Jazz clarinetist and saxophonist Tats Alexander was born (Adolphe Alexander, Jr.) in New Orleans on July 15, 1898. Alexander played with the Tuxedo Brass Band in the early 1920's. His career also included long stints with Sidney Desvigne, and in later years, with Oscar "Papa" Celestin. His father, also a musician, worked in orchestras led by Gilbert "Bab" Frank and Manual Perez, and marched with the Excelsior and Onward Brass Bands. Alexander died on December 30, 1968. Read more here.
1933
New Orleans born jazz man Freddie Keppard passed away in Chicago on July 15, 1933 at age 43. Keppard succeeded the legendary Buddy Bolden as cornet "king" of New Orleans. He worked with the Olympia Orchestra and the Eagle Band in the early 1900's, and moved to Los Angeles in 1912 to co-lead the Original Creole Orchestra. He later settled in Chicago and worked with King Oliver, Jimmie Noone, Doc Cook, Erskine Tate and Charlie Elgar. Keppard could have been the first jazz musician to record, but he turned the offer down for fear that others would "steal his ideas". The honor of the first recorded "jass" music subsequently went to the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, a group of white musicians. Read more here. Listen to Freddie Keppard music on YouTube.
1937
Jazz trumpeter Samuel Alcorn was born (Samuel William Alcorn) in New Orleans on July 15, 1937. Sammy played at Arnaud's Restaurant, the French Market Cafe, the Famous Door, and other local venues. He worked with Albert "Papa" French, Fats Domino, the Original Hawkettes, Deacon John, Duke Ellington, the Alvin Alcorn Trio, the Imperial Brass Band, Jerry Butler, and June Gardner. He was the son of late New Orleans trumpet great Alvin Alcorn. Alcorn died of lung cancer in New Orleans on July 20, 1998 at age 61. Check out these singles recorded in the 60's for Instant Records.
1960
Jazz saxophonist Lance Ellis was born in New Orleans on July 15, 1960. Lance has worked with the 70's band WAR, the Neville Brothers, Mem Shannon, George Porter Jr., Chubby Carrier, and others. Watch Lance Ellis videos on YouTube.
1989
"In A Letter To You" by country singer/songwriter and Lafayette, LA native Eddy Raven hit #1 on the Billboard Country Singles Chart on July 15, 1989. Read more about Eddy Raven here.
1998
Mahalia Jackson was one of four Gospel music legends honored by the U.S. Postal Service with commemorative stamps, issued in ceremonies held on July 15, 1998 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.
2019
The Rolling Stones played the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on July 15, 2019 as part of their "No Filter" North American tour. Originally scheduled for July 14th, the gig was pushed back a day due to Hurricane Barry. In between songs, Mick Jagger quipped "We're the only band ever to have an indoor show rained off". It was the band's first New Orleans appearance in 25 years. Local bands The Soul Rebels and Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk opened the show. Watch the Rolling Stones performance here.
