News & Updates — The Simpsons

Happy 4/20 birthday shout-out to the iconic Tito Puente! Best known as a Simpsons charact...haha just kidding! Among the Nuyorican musical greats, there has never been a dull moment with El Rey's brand of fiery and entertaining Latin jazz. His first notable pro gig was with Machito during WW2, before serving his own tour. After receiving medals as a "war hero" he started a nonet, The Piccadilly Boys, in '47. He led one of the great orchestras of the classic mambo era, often featuring percussion battles with Tito and top players on the scene. In 1960, his band was just...

Here's a birthday shout-out to the singing mailman, King Floyd. "Groove Me" was the big hit for this New Orleans soul singer, produced by Wardell Quezerque (and recorded at the same session that yielded "Mr Big Stuff" by Jean Knight!). After writing and singing "Groove Me" (originally a b-side) and a few others for the Atlantic stable, he made some records for T.K., but was largely quiet. Still, the tune remains a much-loved classic soul hit. Born King Floyd III, he was childhood pals with Willie Tee and Earl King and started playing professionally in '61 with local blues shouter...