Died On This Date (November 13, 1996) Bill Doggett / Jazz Keyboardist
themusicsover Bill Doggett
February 16, 1916 – November 13, 1996
Bill Doggett was a respected Jazz and R&B keyboardist who came to prominence in the late ’30s. During the early part of his career, he played for the Ink Spots and Louis Jordan. During the ’50s, Doggett formed his own band with whom he recorded a few hits, including “Honky Tonk” which sold over four million copies. He also worked as an arranger for some of music’s biggest names, including Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie and Louis Armstrong. Bill Doggett died of a heart attack at the age of 80.
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Kenny Kirkland was one of the most influential jazz pianist of recent years. Kirkland was just six years old when he began learning to play the piano. and by the time he reached his early 20s, Kirkland was touring Europe professionally. Although Kirkland’s career was cut short after just 25 years, he performed or recorded with many of the top names of contemporary jazz. That list includes Tom Scott, Ernie Watts, Stanley Jordan, Arturo Sandoval, Kevin Eubanks, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, and Stanley Clarke. He even spent a short period playing piano in the Tonight Show band. Kenny Kirkland died of congestive heart failure at the age of 43.