September 02

Born in Vicenza in 1548, Scamozzi studied under Andrea Palladio and developed his own architectural style grounded in classical principles. He designed notable palaces and villas across the Veneto region, combining symmetry with innovative spatial planning. His treatise 'L'Idea dell'Architettura Universale' (1615) laid out universal architectural theory and impacted European design for generations. Scamozzi also contributed to major civic projects in Venice, including proposals for the Doge’s Palace and canal layouts. He died in 1616, remembered for bridging Renaissance ideals with early Baroque sensibilities.

Born in Hohenkirchen in 1661, Böhm served as organist at the Johanniskirche in Lüneburg from 1698 until his death. He composed partitas, chorale preludes, and free fantasias that showcased intricate counterpoint and expressive harmony. His style bridged south German tonal traditions with northern influences, enriching Baroque keyboard literature. Böhm is believed to have taught the young J.S. Bach during Bach's time in Lüneburg, highlighting his pedagogical impact. He died in 1733, leaving a lasting legacy in the German organ school.

Born in 1908 in Boston, Bancroft moved to California where she transformed her family's estate into an innovative dry garden. She specialized in succulents and cacti, combining form and drought-tolerant planting long before water-wise design became popular. In 1978, she opened her private collection to the public, founding the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek. As a founding member of the California Horticultural Society, she promoted sustainable gardening and plant conservation. Recognized with numerous awards, her garden remains a model for xeriscaping. She passed away in 2017 at the age of 109, leaving a lasting legacy in horticulture.

Romare Bearden emerged as a leading figure in 20th-century American art, blending painting and collage techniques. Born in Charlotte and raised in Pittsburgh and Harlem, his work drew inspiration from the music, literature, and communal traditions of African American communities. Bearden's collages, often depicting scenes of jazz clubs, rural life, and folklore, combined richly textured paper and magazine clippings. He also wrote essays and librettos exploring the African American experience. Throughout his career, he exhibited widely in the United States and abroad, influencing generations of artists. Bearden received numerous awards including a Guggenheim Fellowship and has works in major museums worldwide.

Lill Tschudi trained at the Grosvenor School of Modern Art in London under Claude Flight. She mastered the linocut technique, creating dynamic prints that combined strong geometry with vibrant colors. Her subjects ranged from alpine landscapes and sporting events to urban street scenes and travel illustrations. Tschudi’s work was exhibited internationally, and she contributed to major art societies in Switzerland and England. She continued to produce prints well into her later years, influencing the revival of linocut art. Tschudi passed away in 2004, leaving a significant legacy in 20th-century printmaking.

Ömer Lütfi Akad began his career in the late 1940s and quickly became known for his realistic storytelling and strong visual style. He directed and wrote films that addressed social issues, rural life, and human relationships in Turkey. Akad’s work played a key role in the development of the 'National Cinema' movement, inspiring a generation of filmmakers with his emphasis on cultural authenticity. Over his career, he helmed more than 40 films, many of which are now considered classics of Turkish cinema. He also mentored younger directors and helped establish film organizations. Akad’s influence is still felt in Turkish film circles decades after his passing in 2011.

Laurindo Almeida was a pioneering guitarist whose innovative style merged classical guitar techniques with jazz improvisation. He rose to prominence in the 1940s through collaborations with artists like Stan Kenton and Bud Shank. His 1950 album Virtuoso showcased his technical mastery and earned critical acclaim. Almeida introduced Brazilian rhythms to American jazz audiences, helping to lay the groundwork for bossa nova’s popularity. Over his career, he won multiple Grammy Awards and recorded more than 50 albums. As an educator, he taught masterclasses around the world and influenced generations of guitarists. His legacy endures in the fusion of musical genres that he helped popularize.

Hugo Montenegro (1925–1981) was a prolific American composer and conductor who made his mark in Hollywood. He began his career as a jazz trombonist before turning to arranging and conducting. Montenegro gained acclaim in the 1960s for his lush orchestral renditions of Ennio Morricone's Spaghetti Western themes. His album versions brought Morricone’s melodies to a wider audience and landed on the Billboard charts. He scored numerous films and television shows, blending pop, jazz, and classical elements. Montenegro's innovative approach left a lasting influence on film music and orchestral adaptation.

Horace Silver (1928–2014) was an American jazz pianist and composer celebrated for his soulful, blues-infused style. In the 1950s, he co-founded the Jazz Messengers with drummer Art Blakey, helping to define the hard bop genre. Silver composed enduring jazz standards such as 'Song for My Father', 'The Preacher', and 'Senor Blues'. His work combined gospel, rhythm and blues, and bebop influences, leaving a distinctive imprint on modern jazz. Silver led his own groups for decades, recording prolifically for Blue Note Records and mentoring future jazz greats. He was honored as a NEA Jazz Master in 1995 for his contributions to American music.

Born in Chicago in 1931, Clifford Jordan began performing professionally in the early 1950s. He recorded his debut album Magic Touch in 1960 on Blue Note Records and became known for his soulful, swinging style. Over his career, he collaborated with jazz greats such as Max Roach, Horace Silver, and Charles Mingus. Jordan led numerous ensembles and released more than 30 albums under his own name. He taught and mentored young musicians while continuing to perform at major jazz festivals. His warm tone and lyrical phrasing left a lasting imprint on modern jazz until his death in 1993.

Walter Davis Jr. was born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1932 and discovered the piano as a young child. In the early 1960s, he joined Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, contributing compositions and dynamic solos to the ensemble. He recorded several albums as a leader, showcasing his hard bop style and inventive arrangements. Davis also collaborated with jazz masters such as Dexter Gordon, Freddie Hubbard, and Max Roach. In addition to performing, he taught music and influenced younger generations of musicians. His lyrical touch and rhythmic sophistication earned him wide acclaim until his passing in 1990.

Hilla Becher was born in 1934 in Potsdam, Germany, and studied photography at the Staatliche Höhere Fachschule für Photographie. With her husband Bernd, she systematically photographed water towers, blast furnaces, and other industrial buildings, presenting them in paired grids. The Bechers’ work pioneered a conceptual approach to documentary photography and influenced the Düsseldorf School. They taught at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf from 1976, mentoring a generation of photographers. Their typologies were exhibited worldwide and earned them the Erasmus Prize in 1990. Hilla Becher’s precise, objective style continues to inspire contemporary visual art. She passed away in 2015.