Reeds player, composer and bandleader Eddie Miller was born in New Orleans on June 23, 1911. His career included long stints with bands led by Ben Pollack and Bob Crosby. Miller also toured with the World's Greatest Jazz Band, and he played with Pete Fountain's band from 1967-1976. Miller died of pneumonia in Van Nuys, CA on April 1, 1991 at the age of 79. Read more here. Listen to Eddie Miller music on YouTube.
1926
Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five recorded "King of the Zulus", "Big Fat Ma and Skinny Pa", "Lonesome Blues", and "Sweet Little Papa" for the Okeh label in Chicago on June 23, 1926. The session featured Armstrong, Clarence Babcock, Kid Ory, Johnny Dodds, Lil Hardin Armstrong, and Johnny St. Cyr. Listen to "The Complete Hot Five and Hot Seven Recordings" on YouTube.
1941
Perennial rocker, guitarist, session player and bandleader Deacon John (John Moore) was born in New Orleans on June 23, 1941. Read more here, here and here. Watch Deacon John videos on YouTube.
1948
Blues belter Luther Kent (Kent Rowell) was born in New Orleans on June 23, 1948. Kent toured with Blood, Sweat and Tears in the 70's, and led his own big band, Trick Bag, on Bourbon Street for many years. He passed away on August 16, 2024 of congestive heart failure at age 76. Watch Luther Kent videos on YouTube.
Louis Armstrong was hospitalized in Spoleto, Italy while on tour with his All-Stars on June 23, 1959. Initially, he was thought to have suffered a heart attack. Armstrong claimed it was pneumonia related. In typical Satchmo style, he surprised the world with a brief appearance at a concert at New York's Lewisohn Stadium on July 4th, his ceremonial birthday. Read more here.
1960
Saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and educator Donald Harrison, Jr. was born in New Orleans on June 23, 1960. Harrison has worked with Art Blakey, Roy Haynes, Eddie Palmieri, Terence Blanchard, Dr. John, and many others. He was honored with a Jazz Masters Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts in 2022. Read more here and here. Listen to Donald Harrison music on YouTube.
1967
Soul Rebels co-founder and snare drummer Lumar LeBlanc (aka Big Cheeky, aka Sneaker Head) was born in New Orleans on June 23, 1967.
1998
The album "Life or Death" by New Orleans rapper C-Murder was certified Gold by the RIAA on June 23, 1998. C-Murder (real name Corey Miller) is the brother of No Limit Records founder Master P. It reached Platinum status on December 13, 1999.
