Jazz

Died On This Date (July 13, 2012) Bucky Adams / Canadian Jazz Legend

Charles “Bucky” Adams
1937 – July 13, 2012

Born into a musical family in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Bucky Adams was just a child when he at first picked up the trumpet.  And when he was just 11, he played for the Queen of England during a visit to Canada.  In those early years, Adams played the trumpet alongside his father, but when the trumpet could no longer keep him, he switched to the sax.  By the 1950s, Adams began fronting his own bands, and over the next three decades entertained audiences far and wide with the Rockin’ Rebels, Club Unusual, Generations, and Basin St. Trio, with whom he made his first recordings.  Throughout his long career, Adams played with or for such luminaries as Louis Armstrong, Oscar Peterson, Count Basie,  and Lionel Hampton.  Adams remained a vital part of the eastern Canadian jazz scene up until the time of his passing.  In later years, he was a headliner at prominent jazz festivals. He also found time to entertain children at numerous elementary schools throughout Nova Scotia.  Bucky Adams was 75 when he died of cancer on July 13, 2012.



Died On This Date (July 10, 2012) Lol Coxhill / English Jazz Saxophonist

George “Lol” Coxhill
September 19, 1932 – July 10, 2012

Lol Coxhill was a world-renowned free-improv saxophonist from Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK.  In 1968, legendary English disc jockey, John Peel reportedly took note of Coxhill while he was busking on London’s South Bank.  That lead to gigs throughout the storied Canterbury scene of the late ’60s and ’70s.  During those years, Coxhill played in such jazz rock combos as Delivery and Kevin Ayers and the Whole World.  Although he ultimately made his mark as an unpredictable improv soloist, Coxhill performed more traditionally while backing up many visiting American blues and soul singers during the ’60s.  That list includes Champion Jack Dupree, Lowell Fulson, and Rufus Thomas.  He also collaborated with a wide range of artists including Mike Oldfield, Django Bates, Fred Frith, and even the Damned.   Lol Coxhill was 79 when he passed away on July 10, 2012.  Cause of death was not immediately released.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.

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Ear of Beholder - Lol Coxhill

 

 

Died On This DAte (July 10, 2012) Maria Hawkins Cole / Jazz Singer; Wife Of Nat King Cole; Mother of Natalie Cole

Maria Hawkins Cole
1922 – July 10, 2012

Maria Hawkins was a popular jazz vocalist who began her career singing for the likes of Count Basie and Duke Ellington.  In 1946, Hawkins launched her solo career and began singing at the legendary Club Zanzibar in New York City.  She soon met the great Nat King Cole and the two married in 1948.  Throughout the ’50s, Hawkins Cole traveled and performed with husband.  In 1950, Hawkins Cole gave birth to their daughter, Natalie Cole who went on to become a multi-Grammy award-winning R&B singer.  Maria Hawkins Cole died on cancer on July 10, 2012.  She was 89.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.



Died On This Date (July 8, 2012) Uncle Lionel Batiste / New Orleans Jazz Great

 Lionel Batiste
February 1, 1931 – July 8, 2012

Photo by Carolyn Kaster

Uncle Lionel Batiste was a bass drummer, singer and assistant leader of the Treme Brass Band.  Batiste was just 11 when he began his career by playing his bass drum in the Square Deal Social & Pleasure Club.  A long time fixture on the streets of New Orleans, Batiste was an unofficial ambassador of the great city as well as a musical influence on countless musicians who have since devoted their lives to music as well.  When the streets of the Crescent City became flooded in the days following Hurricane Katrina, Batiste reportedly kept afloat by sitting on top of his bass drum.  A few years later, he could be seen from time to time performing with the marching band in the HBO series, Treme.  Lionel Batiste was 81 when he passed away on July 8, 2012

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Died On This Date (June 9, 2012) Abram Wilson / Jazz Trumpeter & Singer

Abram Wilson
August 30, 1973 – June 9, 2012

Abram Wilson was a respected New Orleans raised jazz musician and singer.  Just nine years old when he first picked up the trumpet, Wilson received his education at the New Orleans Center For Creative Arts and later, Ohio Wesleyan University.  He rounded out his musical training at the prestigious Eastman School of Music.  After graduation, Wilson formed his first band of note, the Abram Wilson Quintet who performed with Roy Hargrove and appeared on record with Ruth Brown.  By the early 2000s, Wilson had relocated to London where he collaborated with numerous musicians while recording a handful of albums of his own.  On June 9, 2012, Abram Wilson passed away following his battle with cancer.  He was 39.

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Ride! Ferris Wheel to the Modern Day Delta - Abram Wilson