United States of America

13 June

June 13th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America Goodman, June, Sing Sing Sing (With a Swing)

Benny Goodman 30 May 1909 – 13 June 1986

Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing)

Benny Goodman
By Photo by Jammes J. Kriegsmann, New York – Original text : eBayfrontback), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49409127

Benny Goodman, known as the “King of Swing,” was a famous American jazz clarinettist and bandleader. Born in Chicago in 1909 to Jewish immigrants from the Russian Empire, he began playing the clarinet at a young age and showed great talent. He received training at Hull House and from a renowned musician, Franz Schoepp. By his teenage years, Goodman was performing professionally and made a name for himself in the vibrant jazz scene of the 1920s.

His big break came in the mid-1930s with the “Let’s Dance” radio programme, leading to a notable performance in Los Angeles in 1935. Goodman was also significant for breaking racial barriers by hiring Black musicians. His 1938 concert at Carnegie Hall established jazz as an important music genre. Throughout his life, Goodman remained a dedicated performer and helped popularise jazz, making it accessible to millions.

9 June

June 9th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America Anything Goes, June, Porter

Cole Porter 9 June 1891 – 15 October 1964

Anything Goes

Cole Porter
By unattributed, see link – http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.scdb.200033557/default.html, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4975209

Cole Porter was an American composer and songwriter, born on June 9, 1891, in Peru, Indiana. He was known for his witty lyrics and catchy melodies, which made him a celebrated figure in 20th-century music. Despite his grandfather’s wishes for him to study law, Porter chose to pursue music, studying composition in Paris after starting at Harvard Law School.

His big break came in the late 1920s with the musical Paris, featuring the famous song “Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love.” Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, he created Broadway hits like Anything Goes and Kiss Me, Kate, demonstrating his talent for clever rhymes and engaging storytelling.

Porter faced a serious horse-riding accident in 1937 that led to the amputation of a leg, but he continued to create music. He had a unique relationship with socialite Linda Lee Thomas, remaining married despite being gay. Cole Porter passed away in 1964, yet his legacy lives on through his timeless songs.

7 June

June 7th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America June, Prince, When Doves Cry

Prince 7 June 1958 – 21 April 2016

When Doves Cry Stringspace String Quartet

Prince
By Allen Beaulieu; Distributed by Warner Bros. Records. – Worthpoint, archive, Hi-ResColor: [1], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=162884167

Prince Rogers Nelson, known simply as Prince, was an American singer, songwriter, and musician born on June 7, 1958. He is celebrated for his innovative music and flamboyant performances. Growing up in a musical family in Minneapolis, he displayed remarkable talent from a young age. His first album, For You, was released in 1978, but he gained fame with his albums Dirty Mind and 1999. The 1984 soundtrack album for Purple Rain made him a superstar, featuring iconic songs like “When Doves Cry.”

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Prince released multiple albums each year, often using different names. He was known for his unique blend of funk, rock, and pop, and won numerous awards, including seven Grammys. His battle for artists’ rights marked him as a pioneer in the music industry. Prince passed away in 2016, but his influence on music continues to inspire artists today.

26 May

May 26th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America All Blues, Blue in Green, Davis, Flamenco Sketches, Freddie Freeloader, Kind Of Blue, May, So What

Miles Davis May 26, 1926 – September 28, 1991

Kind Of Blue So What

Freddie Freeloader

Blue in Green

All Blues

Flamenco Sketches

Miles Davis
By Tom Palumbo from New York City, USA – Miles Davis;, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5103571

Miles Davis was an influential American jazz musician, known for his incredible trumpet playing and innovative style. Born on May 26, 1926, in Alton, Illinois, Davis showed a passion for music from a young age. He studied at the Juilliard School in New York City but soon found his true calling in jazz.

Davis was a leader in the evolution of jazz music. He created several important albums, such as “Kind of Blue,” which is considered one of the greatest jazz records of all time. His music often blended different styles, including bebop, cool jazz, and jazz fusion, making him a versatile artist.

Throughout his career, Miles collaborated with many other famous musicians and inspired countless artists around the world. He was known for his unique sound and ability to push musical boundaries. Davis’s contributions to jazz helped shape its development, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to influence musicians today.

21 May

May 21st

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America Baba Yetu, May, Sogno di Volare, The Dream Of Flight, Tin

Christopher Tin Born 21 May 1976

Baba Yetu Featuring Soweto Gospel Choir

Sogno di Volare "The Dream of Flight"

Christopher Tin
By CTW-PR – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63559238

Christopher Tin is a talented composer and musician from the United States. He is best known for creating video game music, but his work spans many different areas, including film and classical music. Tin was born in 1976 and began playing music at a young age. He studied at Stanford University and then continued his education at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

His most famous piece, “Baba Yetu,” was composed for the video game Civilization IV. The song is unique because it combines African music with choral singing in Swahili, which helped it gain worldwide popularity. In 2011, “Baba Yetu” won a Grammy Award, making Christopher Tin the first video game composer to receive such an honour.

Tin’s music is loved by many, and he aims to inspire people through his compositions. His ability to blend different cultures and styles makes his work truly special.

8 May

May 8th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America A Night in the Tropics, Gottschalk, May, Symphony No. 1

Louis Moreau Gottschalk 8 May 1829 – 18 December 1869

Symphony No. 1 'A Night in the Tropics' I. Andante (Arr. Arthur Napoleão)

Louis Moreau Gottschalk
By Mathew Benjamin Brady – Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. Brady-Handy Photograph Collection. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cwpbh.02956. CALL NUMBER: LC-BH82- 5324 A

[P&P], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1550180

Louis Moreau Gottschalk was an American composer and pianist born in New Orleans on May 8, 1829. He grew up in a house filled with music, as his family included many musicians. By the age of 13, Gottschalk left for Europe to pursue classical training. Despite being rejected by the Paris Conservatoire, he later became successful, composing unique pieces that combined European styles with American influences, such as Bamboula and La Savane. His works reflected his experiences with Louisiana’s diverse musical traditions, making him a significant figure in early American classical music.

Gottschalk travelled extensively, performing over 1,000 concerts, but he faced challenges, including controversies that forced him to leave the United States. Tragically, in November 1869, he collapsed during a concert in Brazil and died shortly after. Today, Gottschalk is remembered for his innovative contributions to music, and his compositions continue to inspire musicians around the world.

16 April

April 16th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America April, Mancini, No Other Love, Theme from A Summer Place

Henry Mancini 16 April 1924 – 14 June 1994

Theme from A Summer Place

No Other Love

Henry Mancini
By RCA Records – Ad on page 2 of February 28, 1970 Billboard magazine., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=66750874

Henry Mancini (1924 – 1994) was an American composer famous for his music in films and television. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he had a talent for music from a young age. After studying at the Juilliard School and serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Mancini joined the Glenn Miller Orchestra, which shaped his style.

His big break came in the 1950s when he worked with Universal-International, creating memorable film scores. Mancini became well-known for his music in The Glenn Miller Story and his collaboration with director Blake Edwards. Iconic scores such as Peter Gunn and the famous “Moon River” from Breakfast at Tiffany’s earned him numerous awards, including four Academy Awards.

Mancini’s unique blend of jazz and orchestral music made his work timeless, influencing many composers to follow. His legacy continues to inspire musicians and is appreciated by audiences worldwide.

12 April

April 12th

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America April, Hancock, Watermelon Man

Herbie Hancock Born 12 April 1940

Watermelon Man

Herbie Hancock
By Library of Congress Life – https://www.flickr.com/photos/library-of-congress-life/52724015094/, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=129637152

Herbie Hancock, born on April 12, 1940, is an extraordinary American jazz musician famous for his skills as a pianist, composer, and bandleader. His music blends jazz, funk, and electronic genres, which makes him a prominent figure in modern music. Starting at just seven years old, Hancock showcased his talent by performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra when he was eleven. He later studied music and engineering in college.

In 1963, Hancock joined the celebrated Miles Davis Quintet, where he helped reshape jazz with new sounds and styles. His solo albums, like Maiden Voyage and Head Hunters, pushed musical boundaries and featured innovative rhythms and synthesizers. Throughout his career, he embraced different genres, collaborating with artists from Joni Mitchell to Stevie Wonder. His adventurous spirit and use of technology have made him a lasting icon in music. Today, Hancock continues to inspire new generations as a performer and educator.

9 April

April 9th: Florence Price

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America 20th Century, April, Florence Price, Neo-Romantic, Symphony No. 1 in E minor

Florence Price 9 April 1887 – 3 June 1953

Symphony No. 1 in E minor

Florence Price
By George Nelidoff – https://digitalcollections.uark.edu/digital/collection/p17212coll3/id/20/rec/31, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=130384162

Florence Price was a remarkable American composer, pianist, and teacher, born on April 9, 1887, in Little Rock, Arkansas. She became the first African-American woman to have her music performed by a major symphony orchestra. From a young age, Price showed incredible musical talent and attended the New England Conservatory of Music, where she studied piano, organ, and composition, graduating with honours in 1906. Due to racial discrimination, she sometimes had to present herself as Mexican to secure performance opportunities in the segregated South.

In 1927, she moved to Chicago, joining a vibrant African-American cultural scene. Her Symphony in E minor won first prize in 1932, and the following year, it was performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, marking a significant moment in music history. Over her lifetime, Price composed more than 300 works, blending classical European styles with African-American influences. After her music was overlooked for years, renewed interest emerged in the 21st century, especially after her manuscripts were discovered in 2009. Florence Price’s legacy as a pioneering composer continues to inspire many today.

5 April

April 5th: Kurt Cobain

Thomas Pitts Composer Of The Day, North America, United States of America 20th Century, April, Kurt Cobain, Rock and Pop, Smells Like Teen Spirit

Kurt Cobain February 20, 1967 – c. April 5, 1994

Smells Like Teen Spirit Vitamin String Quartet Performs Nirvana

Kurt Cobain
By P.B. Rage from USA – More Kurt — too rad, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1314918

Kurt Cobain was an American musician, born on 20 February 1967 in Aberdeen, Washington. He is best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the band Nirvana. From a young age, Cobain showed a passion for music and was influenced by punk rock. In 1987, he formed Nirvana with bassist Krist Novoselic and later welcomed drummer Dave Grohl. The band became famous with their second album, Nevermind, in 1991, which included the iconic song Smells Like Teen Spirit, helping to define the grunge movement of the 1990s.

Cobain’s music was known for its deep emotions and powerful lyrics, often dealing with issues like alienation and mental health. Unfortunately, he faced many challenges in life, including struggles with fame and addiction. Cobain passed away on 5 April 1994, marking the end of Nirvana. His legacy continues, influencing many artists and representing the feelings of a generation.