Died On This Date (April 3, 2009) Charlie Kennedy / Played Sax With Gene Krupa
themusicsover 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.
Red Allen was a respected bluegrass singer and guitarist. Born in eastern Kentucky, Allen wound up in Dayton, Ohio where during the early ’50s, he formed his first band, the Blue Ridge Mountain Boys. In 1956, he joined the Osbourne Brothers, one of bluegrass music’s most influential groups. Allen can be heard on their “Ruby” and “Ho Honey Ho.” He left the group in 1958. Over the course of his career, Allen played on numerous records, either fronting his own band or as part of other groups. In 2005, he was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Fame. His sons included fellow bluegrass and country musician, 
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 
Buddy Blue was best known as a founding member of San Diego’s favorite sons, the Beat Farmers. He was also a music critic with reviews featured in the San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Reader, Los Angeles Times, Orange County Weekly among others. In 1983, Blue helped form the Beat Farmers with Rolle Love, Jerry Raney and the legendary 
