Clarinet and sax player Edward Pollack (or Pollock) was born in New Orleans on May 9, 1899. Pollock worked with Erskine Tate, Jimmie Noone, Ma Rainey and others. He led his own band in Chicago during the 40's before retiring from music. He passed away in 1955. Listen to Eddie Pollack music on YouTube.
Country singer, songwriter and Country Music Hall of Fame member Jimmie Davis became governor of Louisiana for the first time in 1944 (he also served from 1960-64). The writer of the classic tune "You Are My Sunshine", Davis continued to record and scored five Top 10 singles during his first term.
1960
Clarinet legend Pete Fountain's album "Pete Fountain Day" (Coral 57313) entered the Billboard Top 40 Albums chart in 1960. The album was recorded live at Municipal Auditorium in New Orleans on October 26, 1959. Listen to the album on YouTube.
1964
Louis Armstrong's classic "Hello, Dolly!" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on May 9, 1964. Satchmo dislodged The Beatles, who had held the top spot for the previous 14 weeks. In doing so, Satchmo became the oldest person (at age 63) to ever have a No. 1 one song. He was topped by Brenda Lee, who reached No. 1 in December 2023 at age 78 with "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree". Read more here.
1974
Drummer, bandleader and music teacher Linton Jacquet (photo) passed away in Oakland, California on May 9, 1974 at age 62. The Saint Martinville, Louisiana native (born July, 1911) was the brother of musicians Russell, Julius and Illinois Jacquet.
1991
Wynton Marsalis made a guest appearance on children's television series "Sesame Street" on May 9, 1991 (Episode 2874). Wynton played "No Matter What Your Language" with conductor Duck Ellington and the Sesame Street All-Animal Jazz Ensemble. Watch a video clip here.
1997
Guitarist Leo Jackson Sr. passed away in New Orleans on May 9, 1997 at age 82. He was born in Pike County, MS and resided in New Orleans for the past 52 years. Jackson founded gospel group The Melody Clouds in 1965. The group is now led by his son, Leo Jackson, Jr. Watch this interview with Leo Jackson, Jr.
