Blue Juice Calendar · On this day

22 December

Musicians born and died on 22 December: 11 births, 12 deaths and 3 recording milestones from blues, R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, reggae and ska.

Born11

  • 1901Lil Green (Lillian Johnson Green)vocal · Port Gibson, MSDied 14 April 1954 · Blues
  • 1910Elder Roma Wilsonharmonica · Hickory Flat, MSDied 25 October 2018 · Gospel
  • 1910Reunald Jonestrumpet · Indianapolis, INDied 26 February 1989 · Jazz · Count Basie
  • 1919Lillian "Lil" Green-Johnsonvocal · Near Port Gibson, MSDied 14 April 1954 · Blues
  • 1929Solomon "Sparrow" Hardyguitar
  • 1931King Karl (Bernard Jolivette)guitar, vocal · Grand Coteau, LADied 7 December 2005 · R&B · Rock & Roll · Soul
  • 1933Hollis Gilmoresaxophone · Magnolia, AR
  • 1934Lenny Milesvocal · Fort Worth, TXSoul · Specter/wand Rec’s
  • 1935Joe Lee Wilsonpiano · Bristow, OKDied 17 July 2011 · Jazz
  • 1937Alvin "Shine" Robinsonguitar, vocal · New Orleans, LADied 24 January 1989 · R&B · Soul
  • 1937Roy Calhounvocal · PennsylvaniaR&B · Lee Andrews & Hearts

Died12

  • 1929"Blind" Lemon Jeffersonguitar, vocal · Chicago, ILBorn 11 July 1897 · aged 32 · Blues
  • 1939Ma Rainey (Gertrude Melissa Pridgett Rainey)vocal · Columbus, GABorn 26 April 1886 · aged 53 · Blues
  • 1971Leo Manleyvocal · Los Angeles, CAGospel · Stars Harmony
  • 1984Miss Rhapsody (Viola Gertrude Wells)vocal · Belleville, NJBorn 14 December 1902 · aged 82 · Blues · Gospel · Jazz
  • 1985Gus Jenkinspiano, producer · Inglewood, CABorn 24 March 1931 · aged 54 · Blues · R&B · Jarrone Pharoah
  • 1985Little Temple/ Gus Jenkins (Jaarone Pharoah Gus Jenkins)band-leader, piano, vocalBorn 24 March 1931 · aged 54 · Blues
  • 1989Boston Smithpiano · Dallas, TXBlues · Lil' Son Jackson
  • 2003Clarence Butlerharmonica · Hamtramck, MIBorn 21 January 1942 · aged 61 · Heart attack · Blues · Butler Brothers
  • 2012Marva Whitney (Marva Ann Manning)vocal · Kansas City, KSBorn 1 May 1944 · aged 68 · Pneumonia · Gospel · R&B · Soul · James Brown Revue, Manning Gospel Singers, Tommy & The Derbys, Osaka Monaurail
  • 2018Bernie WestvocalBorn 4 February 1930 · aged 88 · R&B · Five Keys
  • 2022Thom Bellproducer · Bellingham, WABorn 26 January 1943 · aged 79 · Soul · Philadelphia International Rec’s
  • 2022Walter "Wolfman" Washingtonguitar, vocal · New Orleans, LABorn 20 December 1943 · aged 79 · Cancer · Blues

Events3

  • 1945Roy Milton & His Solid Sender record ‘Groovy Blues’ (Juke Box 503), 'R.M. Blues' for release on Specialty off-shoot ‘Juke Box’.
  • 1955LaVern Baker records ‘Jim Dandy’ (#1), ‘My Happiness Forever’ (#13).
  • 1969Johnny "Hammond" Smith records 'Black Feeling!' (Prestige) at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs.