Jazz trombonist Carl Fontana (Carl Charles Fontana) was born in Monroe, LA on July 18, 1928. Fontana's musical career includes stints with Woody Herman, Al Belletto, Lionel Hampton, Hal McIntyre, Stan Kenton and Kai Winding. He passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 9, 2003 at age 75. See Carl Fontana discography. Watch Carl Fontana videos on YouTube.
1932
Jazz legend Louis Armstrong wowed British music fans in his first overseas performance at the London Palladium on July 18, 1932. Read more here.
1947
Singer, songwriter and pianist Linda Gail Lewis was born in Ferriday, Louisiana on July 18, 1947. Gail has recorded with Jerry Lee Lewis (her brother), Dale Watson, Mitch Ryder, Wanda Jackson, Van Morrison, and others. See Linda Gail Lewis discography. See offical Linda Gail Lewis web site for current tour dates. Watch Linda Gail Lewis videos on YouTube.
1949
The first broadcast of the New Orleans Jazz Club's radio program took place in 1949. For many years it was broadcast over WWL-AM on Sunday nights at 10:00pm. The 50,000 watt station enabled the show to be heard over the entire USA and much of Canada.
1964
Trombonist Keith "Wolf" Anderson was born Chicago on July 18, 1964 . Anderson moved to New Orleans in 1973. He worked with the Dirty Dozen, Doreen Ketchens, Rebirth Brass Band, Hot 8 Brass Band, All That, and many others. He could frequently be found entertaining tourists on the streets of the French Quarter. Actor Wendell Pierce loosely based his "Antoine Batiste" character in HBO's "Treme" series on Wolf's style of play. Anderson passed away on January 13, 2021. See Keith "Wolf" Anderson discography. Watch Keith "Wolf" Anderson videos on YouTube.
1964
"People Say" by The Dixie Cups entered the R&B Singles Chart on July 18, 1964. The tune peaked at the #7 position. It hit #12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
1986
Tenor sax great Don Wilkerson passed away in Houston, Texas on July 18, 1986 at age 54. The Moreauville, Louisiana native played with Amos Milburn, Charles Brown, Dexter Gordon, Ray Charles, and others. His tenor sax can be heard on several of Ray Charles's 1950's hits, including "I Got a Woman" "This Little Girl of Mine", and "Hallelujah, I Love Her So". He released his first solo album, "The Texas Twister" (produced by Cannonball Adderley), in 1960. Read more here. See Don Wilkerson recording credits. Listen to Don Wilkerson music on YouTube.
1995
Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Hunter Burgamy was born in New Orleans on July 18, 1995. The NOCCA and Berklee College of Music grad is a founding member of the Secret Six Jazz Band and The Garden of Joy. He has recorded with The Smoking Time Jazz Club, Dave Ruffner, Jenavieve and the Winding Boys, The Sheephead Serenaders, The Cigar Box Serenaders, and others. Watch Hunter Burgamy videos on YouTube.
