Today’s Soul Birthdays – July 8

Earl Van Dyke – American soul musician, most notable as the main keyboardist for Motown Records’ in-house Funk Brothers band during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Louis Jordan – American saxophonist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and bandleader who was popular from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. Known as “The King of the Jukebox”, he earned his highest profile towards the end of the swing era.

Billy Eckstine – American jazz and pop singer and a bandleader during the swing era. He was noted for his rich, almost operatic bass-baritone voice. His recording of “I Apologize” was given the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999.