1908 | Louis Jordan, Alto saxophonist and singer - "Is you or is You ain't My Baby". He was one of the chief architects of the R&B idiom. His pioneering use of jumping shuffle rhythms in a small combo context was copied far and wide during the 1940s. He died in 1975.
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1911 | Stuart 'Red Hot' Bergen, Traditional jazz trumpeter from New Orleans, Louisiana. During his career he played with Tom Brown, Irving Fazola and the Shields brothers. He was also a member of the 'New Orleans Jazz Club'.
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1914 | Billy Eckstine, Bandleader and singer with a smooth baritone, he broke down barriers throughout the 1940s, first as leader of the original bop big-band, then as the first romantic black male in popular music. An influence was great in the cultural development of soul and R&B singers from Sam Cooke to Prince, he was able to play it straight on his pop hits "Prisoner of Love," "My Foolish Heart" and "I Apologize.". He passed away in 1993.
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1932 | Jerry Vale, Singer who's beautiful high-tenor voice graced many of the most enchanting pop songs of the '50s and '60s, including a parade of Italian-American favorites like "Innamorata (Sweetheart)," "Volare," "Amore, Scusami," and his signature song, "Al Di La."
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1935 | Steve Lawrence, Singer - "Go Away Little Girl". As a solo artist and in a duo with his wife Eydie Gorme, he enjoyed a successful singing career that stretched well past 50 years. He placed hits in the bestseller charts for over 25 years and used that as the basis for becoming a nightclub and concert headliner.
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1952 | Larry Garner, A guitarist, singer & songwriter and native of New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in Baton Rouge and was inspired by Reverend Utah Smith. His musical influences include Hogan, Clarence Edwards, Jimi Hendrix, and Henry Gray. Garner won the International Blues Challenge in 1988, and his first two albums, Double Dues and Too Blues, were released by the British JSP label. Larry has released 8 solo CD's.
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1961 | Andy Fletcher, Musician with rock group 'Depeche Mode' - "Enjoy The Silence".
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