February 20

Born in 1563 in London, Dowland became celebrated across Europe. He served at various courts, including Denmark and England, as a lutenist. In 1604 he published the influential lute song collection 'Lachrimae, or Seven Tears'. His works are noted for their expressive melancholy and technical mastery. He influenced generations of composers and lutenists and popularized the lute song. He died in 1626, leaving a lasting musical legacy.

Paul Kane was born in Ireland in 1810 and emigrated with his family to Canada at age 12. Between 1845 and 1848, he traveled extensively across the Canadian West, sketching Indigenous tribes and frontier scenes. His paintings and watercolors provided some of the earliest visual records of Plains and First Nations cultures. Kane’s work culminated in the publication of "Wanderings of an Artist Among the Indians of North America." He played a key role in the development of a distinctive Canadian art style and national identity. Kane’s legacy endures in major museum collections across Canada and beyond.

Born in 1882 in Brighton, Australia, Grainger displayed musical talent from an early age. He studied at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt and built a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. Grainger immigrated to the United States in 1914 and became a naturalized citizen in 1918. He collected folk melodies and created imaginative arrangements, notably 'Country Gardens.' His experimental approaches to rhythm and electronic music pushed boundaries. Grainger taught at the Juilliard School and continued composing until his death in 1961.

Born in 1879 in Copenhagen, Gade studied violin in Russia and later performed across Europe. He composed 'Jalousie Tango Tzigane' in 1925, which became one of the most recorded instrumentals in history. Gade enjoyed success as a concert violinist and conductor before focusing on composition. He established a foundation with royalties from 'Jalousie' to support young Danish musicians. Gade died in 1963, leaving a lasting legacy through his timeless tango and philanthropic contributions to music education.

Ernest Ansermet began his career as a mathematics professor before dedicating himself to music. In 1918 he founded the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande in Geneva and served as its chief conductor for over four decades. Ansermet was a close collaborator of composers like Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, and Igor Stravinsky and made premiere recordings of their works. He was admired for his precise technique, clarity of texture, and thoughtful interpretations. Ansermet also wrote influential essays on music theory and performance philosophy. His discography helped popularize 20th-century music across Europe and North America. He retired from conducting in 1967 and passed away in 1969, remembered as one of the 20th century’s most authoritative conductors.

Wayne Boring began his career in the late 1930s after studying illustration at the Pratt Institute. He was hired by National Comics in 1942 and quickly became one of the main artists on Superman comics. Boring’s bold line work and dynamic compositions established many of Superman’s enduring visual traits, such as the streamlined body and distinctive cape folds. He continued to draw Superman features through the 1950s, influencing the character’s portrayal in newspapers and early television. In later years he worked for Charlton Comics and mentored younger artists entering the industry. Boring’s contributions were honored posthumously with induction into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame. His artwork remains highly collectible and influential within comic book history. He died in 1987, leaving behind an iconic legacy in superhero art.

Arthur John Casson studied at the Central Ontario School of Art, where he developed a style of clear forms and harmonious colors. In 1926 he joined the Group of Seven, replacing Frank Johnston, and contributed to its vision of capturing Canada’s natural beauty. Casson favored watercolors and pen-and-ink drawings, producing works that celebrated rural scenes, villages, and forests of Ontario. He served as president of the Group of Seven in the 1930s and later became director of the Canadian Group of Painters. Casson’s art was exhibited widely and earned him national recognition for its lyrical simplicity. He received the Order of Canada in 1973 for his contributions to Canadian art. His paintings continue to influence landscape artists and evoke the spirit of the nation’s wilderness. He passed away in 1992, remembered as one of Canada’s most beloved painters.

Toru Takemitsu was born in 1930 in Tokyo and became one of the most celebrated composers of the 20th century. Self-taught in composition, he created works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, film scores, and solo instruments. His music is characterized by a poetic use of silence, innovative textures, and the fusion of Japanese aesthetics with Western avant-garde techniques. Takemitsu scored over ninety films, collaborating with directors such as Akira Kurosawa and Masaki Kobayashi. His concert works, including Requiem for String Orchestra and November Steps, received international acclaim. He taught at institutions around the world, influencing generations of composers. Takemitsu received numerous awards, such as the UNESCO International Rostrum of Composers award, before passing away on February 20, 1996.

Kenji Eno was a pioneering Japanese video game designer and musician whose work defied convention. Born in 1970, he founded Warp and created cult classics like 'Enemy Zero' and 'Real Sound: Kaze no Regret.' Eno's games were celebrated for their immersive storytelling, haunting soundtracks, and innovative gameplay. He later established TNX, continuing to explore new multimedia projects and live musical performances. Eno challenged industry norms with bold marketing and a fiercely independent spirit. His creative vision influenced a generation of developers and composers in the gaming world. He passed away in 2013, leaving behind a legacy of artistic ambition and boundary-pushing design.

Jerry Butler began his career in the late 1950s as the lead singer of The Impressions, co-writing the classic 'For Your Precious Love.' He launched a solo career that produced chart-topping hits including 'Make It Easy on Yourself' and 'Only the Strong Survive.' Nicknamed 'The Iceman' for his smooth vocal delivery, he became a key figure in the development of soul music. Beyond singing, Butler wrote and produced songs for other artists, influencing generations of musicians. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in recognition of his enduring legacy.