Born and died this day (Dec. 15)

Further to yesterday's relatively subdued reactions to my Clark Terry centennial posts (thank you Ron Hampton, Tom Henderson, Michael Lamb and Colin Aitchison for your Facebook likes) I delved into some of today's births and deaths although none of them were actual centennials.

Stan Kenton was let loose on this day in 1911 and subsequently went on to lead some of the most exciting big bands in history as well as some of the least. I saw him live on several occasions and was never disappointed. He even named his son after me - or so I like to think! (Lance Kenton b. Jan. 16, 1958).

Gene Quill (1927) first came to my attention blowing alongside fellow alto saxist Phil Woods and later in bands led by, among others, Gerry Mulligan and Buddy Rich (Swingin' New Big Band). I never heard him live and he died on Dec. 8, 1988.

Barry Harris (1929) provided me with a memorable night of jazz piano back in 2013 at Soho's Pizza Express. One of the best concerts I've ever been privileged to attend. I gather he's still active at the age of 91. 

Curtis Fuller (1934) is not only also still playing but was a fast finishing fifth behind Trombone Shorty in this year's DownBeat Readers' Poll. Trombonist on Trane's legendary Blue Train album I was fortunate to hear him at the 1983 North Sea Jazz Festival where he not only played in a Shelly Manne Sextet that included Allan Eager and Mose Allison but also took part in a "Trombone Summit" with Vic Dickenson, Al Grey, Albert Mangelsdorff, Julian Priester and Britt Woodman - a line-up tasty enough to make any trombone player's slide hang out.

Danny Richmond (1935) was, of course, long associated with Mingus and I did see Mingus at Ronnie's but I don't think Danny was on drums. Bobby Jones was on tenor. It was one of those hazy nights we often had in the 1970s...

Eddie Palmieri (1936) is another who's still around and in this year's DownBeat Poll's Keyboard section he came home ninth behind the fancied Herbie Hancock who edged out joint favourite Chick Corea.

There were also a couple who left us on this day. Fats Waller in 1943 aged 39 and Major Glenn Miller who went AWOL in 1944 aged 40.

Lance