Elvin Shepherd

popular name: Woody Herman

date_of_death: October 29, 1987

age: 74

cause_of_death: Complications from congestive heart failure, emphysema, and pneumonia

claim_to_fame: Music

best_know_for: Woody Herman (1913–1987) was a major figure in American jazz, known for leading a series of innovative big bands over five decades. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he was a child performer in vaudeville before turning to music full-time, mastering the clarinet and saxophone. Herman rose to prominence in the 1930s and 1940s with his orchestra, “The Herd,” which became famous for blending swing with more modern, experimental sounds. Unlike many bandleaders of his era, he embraced change, incorporating elements of bebop and later jazz styles, and nurturing young talent such as Stan Getz and Zoot Sims. His bands produced hits like “Woodchopper’s Ball” and “Caldonia,” and were known for their energetic, blues-infused style. Herman remained active as a performer and bandleader until his death in 1987, leaving a legacy as a forward-thinking musician who helped bridge the swing era and modern jazz.

popular name: Michel Petrucciani

date_of_death: January 6, 1999

age: 36

cause_of_death: Lung infection (complication related to osteogenesis imperfecta)

claim_to_fame: Music

best_know_for: Michel Petrucciani's ambition to become a pianist was fired when he saw a televised Duke Ellington concert when he was four. However, from birth he had osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disease that causes brittle bones and, in his case, short stature. As an adult standing only three feet high and weighing 65 pounds, one might expect his ambitions to have been, so to speak, closer to the ground. Had he not aspired to achievements above his station, he might have chosen to play something more convenient such as the harmonica rather than the piano, and music would have missed one of the most powerful jazz pianists of the last two decades. Despite his health condition and relatively short life, he became one of the most accomplished jazz pianists of his generation. In 1994, he was granted the Order of the Légion d'honneur in Paris.

popular name: James Booker

date_of_death: November 8, 1983

age: 43

cause_of_death: Renal failure related to chronic abuse of heroin and alcohol

claim_to_fame: Music

best_know_for: Booker was a New Orleans rhythm and blues keyboardist whose unique style combined rhythm and blues with jazz standards. Musician Dr. John described Booker as "the best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced." Flamboyant in personality and having an extraordinary technical facility, he was known as "the Black Liberace" as well as "The Piano Prince of New Orleans". Booker's two-fisted, syncopated keyboard style was a major influence on New Orleans rhythm-and-blues in the 1950's and 1960's, and he was known in New Orleans as a flamboyant pianist who was likely to toss a Chopin etude into the middle of a boogie-woogie. He had a hit with ''Gonzo,'' an organ instrumental, in 1960, and played on stage and in recording sessions for Wilson Pickett, Lloyd Price, Aretha Franklin, Bobby ''Blue'' Bland, B. B. King, Ringo Starr, the Coasters, the Doobie Brothers and others. But his career was largely confined to New Orleans. And despite his legendary consumption of drugs and alcohol (he lost his left eye to drug abuse) he is considered by most the finest, wildest and most unpredictable pianist of his time.