Guitarist Jean Baptiste “Django” Reinhardt was born January 23, 1910 in Liberchies, Belgium. The most legendary of all jazz guitarists, Reinhardt grew up in a gypsy caravan, started on the violin, switched to banjo, and made his first recordings as a banjoist in 1928. A near-disaster occurred when a fire occured in his caravan, resulting […]

Drummer Jimmy Cobb was born January 20, 1929. Mostly self-taught, Cobb is still most famous for his period with Miles Davis but before joining the trumpeter he had made his recording debut with Earl Bostic and worked with such notables as Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie and Cannonball Adderley. Cobb replaced Philly […]

A tribute to the prolific big band arranger Arranger Sammy Nestico passed away on Jan. 17, 2021 at the age of 96. Nestico was born on Feb. 6, 1924 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was originally a trombonist, becoming a staff musician on WCAE when he was 17 and working with the big bands of Tommy […]

Tuba player and multi-instrumentalist Howard Johnson passed away on January 11, 2021 at the age of 79. Johnson was born on August. 7, 1941 in Montgomery, Alabama and grew up in Massillon, Ohio. Self-taught, Johnson played both tuba and baritone sax while in high school, served in the Navy, spent time living in Boston and […]

Drummer, composer and bandleader Gene Krupa was born on January 15, 1909 in Chicago, Illinois. Classically trained on the drums, Krupa was a professional by 1925, working in Chicago with many bands including Thelma Terry’s Playboys, the Benson Orchestra of Chicago, and the Seattle Harmony Kings. He made his recording debut in 1927 with the […]

Guitarist Lee Mack Ritenour was born January 11, 1952 in Los Angeles, California.  As a teenager, he studied with legendary guitarist Joe Pass. At age 16 Ritenour played his first session, with the Mamas and the Papas.  By the 1970’s, he was in high demand as a session guitarist. Ritenour still records and tours regularly, […]

Wright, who was born May 29, 1923 in Chicago, was originally a cornetist before settling on the string bass. He had a long career that included leading the Dukes Of Swing (a 16-piece big band), working with Gene Ammons during 1947-51 (making his recording debut in 1947), and moving to the West Coast where he […]

Drummer Barry Altschul was born on January 6, 1943 in New York City. After being self-taught on the drums, Altschul studied with Charlie Persip, making his recording debut in 1965 with the Jazz Composer’s Orchestra. During 1965-69 he was a member of the Paul Bley Trio (with several different bassists including Steve Swallow and Gary […]

Guitarist John Scofield was born on December 26, 1951 in Dayton, Ohio. Scofield grew up in Wilton, Connecticut, took up the guitar, and enrolled at the Berklee College of Music, making his recording debut with Jay McShann in 1971. But because he was already considered quite talented, he soon left school to perform and record […]

Pianist Raphael Homer “Ray” Bryant was born on December 24, 1931 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began playing piano when he was six and was influenced by gospel music, the blues and his classical training. Bryant first played professionally when he was 12, doubling for a time on string bass. He toured with Tiny Grimes during […]