Mohair Slim / Blue Juice Calendar / 16 October
Blue Juice Calendar · On this day

16 October

Musicians born and died on 16 October: 10 births, 10 deaths and 2 recording milestones from blues, R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, reggae and ska.

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Born10

  • 1895Jimmy Cainsaxophone · Columbus, OHDied 9 October 1982
  • 1903Buck Washingtonpiano · Louisville, KYDied 31 January 1955 · Blues · Jazz · Bessie Smith
  • 1903“Big” Joe Lee Williamsguitar, vocal · Crawford, MSDied 17 December 1982 · Blues
  • 1911Calvin Dillardsaxophone · Little Rock, ARCasey Bill Weldon
  • 1922Canray Fontenotviolin · L'anse Aux VacheslaDied 29 July 1995 · Zydeco
  • 1932Bill Johnson (Sam & Bill)vocal · Augusta, GAR&B · Soul · Sam & Bill
  • 1935Sugar Pie Desanto (Umpeylia Marsema Balinton Desanto)composer, vocal · Brooklyn, NYDied 20 December 2024 · R&B · Soul
  • 1949Jane Vaseypiano · Winnipeg, CanadaDied 15 July 1982 · Blues · Downchild Blues Band
  • 1949Lena Mosleyvocal · Mobile, ALBlues
  • 1954Lee Allen Zenobass, producer · Lafayette, LADied 3 May 2026 · Blues · Zydeco · Black Top Rec’s

Died10

  • 1959Minor "Ram" Halldrums · Sawtelle, CABorn 2 March 1897 · aged 62 · Jazz
  • 1968Edric Connorvocal · London, EnglandBorn 2 August 1913 · aged 55 · Calypso
  • 1969Leonard S. Chesslabel-owner, producer · Chicago, ILBorn 12 March 1917 · aged 52 · Heart attack · Blues · Jazz · R&B · Soul
  • 1973Gene Krupadrums · Yonkers, NYBorn 15 January 1909 · aged 64 · Jazz
  • 1974Morris Harrisvocal · Syracuse, NYJazz · Ink Spots
  • 1979Esther Mae "Mother" Scottguitar · Washington, DCBorn 25 March 1893 · aged 86 · Blues
  • 1990Art Blakey Sr.drums · New York, NYBorn 11 October 1919 · aged 71 · Jazz
  • 1999Ella Mae Morsevocal · Bullhead, AZBorn 12 September 1924 · aged 75 · Respiratory Failure · R&B · Freddie Slack
  • 2001Etta Jonesvocal · Mount Vernon, NYBorn 25 November 1928 · aged 72 · Cancer · Jazz · Earl Hines
  • 2012Dickie FreemanvocalBorn 20 June 1928 · aged 84 · Gospel · Fairfield Four

Events2

  • 1951Little Richard’s first session (RCA Victor) with Willie May’s band in Atlanta.
  • 1951Rosco Gordon records R&B #1 ‘Booted’ (Chess 1487) at Sun Studios.