People, Locations, Episodes

Jimmy Scott, Vocalist born

Jimmy Scott was born on this date in 1925. He was an African American singer.

Scott grew up in Cleveland, and was one of ten children. Scott’s mother was killed in an auto accident when he was 13, and the children were sent to foster care.

Adele Addison, Opera Vocalist born

*Adelle Addison was born on this date in 1925. She is an African American concert soprano.

Kippie Moeketsi, South African Musician born

*”Kippie” Moeketsi was born on this date in 1925. He was a South African jazz musician, notable for his work as an alto saxophonist. Born into a musical Johannesburg family, Jeremiah Morolong Moeketsi was the youngest of 11 brothers and one sister, a nurse, all of whom played an instrument, except for four. Growing up […]

Oscar Peterson, Pianist born

*Oscar Peterson was born on this date in 1925. He was a African Canadian musician and composer.

Jimmy Reed, Singer, and Musician born

On this date in 1925, Jimmy Reed was born. He was an African American blues guitarist and singer.

There is simply no sound in the blues as easily digestible, accessible, instantly recognizable, and as easy to play and sing as the music of Jimmy Reed. He was born on a plantation in or around the small burg of Dunleith, Mississippi, sticking around the area until he was 15, learning the basic rudiments of harmonica and guitar from his buddy Eddie Taylor.

Roy Brown, Blues, and Gospel Singer born

*Roy Brown was born on this date in 1925. He was an African American blues musician.

From New Orleans, Louisiana, his mother was an accomplished singer and organist in church. This was instrumental in why Brown started as a gospel singer. After a move to Los Angeles, California in the 1940s and a brief period spent as a professional boxer he won a singing contest in 1945 at The Million Dollar Theater singing “There’s No You”. In 1946 he moved to Galveston, Texas singing in clubs; he returned to New Orleans in 1947.

B. B. King, Blues Musician born

*B. B. King was born on this date in 1925. He was an African American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter.

Riley B. King was born to a poor family of sharecroppers living on the Mississippi Delta, near the town of Itta Bene, Miss. King’s home life was very unstable and as a child he picked cotton to help with the family income. But King’s mother brought him to church regularly, where he was first exposed to gospel music; he even learned some basic guitar skills from his preacher.

Smalls Paradise (nightclub) Opens

*Smalls Paradise, a jazz nightclub in Harlem, New York City, is celebrated on this date in 1925. Entrepreneur Ed Smalls owned a small venue in Harlem, the Sugar Cane Club, from 1917 to 1925, which catered primarily to residents. When Smalls opened Smalls Paradise, he arranged a lavish gala for the club’s opening, which almost 1,500 people attended. At […]

Gigi Gryce, Musician and Composer born.

*Gigi Gryce was born on this date in 1925. He was a Black jazz saxophonist, flutist, clarinetist, composer, arranger, and educator. George General Gryce Jr. was born in Pensacola, Florida, and spent most of his early life in Hartford, Connecticut. His family’s strong emphasis on music, manners, and discipline tremendously affected him as a child […]

Chuck Willis, Singer born

*Chuck Willis was born on this date in 1926. He was a singer and songwriter of the Black blues, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll. Harold “Chuck” Willis was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1926. He was spotted at a talent contest by Atlanta radio disc jockey Zenas Sears, who became his manager and helped him to […]

The Savoy Ballroom Opens

*On this date in 1926, the Savoy Ballroom opened in Harlem, New York. Called the “Home of Happy Feet,” it was Harlem’s first and greatest Swig Era dance palace.

It was opened by Moe Gale (Moses Galewski), Charles Galewski, and Harlem real-estate businessman Charles Buchanan, who functioned as the ballroom’s manager. The Savoy was billed as the world’s most beautiful ballroom; it occupied the second floor of a building that extended along the whole block between 140th and 141st streets, and featured a large dance floor (200 feet by 50 feet), two bandstands, and a retractable stage.

Miles Davis, Jazz Musician born

Miles Davis was born on this date in 1926. He was an African American trumpet player and bandleader, one of the most innovative, influential, and respected figures in the history of jazz

‘Weepin’ Willie Robinson, Singer and Musician born

*’ Weepin’ Willie Robinson was born on this date in 1926. He was a Black blues singer. As a child in Atlanta, GA, he picked cotton and fruit with his family along the East Coast. After spending time in the Army in the 1940s, he became a master of ceremonies and doorman at blues clubs in Trenton, […]

Mal Waldron, Pianist born

*Mal Waldron was born on this date in 1926. He was an African American musician.

Jack McDuff, Jazz Organist born

*On this date in 1926 Jack McDuff was born. He was an African American jazz organist.