Mohair Slim / Blue Juice Calendar / 8 December
Blue Juice Calendar · On this day
8 December
Musicians born and died on 8 December: 12 births, 13 deaths and 2 recording milestones from blues, R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, reggae and ska.
Born12
- 1899James "Pigmeat" Jarrettpiano · Cordele, GADied 5 September 1995 · Blues · Jazz
- 1908Henry "Rufe" Johnsonguitar, piano · Bogansville, SCDied 4 February 1974 · Blues · Trix Rec's
- 1909Cleo Brownpiano, vocal · Meridian, MSDied 15 April 1995 · Blues · Decca Rec’s
- 1919Johnny Boardsaxophone · Chicago, ILDied 15 December 1989 · Blues · R&B · B.b. King, Johnny Ace
- 1925Sammy Davis Jr.vocal · New York, NYDied 16 May 1990 · Jazz
- 1928James Oscar "Jimmy" Smithorgan, vocal · Norristown, PADied 8 February 2005 · Jazz
- 1929Billy "Red" Love (Milton Morse)arranger, band-leader, piano, songwriter, vocal · Memphis, TNDied 2 May 1975 · Blues · R&B · Billy “Red” Love and His Orchestra, Rosco Gordon’s road band, Chess Records, Sun Records
- 1939Jerry Butlervocal · Sunflower, MSDied 20 February 2025 · Soul · Impressions
- 1941Willie West (Millard Leon)arranger, band-leader, producer, songwriter, vocal · Raceland, LABlues · Gospel · R&B · Soul · Meters, Rustone, Timmion, Uptown Rulers
- 1942Frederick "Toots" Hibbertvocal · May Pen, JamaicaDied 11 September 2020 · Reggae · Ska
- 1947Gregg Allmancomposer, organ, vocal · Nashville, TNDied 27 May 2017 · Blues · Allman Brothers
- 1950Dan Hartmanbass, producer · Harrisburg, PADied 22 March 1994 · Blues · Soul · Edgar Winter, James Brown
Died13
- 1945Richard M. Jonespiano · Chicago, ILBorn 13 June 1892 · aged 53 · Blues · Jazz · Bertha "chippie" Hill
- 1958Julia Leepiano, vocal · Kansas City, MOBorn 31 October 1902 · aged 56 · Blues · Jazz · Capitol Rec’s
- 1967John H. Mills Sr.vocal, bass vocal · Bellefontaine, OHBorn 11 February 1882 · aged 85 · Jazz · Mills Brothers
- 1967Louis Bacontrumpet · New York, NYBorn 1 November 1904 · aged 63 · Blues · Jazz · Bessie Smith
- 1981“Big” Walter "Shakey" Hortonharmonica, vocal · Chicago, ILBorn 6 April 1918 · aged 63 · Blues
- 1984Gene Rameybass · Austin, TXBorn 4 April 1913 · aged 71 · Jazz · Jay McShann
- 1986Hollywood Fats (Michael Mann)guitar · Los Angeles, CABorn 17 March 1954 · aged 32 · Blues
- 1988Herbert"Toubo" Rhoadvocal · Sacramento, CABorn 1 October 1944 · aged 44 · Soul · Persuasions
- 1988Willie "Rough Dried" Williamsdrums · Chicago, ILBorn 13 March 1922 · aged 66 · Blues
- 1991Buck Claytontrumpet · New York, NYBorn 12 November 1911 · aged 80 · Jazz · Count Basie
- 1994Jobim (Antonio Carlos Brasileiro de Almeida)composer, guitar, piano · New York, NYBorn 25 January 1927 · aged 67 · Heart failure · Jazz
- 2021Ralph Tavaresvocal · South Dartmouth, MABorn 10 December 1941 · aged 79 · Soul · Tavares
- 2021Robbie Shakespearebass · Miami, FLBorn 27 September 1953 · aged 68 · Reggae
Events2
- 1951'Because of You' by Tab Smith and His Orchestra (United) reaches No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart (2 weeks at the top).
- 1962'Release Me' by Little Esther Phillips (Lenox) reaches No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart (3 weeks at the top).