bob Florence was an award winning pianist and arranger whose interest in the piano started when he began taking lessons at the age of five.  He also led his own Los Angeles-based big band, Limited Edition, for some 50 years.  Throughout his career, he received sixteen nominations, winning one for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Performance in 2000.  He also won two Emmys for his work as Music Director on Julie Andrews In Concert and Linda Lavin’s Linda In Wonderland.   Florence passed away in his home just days before his 76th birthday.

Died On This Date (May 14, 1998) Frank Sinatra / Chairman Of The Board

Frank Sinatra
December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998

Frank Sinatra was an American singer and actor who first came to the public’s attention in the 1940s when he sang with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey.  He struck out on his own in the early ’50s and signed to Capitol Records.  In 1954, his popularity skyrocketed when he won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his performance in From Here To Eternity.  He later started his own label, Reprise Records, where he continued to release records that helped define a genre.  He continued to record and perform into the ’90s.  Sinatra epitomized “cool” throughout his career and to this day is still one of the most iconic names in history.  With a career loaded with awards and accolades, perhaps none compared to the night in 1995 when the Empire State Building was illuminated in blue to celebrate his 80th birthday.  Frank Sinatra passed away on May 14, 1998 after suffering a heart attack.  The lights of the Las Vegas strip were dimmed the next night in his honor.

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Nothing But the Best - The Frank Sinatra Collection (Remastered) - Frank Sinatra

Died On This Date (May 14, 2009) Buddy Montgomery / Jazz Vibe Great

Charles “Buddy” Montgomery
January 30, 1930 – May 14, 2009

buddyBuddy Montgomery was a jazz pianist and vibraphonist as well as the younger brother of Wes Montgomery and Monk Montgomery with whom he recorded with at the Montgomery Brothers.  Montgomery began playing the piano in his teens and was soon touring as part of Big Joe Turner’s band. He also played with Miles Davis.   Montgomery passed away of heart failure at the age of 79.