Kofi Burbridge was an American keyboardist and flautist of extraordinary talent. He was a classically-trained multi-instrumentalist who provided keyboards, organ, flute and backing vocals for various bands throughout his career, but is perhaps best known for his close musical association with guitarist Derek Trucks.
Leon Redbone was a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor specializing in jazz, blues and Tin Pan Alley classics. Recognized by his Panama hat, dark sunglasses, and black tie, he favored material from the Tin Pan Alley era, circa 1890 to 1910. He also appeared on film and television in acting and voice-over roles.
Dr. John was an American singer and songwriter. His music combined blues, pop, jazz, boogie-woogie and rock and roll. He recorded 30 studio albums and 9 live albums, as well as contributing to many recordings for other musicians. Dr. John was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011.
J.R. Cobb was an American guitarist and songwriter, most notable for co-writing “Spooky” and “Stormy” as a member of The Classics IV. He was also a founding member of The Atlanta Rhythm Section, a popular band in the 70’s…and even played behind the country supergroup The Highwaymen, for 5 years. Cobb has been inducted in both the Georgia and Alabama Music Halls of Fame.
Ginger Baker was a British-born drummer and a co-founder of the rock band Cream, with guitarist Eric Clapton and bassist Jack Bruce. His work in the 1960s and 1970s earned him the reputation of “rock’s first superstar drummer.” Baker was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Cream in 1993.
Michel Legrand was a French composer, arranger, conductor and jazz pianist. He was a prolific composer, having written over 200 film and television scores, in addition to numerous songs…including the beautiful “Summer of ’42” in 1971. Michel Legrand won 3 Oscars and 5 Grammy Awards.
Chris Vadala was an American saxophonist, composer, arranger, and clinician. His performing career included a long tenure as woodwind artist with the Internationally recognized Chuck Mangione Quartet. He performed and/or recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, B.B. King, Chick Corea, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Placido Domingo, Sarah Vaughn, Herbie Hancock, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Henry Mancini, Doc Severinsen, Frankie Valli, Johnny Mathis, Diana Ross, and many others. In 2009, he became a member of the Award-Winning Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and was the first call saxophonist with the National Symphony Orchestra for many years.
Jimmy Johnson was an American guitarist and a defining member of the infamous Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. His work helped make Muscle Shoals, Alabama a major American music center…a place that produced hundreds of hit records in the 1960s and 70s. Johnson played on so many of them, including major hits from legends like Etta James, Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones and the great Wilson Pickett.
Scott Walker was an American-born British singer-songwriter, composer and record producer. He and his distinctive baritone voice rose to fame in the mid-1960s as front man of the pop music trio The Walker Brothers…who had a huge hit with the song “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore.”
Ric Ocasek was an American singer, songwriter, record producer and painter. He was the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and songwriter for the rock band The Cars. As a producer, he is best known for his work with Weezer, Bad Brains, Guided By Voices and No Doubt. Ric Ocasek was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Cars.