North America

19 October

October 19th

Thomas Pitts Asia, Composer Of The Day, Europe, France, Iran, North America, United States of America October, Pessaram Amin, Zoufonoun

Mahmoud Zoufonoun 1 January 1920 – 19 October 2013

Pessaram Amin For my son, Amin

Mahmoud Zoufonoun
Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=737150

Charles-François Gounod, born on 17 June 1818 in Paris, was a renowned French composer. He is best known for his operas, particularly “Faust,” which premiered in 1859 and became hugely popular, and “Roméo et Juliette,” composed in 1867. Gounod’s work was influenced by his artistic family and his studies at the Conservatoire de Paris, where he won the prestigious Prix de Rome, enabling him to study in Italy and Germany. His religious convictions also shaped his music, leading him to compose many church hymns, including his famous “Ave Maria.”

In 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War, Gounod moved to England for safety. Although he returned to France after the war, he spent significant time in London and worked with various musicians. Despite his earlier successes, Gounod struggled to adapt to changing musical tastes later in life. He continued to compose until his death on 18 October 1893.

8 October

October 8th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America October, What's The Matter Now, Williams

Clarence Williams 8 October 1898 or 6 October 1893 – 6 November 1965

What's The Matter Now

Clarence Williams
By http://riverwalkjazz.stanford.edu/program/gulf-coast-blues-clarence-williams-story, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=57210124

Clarence Williams was a talented American jazz pianist, composer, and promoter born in Plaquemine, Louisiana, in 1898. From a young age, he was immersed in music, running away from home at twelve to join a minstrel show. Once in New Orleans, Williams worked many odd jobs but quickly became a well-known singer and entertainer. By the early 1910s, he had started composing music and arranging performances at local theatres and clubs.

In 1915, he partnered with Armand J. Piron to establish a successful music publishing business. By the 1920s, he had become a significant figure in the jazz scene, recording with renowned artists like Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith. Williams also created a hub for African American artists in Queens, New York, fostering community and collaboration during a time of racial segregation. His legacy includes numerous compositions and recordings that contribute to the rich history of jazz music.

3 October

October 3rd

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America Music for 18 Musicians, October, Reich

Steve Reich Born October 3, 1936

Music for 18 Musicians

Steve Reich
By Hans Peters for Anefo – http://proxy.handle.net/10648/ac867f40-d0b4-102d-bcf8-003048976d84, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65869252

Stephen Michael Reich, born on October 3, 1936, is an influential American composer renowned for his contributions to minimal music during the 1960s. His compositions exhibit distinctive features such as repetition and innovative structures. In his essay, “Music as a Gradual Process,” Reich expresses his fascination with music that evolves perceptibly over time. Early works like It’s Gonna Rain and Come Out utilised tape loops, creating a unique sound through phase shifting, where musical phrases gradually fall out of sync.

Reich’s landmark pieces, such as Drumming and Music for 18 Musicians, showcase intricate patterns and rhythms, with influences from various musical traditions. His style later incorporated themes from his Jewish heritage, as seen in Different Trains, which contrasts his childhood train journeys with the haunting experiences of children during the Holocaust. Today, Reich’s innovative techniques continue to inspire many composers and musicians around the world, solidifying his legacy as one of the key figures in contemporary music.

30 September

September 30th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Jamaica, North America Alberga, September, String Quartet No. 3

Eleanor Alberga Born 30 September 1949

String Quartet No. 3

I. Moderato

II. Scherzo

III. Adagio

IV. Allegro

Eleanor Alberga
From https://britishmusiccollection.org.uk/sites/default/files/field/image/eleanor%20alberga.jpg

Eleanor Deanne Therese Alberga OBE, born on 30 September 1949 in Kingston, Jamaica, is a notable contemporary music composer now residing in the UK. From a young age, Eleanor aspired to be a concert pianist and began writing music at just five years old. After completing her studies at the Jamaica School of Music, she moved to London on a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music, where she honed her skills under the guidance of Richard Stoker.

Throughout her career, Alberga has composed numerous works, including two Violin Concertos, a Trumpet Concerto, and a Symphony. She has shared her passion for music as a guest lecturer at the Royal Academy of Music and has worked with various prestigious orchestras, such as the Royal Philharmonic and London Philharmonic.

In 1992, she married violinist Thomas Bowes, and they perform together under the name Double Exposure. Alberga’s contributions to music have not gone unnoticed; in 2021, she was honoured as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her remarkable services to music.

29 September

September 29th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America September, Tea for Two, Youmans

Mike Post Born 29 September 1944

Quantum Leap Theme

Hill Street Blues Theme

Mike Post
By POPDUST, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=163033858

Mike Post, born Leland Michael Postil on September 29, 1944, is a renowned American composer celebrated for his captivating television theme music. He has created memorable themes for popular shows such as The Rockford Files, Law & Order, and Magnum, P.I. His musical journey began early; he first made waves with the hit single “Popsicles and Icicles” in 1964. By age 23, he won his first Grammy Award for the instrumental arrangement of “Classical Gas.”

Post’s contributions to television music are significant. He earned acclaim for the theme of The Rockford Files, which became a hit, reaching number 10 on the U.S. charts. His innovative sound for the Law & Order series, marked by the iconic “dun, dun,” has become widely recognised in popular culture. Over the years, he has collaborated with well-known artists like Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, and even composed for BBC’s sitcom Mammoth. His work continues to influence the world of television music.

27 September

September 27th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America September, Tea for Two, Youmans

Vincent Youmans 27 September 1898 – 5 April 1946

Tea for Two

Vincent Youmans
By https://thebsreport.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/vincent-youmans.jpg, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50127022

Vincent Millie Youmans was a celebrated American composer and producer born on September 27, 1898, in New York City. He became one of Broadway’s leading composers, known for his collaborations with talented lyricists like Ira Gershwin and Oscar Hammerstein II. Youmans created memorable music, many of which became popular standards. His early pieces featured short melodic phrases, but he later embraced longer, more complex melodies.

Youmans began his career as a song-plugger in Tin Pan Alley and gained fame with his hit songs from musicals such as “No, No, Nanette” and “Tea for Two,” which captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. Despite his success, Youmans faced challenges in his personal life, including struggles with alcoholism and health issues. Sadly, he battled tuberculosis for many years, which ultimately led to his retirement in 1934.

Extreme,_Tons_of_Rock,_Oslo_Norway_(53843209558)

20 September

September 20th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, North America, Portugal, United States of America Bettencourt, More Than Words, September

Nuno Bettencourt Born September 20, 1966

More Than Words

Nuno Bettencourt
By Birgit Fostervold from Arendal, Norge – Extreme, Tons of Rock, Oslo Norway, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=155101137

Nuno Duarte Gil Mendes Bettencourt, born on September 20, 1966, in Portugal, is a talented Portuguese-American guitarist, best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Extreme. He joined this Boston-based group in 1985 and contributed to their debut album, “Extreme,” released in 1989. Bettencourt’s exceptional skills earned him accolades, including recognition as the 197th greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.

Beyond Extreme, Bettencourt has been involved in various musical projects, such as Mourning Widows, DramaGods, and Satellite Party. He has worked with famous artists like Janet Jackson and Dweezil Zappa, showcasing his versatility in the music industry. Nuno’s distinct style and innovative guitar playing continue to influence many aspiring musicians today. He remains a celebrated figure in rock music history.

12 September

September 12th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, Europe, Germany, North America, United States of America F1, Paul's Dream, September, Time, Zimmer

Hans Zimmer Born 12 September 1957

Paul's Dream

Time

F1

Hans Zimmer
By ColliderVideo, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74281970

Hans Zimmer, born on 12 September 1957 in Frankfurt, Germany, is a celebrated film composer and music producer. He has created the music for over 150 films, winning two Academy Awards, a BAFTA, and five Grammy Awards. Zimmer’s most notable works include the scores for The Lion King (1994) and Dune (2021), both of which earned him Oscars for Best Original Score. He is renowned for blending electronic music with traditional orchestral sounds, revolutionising film scores since the 1980s.

Zimmer began playing the piano as a child, but disliked formal lessons, preferring to teach himself. His passion for film music grew when he listened to his favourite film composer, Ennio Morricone. He moved to London as a teenager and started his career writing advertising jingles, eventually collaborating with film directors like Christopher Nolan on multiple occasions. His innovation and creativity have made his music iconic, enhancing many beloved films and influencing future composers around the world.

9 September

September 9th

Thomas Pitts Canada, Composer Of The Day, North America Chotem, September, Vers l'infini

Neil Chotem 9 September 1920 – 21 February 2008

Vers l'infini

Neil Chotem
By archives lapresse – https://www.lapresse.ca/arts/musique/201307/12/01-4670225-hommage-a-neil-chotem-plus-que-lheptade.php, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=149749834

Neil Chotem was a celebrated Canadian composer, arranger, conductor, pianist, and music educator, born on 9 September 1920 in Saskatoon. He began his piano studies at the young age of five and went on to have a remarkable career. Chotem’s music is known for its tonal qualities and influences from jazz and popular music. He composed for television and radio, working with prominent Canadian artists like Maureen Forrester and Paul Piché. His achievements included a Montreal Festival du disque prize in 1968 for a collaborative LP called 3-12.

During World War II, Chotem served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, but his career continued to flourish after the war in Montreal. He performed as a concert pianist and worked as a conductor with several orchestras. His talent extended to arranging music for the progressive rock band Harmonium. Besides performing, he was passionate about teaching, sharing his knowledge with students at various Canadian universities.

29 August

August 29th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America August, Confirmation, Parker

Charlie Parker 29 August 1920 – 12 March 1955

Confirmation

Charlie Parker
By William P. Gottlieb – https://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/4843755786/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20705291

Charles Parker Jr., known as “Bird”, was an American jazz musician born on August 29, 1920. He played the alto saxophone and became one of the most important figures in jazz history. Parker was a key developer of bebop, a style of jazz that is fast-paced and highly intricate. His innovative approach introduced new rhythms, fast chord changes, and unique harmony in his music.

Parker was raised in Kansas City, where he began playing the saxophone at the age of 11. His love for music grew as he joined local jazz bands and participated in jam sessions. He faced many challenges, including his father’s struggles with alcoholism and his own addiction to drugs later in life. Despite these challenges, Parker’s talent shone through and he made significant contributions to music.

His compositions, such as “Yardbird Suite” and “Ornithology”, are still celebrated today. Parker’s music transformed jazz into an expressive art form and he inspired many musicians.