The Music's Over

but the songs live on forever

Jazz Musician Producer Record Label Singer

Died On This Date (July 31, 2008) Lee Young / Jazz Drummer

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Lee Young
March 7, 1914 – July 31, 2008

Lee Young was a respected jazz drummer, record producer, and A&R man who is credited for discovering Steely Dan.  He was also the younger brother of famed jazz saxophonist, Lester Young.  Throughout his career, he’s played with Billie Holiday, Fats Waller, Lionel Hampton, and Benny Goodman.  He was the drummer in the Nat King Cole Trio during the ’50s.  Lee Young passed away in his home at the age of 94.

Jazz Musician

Died On This Date (July 13, 2008) Gerald Wiggins / Played with Louis Armstrong

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Gerald Wiggins
May 12, 1922 – July 13, 2008

Gerald Wiggins was a much respected classically trained jazz pianist who, over the course of his long career accompanied the likes of Louis Armstrong, Benny Carter, Lena Horne, Lou Rawls, Nat King Cole, and Eartha Kitt.  Television junkies may remember him for his cameos on 227 and Moesha.  Wiggins passed away at a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 86.

 



Composer Easy Listening Jazz Musician Producer

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

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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.

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Bert Kaempfert

Jazz Musician Singer Songwriter

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

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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.

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Mel Tormé

Blues Musician Singer

Died On This Date (April 29, 1935) Leroy Carr / Depression Era Blues Star

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Leroy Carr
March 27, 1905 – April 29, 1935

Leroy Carr was a blues singer, songwriter and pianist who didn’t quite fit the old blues man stereotype of the day.  As a suave young man from Indianapolis, his style of crooning would be more Nat King Cole than Muddy Waters; more Ray Charles than Robert Johnson.  And because of (or in spite of) that, he was one of the most popular blues men of the Depression era.  Some of his most popular recordings were with Scrapper Blackwell, with whom he recorded some 100 sides.  His most famous song, “How Long Blues,” was later covered by Eric Clapton.  Carr passed away of the effects of alcohol at just 30.

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Whiskey Is My Habit, Good Women Is All I Crave - The Best of Leroy Carr - Leroy Carr

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