Hip Hop Tuesdays: Illegal

Illegal

Hip Hop Duo, Illegal, consisted of Jamal and Mr. Malik. They were a part of the Hit Squad, but their tenure only lasted for 2 years from 1993 to 1995. Jamal released a solo album and Mr. Malik worked with Warren G, Snoop Dogg, The Dogg Pound and Monica. Please take a listen here and Happy Hip Hop Tuesday: Back in the Day and We getz busy

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_(group)

Background information
Origin	Holly Hill, South Carolina Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Genres	Hip hop
Years active	1993–1995
Labels	Rowdy/Arista/BMG Records
Associated acts	Erick Sermon, Def Squad,Diamond D, Lord Finesse,Snoop Doggy Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, Warren G
Past members	Jamal Mr. Malik

Tribute Mondays: Bennie Moten

Benjamin “Bennie” Moten (Nov. 13, 1894 – Apr. 2, 1935)

Jazz pianist and Bandleader, Bennie Moten, helped to develop the riffing style (repeated instrument melody) used by Big Bands  of the 1930's. He was the leader of the Kansas City Orchestra, which consisted of Count Basie before his popular years, Walter Page, Oran "Hot Lips" Page and Jimmy Rushing among others. He died at aged 40 years old, after a failed Tonsillectomy operation and Count Basie took the best Musicians from Moten's Orchestra to form his own. Thanks for your contribution Mr. Moten, you are appreciated. Please take a listen here and have a sweet Monday: South and Kansas City Shuffle

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

Background information
Birth name	Benjamin
Born	November 13, 1894 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Died	April 2, 1935 (aged 40) Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Genres	Jazz, Kansas City jazz,Moten Swing
Occupation(s)	Musician, bandleader
Instruments	Piano
Labels	Victor Records, OKeh Records, Bluebird Records, HMV Records,RCA[1]
Associated acts	Count Basie, Walter Page, Oklahoma City Blue Devils, Eddie Durham, Hot Lips Page,

Les McCann

Leslie Coleman McCann (born September 23, 1935)

Jazz Pianist and Vocalist, Les McCann, discovered, Roberta Flack and released regarded Jazz genre bending Albums during the 1960's. He is stated among the first Jazz musicians to add Clarinet, Synthesizer and Electric Piano to his recordings. He is also known for his part in the 1971 14 hour concert in Ghana. Please take a listen here and have a relaxing Sunday: Compared to what

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

Background information
Birth name	Leslie Coleman McCann
Born	September 23, 1935(age 82) Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Genres	Jazz, soul jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Piano

Jazz Greats: Richard "Groove" Holmes

Richard Arnold Holmes (May 2, 1931 Camden , New Jersey – June 29, 1991 St. Louis , Missouri)

Hard Bop and Soul Jazz Organist, Richard Holmes, recorded over 40 Albums during his 30 year tenure which ended when he died from prostate cancer in 1991. He was also signed to many Record Labels and had considerable sideman efforts (Earl Bostic, Les McCann, Lou Rawls, etc.). Please take a listen here and have a great Saturday: Misty

Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Holmes_(organist)

Background Information
Birth name	Richard Arnold Holmes
Born	May 2, 1931 Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	June 29, 1991 (aged 60) Saint Louis, Missouri
Genres	Jazz, soul
Occupations	Musician, composer, arranger
Instruments	Organ
Years active	1961–1991
Labels	Pacific Jazz, Prestige,World Pacific, Groove Merchant, Flying Dutchman, Muse

Tommy Ridgley

Tommy Ridgley (October 30, 1925 – August 11, 1999)

R&B Singer and Bandleader, Tommy Ridgley, had local hits in New Orleans during the 1960's, but was unable to score a national hit throughout his career which began in 1949 and ended in 1999, when he died from lung cancer. His song Tr-la-la was remade by Pat Boone. He was a regular performer at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival for 27 years. Please take a listen here and have an enjoyable weekend: Double-eyed whammy and Shrewberry Blues

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

Background information
Birth name	Thomas Herman Ridgley
Born	October 30, 1925 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Died	August 11, 1999 (aged 73)
Genres	Blues, R&B
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1949–1999
Labels	Imperial, Decca, Herald, Atlantic,Ric, Ronn, River City, Black

Reggae/Dancehall Thursdays: Lord Sassafrass

Michael Orlando Johnson (b. 1963)

Lord Sassafrass worked as a prominent DJ on the Jack Scorpio Sound Systems after working at the Caymanas Racing Track. He discovered Dancehall DJ General Threes and had 1980's Dancehall hits. Please take a listen here and Happy Reggae Thursday: Green Bay Inquest (with Debra Keeys) and Pocomania Jump

Source 1: https://www.discogs.com/artist/237211-Lord-Sassafrass

Source' 2: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/lord-sassafrass-mn0001638844

Background information
Birth name: Micheal Orlando Johnson Born: 1963 Origin: Kingston, Jamaica Genre: Reggae

R&B / Doo-Wop Groups: The Esquires

The Esquires

R&B/Doo-Wop Vocal Group, The Esquires, had their biggest hits during the 1960's and 1970's, after forming as a Sibling Trio in 1957 and eventually adding new members. Please take a listen here and have a good Wednesday: Girls in the city, How could it be, You've got the power, Get on up '76, And get away and Get on up

Source 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Esquires

Source 2: https://www.oldies.com/artist-view/The-Esquires.html

Background Information
Band Name: The Esquires Origin: Milwaukee, US Years active: 1957-? Label: Bunky Label, Scepter/Wand, Capitol Records, Ju-Par Members: Gilbert Moorer, Alvis Moorer, Betty Moorer, Harvey Scale, Sam Pace, Shawn Taylor, Millard Edwards,