English musicians born in 1931
Here are 10 famous musicians from England were born in 1931:
Sheila Jones Harms
Sheila Jones Harms (May 29, 1931-December 12, 2004) was an English singer.
She was born in Bristol, England and began her singing career while still a teenager, performing in local clubs and jazz venues. She gained popularity in the 1950s and 60s, appearing on television variety shows and recording several albums of popular standards and jazz tunes. In the 1970s, she began to focus more on gospel music and became an ordained minister. She continued to perform and record gospel music throughout her career and was known for her powerful voice and passionate performances. She was also an activist for social justice issues and worked with organizations that supported women's rights and racial equality. Harms passed away in 2004, leaving behind a legacy as an accomplished singer and dedicated advocate for human rights.
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Joan Carlyle
Joan Carlyle (April 6, 1931-) a.k.a. Carlyle, Joan is an English singer.
Joan Carlyle is a lyric soprano who has performed in some of the world's most prestigious opera houses, including the Royal Opera House in London, La Scala in Milan, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. She has also collaborated with many legendary conductors, such as Herbert von Karajan and Georg Solti. Throughout her lengthy career, Carlyle has been praised for her technical mastery, musical intelligence, and nuanced interpretations. In addition to her performances on stage, she has also recorded several albums, including a collection of songs by Richard Strauss that was widely acclaimed. She has been recognized for her contributions to the arts with numerous honors, including the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
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Les Vandyke
Les Vandyke (June 21, 1931 Battersea-) also known as Les Van Dyke or Johnnie Worth is an English singer and songwriter.
His related genres: Pop music and Popular music.
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Allan Ganley
Allan Ganley (March 11, 1931-March 29, 2008 Slough) was an English , .
His discography includes: The Swinging Sounds of the Jazzmakers and Blue Jersey.
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Colin Graham
Colin Graham (September 22, 1931 Hove-April 6, 2007 St. Louis) was an English opera director.
He was particularly known for his innovative productions of contemporary operas and for his use of multimedia elements in his productions. At various times in his career, he served as the artistic director of the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, the Vancouver Opera, and the Opera Company of Boston. Graham was also a respected teacher, and he held positions at several prestigious institutions, including the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the University of British Columbia. In addition to his work in opera, Graham also directed plays and worked as a stage designer. He was a member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Guild of Musical Artists and the British Equity.
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Clinton Ford
Clinton Ford (November 4, 1931 Salford, Greater Manchester-October 21, 2009 Isle of Man) was an English singer.
Genres he performed include Country, Traditional pop music, Skiffle and Trad jazz.
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Derek Humble
Derek Humble (May 6, 1931 Durham, England-February 22, 1971) was an English saxophonist.
He was best known for his contributions to the world of jazz music. Derek Humble’s early musical training began at the age of twelve when he started playing clarinet. He eventually expanded his repertoire to include alto and tenor saxophone. He started playing professionally in 1950 as a member of the band The Delta Jazzmen. In 1953, he moved to Germany, where he joined the Kurt Edelhagen Orchestra, which was considered one of the best big bands in Europe at the time. Derek Humble's style of playing was heavily influenced by Charlie Parker, and he became known for his fast, virtuosic solos. He later joined the John Dankworth Orchestra and made several recordings as a solo artist. Sadly, he died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 39.
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John Shirley-Quirk
John Shirley-Quirk (August 28, 1931 Liverpool-April 7, 2014 Bath) a.k.a. Shirley-Quirk, John was an English singer.
His albums include The Dream of Gerontius / Enigma Variations, Requiem / Krönungsmesse / Coronation Mass / Exsulta, jubilate / Litany K. 195, The Dream of Gerontius, Orchestral Songs, Stabat Mater / Legends, , La Damnation de Faust and Elgar: The Dream of Gerontius, Holst: The Hymn of Jesus, Delius: Sea Drift.
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Keith Christie
Keith Christie (January 6, 1931 Blackpool-December 16, 1980 London) was an English trombonist.
He began playing the trombone from a young age and eventually trained at the Royal Manchester College of Music. He gained recognition in the 1950s as a member of the Ted Heath Orchestra, one of Britain's most popular big bands of that era. Christie's style was characterized by a warm and mellow tone, as well as his ability to execute fast and intricate runs on the trombone with seemingly effortless ease.
Christie's solo performances were highly regarded by both fans and fellow musicians alike. In addition to his work with the Ted Heath Orchestra, he performed with a number of other prominent jazz groups and artists, including Maynard Ferguson and Cleo Laine. He was also a sought-after session musician and can be heard on countless recordings of the period.
Despite his success, Christie struggled with alcoholism throughout his career, which ultimately contributed to his early death at the age of 49. Nevertheless, he is remembered as one of Britain's most accomplished and influential trombonists, with a legacy that continues to inspire new generations of jazz musicians.
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Derek Smith
Derek Smith (August 17, 1931 London-) also known as Smith, Derek is an English jazz pianist.
He initially started playing the accordion but eventually switched to the piano in his early teens. Derek started his professional career in the 1950s and was a regular performer on the London jazz scene. He played with various notable musicians such as Ronnie Scott, Tony Crombie, and Ronnie Ball.
In 1960, Derek moved to the United States and quickly established himself in the American jazz scene, playing with legends such as Johnny Griffin, Art Farmer, and Benny Golson. He also performed as part of the house band at the famous Birdland club in New York City.
Derek became known for his dynamic and energetic playing style, often incorporating elements of bebop and blues into his performances. He recorded several albums as a bandleader, including "The London Jazz Piano of Derek Smith" and "The Derek Smith Trio."
Throughout his career, Derek also worked as a highly sought-after session musician, contributing to recordings by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Sarah Vaughan. Despite retiring from public performances in the early 2000s, Derek continued to be a highly respected musician and mentor to younger generations of jazz pianists.
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