Late clarinetist Steve Angrum was born in New Roads, Louisiana on July 4, 1895. Angrum worked with Chris Kelly, George Williams, Kid Clayton, Kid Thomas, Kid Sheik, Punch Miller, and others. He passed away on November 26, 1961. Listen to Steve Angrum music on YouTube.
1902
Church deacon (and drummer) Frank Lastie was born in New Orleans on July 4, 1902 (or July 21 1902). He was the patriarch of the musical Lastie family. Offspring included sons Melvin, David, and Walter, daughter Betty Ann, and grandsons Herlin Riley and Joe Lastie. He passed away in 1993. Read more here.
1909
Blues and boogie pianist Champion Jack Dupree was born (William Thomas Dupree) in New Orleans on July 4, 1909. He died of cancer on January 21, 1992 in Hanover, Germany. Listen to Champion Jack Dupree music on YouTube.
1944
Blues harmonica great Chicago Bob Nelson was born (Robert Lee Nelson) in Bogalusa, LA on July 4, 1944. Nelson moved to Chicago in the early 1960's. There, he met and performed with Howlin’ Wolf, Earl Hooker, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells and Muddy Waters (Muddy gave Bob his nickname "Chicago Bob"). Over the years Bob toured with Luther "Snake Boy" Johnson, Tinsley Ellis, and he was in John Lee Hooker's touring band for the last years of Hooker's life. Nelson died on January 17, 2013 at age 68. Watch Chicago Bob Nelson videos on YouTube.
1951
Harmonica player, saxophonist, and bandleader Smoky Greenwell was born in Michigan on July 4, 1951. He has been a resident of New Orleans since 1989. Watch Smoky Greenwell videos on YouTube.
1953
Award winning harmonica player Kirk "Jelly Roll" Johnson was born in Lake Charles, LA on July 4, 1953. Johnson is one of Nashville's top session musicians. He has recorded with Trisha Yearwood, Etta James, Lee Ann Womack, Travis Tritt, Shania Twain, and many, many others. Read more. Watch Jelly Roll Johnson videos on YouTube.
1969
New Orleans-based vocalist and businesswoman Sophie Lee Lowry (aka Miss Sophie Lee) was born in Joliet, Illinois on July 4, 1969. She is owner of local music venue Three Muses, and co-owner DBA. Watch Miss Sophie Lee videos on YouTube.
1980
Trumpeter, vocalist and bandleader Shamarr Allen was born in New Orleans on July 4, 1980. Shamarr has played with Willie Nelson, Patti LaBelle, Galatic, Harrick Connick Jr., Lenny Kravitz, and many others. He also leads his own group, Shamarr Allen & The Underdawgs. Watch Shamarr Allen videos on YouTube.
1986
Farm Aid II was held in Manor, Texas on July 4, 1986. Performers at the event included Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the "Ragin' Cajun" Doug Kershaw. Watch Farm Aid II videos here.
1992
Trumpeter and bandleader Joe Newman passed away in New York City July 4, 1992 at age 69. The New Orleans native's career included stints with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Illinois Jacquet, and Benny Goodman. Apart from his 25+ albums as a leader, Newman can be heard on recordings by Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, and Aretha Franklin, among many others. Read more here and here. Watch Joe Newman videos on YouTube.
1999
Ernie K-Doe and Eddie Bo were among the performers at the National Independence Day Concert held in Washington, D.C. on July 4, 1999. The concert took place putside of the Sylvan Theatre on the grounds of the Washington Monument. Other performers included Shirley Caesar, Tito Puente, Bill Kirchen, and Ralph Stanley & his Clinch Mountain Boys. It was broadcast nationally via National Public Radio. See the concert press release. See the Ben Sandmel article (and photo) "Mr. K-Doe Goes to Washington".
2000
Celebrations honoring the centennial of Louis Armstrong's birth begin in earnest around the world. Louis thought his birth date to be July 4, 1900, but a baptismal certificate, found after his death, purported the date of birth to be August 4, 1901. The consolation in this great debate is that we get to celebrate Louis Armstrong's birthday twice each year!
2025
Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue and Lauren Daigle were among the performers on the annual PBS 4th of July special "A Capitol Fourth", which took place in Washington D.C. on July 4, 2025. Watch their performances here.
