June 23

Born in 1881 in Paris, Albert Gleizes emerged as a leading painter and theorist of the Cubist movement. In 1911, he co-authored the seminal treatise 'Du Cubisme' with Jean Metzinger, articulating the principles of the new style. Gleizes exhibited at the Salon des Indépendants and organized major Cubist exhibitions across Europe. His paintings explored geometric abstraction and challenged traditional notions of perspective. Beyond his art, Gleizes wrote extensively on modernism and taught the next generation of avant-garde artists.

Reinhold Glière (1875–1956) was a leading Russian composer and influential educator. A student of Rimsky-Korsakov, he blended Russian folk themes with late-Romantic musical language to produce works of striking color and emotion. His Symphony No. 3, 'Ilya Muromets,' and the ballet 'The Red Poppy' remain staples of orchestral repertoire. As a professor at the Moscow Conservatory, he mentored a generation of Soviet composers, including Khachaturian and Myaskovsky. His dedication to musical tradition and pedagogy left a lasting legacy in 20th-century classical music.

Clyfford Still (1904–1980) was a pioneering American painter and a foundational figure in the Abstract Expressionist movement. Refusing to align with representational art, he developed a signature style of jagged, expansive color fields that conveyed raw emotional power. Still's influence shaped contemporaries such as Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko, yet he remained fiercely independent, exhibiting rarely and controlling access to his work. As a professor at Washington State College, he inspired students to pursue imaginative freedom and artistic integrity. His posthumous donation of over 3,000 works to establish the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver ensures his art continues to challenge and move audiences.

Born in 1931, Raymond Berthiaume became a staple of the Canadian music scene in the 1950s. His silky voice and nuanced interpretations of jazz and pop standards won him widespread acclaim. Berthiaume wrote and arranged hit songs, blending melodic songwriting with sophisticated production. He produced numerous recordings, collaborating with top Canadian artists and orchestras. His albums enjoyed both critical praise and commercial success across Canada. Berthiaume passed away in 2009, leaving behind a rich legacy of musical innovation.

Fred Steiner composed music for numerous television shows and films across four decades. He is best known for arranging the iconic fight music for the Star Trek episode “Amok Time.” Steiner also wrote themes for Scooby-Doo, Perry Mason, and other popular series. His work blended orchestral richness with memorable motifs that enhanced storytelling on screen. Beyond composing, he conducted recordings and taught film music at the University of Southern California. Steiner's legacy endures in the enduring popularity of the shows he scored.

Brigitte Engerer rose to international fame as a virtuoso pianist specializing in Romantic composers. She won the Council of Europe Piano Competition at age sixteen and recorded extensively for EMI. Engerer performed with leading orchestras and in prestigious concert halls worldwide. She was admired for her poetic phrasing, dynamic range, and emotional depth at the keyboard. In addition to her performing career, she taught masterclasses at the Paris Conservatory. Her artistry and dedication influenced many young pianists until her passing in 2012.

Born in 1930 in the United States, Bobby Bland became a leading figure in blues and R&B music. Nicknamed the 'Lion of the Blues,' he was celebrated for his smooth vocal style and emotional delivery. Bland's recordings blended gospel influences with rhythm and blues, producing classics such as 'Farther Up the Road' and 'I Pity the Fool.' He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. Bland continued to tour and record into his eighties, influencing generations of soul and blues artists. He passed away in 2013, leaving a profound legacy on American music.

Born in 1951 in London, Darryl Read began his career as a musician, forming the proto-punk band Crushed Butler in the mid-1960s. As a drummer and vocalist, he helped establish a raw, energetic sound that prefigured the punk movement. Read also pursued acting, appearing in independent films and theater productions through the 1970s and 1980s. His work bridged music and performance art, reflecting a boundary-pushing creative spirit. In later years, he released solo recordings and collaborated with avant-garde artists across Europe. Read's multifaceted career over four decades influenced underground music scenes and alternative culture. He died in 2013, remembered as a pioneer of British proto-punk.

Ralph Stanley (1927–2016) was a pioneering American bluegrass musician known for his distinctive 'High, Lonesome Sound' and masterful banjo playing. He co-founded the Stanley Brothers band in 1946, helping to shape the traditional Appalachian music genre. After his brother Carter’s death, Stanley led the Clinch Mountain Boys, recording classics like 'Man of Constant Sorrow'. His work on the 'O Brother, Where Art Thou?' soundtrack and the film 'Cold Mountain' brought bluegrass to mainstream audiences, earning him Grammy Awards and a National Heritage Fellowship. Stanley mentored countless artists and championed the preservation of folk traditions. He performed well into his eighties, leaving an enduring impact on American roots music.