Cornetist Henry "Kid" Rena was born in New Orleans on August 30, 1898. Rena played in the Colored Waif's Home band with Louis Armstrong, and he later replaced Armstrong in Kid Ory's band. He formed the Dixieland Jazz Band in the early 20's and also led the Eureka Brass Band for many years. Rena passed away on April 25, 1949 at age 50. Read more here. Listen to Kid Rena music on YouTube.
1908
Bandleader, vocalist, disc jockey and TV host Willie Bryant (William Stevens Bryant) was born in New Orleans in 1908. Bryant was a dancer and singer in the 1920's. He fronted the Apollo Theater house band in the mid-30's, and was also a long time emcee at the Apollo (he was often referred to as the "Mayor of Harlem"). Bryant moved to the west coast in the 50's and resumed deejay work. He he passed away in Los Angeles on February 9, 1964. Read more here. See Willie Bryant discography. Watch Willie Bryant videos on YouTube.
1922
The New Orleans Rhythm Kings led by cornetist Paul Mares recorded "Panama", "Tiger Rag", "Livery Stable Blues", and "Oriental" for the Gennett label in Richmond, Indiana on August 30, 1922. Listen to the recordings on YouTube.
1929
String bass player, drummer and vocalist Placide Adams (Placide A. Adams Jr.) was born in New Orleans on August 30, 1929. Adams worked with many local jazz legends, as well as R&B greats, such as Clyde McPhatter and Ruth Brown. He turned to trad jazz in the 1960s, playing with Papa Celestine, Louis Cottrell, Paul Barbarin, Kid Howard, George Lewis, Al Hirt, Onward Brass Band, and others. His mother (Dolly Douroux) and brothers Jerry and Justin Adams were also musicians. Adams passed away in New Orleans on March 29, 2003 at age 73. See Placide Adams discography. Listen to Placide Adams music on YouTube.
1929
Former Orleans Parish coroner and jazz trumpeter Dr. Frank Minyard was born (Franklin Earl Minyard, Jr.) in New Orleans in 1929. Minyard performed socially with his band, Dr. Jazz & The Deadbeats. Minyard passed away on September 15, 2020 at age 91. Watch Frank Minyard videos on YouTube.
1930
Cajun musician Lesa Cormier was born in Gueydan, Louisiana on August 30, 1930. The son of Sundown Playboys co-founder Lionel Cormier, Lesa took over the band after his father's passing in 1971. Lesa Cormier passed away in Lafayette on August 17, 2019 at age 88. See Lesa Cormier discography. Watch Lesa Cormier videos on YouTube.
1932
Jazz clarinetist and alto saxophonist Don Suhor was born (Donald John Suhor) in New Orleans on August 30, 1932. Suhor's career spanned 55 years, including stints with Shirley Horn, Al Hirt, Lionel Hampton, Santo Pecora, George French, and Harry Connick Sr. He recorded with Don Vappie, Wendell Brunious, Bobby Charles, Topsy Chapman, and others. He died of lung cancer on January 27, 2003 at age 70. Read more here. Listen to Don Suhor music on YouTube.
1953
Musician (piano and drums) and bandleader Jimmy Maxwell was born in New Orleans on August 30, 1953. The Jimmy Maxwell Orchestra played around the world, and performed at many Mardi Gras balls each year, including Rex and Comus. Maxwell ran the French Quarter venue Maxwell's Toulouse Cabaret in the 1990s. He passed away on February 29, 2024 at age 70.
1969
The three-day New Orleans Pop Festival kicked off at the Baton Rouge International Speedway (Pelican International Speedway) in Prairieville, Louisiana in 1969. The line-up included Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Canned Heat, It's A Beautiful Day, Country Joe and the Fish, Santana, and Deacon John. Read more here.
1982
Jazz cornetist and composer Anatie "Natty" Dominique passed away in Chicago on August 30, 1982 at age 86. Natty worked with Manuel Perez before moving to Chicago. He later worked with Carroll Dickerson, Jimmie Noone, Johnny Dodds, Baby Dodds, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, and others. Dominique was the cousin of clarinetist Barney Bigard and drummer Alex Bigard. See Natty Dominique discography. Listen to Natty Dominique music on YouTube.
1988
Influential drummer, composer and session musician James Black died of a drug overdose on August 30, 1988. He was 48 years old. Black played with Eddie Bo (Black was featured on Bo's hit "Hook and Sling Part I & II"), Ellis Marsalis, Lionel Hampton, Cannonball and Nat Adderley, John Coltrane, Dr. John, and many others. As a composer, Black received two grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Read more here and here. See James Black discography. Listen to James Black music on YouTube.
