Clarinet player George Baquet (George Francis Baquet) was born in New Orleans on July 22, 1881. His father, Theogene V. Baquet, played cornet, and led the Excelsior Brass Band for many years. George Baquet played with Lyre Club Symphony Orchestra (led by his father), Excelsior Brass Band. Onward Brass Band, Manuel Perez, John Robichaux, and Freddie Keppard's Original Creole Orchestra. He left Keppard in 1917, and settled in Fhiladelphia. He remained active there until his death on on January 14, 1949. He recorded with Jelly Roll Morton, Bessie Smith, and Sidney Bechet. His younger brother Achille Baquet was also a musician. See discography. Listen to George Baquet music on YouTube.
Blues harmonica great Pat Ramsey was born in Shreveport, LA on July 22. 1953. He recorded with Johnny Winter and Coco Robicheaux, and also released several solo albums. Ramsey passed away in Florida in 2008 after a long battle with Hepatitis C.
1957
"A Fallen Star" by High Point, Louisiana native and Grand Ole Opry star Jimmy C. Newman entered the Top 40 on july 22, 1957. It reached #23 on the Pop Chart, and cracked the Top 10 on both the R&B and Country Charts.
1967
"Make Me Yours" by Shreveport, LA native Bettye Swann hit #1 on the Billboard R&B Chart on July 22, 1967.
1967
"With One Exception" by Bossier City, Louisiana native David Houston hit #1 on the Hot Country Singles Chart on July 22, 1967.
1980
Trumpeter, bandleader and producer Drew Baham (aka Da Phessah) was born (Andrew Baham) in New Orleans on July 22, 1980. Baham has played with Big Sam's Funky Nation, Gerald French and The Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, Preservation All-Stars, and others. He was an original member of the Lil Stooges Brass Band. Read more here. Listen to Drew Baham music on YouTube.
1994
Sammy Kershaw's 1991 debut studio album "Don't Go Near the Water" was certified Platinum (sales of one million units) by the RIAA on July 22, 1994.
1990
DJ and rapper Meaux Thug was born (Le'Shawn Paul Meaux) in Abbeville, Louisiana on July 22, 1990. Meaux was shot and filled in Kaplan, LA on September 23, 2024. He was 34 years old. Watch Meaux Thug videos on YouTube.
1995
Trumpeter and bandleader Percy Humphrey died of congestive heart failure at his home in New Orleans on July 22, 1995 at age 90. Percy's brothers Earl and Willie, his father (Willie Humphrey, Sr.), and his grandfather ("Professor" Jim Humphrey) were also noted jazz musicians. Percy had a long association with the Eureka Brass Band, and was a fixture at Preservation Hall from it's inception in 1961. Percy and Willie were honored with Big Easy Lifetime Achievement Awards in 1994. His last performance came as the closing act at the 1995 New Orleans Jazz Fest. Read more here and here. See Percy Humphrey recording credits. Watch Percy Humphrey videos on YouTube.
2019
Singer, songwriter and keyboard player Art Neville (aka Poppa Funk) died at his home in New Orleans on July 22, 2019 at age 81. He was a founding member of The Hawketts (of "Mardi Gras Mambo" fame) and legendary funk band The Meters. Art, along with his brothers Charles (1938-2018), Aaron, and Cyril, formed the Neville Brothers band in 1976. The Meters were honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy in 2018. See Art Neville discography. Listen to Art Neville music on YouTube.
1953
Superstar singer Shania Twain was interviewed and performed ("Dirty Rosie") on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on July 22, 2026. Twain's band included Lafayette, LA naive Tif "Teddy" Lamson on drums and backing vocals (see photos). Lamson has been a member of Twain's touring band since 2023.
