Pianist, singer, arranger, composer and bandleader Clarence Williams was born in Plaquemine, LA on October 8, 1898. Williams worked with Armand Piron in the early teens and formed a publishing company with him in 1915. He led many recording sessions during the 1920s and 30s that featured the likes of Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Red Allen and Coleman Hawkins. Williams wrote or shared credits (often with pianist Spencer Williams) for many trad jazz classics, including "Royal Garden Blues", "Squeeze Me", "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home" and "West End Blues". He passed away in New York City on November 6, 1965. See Clarence Williams discography. Listen to Clarence Williams music on YouTube.
1937
R&B singer Wallace Johnson was born in Napoleonville, Louisiana on October 8, 1937. He has released music for the AFO (All For One), Sansu, and NYNO Records labels. Read more here. See Wallace Johnson discography. Listen to Wallace Johnson music on YouTube.
1955
Composer, bassist, bandleader, and multi-instrumentalist James Singleton was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 8, 1955. Singleton moved to New Orleans in 1976 to play with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. He is a founding member of the jazz ensembles Astral Project and Nolatet. He has played with James Booker, Ellis Marsalis, Earl Turbinton, John Scofield, John Medeski, Mike Dillon, Brian Haas, Skerik, Stanton Moore, and many, many others. Read more here. See James Singleton discography. Watch James Singleton videos on YouTube.
1955
Accordionist and composer Iry LeJeune passed away on October 8, 1955 at age 26. The Cajun music pioneer was struck and killed by an automobile near Eunice, LA while changing a flat tire. Noted fiddler J.B. Fuselier was also seriously injured in the accident. Iry's son Eddie LeJeune, also a noted Cajun accordionist, passed away in 2001. Read more here and here. See Iry LeJeune discography. Listen to Iry LeJeune music on YouTube.
1966
"Shake Your Tambourine" by Bobby Marchan entered the R&B Chart on October 8, 1966. The song peaked at #14 during its 11 week run on the charts.
1988
Ivan Neville appeared on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" on October 8, 1988, playing keyboards with musical guest Keith Richards & The X-pensive Winos. Watch the video here.
1992
The first episode of BBC TV music series "Later... with Jools Holland" aired in the U.K. on October 8, 1992. Guests included The Neville Brothers, who performed "It Takes More", "Tell It Like It Is" and "Fly Like an Eagle". Watch the entire episode on YouTube.
1999
Britney Spears appeared in an episode of Disney Channel's "The Famous Jett Jackson" on October 8, 1999. Britney, appearing as herself, shows up at Jett's high school and performs her song "... Baby One More Time" at the Halloween dance. Watch the video here.
2008
Singer Marc Broussard was the musical guest on NBC's "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" on October 8, 2008. Marc and his band performed "Keep Coming Back". Watch the video here.
