Blue Juice Calendar · On this day

2 May

Musicians born and died on 2 May: 11 births, 15 deaths and 2 recording milestones from blues, R&B, soul, jazz, gospel, reggae and ska.

Born11

Died15

  • 1950Leo Watsonvocal · Los Angeles, CABorn 2 November 1912 · aged 37 · Jazz · Spirits Rhythm
  • 1953Oscar Oldhamdrums · Chicago, ILJazz · Jimmy Forrest
  • 1971Willie C. "Boll Weenie Bill" Mooreguitar · Albany, NYBorn 22 April 1913 · aged 58 · Blues
  • 1972Doles Dickensbass · New JerseyBorn 18 January 1916 · aged 56 · Jazz · Five Red Caps
  • 1975Billy "Red" Love (Milton Morse)arranger, band-leader, piano, songwriter, vocal · Colorado Springs, COBorn 8 December 1929 · aged 45 · Blues · R&B · Billy “Red” Love and His Orchestra, Rosco Gordon’s road band, Chess Records, Sun Records
  • 1979Cassell Burrowdrums · Chicago, ILBorn 8 March 1914 · aged 65 · Blues
  • 1983P.T. Hayesharmonica · Chicago, ILBorn 3 April 1923 · aged 60 · Blues
  • 1984Marie "Caldonia" Reynoldsvocal · Cincinnati, OHBorn 14 February 1921 · aged 63
  • 1986Wallace Bishopdrums · Hilversum, NetherlanBorn 17 February 1906 · aged 80 · Jazz · Les Hites
  • 1989Bennie Benjamincomposer · New York, NYBorn 4 November 1907 · aged 81 · Jazz · R&B
  • 1990William L. Dawsonarranger · Tuskegee, ALBorn 25 September 1899 · aged 90 · Gospel
  • 1994Buddy Scottguitar · Chicago, ILBorn 9 January 1935 · aged 59 · Blues
  • 1999Curly "Barefoot" Millerpiano · Dallas, TXBorn 23 February 1902 · aged 97 · Blues · Topcat Rec’s
  • 2003George Wylecomposer · Tarzana, CABorn 22 March 1916 · aged 87 · Leukemia · Jazz · R&B · Louis Jordan
  • 2014Jessica Cleavesvocal · Los Angeles, CABorn 10 December 1948 · aged 65 · Complications from a stroke · Soul · Friends of Distinction

Events2

  • 1958Gene Ammons records 'Blue Gene' (Prestige) at Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack.
  • 1960Former Drifters lead Ben E. King signs a solo recording contract with Atco.