Pioneering jazz and ragtime composer and pianist Jelly Roll Morton was born (Ferdinand Joseph LaMothe) in New Orleans on September 20, 1885 (this is one of various birth dates, I'll go with this one). Morton is considered a crucial figure in bridging 19th century blues, vaudeville song, and ragtime with the small jazz ensembles of the 1920s. The gifted pianist, arranger and composer penned many tunes that became jazz standards, among them "King Porter Stomp", "Wolverine Blues", "Black Bottom Stomp", "Milenburg Joys", "The Pearls", "Doctor Jazz", and "Shreveport Stomp". He died in Los Angeles on July 10, 1941. Read more here. See Jelly Roll Morton discography. Listen to Jelly Roll Morton music on YouTube.
1929
Pianist, composer, producer, and session man Eddie Bo was born (Edwin Joseph Bocage) in New Orleans on September 20, 1929. Bo's prolific recording output included "Tell It Like It Is," "Every Dog Has His Day," "Check Mr. Popeye," "Pass The Hatchet" and "Hook and Sling" (a Top 20 R&B hit in 1969). Writing credits included "I'm Wise" (made famous by Little Richard as "Slippin' and Slidin'"), "My Dearest Darling" (a Top 10 R&B hit for Etta James), and the Oliver Morgan classic "Who Shot The LaLa". Bo passed away on March 18, 2009 at age 79. See EddieBo.com and Eddie Bo obituary. See Eddie Bo discography. Watch Eddie Bo videos on YouTube.
1973
Noted singer and songwriter Jim Croce died along with five others when their chartered plane crashed shortly after take-off at Natchitoches, Louisiana Regional Airport on September 20, 1973. Croce had performed at Northwestern State University earlier that evening.
Multi-instrumentalist, singer, session musician, music director, and producer Tiffany Lamson (Teddy Lamson, Tif Lamson) was born in Lafayette, Louisiana on September 20, 1987. She has worked with indie pop group Givers (co-founded with Taylor Guarisco), Neva Wright & The My Bads, Jelly Toast (with Julie Odell), Music Box Village, Peaches (music director, band leader, and drummer), and she is currently drummer and backup vocalist for superstar Shania Twain's touring band (photo). See Tif Lamson discography. Watch Tif Lamson videos on YouTube
Pop star Britney Spears performed at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans on September 20, 2000, concluding the North American leg of her "Oops!... I Did It Again" tour. The show was filmed and later broadcast (November 30, 2000) as part of a Fox television special titled "Britney Spears: There's No Place Like Home".
2005
The Hurricane Katrina benefit concert event "From the Big Apple to the Big Easy" aired live from New York City on Pay-Per-View TV on September 20, 2005. Performers included the Dixie Cups, Allen Toussaint, Buckwheat Zydeco, Clarence "Frogman" Henry, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Dave Bartholomew, Irma Thomas, Kermit Ruffins, The Neville Brothers, The Meters, Rebirth Brass Band, Galactic, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and Ivan Neville. Watch videos from the event here.
2008
Farm Aid 2008 was held in Mansfield, Massachusetts on September 20, 2008. Performers at the event included Jerry Lee Lewis (videos). Kenny Chesney, The Pretenders, Steve Earle, and Jakob Dylan.
