Mohair Slim / Blue Juice Calendar / 2 February
Blue Juice Calendar · On this day

2 February

Musicians born and died on 2 February: 11 births, 12 deaths and 3 recording milestones from blues, R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, reggae and ska.

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Born11

  • 1888Louis Keppardguitar · New Orleans, LADied 18 February 1986 · Jazz
  • 1899Horace Sprottvocal · Sprott, ALBlues · Folk · Gospel · Folkways Rec’s
  • 1900Rufus Quillianguitar · Gainesville, GADied 31 January 1946 · Blues
  • 1901Walter Vinsonguitar · Bolton, MSDied 22 April 1975 · Blues · Mississippi Sheiks
  • 1914Gilbert Taylorbass, vocal · Holly Pond, ALDied 5 July 1981 · Comedy · Country · Hoosier Hot Shots
  • 1915William Houzevocal · Chicago, ILDied 16 March 1987 · Gospel · Deep River Boys
  • 1924Sonny Stittsaxophone · Boston, MADied 22 July 1982 · Jazz
  • 1926Wilbert "Red" Prysocksaxophone · Greensboro, NCDied 19 July 1993 · R&B
  • 1927Stan Getzsaxophone · Philadelphia, PADied 6 June 1991 · Jazz
  • 1929Andrew Tibbsvocal · Columbus, OHDied 5 May 1991 · R&B · Soul · Aristrocrat, Peacock Rec’s
  • 1948Junior Byles (Kenneth Thaddeus William Byles Jr.)composer, producer, vocal · Kingston, JamaicaDied 15 May 2025 · Reggae · Ska · Versatiles, Amalgamated, Treasure Isle, Upsetter Records

Died12

  • 1935Clara Smithvocal · Detroit, MIBorn 13 March 1894 · aged 40 · Blues · Jazz · Columbia Rec’s
  • 1975Herman E. Johnsonguitar · Zachary, LABorn 18 August 1909 · aged 65 · Blues · Arhoolie, Harry Oster
  • 1983Sam Chatmanguitar · Hollandale, MSBorn 10 January 1897 · aged 86 · Blues · Bluebird Rec’s
  • 1987Alfred Lionlabel-owner · Poway, CABorn 21 April 1908 · aged 78 · Jazz · Blue Note Rec’s
  • 1990Mel LewisdrumsBorn 10 May 1929 · aged 60 · Jazz
  • 1994Willie Mae Ford Smithcomposer, vocal · St. Louis, MOBorn 23 June 1904 · aged 89 · Gospel
  • 2003Randy Chin (Vincent G.)label-owner, producer · Fort Lauderdale, FLBorn 3 October 1937 · aged 65 · Diabetes · Reggae · Ska · Randy's
  • 2007Billy Hendersonvocal · Daytona Beach, FLBorn 9 August 1939 · aged 67 · Diabetes complications · Soul · Detroit Spinners, Spinners
  • 2007Eric Vonschmidtcomposer, guitar · Fairfield, CTBorn 28 May 1931 · aged 75 · Blues · Folk
  • 2007Joseph Edward Hunterarranger, band-leader, composer, piano · Detroit, MIBorn 19 November 1927 · aged 79 · Natural causes · R&B · Soul · Funk Brothers
  • 2009Sunny Skylarcomposer · Las Vegas, NVBorn 11 October 1913 · aged 95 · Jazz · R&B · Louis Jordan
  • 2014Bunny Rugs (William Alexander Anthony Clarke)guitar, vocal · Orlando, FLBorn 6 February 1948 · aged 65 · Leukemia · Reggae · Ska · Charlie Hackett and the Souvenirs, Inner Circle, Bunny & Ricky

Events3

  • 1956Atlantic, after hearing session tapes of 'Down In Mexico', 'Turtle Dovin' signs The Coasters.
  • 1961Diamond Joe records 'Moanin' and Screamin' (Minit).
  • 1966Lloyd Daley records The Overtakers on his Matador label - 'Beware', 'Right Now', 'Unresistable You'.