Died On This Date (April 24, 1970) Otis Spann / Chicago Blues Legend

Otis Spann
March 21, 1930 – April 24, 1970

Otis Spann was one of greatest blues pianists to come out of post-war Chicago. And some consider him the greatest, period. Spann gigged around mostly on his own throughout much of his teens and then joined up with Muddy Waters in 1952. He appeared on nearly every one of his Chess recordings. Oddly, Chess failed to recognize his talents as a singer, so he left to record for Candid, Vanguard, Storyville and others. Otis Spann would have no doubt earned the fame he deserved had he lived past the age of 40. He died of liver cancer on April 24, 1970

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Died On This Date (April 24, 2008) Jimmy Giuffre / Jazz Great

Jimmy Giuffre
April 26, 1921 – April 24, 2008

Jimmy Giuffre was a respected jazz composer and arranger and also was also known for his stylish saxophone and clarinet skills. Getting his start as Woody Herman’s arranger in 1947, he went on to become of the main forces of West coast jazz. In 1961, Giuffre formed a trio with Paul Bley and Steve Swallow who, though not very successful at the time, went down in history as one of the most important groups in jazz history. Giuffre went on to teach at NYU and later the New England Conservatory of Music through the ’90s. He suffered from Parkinson’s Disease throughout his later life and passed away on April 24, 2008 at the age of 86.

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1961 - Jimmy Giuffre

Died On This Date (April 24, 2001) Al Hibler / Sang For Duke Ellington

Al Hibler
August 16, 1915 – April 24, 2001

Al Hibler was a blind singer who spent most of the 1940s singing Duke Ellington’s orchestra. In the mid ’50s he signed to Decca Records where he scored to massive hits, “Unchained Melody” and “He,” both selling over a million copies. His unusual vocal delivery made him a favorite across the US. In the late ’50s, Hibler turned his attention toward the Civil Rights Movement and was arrested twice while participating in anti-segregation marches. Because of his overtly political actions, record company executives began to shy away from him. All but one, that is … Frank Sinatra, who signed him to his Reprise Records in 1961. Beyond that, Hibler recorded only sporadically and made but a few special guest appearances throughout the ’80s and ’90s. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 85.



Died On This Date (April 22, 2010) Gene Lees / Jazz Historian and Lyricist

Frederick “Gene” Lees
February 8, 1928 – April 22, 2010

Gene Lees was a respected music critic, biographer and historian who also found success as a songwriter.  Already an established journalist in his home country of Canada, Lees became the editor of Down Beat in 1959.  He also wrote for the New York Times, Stereo Review, High Fidelity and the Toronto Star, to name a few.  Lees wrote liner notes as well.  Albums by John Coltrane, Quincy Jones and Stan Getz include his work.  He also collaborated on several jazz biographies and wrote a couple of respected historical books on jazz as well.  As a lyricist, Lees wrote the words for songs by the likes of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Charles Aznavour and Bill Evans.  His songs have been recorded by Frank Sinatra, Diana Krall, Sarah Vaughan, and Queen Latifah, to name a few.  Gene Lees was 82 when he passed away in his home on April 22, 2010.



Died On This Date (April 21, 2003) Nina Simone / Iconic Jazz Singer

Nina Simone
February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003

Nina Simone was a vocalist whose style defied categorization. She might have been a jazz singer to one, but another would call her soul. To another, gospel, and yet to another, R&B. but above all, she was just great, having been nominated for a Grammy 15 times. With over 40 studio and live albums to her credit, and as a civil rights activist, she made an indelible contribution to African-American culture. Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys have all cited her as a major influence. Simone passed away in her home on April 21, 2003 after a long illness.

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