April 28

Born in 1818 near Aix-en-Provence, Antoine Samuel Adam-Salomon began his career as a sculptor before turning to photography in the 1850s. He quickly gained acclaim for his portrait work, capturing leading cultural and political figures of his time with striking realism. Adam-Salomon perfected techniques in lighting and retouching, producing images that rivaled classical sculpture in their depth and clarity. His exhibitions at the Paris Salon showcased photography as a legitimate art form alongside painting and sculpture. He received numerous awards and was made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour in 1866. Adam-Salomon's work helped elevate the status of photography, influencing generations of portrait artists.

Born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in 1949, Tommy Caldwell began playing bass guitar as a teenager, drawing influence from blues and country traditions. In 1971 he co-founded The Marshall Tucker Band, whose unique blend of rock, jazz, and country helped define the Southern rock genre. Caldwell's melodic bass lines and harmony vocals were featured on classics like Can't You See and Heard It in a Love Song. He toured extensively throughout the 1970s, contributing to the band's reputation for tight musicianship and energetic live shows. Despite a car accident that nearly ended his career, he continued to perform until his sudden death in 1980. Caldwell's work remains celebrated by fans of Southern rock and bass enthusiasts alike.

Born in Salo, Finland, in 1911, Esa Pakarinen initially gained fame as a singer and skilled accordionist in the 1930s. He transitioned to film in the late 1940s, becoming beloved for his portrayal of the bumbling character Pekka Puupää in a popular Finnish comedy series. Pakarinen's blend of slapstick humor, charismatic stage presence, and musical talent made him a household name. He recorded numerous folk and schlager songs, often incorporating his distinctive accent and wit. Over a career spanning four decades, he appeared in over 20 films and toured extensively across Finland. His contributions to Finnish entertainment endure through classic recordings and films.

Born in Dublin in 1909, Francis Bacon moved to London as a teenager and taught himself to paint despite lacking formal training. His signature style emerged in the 1940s with haunting, distorted figures rendered in vivid colors and gestural brushwork. Bacon drew inspiration from existential philosophy, photography, and Old Master paintings, exploring themes of human vulnerability and isolation. His triptych Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion (1944) marked his breakthrough, establishing him as a leading postwar artist. Over the next five decades he produced a prolific body of work exhibited worldwide, influencing generations of painters. Renowned for his fierce originality, Bacon's legacy endures in the history of modern art.

Percy Heath was born in 1923 and became one of the most respected bassists in jazz. He co-founded the Modern Jazz Quartet in 1952, shaping the group's elegant chamber-jazz style. Known for his warm tone and impeccable timing, he supported legends like Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk. Heath's career spanned over five decades, recording on hundreds of albums and touring worldwide. Beyond performance, he collaborated with classical musicians and contributed to jazz education programs. He passed away in 2005, leaving a lasting impact on the evolution of modern jazz music.

Tommy Newsom joined the NBC Orchestra in the 1960s as a skilled alto saxophonist. He became known to millions as the substitute conductor for Doc Severinsen on 'The Tonight Show.' Newsom's dry wit made him a fan favorite during on-air banter with Johnny Carson. An accomplished arranger, he created charts for the orchestra and collaborated with jazz legends. He released solo albums showcasing his warm tone and sophisticated musicality. Newsom passed away in 2007, leaving a lasting legacy in television and jazz music.

Born in Budapest in 1924, Starker survived the upheavals of World War II before furthering his studies at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music. He emigrated to the United States and joined the faculty of Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he taught for over five decades. Starker recorded extensively, producing acclaimed interpretations of the Bach Cello Suites and other cornerstone works of the cello repertoire. His clear tone and technical mastery made him one of the most recorded cellists in history. He received numerous honors, including the National Medal of Arts in 1988. Starker influenced generations of cellists through his master classes and scholarly editions, leaving a profound legacy in classical music.

Born in São Paulo in 1924, Vanzolini pursued a distinguished career in zoology, specializing in herpetology at the University of São Paulo. He described numerous new species and published influential research on the reptiles of Brazil's cerrado and Amazon regions. Parallel to his scientific work, Vanzolini became one of Brazil's most respected samba composers in the mid-20th century. His songs from the 1950s became staples of Brazilian popular music and are still celebrated today. Combining academic excellence with artistic talent, he bridged two worlds rarely united by a single figure. He was honored by both scientific institutions and music societies for his dual legacy in culture and science.

Born in Tucson, Arizona in 1919, Calhoun entered the comic book industry in the early 1940s under the pen name Barbara Hall. She created characters and illustrated stories at a time when few women worked in comics, contributing to the medium's Golden Age. In the 1950s, she shifted her focus to fine art, developing an abstract painting style showcased in solo exhibitions. Calhoun was a founding member of artist collectives, advocating for creative collaboration and community development. Her work today is celebrated for breaking gender barriers and inspiring future generations of cartoonists and painters. She continued to teach and paint until her death in 2014, leaving a lasting impact on both comics and fine art.

Born in Honolulu in 1953, Kamakahi mastered the art of slack-key guitar through study with esteemed Hawaiian musicians. He joined the Sons of Hawaii in the 1970s, playing a key role in reviving traditional Hawaiian musical forms. As a composer, he crafted hundreds of songs that became staples of the Hawaiian repertoire. His recordings earned him multiple Grammy Awards and introduced Hawaiian slack-key guitar to international audiences. Kamakahi dedicated himself to teaching and mentoring, ensuring the transmission of cultural knowledge to new generations. His legacy endures in the vibrant Hawaiian music scene and beyond.

Idris Sardi (1938–2014) was an Indonesian violinist and composer who blended Western classical music with Sundanese traditions. Born in Jakarta to a family of musicians, he became one of Indonesia's most celebrated instrumentalists. He composed scores for numerous films and stage productions, earning several national awards. Sardi taught at music conservatories and influenced a generation of Indonesian musicians. He was honored with the Bintang Budaya Parama Dharma for his contributions to Indonesian culture.

Marcia Brown (1918–2015) was an American author and illustrator of children's books. She won three Caldecott Medals for her retellings of classic folktales and original stories. Brown's distinctive illustrations combined expressive line work with vibrant colors. She authored over 60 books, many of which became beloved staples in children's literature. Brown's work inspired generations of young readers and aspiring illustrators.