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Alwyn Lopez “Al” Jarreau

May 12th in African American History – Alwyn Lopez “Al” Jarreau

May 12, 1940 Alwyn Lopez “Al” Jarreau, vocalist, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jarreau earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Ripon College in 1962 and a Master’s Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation from the University of Iowa in 1964. In 1968, he decided to make music his primary occupation and began playing in […]

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Robert Leroy Johnson

May 8th in African American History – Robert Leroy Johnson

May 8, 1911 Robert Leroy Johnson, Delta blues musician, was born in Hazelhurst, Mississippi. At a very young age, Johnson began traveling up and down the Delta as an itinerant musician. His landmark recordings from 1936 and 1937 display a remarkable combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that have influenced generations of musicians.

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May 7th in African American History – Thelma Jackson Houston

May 7, 1946 Thelma Jackson Houston, singer, actress, and songwriter, was born in Leland, Mississippi. In 1969 Houston released her debut album, “Sunshower,” and in 1971 she signed with Motown Records. Houston’s first successful single was “You’ve Been Doing Wrong for So Long” (1974) which earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal […]

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May 6th in African American History – Otis Blackwell

May 6, 2002 Otis Blackwell, singer, pianist, and songwriter, died. Blackwell was born February 16, 1932 in Brooklyn, New York and learned to play the piano as a child. In 1952, Blackwell won a talent contest at the Apollo Theater, but his real love was songwriting. In 1956, he had his first success, composing “Fever,” […]

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Ron Carter

May 4th in African American History – Ron Carter

May 4, 1937 Ron Carter, jazz double-bassist, cellist, and composer, was born in Ferndale, Michigan. Carter started to play the cello at the age of 10 and later moved to the bass. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School of Music in 1959 and a master’s degree in double bass performance from the […]

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Billy Higgins

May 3rd in African American History – Billy Higgins

May 3, 2001 Billy Higgins, jazz drummer, died. Higgins was born October 11, 1936 in Los Angeles, California. He began playing drums at the age of five. Higgins was one of the co-founders of the free jazz movement and beginning in 1958 played on Ornette Coleman’s first recordings.

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William Levi Dawson

May 2nd in African American History – William Levi Dawson

May 2, 1990 William Levi Dawson, professor, choir director, and composer, died. Dawson was born September 26, 1899 in Anniston, Alabama. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree with honors from the Horner Institute of Fine Arts in 1925 and his master’s degree from the American Conservatory of Music in 1927. Dawson served as professor […]

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