Late trad jazz drummer and vocalist Sammy Penn (Samuel Hughes Penn) was born in Morgan City, LA on September 15, 1902. Penn worked with Buddy Petit, Chris Kelly, Kid Rena, Eureka Brass Band, and many others. He led the Penn-Wiggs New Orleans All Stars with Johnny Wiggs, and was also a long time member of the Kid Thomas Band. Penn suffered a fatal stroke while on tour with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and died on October 30, 1969 in LaGrange, Georgia. See Sammy Penn discography. Watch Sammy Penn videos on YouTube.
1903
Trad jazz trombonist Eddie Summers (Eddie Milton Summers) was born in Port Allen, Louisiana on September 15, 1903. He worked with Kid Sheik, A.J. Piron, Albert Jiles, Kid Clayton, Kid Howard, and others. Summers was at the opening of Preservation Hall in June of 1961 with Emile Barnes' Louisiana Joymakers. Summers passed away in 1977. See discography.
1908
Late trumpeter and bandleader George "Kid Sheik" Colar was born (George Cola) in New Orleans on September 15, 1908. Kid Sheik studied with Wooden Joe Nicholas, and formed his first band in his teens. He was later known for his work with the Eureka Brass Band, Olympia Brass Band, and as a long time member of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. In his later years, he was married to pianist Sadie Goodson (sister of Billie Pierce). He was featured on the 1990 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival poster. Colar passed away in Detroit, Michigan, on November 7, 1996. See Colar in the film short "The Cradle Is Rocking". See Kid Sheik discography. Watch Kid Sheik videos on YouTube.
1911
Swamp bluesman Silas Hogan was born in Westover, Louisiana on September 15, 1911. The popular Baton Rouge guitarist and band leader passed away on January 9, 1994 at age 82. See Silas Hogan discography. Watch Silas Hogan videos on YouTube.
1950
Brass band legend Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen was born (Anthony James Lacen) in New Orleans on September 15, 1950. Recruited for the Fairview Baptist Church Band in the 1960s, Lacen was tutored by jazz banjoist Danny Barker. He performed at Preservation Hall, and also worked with several brass bands (he was a founding member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band). His band, Tuba Fats & the Chosen Few, played regularly at Jackson Square. The internationally known tuba totin' icon died of an apparent heart attack on January 11, 2004 at age 53. The green space on the corner of St. Philip and North Robertson streets was later named Tuba Fats Square to honor his memory. See Tuba Fats discography. Watch Tuba Fats videos on YouTube.
1965
New Orleans born tuba player and string bass pioneer Steve Brown (Theodore Brown) passed away in Detroit, Michigan on September 15, 1965 at age 75. Brown went to Chicago with brother Tom Brown's band in 1915. He joined the New Orleans Rhythm Kings in 1923. Brown later worked with Jean Goldkette and Paul Whiteman before settling in Detroit where he gigged with many local jazz groups. Read more here and here. See Steve Brown discography.
1967
Eclectic New Orleans-based organ player, instrument builder and inventor (Drum Buddy, Weather Warlock) Martin Quintron was born (Robert Rolston) in Bitburg, Germany on September 15, 1967. When he is not dreaming up a new musical device, you can see him performing with his wife, puppeteer and singer Miss Pussycat (Panacea Theriac). See their official web site for more info. See Quintron discography. Watch Quintron videos on YouTube.
1967
Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Jonathon "Boogie" Long was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on September 15, 1988. See Jonathon "Boogie" Long discography. Watch Jonathon "Boogie" Long videos on YouTube.
