David "Fathead" Newman Was Born On February 24, 1933

In honor of the late David "Fathead" Newman, his sensuous version of Duke Pearson's "Cristo Redentor" from his 2002 'Davey Blue' CD. Recorded in New York City May 31, 2001. Newman (alto saxophone), Bryan Carrott (vibraphone), Cedar Walton (piano), David Williams (bass), Kenny Washington (drums).

David "Fathead" Newman:

David "Fathead" Newman (February 24, 1933 – January 20, 2009) was an American jazz and rhythm-and-blues saxophonist who made numerous recordings as a session musician and leader, but is best known for his work as a sideman on seminal 1950s and early 1960s recordings by singer-pianist Ray Charles.

The All Music Guide to Jazz wrote that “there have not been many saxophonists and flutists more naturally soulful than David “Fathead” Newman,” and that “one of jazz’s and popular music’s great pleasures is to hear, during a vocalist’s break, the gorgeous, huge Newman tones filling the space . . . ." Newman is sometimes cited as a leading exponent of the so-called “Texas Tenor” saxophone style, which refers to the many big-toned, bluesy jazz tenor players from that state.

Johnny Winter Was Born On February 23, 1944

Johnny Winter from Danish TV in 1970 with Tommy Shannon on bass and Uncle John Turner on Drums

Johnny Winter:

John Dawson Winter III (February 23, 1944 – July 16, 2014), known as Johnny Winter, was an American musician, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. Best known for his high-energy blues-rock albums and live performances in the late 1960s and 1970s, Winter also produced three Grammy Award-winning albums for blues singer and guitarist Muddy Waters. After his time with Waters, Winter recorded several Grammy-nominated blues albums. In 1988, he was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and in 2003, he was ranked 63rd in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".

John Mayall

John Mayall Voted Into the Blues Music Hall of Fame:

Legendary “Godfather of British Blues” John Mayall’s name was called when The Blues Foundation announced today (2/17) its list of performers, music, literature and individuals who will be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in Memphis on May 4. Other performers joining John Mayall in the 2016 Class of Inductees include Elvin Bishop, Eddy Clearwater, Jimmy Johnson and The Memphis Jug Band.

Ernie_K-Doe Was Born On February 22, 1936

Ernie K-Doe:

Ernest Kador, Jr. (February 22, 1936 – July 5, 2001), known by the stage name Ernie K-Doe, was an African American R&B singer best known for his 1961 hit single "Mother-in-Law" which went to #1 on the Billboard pop chart in the U.S.

Nina Simone Was Born On February 21, 1933

Nina Simone:

Nina Simone (born Eunice Kathleen Waymon; February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003) was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist who worked in a broad range of musical styles including classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B, gospel, and pop.

J. Geils Was Born On February 20, 1946

J. Geils:

John Warren Geils Jr. (born February 20, 1946), popularly known as J. Geils, is an American musician.

Born in New York City, Geils grew up in Far Hills, New Jersey, where he graduated from Bernards High School. He moved to Massachusetts in 1964 and studied engineering at Northeastern University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Geils is primarily known as a blues-rock and jazz guitarist. He was the lead guitarist and founder of a rock band, J. Geils Band. He has also recorded with several jazz musicians.

Smokey Robinson Was Born On February 19, 1940

Smokey Robinson:

William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. (born February 19, 1940) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson was the founder and front man of the Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he also served as the group's chief songwriter and producer. Robinson led the group from its 1955 origins as the Five Chimes until 1972 when he announced a retirement from the group to focus on his role as Motown's vice president.

However, Robinson returned to the music industry as a solo artist the following year, later scoring Top 10 solo hits such as "Cruisin'" (1979), "Being With You" (1981) and "Just to See Her" (1987). Following the sale of Motown Records in 1988, Robinson left the company in 1990. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.