| 1889 | William (Bill) Mathews, A trombonist and a drummer and a native of Algiers, Louisiana. Bill made his debut in 1917 with the Excelsior Brass Band. He also played in the Jack “Pie Eater” Williams’ dance band. He played with Sidney Desvigne in the Storyville, and was the snare drummer with George McCullum. Others he performed with were Frankie Duson, Sam Morgan, Joe Howard, Joe King Oliver, Henry Allen, Mack & Mack, Charles Creath, Tom Turpin, Vic Gaspard, Nat Towles and Jelly Roll Morton. He passed away in June 1964 at 75 years of age. (136) |
| 1899 | Edward Pollock, Edward Pollock clarinetist and saxophonist and a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He worked with many musicians, but is probably best known for his associations with Ma Rainey and Al Jolson. (126) |
| 1914 | Hank Snow, Country Music Hall of Fame singer and songwriter - "I'm Movin' On". He was famous for his "traveling" songs. He died in 1999.
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| 1944 | Richie Furay, He started his musical career playing folk clubs as a solo artist in the 1960s, as well as with bands like the Monks and the Au Go Go Singers (which included Stephen Stills in the lineup). After meeting Neil Young they formed Buffalo Springfield. He also was a member of the group "Poco".
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| 1949 | Billy Joel, Grammy Award winning singer and pianist - "Just The Way You Are". He emerged as one of the most popular singer songwriters of the latter half of the '70s.
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| 1970 | Gerald French, A drummer and native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He's part of one of New Orlean's most illustious musical families that includes his father, George, uncle Bob, and grandfather, Albert (Papa) French. He's played with a who's who of Nola music that includes Harry Connick, Jr., Leroy Jones, Dr. John, Dr. Michael White, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Recently, Gerald took over as bandleader of Original Tuxedo Jazz Band from his uncle Bob, the 101-year old group that has only had four band leaders before him.
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