People, Locations, Episodes

Carol Millard, Singer and Actress born

*Carol Maillard was born on this date in 1951. She is a Black vocalist and actress. Maillard is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and originally attended the Catholic University of America on scholarship as a Violin Performance major. She began writing music and performing with the Drama Department and eventually changed her major to Theater. This passion […]

Hasaan Ibn Ali, Pianist, and Composer born

*Hasaan Ibn Ali was born on this date in 1931. He was a Black jazz pianist and composer. William Henry Langford, Jr. was born in Philadelphia, and his mother was a domestic worker. In 1946 (aged 15), he toured with trumpeter Joe Morris’s rhythm and blues band. In 1950, he played locally with Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, […]

The Blind Boys From Alabama, Gospel Singers, Formed

On this date we celebrate the beginning of Clarence Fountain and The Blind Boys of Alabama in 1931. They are a gospel singing group who’ve been singing God’s music for over 60 years.

Jackie McLean, Alto Saxophonist born

*Jackie McLean was born on this date in 1931. He was a Black jazz alto saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and educator. John Lenwood “Jackie” McLean was born in New York City. His father, John Sr., played guitar in Tiny Bradshaw’s orchestra. After his father died in 1939, McLean’s musical education was continued by his godfather, record-store-owning stepfather, and several noted teachers. He also received […]

Dewey Redman, Musician, and Bandleader born

*Dewey Redman was born on this date in 1931. He was a Black saxophonist who performed free jazz as a bandleader.  Walter Dewey Redman was born in Fort Worth, Texas. He attended I.M. Terrell High School and played in the school band with Ornette Coleman, Prince Lasha, and Charles Moffett. After high school, he briefly enrolled in the electrical engineering program at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama […]

Otis Blackwell, Lyricist and Musician born

Otis Blackwell’s birth in 1931 is celebrated on this date. He was an African American songwriter and musician.

He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up listening to cowboy songs, particularly those by Tex Ritter, and R&B songs by artists such as Chuck Willis. As a teenager he entered and won a contest at Harlem’s Apollo Theatre. He was introduced to songwriter Doc Pomus, who encouraged him and helped him early in his career. One of Blackwell’s early records titled Daddy Rollin’ Stone was released by Jay-Dee in 1953. It was revived later in a version recorded by The Who.

Shirley Verrett, Opera Singer born

Shirley Verrett was born on this date in 1931. She is an African American opera singer and one of the leading sopranos in the world.

She was born New Orleans to Leon Solomon, a building contractor, and Elvira Harris Verrett; she had four brothers and a sister. She had and her parents were passionate members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, an affiliation that would play a role in the development of Verrett’s career. When Verrett was five, the family moved to Oxnard, CA, where her father established the Verrett Construction Company.

Junior Walker, Musician born

*Junior Walker was born on this date in 1931. He was an African American musician.

Andrew Hill, Pianist and Educator born

*Andrew Hill was born on this date in 1931. He was a Black jazz pianist, educator, and composer. Andrew Hill was born to William and Hattie Hill in Chicago, Illinois. He had a brother, Robert, a singer and classical violin player. Hill took up the piano at thirteen and was encouraged by Earl Hines. As a child, […]

Kenny Burrell, Guitarist born.

*Kenny Burrell was born on this date in 1931. He is a Black jazz guitarist known for his work on the Blue Note label.   Kenneth Earl Burrell was born in Detroit, Michigan. His parents played instruments, and he began playing guitar at 12 after listening to Charlie Christian’s recordings. During World War II, he gave up his saxophone career and bought an acoustic guitar for […]

Philippa Schuyler, Composer, and Writer born

On this date, Philippa D. Schuyler was born in 1931. She was an African American concert pianist.

Clifford Jordan, Musician born

*Clifford Jordan was born on this date in 1931. He was a Black jazz tenor saxophone player.   Clifford Laconia Jordan was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. While in Chicago, he performed with Max Roach, Sonny Stitt, and some rhythm and blues groups. He moved to New York City in 1957, after which he recorded three albums for Blue Note.   He recorded with Horace Silver, J.J. Johnson, […]

Wendell Whalum, Choral Musician born

*Wendell P. Whalum was born on this date in 1931. He was an African American gospel musician, educator and minister.

The Debut Performance of the Afro-American Symphony

*The first performance of the Afro-American Symphony, also known as Symphony No. 1, was celebrated on this date in 1931. It is the first symphony written by an African American and performed for a United States audience by a leading orchestra. “Afro-American” and Symphony No. 1 in A-flat major is a 1930 composition by William Grant Still.  […]

Ike Turner, Soul Singer born

Ike Turner was born on this date in 1931. He was an African American musician, bandleader, talent scout, producer, and song writer.