Trumpeter, guitarist and banjo player Dominick Barocco was born in New Orleans on October 5, 1893. He studied trumpet with Frank Christian, and played with Johnny Provenzano, Nick LaRocca, Clem Camp, Larry Shields, and Johnny Fischer. Barocco led his own band, which included his brother Joe Barocco (bass and tuba). They both played with the Reliance Brass Band and on the Lake Pontchartrain steamship Susquehanna in the 20s and 30s. Barocco passed away in January of 1970. He was never recorded.
1916
Musician, bandleader, promoter and manager William "Billy" Diamond (aka Mayor of the 9th Ward) was born in New Orleans on October 5, 1916. Diamond was the road manager for Fats Domino from the early 1950s through 1965. He gave the 19 year-old Antoine Domino his nickname. and played bass on several of Domino's hits. He also promoted other artists, including Shirley & Lee, Huey "Piano" Smith, James Booker and Solomon Burke. Diamond passed away in Los Angeles on October 20, 2011 at age 95. Read more here and here. See Billy Diamond recording credits. Listen to Billy Diamond music on YouTube.
1941
Baritone and tenor sax player Roger Lewis was born in New Orleans on October 5, 1941. He played with Deacon John, Eddie Bo, Irma Thomas, Fats Domino, and he's been a member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band since their formation in 1977. You can also catch Roger performing with the Treme Brass Band and Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra. Follow Roger Lewis on Facebook. See Roger Lewis recording credits. Watch Roger Lewis videos on YouTube.
1949
Jazz, blues and gospel vocalist Barbara Ann Shorts was born in New Orleans on October 5, 1949. She is best known for her role as Big Bertha Williams in the hit Vernel Bagneris musical "One Mo' Time", and the sequel, "Further Mo'”. More recently, she performed in Le Petit Theatre's gospel musical "Crowns". She celebrated her 77th birthday with a live show at Cafe Istanbul on October 4th. Follow Barbara Shorts on Facebook. Watch Barbara Shorts videos on YouTube.
1955
Sax legend Illinois Jacquet, Ella Fitzgerald, Georgina Henry, Dizzy Gillespie, and jazz impresario Norman Granz were arrested for gambling (shooting dice) in Fitzgerald’s dressing room at the Music Hall in Houston, TX on October 5, 1955. Read more here.
1969
Brass band trumpeter and vocalist Kenny Terry (Kenneth Terry) was born in New Orleans on October 5, 1969. Terry has worked with Milton Batiste's Junior Olympia Brass Band, Soul Rebels, Rebirth Brass Band, Treme Brass Band, New Birth Brass Band, Jackson Square Allstars, Young Fellaz Brass Band, Baby Boyz Brass Band, and others.
1986
Banjo player, guitarist and vocalist Emanuel Sayles passed away in New Orleans on October 5, 1986 at age 79. The Donaldsonville, LA native played on the river boats with Fate Marable in the 1920s. He was featured on the 1929 Jones & Collins Astoria Hot Eight sessions, and went on to work with Roosevelt Sykes, Sidney Desvigne, George Lewis, Punch Miller, and others. He was a regular at Preservation Hall from the early 60s into the 80s. Read more here and here. See Emanuel Sayles discography. Watch Emanuel Sayles videos on YouTube.
