August 16

Born in Bologna in 1557, Agostino was the eldest of the Carracci artists who helped shape the Baroque movement. He trained alongside his brother Annibale and cousin Ludovico at the family academy, focusing on painting and printmaking techniques. Agostino's engravings and etchings were highly prized for their technical precision and expressive quality. He collaborated on religious and mythological works for churches and private patrons throughout northern Italy. His contributions to art education and printmaking had a lasting influence on students and fellow artists. Agostino's premature death in 1602 cut short a promising career, but his works remain key examples of early Baroque art.

Yevstigney Fomin was a leading figure in late 18th-century Russian music. Trained in Saint Petersburg and Italy, he composed operas that introduced Italianate styles to Russian audiences. His most famous work Orfeo ed Euridice remains a milestone in Russian operatic repertoire. Fomin’s compositions often integrated folk melodies, laying groundwork for later nationalistic music movements. His career, though cut short by illness, influenced generations of Russian composers.

Ivan Yakovlevich Bilibin was a prominent Russian artist known for his distinctive illustrations of folk tales. Born in 1876, he studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg before traveling to the Russian north to collect folk motifs. His work gained international recognition following his illustrations for Pushkin’s 'The Tale of Tsar Saltan.' Bilibin also applied his talents to stage design, collaborating with the Ballets Russes on productions that combined folk aesthetics with modernism. His legacy endures in the visual arts, influencing generations of illustrators and designers.

Armand John Piron was an American musician known for his contributions to jazz in New Orleans. Born in 1888, he began playing violin as a child and led one of the city’s top dance bands in the 1910s and 1920s. Piron composed popular jazz tunes and recorded with legends such as Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton. His band was one of the first to perform jazz nationally, helping to bring the sound of New Orleans to a wider audience. Piron’s recordings remain a valuable record of early jazz and its development in the United States.

Hal Foster was a Canadian-American artist and writer who created the enduring comic strip Prince Valiant. Born in 1892, he began his career illustrating for magazines before launching his own newspaper strip in 1937. Prince Valiant was celebrated for its detailed artwork and epic storytelling set in Arthurian legend. Foster’s work won numerous awards and influenced generations of comic artists. He continued producing the strip for decades, cementing his reputation as a pioneer of the comic art form.

Otto James Messmer was an American animator and cartoonist best known for bringing Felix the Cat to life. Born in 1892, he joined Pat Sullivan’s studio and animated the earliest Felix the Cat films in the 1910s. His clever animation and character design made Felix the Cat one of the most popular cartoons of the silent era. Messmer continued to work on Felix and other animated projects long after the character’s heyday. His contributions to animation paved the way for future generations of cartoonists and animators.

Orlando Cole studied at the Curtis Institute of Music and enjoyed a distinguished career as both a performer and teacher. Born in 1908, he co-founded the New School of Music in Philadelphia and taught at major conservatories. Cole's students include renowned cellists such as Yo-Yo Ma and Lynn Harrell. His emphasis on musicality and technique shaped cello pedagogy in the 20th century. He continued teaching well into his 90s, leaving a lasting legacy in classical music education.

Paul Callaway was the organist and choirmaster of Washington National Cathedral from 1939 to 1982. He founded the Cathedral Choral Society in 1941 and led it to national acclaim. A champion of American choral music, he commissioned and premiered works by modern composers. His recordings of organ and choral repertoire remain influential. Callaway's leadership elevated cathedral music programs and inspired generations of church musicians. He was celebrated for his virtuosity and dedication to sacred music.

Al Hibbler was a blind baritone vocalist who rose to fame with Duke Ellington's orchestra in the 1940s. He featured on classics like 'Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me' and toured internationally. In the early 1950s, Hibbler launched a solo career and scored a number-one hit with 'Unchained Melody'. He combined elements of jazz, blues, and pop to create a distinctive vocal style. Hibbler's emotional delivery and rich tone made him a favorite on radio and television. He continued performing into the 1990s, leaving a legacy of timeless recordings.

Roque Cordero was a leading figure in 20th-century Panamanian music whose compositions blend native folk elements with contemporary classical idioms. He studied under prominent composers including Aaron Copland and Nadia Boulanger, absorbing both American and European influences. Cordero's catalog spans symphonies, chamber works, and choral pieces, many of which premiered on international stages. As director of the School of Music at the University of Panama, he mentored emerging composers and shaped the country’s musical identity. His innovative teaching methods and commitment to cultural authenticity helped establish Panama’s national music scene. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards for his compositions and contributions to music education.

Ernie Freeman began his musical career in Los Angeles, where his versatility on piano and skills as an arranger made him a sought-after session musician. He crafted arrangements for top artists of the 1950s and 1960s, contributing to hits by artists such as Sam Cooke and Elvis Presley. As a bandleader, Freeman released instrumental singles that charted on both R&B and pop charts, showcasing his ability to blend genres. His innovative style brought orchestral textures to rhythm-driven music, influencing the development of soul and pop. Over decades in the studio, he earned a reputation for professionalism and creativity. Freeman’s legacy lives on through the enduring appeal of his recordings and arrangements.

Mal Waldron began his career as a house pianist for Prestige Records, where his distinctive harmonies and rhythmic pulse defined countless jazz recordings. He gained prominence as Billie Holiday's accompanist during her final years, deepening his emotional musical expression. In the 1960s, Waldron moved to Europe, joining the avant-garde jazz scene and recording seminal albums like 'Left Alone.' His compositions often feature modal structures and a hauntingly repetitive approach that influenced generations of jazz musicians. Waldron taught at jazz workshops worldwide, sharing his philosophy on improvisation and composition. Over a career spanning five decades, he recorded over 100 albums, leaving an enduring mark on modern jazz.