May 1909 in Music History

Birthdays in Music

  • May 1 George Melachrino, English composer, born in London (d. 1965)
  • May 6 Loyd Sigmon, American radio broadcaster, sound engineer, and inventor ("Sig Alert" for traffic and emergency notices), born in Stigler, Oklahoma (d. 2004)
  • May 9 Don Messer, Canadian folk fiddler, and television host (Jubilee, 1959-73), born in Tweedside, New Brunswick (d. 1973)

Maybelle CarterMaybelle Carter (1909-1978)

May 10 American country singer (Johnny Cash Show), born in Nickelsville, Virginia

  • May 11 Herbert Murrill, composer
  • May 15 Rodolfo Cornejo, composer
  • May 19 Schlomo Joffe, Polish-Israeli folk and classical musician and composer, born in Warsaw, Poland (d. 1995)
  • May 27 Isador Goodman, South African-Australian pianist and composer (New Guinea Fantasy), born in Cape Town, South Africa (d. 1982)

Benny GoodmanBenny Goodman (1909-1986)

May 30 American clarinetist and bandleader (King of Swing), born in Chicago, Illinois

  • May 31 Sammy Spear, American big band trumpet player and orchestra leader (The Jackie Gleason Show), born in Brooklyn, NYC (d. 1975)

Deaths in Music

  • May 18 Isaac Albéniz, Spanish pianist & composer (Suite española; Tango in D), dies from nephritis at 48
  • May 20 Ernest Hogan, blackface comedian and musician (b. 1859)