Died On This Date (October 11, 2011) George “Mojo” Buford / Played With Muddy Waters
themusicsover George “Mojo” Buford
November 10, 1929 – October 11, 2011
Mojo Buford was a Mississippi-born harmonica player who is most often recognized for his tenure in Muddy Waters’ band. After settling in Chicago while in his 20s, Buford formed the Savage Boys who would fill in for Waters at the area clubs whenever the blues man was out on tour. It became such a common occurrence, that they eventually became known as the Muddy Waters Jr. Band. Buford first joined up with Waters in 1959, but left to form another band and cut some records a few of years later. He reunited with Waters a couple more times over the next two decades. George “Mojo” Buford was 81 when he passed away on October 11, 2011.
Jagjit Singh was an immensely popular Indian singer and composer who was known as the “King of Ghazal” due to the role he played in the revitalization of this form of Persian rhyming. He and his wife and musical partner, Chitra Singh, initially gained fame during the ’70s and ‘8os, and have since been recognized as the first-ever successful husband-and-wife duo in Indian music history. They were also reportedly the first Indian act to ever use digital multi-track while their 1987 release, Beyond Time is widely considered the nation’s first digitally recorded album. Over the course of a career that spanned some 50 years, Singh’s music has appeared in numerous popular Indian films and on no fewer than 80 of his own albums. Singh has also been recognized for his many philanthropic ventures. Jagjit Singh passed away on October 10, 2011, as the result of a brain hemorrhage. He was 70.
Roger Williams was a popular American pianist who released several hit instrumental records during the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. Williams reportedly began playing the piano at age 3, and except for a break to give boxing a respectable shot during his late teens, Williams devoted his life to the instrument. After majoring in piano in college – which he was expelled from, Williams enlisted in the US Navy during World War II where he earned for his Bachelor’s degree. After being discharged, he went on to earn his Master’s, and then moved to New York City to study at famed music school, Julliard. It was while filling in one night for an absent performer on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, Williams was discovered and signed to Kapp Records. In 1955, he released “Autumn Leaves” which is still the only piano instrumental to ever reach #1 on the Billboard pop charts. The record went on to sell over 2 million copies. His next big hit came in 1966 with “Born Free,” the theme song to the popular motion picture of the same name. Other hits included “Near You,” “The Impossible Dream,” and “The Theme From Somewhere In Time.” Over a career that spanned more than 56 years, he released over 116 albums. Always a popular guest at the White House, Williams performed for nine different Presidents, beginning with Harry S. Truman. His last was at a 2008 luncheon hosted by Laura Bush. As reported by the 
Piet Noordijk was a respected Dutch saxophonist who, over a career that stretched several decades played in both orchestras and big bands. The list of groups he played with includes the Skymasters, Malando, the Ramblers, and the Metropole Orchestra. In 1965, Noordijk was presented with the Boy Edgar Prize, the highest achievement for a Dutch jazz musician, and in 1987, he won the Bird Award which is also bestowed upon only the best in his field. He went on to win other awards as well. Over the course of his career, Noordijk is known to have played with the likes of 