Jazz Greats: Lester Bowie

Lester Bowie (October 11, 1941 – November 8, 1999)

Jazz Trumpet Player and Composer, Lester Bowie, began his study of the Trumpet at aged 5 years old. He worked in the Blues and Rhythm and Blues genres during the early years of his career as a Sideman to many (Little Milton, Albert King, Solomon Burke, Joe Tex, Rufus Thomas and others). Mr. Bowie worked as Leader on numerous recordings from the 1970's up to the 1990's, interweaved by appearances on works by other Artists. He was the husband of Fontella Bass. He died in 1999 of liver cancer. Please take a listen here and have an excellent Saturday: Rios Negroes, Fast Last! (full Album), Amina, For Fela and The 5th Power (full Album)

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lester_Bowie

Background information
Born	October 11, 1941 Frederick, Maryland, U.S.
Died	November 8, 1999(aged 58) Brooklyn, New York
Occupation(s)	Musician   composer
Instruments	Trumpet   flugelhorn   percussion
Years active	1965–1999
Labels	Nessa   Freedom   Actuel   Black Saint   Atlantic   Horo   ECM   DIW   Birdology
Associated acts	AACM   Art Ensemble of Chicago Archie Shepp   David Murray   Jack DeJohnette   Fela Kuti   Kahil El'Zabar   Defunkt   David Bowie

Robin S

Robin Stone (born April 27, 1962)

House Music Singer and Songwriter, Robin S, scored 3 number one dance hits during the 1990's and released 2 Albums. She remains active through touring and Single releases. Please take a listen here and have an enjoyable weekend: Luv 4 luv, It must be love, Midnight, What I do best and Show me love

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_S.

Background information
Birth name	Robin Stone[1]
Born	April 27, 1962(age 57)
Origin	Hempstead, New York, United States[2]
Genres	House urban dance-pop gospel jazz
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Big Beat (1993–95) Atlantic (1997–2000)

Dancehall /Reggae Thursdays: Spragga Benz

Carlton Errington Grant (born 30 May 1969)

Dancehall Deejay and Actor, Spragga Benz, began his run in 1991 and released well received Singles that led to a Record deal with Capitol Records. After being dropped from the Label because of low Album sales, he continued on and scored numerous  Dancehall hits. He also co-starred in the movie Shottas in 2002; he remains active. Please take a listen here and Happy Dancehall /Reggae Thursday: Could a deal, Spanish Harlem (ft. Ben E. King), Girls hooray and A-1 lover (ft. Chevelle Franklin)

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spragga_Benz

Background information
Birth name	Carlton Errington Grant
Also known as	Spragga Benz
Born	30 May 1969(age 50) Kingston, Jamaica
Genres	Dancehall
Occupation(s)	Deejay, actor, musician
Years active	1991–present
Labels	VP, Capitol

Zapp Band

Zapp Band

Funk Band, Zapp Band, was Influential in the electro sub-genre of Funk and used the trademark Talk Box effect in their music. They had been active since 1977, mainly performing, but recorded their debut in 1980, scoring a hit and continuing into the 1990's. Their music was heavily sampled in West Coast Hip Hop. The Group disbanded when brothers Roger and Larry Troutman was killed in a murder-suicide in 1999. Please take a listen here and have a nice Wednesday: Be Alright, Computer love and More bounce to the ounce

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zapp_(band)

Background information
Origin	Dayton, Ohio,United States
Genres	Funk[1] electro[1]
Years active	1977–1999, 2003–present (reunion only)
Labels	Warner Bros.(1980–2000) Zapp Town Records (2003–present)
Members	Lester Troutman Terry "Zapp" Troutman Gregory Jackson Bobby Glover
Past members	Roger Troutman(deceased) Larry Troutman (deceased) Thomas Troutman Roger Troutman Jr. (deceased) Michael "Slyde" Jennings

Hip Hop Tuesdays: C-Bo

Shawn Thomas (Sacramento, California, US)

Rapper and Film Writer, C-Bo, has been working since 1991 and is known for his violent Rap lyrics. He was arrested in 1998 because his lyrics violated his parole. He continues to perform and release Albums. Please take a listen here and Happy Hip Hop Tuesday: Birds in the kitchen (ft. E-40), Bald head nut, Deadly game (ft. X-Raided) and Liquor Sto'

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-Bo

Background information
Birth name	Shawn Thomas
Born	Sacramento, California
Genres	Hardcore hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper, film writer
Years active	1991–present
Labels	Noo Trybe/Virgin/EMI Records, West Coast Mafia (2005-present), Ca$hville(2007-present)
Associated acts	Killa Tay, Spice 1,Big Lurch, Young Buck, Brotha Lynch Hung, X-Raided,Yukmouth,Outlawz, Thug Lordz, The Regime,Luniz, AP.9, Tupac Shakur, Daz Dillinger, Lunasicc,E-40
Website	C-Bo onInstagram

Tribute Mondays: Valerie Wellington

Valerie Wellington (November 14, 1959 – January 2, 1993)

Opera, Chicago Blues and Electric Blues Singer, Valerie Wellington, studied Opera at the American Conservatory of Music, but branched into singing the Blues. She also did Theater work and film in the 1980's. She died of Cerebral Aneurysm at the age of 33 in 1993. Thanks for your contribution Miss Wellington, you are appreciated. Please take a listen here and have an exciting Monday: Bad avenue, Whole Lotta Shakin going on, Cold cold feeling and Independent Blues

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerie_Wellington

Background information
Birth name	Valerie Eileen Hall
Born	November 14, 1959 Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died	January 2, 1993(aged 33) Maywood, Illinois
Genres	Chicago blues,electric blues[1]
Occupation(s)	Singer, actress
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	Late 1970s–1992
Labels	Flying Fish

Jimmy Ruffin

Jimmy Lee Ruffin (May 7, 1936 – November 17, 2014)

Soul Singer, Jimmy Ruffin, was signed to Motown Records in 1961, but left for the Army and returned in 1964. He was offered a place in The Temptations, but his brother, David Ruffin, was hired instead. He went on to score a huge solo hit in 1966 and continued into the 1970's with some success. His early songs on Motown where recorded by future Motown Artists [Gladys Knight & the Pips, Michael Jackson, Eddie Kendricks (formerly of the Temptations) and others] became bigger hits for these Artists. He died in 2014; please take a listen here and have a relaxing Sunday: Hold on (to my love), Gonna give her all the love I've got, Don't you miss me a little baby and What becomes of the brokenhearted

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Ruffin

Background information
Birth name	Jimmy Lee Ruffin
Born	May 7, 1936[1][2] Collinsville, Mississippi, U.S.
Died	November 17, 2014(aged 78) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Genres	Soul   R&B   pop
Occupation(s)	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1955-2014
Labels	Soul (Motown)   Polydor   RSO   EMI   Motorcity
Associated acts	David Ruffin