Mohair Slim / Blue Juice Calendar / 15 December
Blue Juice Calendar · On this day

15 December

Musicians born and died on 15 December: 10 births, 18 deaths and 1 recording milestone from blues, R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, reggae and ska.

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Born10

  • 1897Ed Allentrumpet · Nashville, TNDied 28 January 1974 · Blues · Jazz
  • 1910John Hammond Sr.a&r, producer · New York, NYDied 10 July 1987 · Blues · Jazz · Columbia Rec’s
  • 1911Stan Kentonband-leader, composer, piano · Wichita, KSDied 25 August 1979 · Jazz
  • 1921Alan FreedDJ · Johnstown, PADied 20 January 1965 · Blues · R&B
  • 1924Billy Butlerguitar · Philadelphia, PADied 20 March 1991 · R&B · Soul · Bill Doggett, Harlemaires
  • 1932Jesse Belvinvocal · San Antonio, TXDied 6 February 1960 · R&B
  • 1932Lowell Adrian Morrisdrums, percussion · Albert Park, AustraliaDied 14 May 2023 · Exotica · Jazz · R&B · Ska · Kes Chin & The Souvenirs/The Caribs
  • 1936Andrew "B.B.", "Big Voice", "Little B.B.", "B.B. Junior" Odomvocal · Denham Springs, LADied 23 December 1991 · Blues
  • 1939Cindy Birdsongvocal · Camden, NJSoul · Blue-Belles, Supremes
  • 1946Harry Rayvocal · Longbranch, NJDied 1 October 1992 · Soul · Establishment, Moments, Sounds of Soul

Died18

  • 1943Thomas "Fats" Wallercomposer, piano, vocal · Kansas City, MOBorn 21 May 1904 · aged 39 · Jazz
  • 1959Jack Robbinsmanager · New York, NYBorn 15 September 1894 · aged 65 · Jazz · Big Three, Robbins Music
  • 1979Jackie Brenstonsaxophone, vocal · Memphis, TNBorn 15 August 1930 · aged 49 · Heart attack · R&B · Ike Turner’s Kings Rhythm
  • 1981Sam Jonesbass · New York, NYBorn 12 November 1924 · aged 57 · Jazz
  • 1983Big Chief Mooretrombone · Nyack, NYBorn 13 August 1912 · aged 71 · Emphysema and complications relating to diabetes · Jazz
  • 1984Eddie Bealpiano · Los Angeles, CABorn 13 June 1910 · aged 74 · Jazz
  • 1985Nat Turnervocal · Little Rock, AR
  • 1989Johnny Boardsaxophone · Oak Park, ILBorn 8 December 1919 · aged 70 · Blues · R&B · B.b. King, Johnny Ace
  • 1990Caughey Robertssaxophone · Los Angeles, CABorn 25 August 1912 · aged 78 · Jazz · R&B · Count Basie, Roy Milton
  • 1990Edward O'nealvocalBorn 17 August 1937 · aged 53 · Gospel · O'Neal Twins
  • 1991Wayne Anton Brathwaitebass, composer, producer · New York, NYBorn 14 August 1959 · aged 32
  • 1993Barney Perkinsengineer, producer · Los Angeles, CABorn 29 October 1945 · aged 48 · R&B
  • 2001Rufus Thomas Jr.DJ, vocal · Memphis, TNBorn 26 March 1917 · aged 84 · Blues · R&B · Soul
  • 2007Marvin Smithdrums · CaribbeanBorn 25 September 1940 · aged 67 · Heart attack · Soul · Checkmates Ltd
  • 2020Albert Griffithsband-leader, guitar, vocalReggae · Gladiators, Studio One
  • 2020Irving "Sully" Banister Sr.guitar, vocal · New Orleans, LABorn 16 February 1933 · aged 87 · R&B · Soul · Danny White, Eddie Bo, Sugaroy Crawford
  • 2022Dino Danellidrums · New York, NYBorn 23 July 1944 · aged 78 · Coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure · R&B · Soul · Joey Dee & Starlighters, Young Rascals
  • 2025Joe Elyguitar · Taos, NMBorn 9 February 1947 · aged 78 · Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's disease, and pneumonia · Country

Events1

  • 1945Helen Humes’ ‘Be Baba Leba’ (Aladdin) enters R&B charts on way to #3.