Jazz

Died On This Date (April 7, 2010) Graciela Perez-Grillo / The First Lady Of Latin Jazz

themusicsover April 7, 2010 No Comments

Graciela Perez-Grillo
August 23, 1915 – April 7, 2010

Known as the “First Lady of Latin Jazz,” Graciela Perez-Grillo was pioneering Afro-Cuban jazz singer who got her start in New York City during the 1940s. Perez-Grillo was born in Cuba to a musical family that also included fellow Latin jazz great, Machito. Perez-Grillo won several Grammys and even lead her own big band in 1942, making her the first woman in history to do so. She was best known for songs like “This is Graciela,” and “That’s the Way I Am.” Graciela Perez-Grillo was 94 when she passed away on April 7, 2010.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums for the assist.

Jazz Singer

Died On This Date (April 3, 1990) Sarah Vaughan / Jazz Icon

themusicsover April 3, 2010 No Comments

Sarah Vaughan
March 27, 1924 – April 3, 1990

Known as “The Divine One,” Sarah Vaughan was an American jazz singer who won three Grammys and was awarded the NEA Jazz Masters Award by the National Endowment for the Arts. Equaled perhaps by only Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, Vaughan left behind a body of work that may never be matched. Vaughan’s career began back in early ‘4os when she won an amateur contest at Harlem’s Apollo Theater after which she was invited back in the Spring of 1943 to open some shows for Ella Fitzgerald. Based on those performances, she was introduced to Earl Hines who then replaced his singer with Vaughan. And so launched a career that would extend through the late ’80s when she was diagnosed with lung cancer, Miss Vaughan passed away in her home on April 3, 1990. It has been reported that she died while watching a movie that featured her daughter.

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Jazz Musician

Died On This Date (April 3, 2009) Charlie Kennedy / Played Sax With Gene Krupa

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Charlie Kennedy
July 2, 1927 – April 3, 2009

Charlie Kennedy was a brilliant alto saxophonist who made his mark on the jazz world by performing in Gene Krupa’s band in the late ’40s. His solos can be heard on several of Krupa’s signatures songs of that era. Kennedy moved to the Los Angeles area in 1950 where he did session work on films like West Side Story and My Fair Lady. Kennedy passed away on April 3, 2009 after a struggle with pulmonary disease.

Jazz Musician

Died On This Date (April 2, 1987) Buddy Rich / Acclaimed Jazz Drummer

themusicsover April 2, 2010 4 Comments

Buddy Rich
September 30, 1917 – April 2, 1987

Buddy Rich was an American jazz drummer who was considered by many to be the greatest drummer, period. His power and speed were unmatched. He was the backbone behind classic recordings by a who’s who of popular music, including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Tommy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong and Oscar Peterson. His television appearances were frequent and ranged from sitting in with Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show band to having a “drum off” with The Muppet Show’s “Animal.” Buddy Rich passed away from a heart failure while being treated for a malignant brain tumor. He was 69.

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Jazz Musician

Died On This Date (April 2, 2009) Bud Shank / Jazz Sax Great

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Chad “Bud” Shank
May 27, 1926 – April 2, 2009

Bud Shank was an American jazz musician who began his musical journey on the clarinet and flute but mostly made his mark on the saxophone. When he got out of college, Shank moved to Los Angeles where he was one of the architects of West Coast Jazz of the ’50s and became one of the first jazz musicians to venture into Latin music working with Laurindo Almeida. Throughout his career, Shank worked with the likes of Stan Kenton, Shorty Rogers, Ray Brown, and Ravi Shankar. Bud Shank passed away on April 2, 2009 of pulmonary failure at the age of 82.

Died On This Date (April 7, 2010) Graciela Perez-Grillo / The First Lady Of Latin Jazz

Died On This Date (April 3, 1990) Sarah Vaughan / Jazz Icon

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (April 3, 2009) Charlie Kennedy / Played Sax With Gene Krupa

Died On This Date (April 2, 1987) Buddy Rich / Acclaimed Jazz Drummer

What You Should Own

Died On This Date (April 2, 2009) Bud Shank / Jazz Sax Great

What You Should Own

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