The Music's Over

but the songs live on forever

Jazz Musician Record Label

Died On This Date (July 7, 2008) Bobby Durham / Drummer; Played With Ella Fitzgerald

themusicsover 0 Comments

Bobby Durham
February 3, 1937 – July 7, 2008

Bobby Durham was a versatile jazz drummer who began his career at the age of sixteen by playing with popular doo-wop group the Orioles.  After serving in the military where he played in the military band, Durham settled in New York City where he went on to become one of the most respected drummers in jazz.  Over his career, he performed with the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and Ella Fitzgerald, who he accompanied for over ten years.  Bobby Durham died after a long struggle with lung cancer and emphysema.



Jazz Musician

Died On This Date (July 5, 1983) Harry James / Jazz Trumpet Legend

themusicsover 2 Comments

Harry James
March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983

Harry James was a popular band leader and trumpet player whose career started in the mid ’30s.  After performing with Ben Pollack, James joined Benny Goodman’s band for about a year, leaving that to form his own big band in 1939.  One musical footnote includes Frank Sinatra, who sang with James very early in his career.  Legend has it that James wanted Sinatra to change his name to Frankie Satin.  Fortunately, Sinatra refused.  Later employing Buddy Rich, James stayed active with his band until the early ’80s.   In 1983, he was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, likely due to years of heavy smoking.   And even though he was dying, James continued to perform right up until nine days before he passed away on July 5, 1983.

What You Should Own

Trumpet Blues: The Best Of Harry James - Harry James

Composer Easy Listening Jazz Musician Producer

Died On This Date (June 21, 1980) Bert Kaempfert / Successful Composer

themusicsover 2 Comments

Bert Kaempfert
October 16, 1923 – June 21, 1980

Bert Kaempfert was a German born musician and composer who is best remembered for penning the music for such standards as “Spanish Eyes” (Al Martino), “L.O.V.E” (Nat King Cole), and “Strangers In The Night” (Frank Sinatra).   But his biggest contribution to pop music was likely his hiring of the then unknown Beatles to back Tony Sheridan on “My Bonnie,” “Ain’t She Sweet,” “Cry For A Shadow,” and “When The Saints Go Marching In.”  It was the first time they were put on record.  In 1980, Bert Kaempfert died of a stroke at the age of 56.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Bert Kaempfert

Musician Pop R&B Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (June 10, 2004) Ray Charles / Pop Music Icon

themusicsover 1 Comments

Ray Charles (Born Ray Robinson)
September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004

With Ray Charles

Ray Charles was one of America’s greatest voices.  He was called “the only true genius in the business” by none other than Frank Sinatra.  The son of a share cropper, Charles lost his sight at the age of five.  While attending a school for the deaf and blind, Charles was taught classical piano, but after his mother died, he left the school and changed his focus to the music he loved and would forever be associated with.  By the time he was 17, he was making records for Swing Time Records, scoring his first R&B hit, “Confession Blues” in 1949.  In 1951, Ahmet Ertegun signed him to Atlantic Records, starting him down the road that would eventually lead him to the status of American icon.   Ray Charles died of liver cancer on June 10, 2004.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Modern Sounds In Country and Western Music, Vol. 1 & 2 - Ray Charles



Jazz Musician Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (June 5, 1999) Mel Torme / Jazz Vocal Icon

themusicsover 0 Comments

Mel Torme
September 13, 1925 – June 5, 1999

Mel Torme was a jazz singer who they called, the Velvet Fog because of his beautiful voice.  He also did plenty of acting, first on radio and later in such films as Good News and  Frank Sinatra’s Higher and Higher. As a songwriter, Torme penned over 250 songs, many of them becoming jazz standards, including “The Christmas Song” which became a huge hit for Nat King Cole.  Torme continued to perform, record and act well into the ’90s.  In his later years, Torme appeared on such television shows as Seinfeld and Night Court. His 65-year career came to an abrupt end when he suffered a stroke in 1996.  He died of a second stroke on June 5, 1999.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Mel Tormé

« Previous Page — Next Page »

You Missed

International Musician Pop Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (June 11, 2024) Françoise Hardy / Popular 1960s French Singer

Hip Hop Musician Rap

Died On This Date (June 3, 2024) Brother Marquis / 2 Live Crew Rapper

Composer Musician Songwriter

Died On This Date (May 25, 2024) Richard M. Sherman / Celebrated Disney Songwriter

Folk Musician Singer Songwriter

Died On This Date (May 18, 2024) Spider John Koerner / Influential Folk Singer