(Encyclopedia) Hawkins, Coleman, 1904–69, American jazz musician, b. St. Joseph, Mo. He began playing saxophone at the age of 9. He was part of Fletcher Henderson's band from 1924 until 1934. Hawkins…
(Encyclopedia) Coleman, Ornette, 1930–2015, African-American saxophonist and composer, b. Fort Worth, Tex. Largely self-taught, he began playing the alto saxophone in rhythm-and-blues bands. He later…
aviatorBorn: 1892Birthplace: Atlanta, Texas Bessie Coleman picked cotton as a child, but her mother was determined that her thirteen children get an education. Bessie graduated from high school and…
actorBorn: 1/3/1932Birthplace: Austin, Texas A character player known especially for his portrayals of obnoxious, slightly sleazy yet harmless types, he has appeared in the movies 9 to 5 (1980),…
(Encyclopedia) Locke, Gary, 1950–, American politician and government official, b. Seattle. The son and grandson of Chinese immigrants, he graduated from Yale (B.A., 1972) and Boston Univ. Law School…
(Encyclopedia) Gary, RomainGary, RomainrōmăNˈ gĕrēˈ [key], 1914–80, French novelist, b. Vilna (now Vilnius), of Russian parentage, as Romain Kacew. In France after 1928, he fought in World War II and…
(Encyclopedia) Cooper, Gary, 1901–61, American film actor, b. Helena, Mont., as Frank James Cooper. His first important starring role in A Farewell to Arms (1933) was followed by such films as Mr.…
(Encyclopedia) Snyder, Gary, 1930–, American poet, b. San Francisco. Associated with the beat generation of the 1950s, he lived (1956–68) in Japan, where he trained as a Zen monk. His poetry,…