August 27

Clarke studied at the Royal College of Music, becoming one of the first professional female orchestral players. Her 1919 Viola Sonata is regarded as a masterpiece of early 20th-century chamber repertoire. She composed across genres, including songs, chamber works, and solo pieces. Clarke’s style blends impressionistic harmonies with lyrical melodies and inventive textures. Although underrecognized in her lifetime, her music has seen a 21st-century revival. She remains a pioneering figure for women composers in classical music.

Born Emmanuel Radnitzky on August 27, 1890, in Philadelphia. He moved to Paris in 1921 and became a central figure in the Dada and Surrealist movements. Man Ray revolutionized photography with his invention of the "rayograph," a cameraless imaging technique. Beyond photography, he produced paintings, sculptures, and experimental films that challenged artistic conventions. His collaborations with Marcel Duchamp and other avant-garde artists influenced modern art for decades. Man Ray's work blurred the lines between commercial and fine art, publishing in fashion magazines while exhibiting in major galleries. He continued to innovate into his later years, holding retrospectives worldwide before his death in 1976.

Lester Young nicknamed 'Prez', was a pioneering American jazz tenor saxophonist and clarinetist. He rose to fame in Count Basie's orchestra during the 1930s, developing a smooth, melodic tone. Young's improvisational style and relaxed phrasing influenced generations of jazz musicians. He collaborated with Billie Holiday on numerous recordings, deepening the art of jazz vocals. Despite struggles with health and hardship during World War II, his recordings in the 1940s remain landmarks. Young's legacy endures as a master of cool jazz whose lyricism reshaped saxophone performance.

Born in 1919, Murray Grand began his musical career as a nightclub pianist and composer. He wrote songs for Broadway revues and New York cabaret venues, blending witty lyrics with memorable melodies. His composition "Guess Who I Saw Today" became a jazz standard and was recorded by numerous artists. Grand performed regularly in Manhattan supper clubs, earning acclaim for his elegant style and sharp humor. He collaborated with leading vocalists of his era and contributed to the American songbook. Grand continued to perform and compose until his death in 2007, leaving behind a legacy of stylish performance and songwriting.

Carter Stanley was born on August 27, 1925, and became one half of the legendary Stanley Brothers. Alongside his brother Ralph, he helped shape the sound of traditional bluegrass music. Carter was known for his soulful tenor voice and evocative songwriting, penning classics like “White Dove.” His guitar work and harmonies set a standard for bluegrass instrumentation. Despite his career being cut short, his recordings continue to influence musicians around the world. He passed away in 1966, but his musical legacy lives on in the bluegrass community.

George Brecht was born on August 27, 1926, and initially trained as a chemist before turning to experimental art. He became a leading member of Fluxus, creating “event scores” that blurred the lines between art and everyday life. Brecht’s work emphasized chance operations and the concept of art as an open-ended experience. He exhibited internationally and published influential collections of his event-based pieces. Balancing scientific rigor with artistic innovation, he bridged the worlds of chemistry and avant-garde music. He passed away in 2008, celebrated for his pioneering contributions to conceptual art.

Alice Coltrane was a groundbreaking musician who blended jazz, classical, and Eastern influences. She performed alongside her husband John Coltrane and later led her own ensembles. Her compositions are noted for their spiritual depth and use of the harp. During the 1970s, she founded an ashram and recorded devotional music. Alice's work has influenced generations of jazz and new-age artists. She remained active in music until her death in 2007, leaving a rich musical legacy.

Tommy Sands is an American entertainer who rose to stardom with hits like 'Teen-Age Crush' in the late 1950s. He appeared in television shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show and films including Sing, Boy, Sing. Sands' clean-cut image made him a teen idol of his era. He transitioned to acting, starring in television dramas and variety programs. Throughout his career, he continued to tour internationally and record music. Sands remains an enduring figure in early rock 'n' roll and popular culture.

Edward Patten was an American singer and record producer. As a member of Gladys Knight & the Pips, he contributed to soul classics like "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "Neither One of Us". Born in Atlanta in 1939, he began singing gospel before joining the Pips in 1962. Patten co-wrote and produced recordings that helped define the group's signature sound. Over a career spanning four decades, he recorded multiple chart-topping hits. His smooth harmonies and songwriting left a lasting impact on R&B and soul music.

Born in 1940 near Lake Charles, Louisiana, Fernest Arceneaux became a leading figure in Zydeco music. Initially fronting a soul band, he embraced his Creole heritage and adopted the accordion as his signature instrument. Arceneaux's vibrant stage presence and soulful vocals distinguished him from his contemporaries. He recorded several albums for Black Top Records, earning acclaim for tracks like "The Cat" and "Boots and Drawers". Throughout his career, he performed at major festivals worldwide, introducing Zydeco to new audiences. Arceneaux's blend of traditional rhythms and modern flair left a lasting legacy before his passing in 2008.

Sonny Sharrock emerged in the late 1960s as one of the first guitarists to apply free jazz techniques to the electric guitar. Collaborating with artists like Pharoah Sanders and Herbie Mann, he developed a raw, expressive style characterized by heavy distortion and feedback. His 1978 solo album "Black Woman" broke new ground in the jazz avant-garde. Sharrock went on to record acclaimed albums such as "Ask the Ages" produced by Bill Laswell. His innovative approach influenced generations of jazz and experimental guitarists. Despite his untimely death in 1994, Sharrock's work continues to inspire boundary-pushing musicians.

Cesária Évora was born in Mindelo, Cape Verde, in 1941 and began singing in local bars as a teenager. Her plaintive vocals and emotive delivery defined the morna genre, a mournful music blending African and Portuguese influences. Gaining global recognition in the 1990s, she recorded hit albums including "Miss Perfumado," which featured the classic "Sodade." Évora earned a Grammy Award in 2004 and became a cultural ambassador for Cape Verde. Known for performing without shoes on stage, she captivated audiences worldwide with her authenticity. Her music continues to resonate with fans long after her death in 2011.