October 31, 1939 Ali Ibrahim “Farka” Toure, guitarist, singer and one of Africa’s most internationally renowned musicians, was born in Timbuktu, Mali. Toure was the first African bluesman to achieve widespread popularity in Africa and was often called “the African John Lee Hooker.” He appeared in the 2003 documentary “Feel Like Going Home” which traced […]
Tag Archives | Grammy Award
October 29th in African American History – Beatrice Melba Smith (Melba Moore)
October 29, 1945 Beatrice Melba Smith (Melba Moore), R&B singer and actress, was born in New York City. Moore earned a bachelor’s degree in musical education from Montclair State Teacher’s College and taught music for a year in the Newark Public School System. She began her performing career in 1967 in the cast of “Hair.”
October 10th in African American History – Solomon Burke
October 10, 2010 Solomon Burke, singer and songwriter, died. Burke was born March 21, 1940 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began his adult life as a preacher and host of a gospel radio show. By 1960, Burke began moving toward more secular music. His first hit was “Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms)” […]
October 8th in African American History – Albertina Walker
October 8, 2010 Albertina Walker, gospel singer, died. Walker was born August 29, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois. She started singing in church choirs at an early age and by the time she was a teenager, she was touring with Mahalia Jackson. In 1951, Walker formed The Caravans and soon after she earned the title “Queen […]
October 3rd in African American History – India Arie Simpson (India.Arie)
October 3, 1975 India Arie Simpson (India.Arie), singer, songwriter and record producer, was born in Denver, Colorado. Arie’s mother moved the family to Atlanta, Georgia when she was 13. She attended Savannah College of Arts and Design to study jewelry making and, while there, gained an interest in the guitar. Arie eventually formed an independent […]
October 1st in African American History – Youssou N’Dour
October 1, 1959 Youssou N’Dour, singer, composer, and entrepreneur, was born in Dakar, Senegal. N’Dour began performing at the age of 12 and within a couple of years was performing with the most popular group in Dakar. In 1979, he formed his own ensemble which by 1981 had evolved into Super Etoile de Dakar, the […]
September 30th in African American History – John Royce “Johnny” Mathis
September 30, 1935 John Royce “Johnny” Mathis was born in Gilmer, Texas. As a teenager, Mathis was known for his singing and athletic abilities. At San Francisco State College he broke classmate Bill Russell’s high jump record and in 1955 had to decide whether to pursue a recording career or tryout for the 1956 Olympics. […]