1865 | Guiseppe Allesandra, Traditional jazz tuba player. Also know as Joe Alexander, he was born in Italy. Allesandro played in Papa Laine's Reliance Brass Band, and other bands led by Johnny Provenzano and the Barocco brothers. He died in New Orleans in 1950.
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1904 | Coleman Hawkins, He was the first important tenor saxophonist and he remains one of the greatest of all time. He died in 1969.
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1925 | Sal Salvador, He was a versatile guitarist and onetime head of the guitar department at the University of Bridgeport. He died in 1999.
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1933 | Jean Shepard, Country Singer - "Satin Sheets". Few country singers working since the 1950s have produced a large body of work.
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1940 | Malcolm Rebennack (Dr. John), The good Doctor of New Orleans Funk. He's one of the most important figures in the development of New Orleans R&B and Funk music. Although he didn't become widely known until the 1970s, Dr. John had been active in the music industry since the late '50s, when the teenager was still known as Mac Rebennack. A formidable boogie and blues pianist with a lovable growl of a voice, his most enduring achievements have fused New Orleans R&B, rock, and Mardi Gras craziness to come up with his own brand of "voodoo" music. He's also quite accomplished and enjoyable when sticking to purely traditional forms of blues and R&B.
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1948 | Alphonse Mouzon, He contributed quite a bit to put jazz fusion on the map in the '70s.
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1950 | Livingston Taylor, Singer and songwriter and brother of James Taylor.
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1952 | Lorna Luft, Singer and daughter of Judy Garland.
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1960 | Craig (Sparky) Klein, Trombonist and native of New Orleans, Louisiana. Early in his career he played with New Orleans greats, such as Kid Sheik Collar, Father Al Lewis, Danny Barker, Chester Zardis, Frog Joseph, and the Storyville Stompers Brass Band. He toured with Harry Connick, Jr. and has recorded with the Neville Brothers, Leroy Jones, the Nightcrawlers, Lillian Boutte, Dr. John, R&B artists Chuck Carbo and Johnny Adams, rockers Tori Amos, Bruce Hornsby, the all-star Cuban band Cubanismo, and New Orleans recording sensations the Yockamo Allstars. Craig can be heard on over 30 different recordings, and also performs with Dave Bartholomew, legendary producer of Fats Domino and many other performing and reordings stars. Craig's diverse experience has made him a top-call trombonist in New Orleans, capable of many musical styles and configurations, from trios to large orchestras.
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