Musicians Born in 1904

  • Jan 2 James Melton, American pop (1920-30's) and operatic tenor (Metropolitan Opera, 1942-50), born in Moultrie, Georgia (d. 1961)
  • Jan 3 Boris Kochno, Russian ballet dancer (La Chatte) and librettist, born in Moscow, Russia (d. 1990)
  • Jan 4 Erik Chisholm, Scottish conductor, composer (Hindustani Piano Concerto), and educator (South African College of Music, 1949-65), born in Glasgow, Scotland (d. 1965)
  • Jan 5 Erica Morini, Austrian concert violinist, born in Vienna, Austria (d. 1995)
  • Jan 10 Jesus Garcia Leoz, Spanish composer, born in Olite, Spain (d. 1953)
  • Jan 10 Ray Bolger, American dancer, actor, and singer (The Wizard of Oz - "Scarecrow"; Partridge Family - "Grandpa Renfrew"), born in Dorchester, Massachusetts (d. 1987)
  • Jan 12 "Mississippi" Fred McDowell, American blues singer and guitarist, born in Rossville, Tennessee (d. 1972)
  • Jan 13 Richard Addinsell, English composer (Warsaw Concerto, Alice in Wonderland), born in London, England (d. 1977)
  • Jan 16 Max Vredenburg, Dutch composer and music critic, born in Brussels, Belgium (d. 1976) [1]
  • Jan 18 Anthony Galla-Rini, American concert accordionist,and arranger, born in Manchester, Connecticut (d. 2006)
  • Jan 21 Robert "Juice" Wilson, American jazz violinist, born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1972)

George Balanchine (1904-1983)

Jan 22 Russian-American ballet composer and choreographer who founded the New York City Ballet, born in St. Petersburgh, Russian Empire

  • Jan 23 Theodor Schaefer, Czech composer and pedagogue, born in Telč, Czech Republic (d. 1969)
  • Feb 1 (Joe) "Tricky Sam" Nanton, American trombonist and plunger-mute pioneer (Duke Ellington Orchestra), born in New York City (d. 1946)
  • Feb 2 Jose Enrique Pedreira, Puerto Rican composer ("Tus Caricias"; "Siempre"), and pedagogue, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico (d. 1959)
  • Feb 3 Luigi Dallapiccola, Italian 12-tone composer (Il prigioniero; Ulisse), born in Pisino d'Istria, Austrian Empire (now Pazin, Croatia) (d. 1975)
  • Feb 4 Predrag Milošević, Serbian pianist, conductor, composer (Simfonijeta), and pedagogue, born in Knjaževac, Serbia (d. 1988)
  • Feb 8 Igor' Fyodorovich Belza [Boelza], Soviet composer, born in Kielce, Kingdom of Poland (d. 1994)
  • Feb 20 Armin Loos, German-born American composer, born in Darmstadt, Germany (d. 1971)
  • Feb 21 Armand Preud'homme, Belgian organist and composer (Kempenland), born in Peer, Belgium (d. 1986)
  • Feb 29 Alan Richardson, Scottish composer and pianist, born in Edinbugh, Scotland (d. 1978)
  • Feb 29 Jimmy Dorsey, American big band jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, and bandleader (Green Eyes; Tangerine; Pennies From Heaven), born in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania (d. 1957)
  • Feb 29 Rukmini Devi Arundale (née Sastri), Indian dancer, educator (co-founder of Kalakshetra Academy), politician (Member or Parliament, 1952-62), and animal rights activist, born in Madurai, Madras Presidency, British India (d. 1986)

Glenn Miller (1904-1944)

Mar 1 American bandleader and jazz composer (Glenn Miller Orchestra - "In The Mood"; "Moonlight Serenade"; "String Of Pearls"), born in Clarinda, Iowa

  • Mar 4 Joseph Schmidt, Austrian-Hungarian tenor and actor (Der Liebesexpreß; A Star Fell from Heaven), born in Storozhynets, Austria-Hungary (d. 1942)
  • Mar 14 Voltaire "Volly" De Faut; American jazz reed player (New Orleans Rhythm Kings; Jean Goldkette), born in Little Rock, Arkansas (d. 1973)
  • Mar 19 Tadeusz Zygfryd Kassern, Polish composer and cultural attache, born in Lviv, Poland (d. 1957)
  • Mar 21 Nikolaos Skalkottas, Greek composer, born in Chalcis, Greece (d. 1949)
  • Mar 26 Hermann Schroeder, German composer, born in Bernkastel, Germany (d. 1984)
  • Mar 27 Hal Kemp American jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger and sweet jazz bandleader, born in Marion, Alabama (d. 1940)
  • Mar 30 Akarova [Marguerite Acarin], Belgian dancer and choreographer (Les Biches), born in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, Belgium (d. 1999)
  • Apr 3 Peter Van Steeden, composer and orchestra leader (Break the Bank), born in Amsterdam (d. 1990)
  • Apr 3 Sally Rand, American burlesque dancer, vedette, and actress known for her ostrich feather fan and balloon bubble dances, born in Elkton, Missouri (d. 1979)
  • Apr 8 John Antill, Australian composer (Corroboree; New Guinea Patrol), born in Sydney (d. 1986)
  • Apr 9 Joseph "Sharkey" Bonano, American Dixieland jazz trumpeter and singer, born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 1972)
  • Apr 10 Nick Stuart, Romanian-born American bandleader and actor (Secrets of Chinatown), born in Abrudbánya, Alsó-Fehér County, Austria-Hungary (d. 1973)
  • Apr 12 Frankie Masters [Masterman], American banjo player, guitarist, vocalist and big band bandleader ("Scatter-Brain"), born in St. Marys, West Virginia (d. 1990)
  • Apr 16 Fifi D'Orsay [Yvonne Lussier] Canadian-American vaudeville and film actress and singer known as the "French Bombshell" (The Life Jimmy Dolan; Dixie Jamboree), born in Montreal, Quebec (d. 1983)
  • Apr 23 Leslie French, British actor and singer (Death in Venice; More than a Miracle), born in Bromley, Kent, England (d. 1999)
  • Apr 29 Russ Morgan, American orchestra leader (Welcome Aboard), born in Scranton, Pennsylvania (d. 1969)
  • May 2 Georgi Dimitrov, Bulgarian composer, born in Belogradchik, Bulgaria (d. 1979)
  • May 4 Umm Kulthum [Ibrahim], Egyptian singer and actress, born in Tummāy al-Zahāyrah, Egypt (d. 1975)

Fats Waller (1904-1943)

May 21 American jazz organist, piano player, singer and composer ("Ain't Misbehavin'"; "Honeysuckle Rose"; "Hot Chocolate"), born in New York City [1]

  • May 25 Kurt Thomas, German composer, born in Tönning, Germany (d. 1973)
  • May 26 George Formby, British singer and comedian, born in Wigan, Lancashire, England (d. 1961)
  • May 26 Vlado Perlemuter, Lithuanian-French pianist, born in Kaunas, Lithuania (d. 2002)
  • May 28 Shalva Mikhailovich Mshvelidze, Russian composer, born in Tiflis (d. 1984)
  • May 31 Otto "Toby" Hardwicke, American jazz alto saxophone player (The Washingtonians, 1923-28; Duke Ellington Orchestra, 1932-46 - "Sophisticated Lady"; "In A Sentimental Mood"), born in Washington, D.C. (d. 1970)
  • May 31 Stan Brenders, Belgian jazz pianist and bandleader, born in Brussels (d. 1969)
  • Jun 3 Jan Peerce [Jacob Pincus Perelmuth], American tenor (NBC Symphony, 1938-55; NY Metropolitan Opera, 1941-67; "Bluebird of Happiness"), born in New York City (d. 1984)
  • Jun 11 Alan Roth, American orchestra leader (Milton Berle Show), born in St. Louis, Missouri (d. 1972)
  • Jun 11 Clarence "Pinetop" Smith, American jazz pianist and singer (Boogie Woogie Piano), born in Troy, Alabama (d. 1929)
  • Jun 11 Emil František Burian, Czech author and composer, born in Plzeň, Bohemia, Austria-Hungary (d. 1959)
  • Jun 12 Eino Roiha, Finnish composer, born in Vyborg (d. 1955)
  • Jun 14 Benno Ammann, Swiss composer (Missa Defensor Pacis) and conductor, born in Gersau, Sweden (d. 1986)
  • Jun 18 Manuel Rosenthal, French composer (Bootleggers), born in Paris, France (d. 2003)
  • Jun 19 Balys Dvarionas, Lithuanian pianist, composer and educator, born in Liepāja, Russian Empire (now Latvia) (d. 1972)
  • Jun 23 Willie Mae "Mother" Smith (née Ford), American gospel singer, evangelist, and folk artist, born in Rolling Fork, Mississippi (d. 1994)
  • Jun 24 (Wonga) Phil Harris], American singer, actor (The Jungle Book; The Aristocrats; Robin Hood), comedian, and orchestra leader (The Jack Benny Program; The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show), born in Linton, Indiana (d. 1995)
  • Jun 28 Włodzimierz Poźniak, Polish composer, born in Kraków, Poland (d. 1967)
  • Jul 2 Carl Weinrich, American organist and composer, born in Paterson, New Jersey (d. 1981)
  • Jul 4 Artur Malawski, Polish violinist, conductor, composer (Mountaineers Triptych), and pedagogue, born in Prömsel, Galicia, Austria-Hungary (now Przemyśl, Poland) (d. 1957)
  • Jul 4 Seger Ellis, American jazz pianist, pop vocalist, songwriter, and bandleader, born in Houston, Texas (d. 1995) [1]
  • Jul 5 Franz Syberg, Danish organist and composer, born in Kerteminde, Funen, Denmark (d. 1955)
  • Jul 6 Robert Whitney, American conductor (Louisville Orchestra, 1937-67), educator (University of Louisville, 1956-71), and composer, born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England (d. 1986)
  • Jul 8 Bill Challis, American jazz arranger and pianist, born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (d. 1994)
  • Jul 10 Iša Krejčí, Czech composer, born in Prague, Kingdom of Bohemia (now Czech Republic) (d. 1968)
  • Jul 10 Ivie Anderson, American swing jazz singer (Duke Ellington Orchestra, 1931-42), born in Bossier, Louisiana (d. 1949) [some sources give birth year as 1905, and birthplace as Gilroy, California] [1]
  • Jul 15 Dorothy Fields, American lyricist ("I'm In The Mood For Love"; "The Way You Look Tonight"), born in Allenhurst, New Jersey (d. 1974)
  • Jul 16 Goffredo Petrassi, Italian composer (Beatitudines), born in Zagarolo, Italy (d. 2003)
  • Jul 17 Jef Alpaerts, Flemish pianist, educator, and conductor (Collegium Musicum Antverpiense), born in Antwerp, Belgium (d. 1973)
  • Jul 23 Adone Zecchi, Italian composer, born in Bologna, Kingdom of Italy (d. 1995)
  • Jul 24 Leo Arnaud, French-American composer (Bugler's Dream), born in Lyon, France (d. 1991)
  • Jul 26 Jack Westrup, English composer, born in London (d. 1975)
  • Jul 27 Anton Dolin [Sydney Francis Patrick Chippendall Healey-kay], British dancer (Girl From Petrovka), born in Slinfold, Sussex, England (d. 1983)
  • Aug 8 (William) Elmo Tanner, American big band singer, whistler (Ted Weems Orchestra - "Heartaches"), bandleader, and DJ, born in Nashville, Tennessee (d. 1990)
  • Aug 8 István Szelényi, Hungarian pianist and composer, born in Altsohl, Austria-Hungary (d. 1972)
  • Aug 10 Geraldo [Gerald Walcan Bright], British "sweet music" dance band bandleader (Gaucho Tango Orchestra), born in London, England (d. 1974)
  • Aug 11 Jess Stacy, American jazz pianist (Benny Goodman, 1935-39; the Great Gatsby), born in Bird's Point, Missouri (d. 1995)
  • Aug 13 Charles "Buddy" Rogers, American musician and actor (An Innocent Affair, Wings), born in Olathe, Kansas (d. 1999)
  • Aug 17 Leopold Nowak, Austrian musicologist (International Bruckner Society; Mozart's Requiem), and educator (Vienna University, 1932-73), born in Vienna, Austria (d. 1991)

Count Basie (1904-1984)

Aug 21 Jazz pianist, organist, and bandleader ("One O'Clock Jump"; "April In Paris"), born in Red Bank, New Jersey

  • Aug 24 (Henry) "Buster" Smith, American jazz alto saxophonist, arranger, and bandleader (Blue Devils; Count Basie), born in Alfdorf, Texas (d. 1991)
  • Sep 6 Lyubomir Pipkov, Bulgarian pianist, composer, music educator, and (with his father) Antarctic glacier namesake, born in Lovech, Bulgaria (d. 1974)
  • Sep 8 Carlos Sánchez Málaga, Peruvian composer, born in Arequipa, Perú (d. 1995)
  • Sep 12 Gavriil Popov, Soviet Russian composer, born in Novocherkassk, Russia (d. 1972)
  • Sep 14 Karel Šrom, Czech composer, musicologist, critic, and broadcaster, born in Pilsen, Kingdom of Bohemia (now Czech Republic) (d. 1981)
  • Sep 14 Kunihiko Hashimoto, Japanese composer, violinist, conductor, and musical educator, born in the Hongo district of Tokyo (d. 1949)
  • Sep 14 Richard Mohaupt, German composer (Bucolica), born in Wrocław, Poland (d. 1957)

Frederick Ashton (1904-1988)

Sep 17 British choreographer (Cinderella), born in Guayaquil, Ecuador

  • Sep 24 Cemal Reşit Rey, Turkish composer, born in Jerusalem, Ottoman Empire (d. 1985)
  • Sep 24 Jan August [Augustoff], American pianist and xylophonist ("Misirlou"), born in New York City (d. 1976)
  • Oct 9 Carl Parrish, American composer, born in Plymouth, Pennsylvania (d. 1965)
  • Oct 16 Reginald Dixon, British theatre organist, born in Sheffield, Britain, (d. 1985)
  • Oct 22 Paul Arma, Hungarian-French composer, born in Budapest (d. 1987)
  • Oct 28 Louis de Meester, Belgian pianist and classical and electronic music composer (The Great Temptation of St Anthony), born in Roeselare, Flanders, Belgium (d. 1987)
  • Oct 30 Alfred Gradstein, Polish composer, born in Częstochowa, Russian Poland (now Poland) (d. 1954)
  • Nov 3 Gideon Fagan, South African conductor and composer, born in Somerset West, Cape Province (d. 1980)
  • Nov 3 Jānis Kalniņš, Latvian-Canadian organist, composer (Ugunī; New Brunswick Rhapsody), and conductor (Latvian National Opera, 1933–1944), born in Pärnu, Russian Empire (now Estonia) (d. 2000)
  • Nov 14 Aleksey Semyonovich Zhivotov, Russian composer, born in Kazan, Russia (d. 1964)
  • Nov 14 Dick Powell, American singer, radio and screen actor (Cry Danger; Dick Powell Theater), producer and director (The Enemy Below), born in Mountain View, Arkansas (d. 1963)
  • Nov 15 Tilly Losch, Austrian dancer and actress (Duel in the Sun, Garden of Allah), born in Vienna, Austria (d. 1975) [birth date disputed]
  • Nov 16 Eddie Condon, American jazz guitarist (Eddie Condon's Floor Show), born in Goodland, Indiana (d. 1973)
  • Nov 17 L.F. "Jack" Owen, American blues singer and guitarist ("It Must've Been The Devil"), born in Bentonia, Mississippi (d. 1997)
  • Nov 18 Guido Santórsola, Brazilian-Uruguayan composer and violinist, born in Canosa di Puglia, Italy (d. 1994)
  • Nov 20 Alexandra Danilova, Russian-American ballerina (The Turning Point), born in Petergof, Russia (d. 1997)
  • Nov 21 Coleman Hawkins, American jazz musician who virtually created tenor saxophone for jazz, born in St. Joseph, Missouri (d. 1969)
  • Nov 25 Antonio "Toni" Ortelli, Italian composer ("La Montanara" (The Song of the Mountains)) and alpinist, born in Schio, Veneto, Italy (d. 2000)
  • Nov 25 Herbert Reynolds Inch, American composer and teacher, born in Missoula, Montana (d. 1988)
  • Nov 29 Piet Ketting, Dutch pianist, conductor and composer (Glorify Kokila), born in Haarlem, Netherlands (d. 1984)
  • Dec 7 Konstantin Sokolsky, Russian singer, born in Saint Petersburg, Russia (d. 1991)
  • Dec 18 Wilf Carter, Canadian country and western singer, born in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia (d. 1996)
  • Dec 24 Daniel Womack, American Piedmont blues guitarist, singer and harmonica player, born in Danville, Virginia (d. 1996)
  • Dec 30 Dmitry Kabalevsky, Russian pianist and composer (In the Fire) [OS 17 Dec], born in St. Petersburg, Russia (d. 1987)
  • Dec 31 Nathan Milstein, Ukrainian-American Grammy Award-winning concert violinist, transcriber and composer, born in Odessa, Russian Empire (now Ukraine) (d. 1992)

About 1904

Chinese Zodiac: Rabbit (Jan 29, 1903 - Feb 15, 1904),
Dragon (Feb 16, 1904 - Feb 3, 1905)