December 28

Johann Krieger was born in 1651 in Nuremberg, Germany. He served as organist at several churches, most notably at the court chapel of Bayreuth. Krieger composed over 600 works, including keyboard sonatas, toccatas, and motets. His music blended intricate counterpoint with expressive ornamentation, characteristic of the Baroque era. Though often overshadowed by his brother Johann Philipp, his compositions gained posthumous recognition. He died in 1735, leaving a rich catalog of church and chamber music.

Born in Geneva in 1775, Jean-Gabriel Eynard built a successful banking career across major European capitals. A passionate patron of the arts, he embraced Louis Daguerre's photographic process and produced some of the earliest surviving daguerreotypes. Eynard used his influence and resources to promote artistic and educational endeavors throughout Switzerland. He also played a behind-the-scenes role in Philhellenic movements, helping to finance efforts for Greek independence. Remembered for merging financial acumen with cultural patronage, his legacy spans both economics and early photography.

Born in Quebec City in 1842, Calixa Lavallée moved to the United States to pursue musical studies and performance. He served as a lieutenant in the Union Army's band during the American Civil War, honing his skills as a bandmaster. In 1880 he composed the original music for "O Canada" for a Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day ceremony in Montreal. The melody was officially adopted as Canada's national anthem a century later, securing Lavallée's place in national history. Throughout his career, he worked as an organist and conductor, championing music education in North America.

Born in Lausanne in 1865, Félix Vallotton moved to Paris and trained at the Académie Julian. He joined the avant-garde Les Nabis circle, where he developed a distinctive style influenced by Symbolism. Vallotton excelled in woodcut printmaking, creating high-contrast images that helped revive the medium. His paintings—portraits, interiors, and nudes—are noted for their flattened perspective and bold color planes. A naturalized French citizen, he exhibited widely and influenced the development of modernist art in Europe. He died in Paris in 1925, leaving a significant body of work celebrated for its innovation.

Lili Elbe was a Danish artist and one of the earliest recipients of gender confirmation surgery. Born Einar Wegener, she gained fame as a painter of landscapes and portraits alongside her wife, Gerda Wegener. In the early 1930s, Elbe underwent a series of pioneering surgical procedures in Germany that transformed her physical identity. The surgeries, performed by Dr. Kurt Warnekros, made her a symbol of transgender history and medical progress. She documented her experiences in letters that provide insight into early 20th-century views on gender identity. Elbe tragically died in 1931 due to complications from a uterus transplant. Her life inspired the novel and film 'The Danish Girl,' bringing her story to a global audience and highlighting the struggles of transgender individuals.

Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau was a pioneering film director whose expressionist visual style reshaped early cinema. His 1922 horror classic 'Nosferatu' set a new standard for atmospheric storytelling and is still revered for its haunting imagery. In 1927, he directed 'Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans,' which won an Academy Award for Unique and Artistic Production for its emotional depth and innovative camera techniques. Murnau's mastery of light, shadow, and camera movement influenced generations of filmmakers. He brought German expressionist sensibilities to Hollywood, blending artistry with narrative. His work demonstrated how film could convey complex psychological themes without dialogue. Murnau's tragic death in an automobile accident cut short a career that left an indelible mark on world cinema.

Earl 'Fatha' Hines was born in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, and rose to fame in the 1920s with his innovative piano style. He pioneered the 'trumpet-style' approach, treating the piano like a horn instrument. Hines led his own big band from the late 1920s through the 1940s, featuring talented soloists and shaping the swing era. His collaborations with Louis Armstrong in the late 1920s produced some of the most celebrated recordings in jazz history. Hines enjoyed a performing career that spanned seven decades, adapting to styles from swing to bebop. He was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame. His groundbreaking techniques continue to influence pianists across genres.

Billy Williams was born in Nebraska and rose to prominence in the 1940s with his harmonious baritone vocals. He led the Billy Williams Orchestra, performing on radio broadcasts that captivated wartime audiences. Williams recorded several popular singles that charted on jukeboxes and early music charts. He appeared as a guest on variety television programs during the infancy of broadcast TV. Known for his polished style and clear enunciation, he became a sought-after performer at dance halls and clubs. His contributions helped bridge big band music and the emerging pop vocal style of the postwar era. Williams's recordings remain a testament to the vibrant soundscape of mid-20th-century American popular music.

Pops Staples, born Roebuck 'Pops' Staples, was the patriarch and lead guitarist of The Staple Singers. He formed the group in Chicago with his wife and children, blending gospel, soul, and R&B. Staples's distinctive guitar style and rich baritone vocals defined the group's sound. Under his guidance, The Staple Singers scored hits like 'I'll Take You There' and 'Respect Yourself' in the 1970s. He championed messages of social justice, civil rights, and spiritual uplift in both lyrics and performances. Staples continued touring and recording into his eighties, earning a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys. His musical innovations helped bridge sacred and secular genres, influencing generations of artists.

John Alexander Veliotes, known as Johnny Otis, was born in 1921 and became a central figure in postwar R&B. He formed the Johnny Otis Orchestra in 1946 and scored hits like "Willie and the Hand Jive" and "Mambo Baby." Otis discovered and produced artists such as Etta James and Big Mama Thornton, shaping early rock and soul music. He was also a radio host, civil rights activist, and folklorist, documenting African American music traditions. His career spanned over six decades, earning him a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. Otis passed away in 2012, leaving a profound influence on American popular music.

Hildegard Knef began her acting career in the aftermath of World War II, starring in films such as The Murderers Are Among Us (1946). She transitioned to music in the 1950s and released the hit song Für mich soll's rote Rosen regnen, establishing herself as a leading vocalist in German jazz and pop. In addition to her performance work, she penned candid autobiographies that broke taboos in conservative society. Knef also appeared on international stages and in foreign films, bringing German post-war culture to a wider audience. Her bold personal style and versatile talents have left a lasting legacy in both film and music.

Born in 1928, Moe Koffman studied at the Toronto Conservatory of Music before embarking on a career as a saxophonist and flautist in various jazz ensembles. In 1958, he recorded Swingin' Shepherd Blues, which became an international hit and remains a jazz classic. Koffman led several successful bands and recorded over a dozen albums, blending bebop, cool jazz, and bossa nova influences. He was also an educator, teaching at York University and mentoring emerging Canadian jazz artists. His innovative style and compositions significantly shaped the Canadian jazz scene until his death in 2001.