Died On This Date (February 23, 2012) Mike Melvoin / Jazz Pianist; Studio Session Legend
themusicsover Mike Melvoin
May 10, 1937 – February 23, 2012
Mike Melvoin was a much-respected jazz pianist whose talent can be heard on countless records by some of the biggest names in music. Since 1961, Melvoin graced recordings by such luminaries as Frank Sinatra, Tom Waits, Peggy Lee, Michael Jackson, and Charlie Haden. As one of L.A.’s leading session players, it was Melvoin who got the call to play on such landmark recordings as the Jackson 5’s “ABC,” the Beach Boy’s “Good Vibrations,” Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable,” Barbra Streisand’s “Evergreen,” and John Lennon’s “Stand By Me.” He released several albums of his own as well, on such respected labels as Verve, Dot, and Liberty. Melvoin also found time to raise his own family of respected musicians – Wendy Melvoin of Wendy & Lisa, Jonathan Melvoin of Smashing Pumpkins fame, and Susannah Melvoin. Mike Melvoin was 74 when he died of cancer on February 23, 2012.
Thanks Craig Rosen at Number 1 Albums for the assist.
Clare Fischer was a pianist, composer and arranger who, besides having his own respectable career as a musician, arranged music for some of pop music’s biggest stars. Fischer was still a child when he first started making music, and after graduating from college and serving in the Army, he pursued a career in music. During the late ’50s, he took on his first gig of note as the pianist and arranger for popular vocal quartet, the Hi-Los. It was his work with the group that helped establish them as a major influence on the likes of the Manhattan Transfer, Brian Wilson, and Quincy Jones. It was around that time that he also arranged music for jazz greats Cal Tjader, Donald Byrd, and 
Dick Kniss was a talented bassist who is best remembered for his tenure with both singer-songwriter, 
John Levy was a talented bassist who went on to become jazz and pop music’s first African-American artist manager of any significance. Born in New Orleans, Levy ultimately landed in New York City, where in 1949, he was hired to play in the