Those We Lost — June 15

Honoring those we lost on June 15 — remembered for what they gave, and for what they left behind.

Ella Fitzgerald

Born April 25, 1917 — Died June 15, 1996

Title: Jazz singer and “First Lady of Song”

Ella Fitzgerald was one of the greatest singers in American music history, known for her tone, phrasing, swing, and scat singing. Her voice traveled across jazz, pop standards, bebop, and songbook recordings, making her a central figure in 20th-century music.

Wes Montgomery

Born March 6, 1923 — Died June 15, 1968

Title: Jazz guitarist and Grammy-winning musician

Wes Montgomery was a jazz guitarist known for his warm tone, thumb-picking technique, and use of octaves. His playing influenced generations of guitarists and helped shape the sound of modern jazz guitar.

John Chavis

Born circa 1763 — Died June 15, 1838

Title: Educator, Presbyterian minister, and Revolutionary War veteran

John Chavis was a free Black educator and minister in the early American South. He was one of the most educated Black men of his time in North Carolina and taught both Black and white students, making his life an important early chapter in Black educational history.