Cuban trumpeter and bandleader Mario Bauza was born this day in Havana in 1911. He died in 1993. Bauza gave trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie a major career lift in 1939 by bringing him into Cab Calloway's high profile band.

Today is April 15.

Vibraphonist Red Norvo was born this day in 1908 in Beardstown, Ill. During the early 1950s, Norvo led an outstanding West Coast jazz trio with guitarist Tal Farlow and bassist Charles Mingus.

Bandleader and violinist Paul Whiteman was born this day in 1890 in Denver. He called himself "The King of Jazz" though he really didn't play jazz.

Clarinetist Frank Teschemacher was born this day in Chicago in 1906. An original member of Chicago's famous Austin High Gang of musicians, he died in a car crash at age 25.

Trumpeter Don Goldie was born this date in Newark, N.J., in 1930. He recorded brilliant solos with the Jack Teagarden Band during an association that began in 1959.

Trombonist J.J. Johnson was born this date in 1924 in Indianapolis. His virtuosity, pure sound and harmonic sophistication helped bring the trombone to the frontline in bebop. His best-known composition, recorded by many contemporary musicians, is "Lament

Gene Krupa, the drummer who made Benny Goodman's band swing, swing, swing with his solo feature on the song "Sing, Sing, Sing," was born this date in 1909 in Chicago.

The history of jazz in New Orleans has a poorly documented subtext of musicians who bravely crossed racial boundaries to play together for the love of the music