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Lonnie Johnson Day

Alonzo “Lonnie” Johnson (February 8, 1899 – June 16, 1970) was an American blues and jazz singer, guitarist, violinist and songwriter. He was a pioneer of jazz guitar and jazz violin and is recognized as the first to play an electrically amplified violin. Johnson was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and raised in a family…

The Cosmos with NGC 7331

This NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows a spiral galaxy known as NGC 7331. First spotted by the prolific galaxy hunter William Herschel in 1784, NGC 7331 is located about 45 million light-years away in the constellation of Pegasus (The Winged Horse). Facing us partially edge-on, the galaxy showcases it’s beautiful arms which swirl like a…

King Curtis Day

Curtis Ousley (born Curtis Montgomery; February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971), who performed under the stage name King Curtis, was an American saxophonist known for rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul, blues, funk and soul jazz. Variously a bandleader, band member, and session musician, he was also a musical director and record producer….

Earl King Day

Earl Silas Johnson IV (February 7, 1934 – April 17, 2003), known as Earl King, was an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter, most active in blues music. A composer of blues standards such as “Come On” (covered by Jimi Hendrix, Freddy King, Stevie Ray Vaughan) and “Big Chief” (recorded by Professor Longhair), he was an…

Ray Crawford Day

born February 7, 1924 in Pittsburgh, PA diedDecember 30, 1997 in Pittsburgh, PA Ray Crawford played tenor and clarinet with Fletcher Henderson during 1941-1943 but tuberculosis forced him to give them up. He switched to guitar and was an important part of Ahmad Jamal‘s early groups (1949-1955); his ability to make his guitar sound like…

Eubie Blake Day

James Hubert “Eubie” Blake (February 7, 1887 – February 12, 1983), was an American composer, lyricist, and pianist of ragtime, jazz, and popular music. In 1921, he and his long-time collaborator Noble Sissle wrote Shuffle Along, one of the first Broadway musicals to be written and directed by African Americans. Blake’s compositions included such hits…

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