Died On This Date (April 22, 2010) Gene Lees / Jazz Historian and Lyricist
themusicsover Frederick “Gene” Lees
February 8, 1928 – April 22, 2010
Gene Lees was a respected music critic, biographer and historian who also found success as a songwriter. Already an established journalist in his home country of Canada, Lees became the editor of Down Beat in 1959. He also wrote for the New York Times, Stereo Review, High Fidelity and the Toronto Star, to name a few. Lees wrote liner notes as well. Albums by John Coltrane, Quincy Jones and Stan Getz include his work. He also collaborated on several jazz biographies and wrote a couple of respected historical books on jazz as well. As a lyricist, Lees wrote the words for songs by the likes of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Charles Aznavour and Bill Evans. His songs have been recorded by Frank Sinatra, Diana Krall, Sarah Vaughan, and Queen Latifah, to name a few. Gene Lees was 82 when he passed away in his home on April 22, 2010.
Paul Mauriat was a French conductor and orchestra leader who is best remembered for his 1968 #1 single, “Love Is Blue.” It remained at the top of the U.S. singles chart for five weeks. Mauriat’s music is generally classified as easy listening. He came to prominence during the ’50s as musical director for Charles Aznavour and Maurice Chevalier. He scored several soundtracks and toured the world playing to adoring fans. He was 81 when he passed away on November 3, 2006.
