January 26, 1985 Kenneth Spearman “Kenny” Clarke, jazz drummer, died. Clarke was born January 9, 1914 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While still in high school, he studied multiple instruments as well as music theory and composition. He also played in the bands of Leroy Bradley and Roy Eldridge.
Archive | January 26, 2012
January 26th in African American History – Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman
January 26, 1892 Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman, civil aviator, was born in Atlanta, Texas. In her early 20’s, Coleman became interested in flying, but could not gain admittance to American flight schools because she was black and a woman. Therefore, she traveled to Paris, France where she learned to fly and on June 15, 1921 became […]