September 18

Born in 1785, Kurpiński became the conductor of the Warsaw Opera in 1810, introducing Polish-language works and nurturing local talent. He composed operas such as "Jadwiga, władczyni Polski" (1820) that drew on national history and folklore. Kurpiński also wrote orchestral pieces, chamber music, and piano works that blended classical form with Romantic expressiveness. As a teacher and mentor, he influenced young composers including Frédéric Chopin, contributing to Poland's musical renaissance. He organized concerts and promoted Polish music abroad, earning recognition as a leading figure in his country's cultural life until his death in 1857.

Born in Warsaw in 1885, Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz—known as 'Witkacy'—was the son of painter Stanisław Witkiewicz. He pioneered the 'Pure Form' theory in art and wrote experimental plays and novels that critiqued modern society. As a painter, Witkacy developed a unique style featuring distorted forms and vibrant colors. He also worked as a portrait photographer, capturing prominent cultural figures of interwar Poland. During World War I, he served in the Russian cavalry and later traveled across Eurasia, describing his adventures in travelogues. His life ended tragically in 1939 amid the Soviet invasion of Poland, but his interdisciplinary legacy endures.

Born in 1879 in Christchurch, New Zealand, Alda studied at the Royal College of Music in London under distinguished teachers. She made her operatic debut at Covent Garden in 1906 and quickly gained acclaim for her rich soprano voice. Alda became a star at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where she excelled in roles by Verdi and Wagner. She also appeared in early silent films and made pioneering recordings of opera arias. Later in her career she taught master classes and wrote memoirs reflecting on her years on the world stage. She passed away in 1952, remembered as one of the finest sopranos of her era.

Born in 1873 in Oslo, Gulbransson studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich and quickly made a name for himself as a caricaturist. He contributed hundreds of illustrations to the satirical magazine Simplicissimus, combining sharp wit with expressive line work. His distinctive style influenced generations of cartoonists and designers across Europe. Gulbransson also created posters, book illustrations, and stage designs for theater productions. He returned to Germany after World War I and continued to shape the visual culture of the Weimar and postwar eras. He died in 1958, leaving behind a vast body of illustrative work.

Born Stanislaus Tone in 1905, Franchot Tone began his career on Broadway before transitioning to Hollywood films. He became known for his refined and elegant performances in dramas and musicals during the 1930s. Tone received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in Mutiny on the Bounty in 1935. Apart from acting, he explored his musical talents by singing on screen and recording popular songs. He also co-founded a production company, stepping behind the camera as a producer. His marriage to actress Joan Crawford and his resilience after a near-fatal car accident added to his public persona. Tone continued to act in film, theater, and radio until his death in 1968.

Jimi Hendrix was born in 1942 in Seattle and rose to fame as the frontman of The Jimi Hendrix Experience. He pioneered new guitar techniques, including feedback and wah-wah effects, that expanded the possibilities of electric blues-rock. His debut album, Are You Experienced, established him as an international sensation with songs like 'Hey Joe' and 'Purple Haze'. Hendrix's second and third albums, Axis: Bold as Love and Electric Ladyland, further showcased his virtuosity and psychedelic style. He was known for his electrifying stage performances, famously burning his guitar at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. Despite his untimely death at age 27, Hendrix's influence endures through his groundbreaking recordings and enduring legacy in modern music.

Amanat Ali Khan was born in 1922 into a distinguished family of classical musicians in Patiala, India (now Pakistan). Under the guidance of his father, Akhtar Hussain Khan, he developed a commanding vocal style noted for its clarity and emotional depth. Khan mastered khayal, thumri, and dadra, earning acclaim for his improvisational flair and technical precision. He performed extensively on All India Radio and in concert tours throughout South Asia, bringing classical music to wider audiences. His artistry inspired generations of vocalists and helped preserve the rich traditions of the Patiala gharana. Khan's premature death in 1974 cut short a luminous career, but his recordings remain essential references for students of Hindustani classical music.

Fairfield Porter was born in 1907 into a prominent New York family and initially pursued art history before turning to painting. He became a leading figure in mid-20th-century American art, celebrated for his loose yet evocative depictions of domestic interiors, landscapes, and friends. Porter's work stood in contrast to the dominant Abstract Expressionism of his time, affirming the value of representational painting. Alongside his creative practice, he wrote insightful criticism for publications like Art News, advocating for figurative artists. Porter also taught at Hunter College, influencing a new generation of artists. His dual legacy as both a painter and critic continues to shape discussions on realism and abstraction.

Jimmy Witherspoon was born in 1920 in Gurdon, Arkansas, and developed his singing style in the vibrant Kansas City jazz and blues scene. His deep, resonant voice and expressive delivery made him a standout in the jump blues genre. Witherspoon's 1949 recording of 'Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do' became his signature song and a blues standard. He collaborated with leading jazz musicians, including Count Basie and Gerry Mulligan, blending blues sensibilities with big band arrangements. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, he toured extensively in the United States and Europe, introducing blues music to new audiences. Witherspoon continued recording and performing until his death in 1997, leaving a rich discography that influenced future generations of blues artists.

Charles 'Charlie' Foxx (December 9, 1939 – September 18, 1998) was an American soul singer and guitarist best remembered as one half of the sibling duo Inez and Charlie Foxx. Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, he began singing gospel in church before teaming up with his sister to record rhythm and blues. Signed to Musicor Records, the duo achieved major success with the 1963 hit 'Mockingbird,' showcasing their harmonious vocals and energetic style. Beyond his work with Inez, Charlie contributed as a session guitarist and songwriter, influencing later R&B and soul artists. His musical legacy endures through the timeless appeal of his recordings.

Margita Stefanović (September 1, 1959 – September 18, 2002), nicknamed 'Magi', was a pioneering Serbian keyboard player whose atmospheric style defined the sound of Ekatarina Velika (EKV). The band became icons of the Yugoslav rock scene, blending post-punk and art rock influences. Stefanović's expressive playing and stage presence contributed to albums like 'Idealno loš' and 'Letim'. Beyond music, she was involved in art and literature circles before health struggles impacted her later life. Her legacy endures among rock enthusiasts across the former Yugoslavia.

Russell Albion Meyer (March 21, 1922 – September 18, 2004) was an influential independent film director, producer, and screenwriter whose provocative style reshaped low-budget cinema. Beginning as a combat cameraman during World War II, he later launched his filmmaking career, creating vivid narratives centered on strong female protagonists. Films like 'Vixen!' and 'Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!' achieved cult status for their bold imagery and satirical edge. Meyer's work challenged mainstream norms and inspired generations of filmmakers in the exploitation genre. His legacy endures as a testament to creative independence in motion pictures.