December 29, 1952

1952Gelsey Kirkland, American ballerina and choreographer^[†]

Gelsey Kirkland is an American prima ballerina. She received early ballet training at the School of American Ballet. Kirkland joined the New York City Ballet in 1968 at age 15, at the invitation of George Balanchine. She was promoted to soloist in 1969, and principal in 1972. She went on to create leading roles in many of the great twentieth century ballets by Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Antony Tudor, including Balanchine's revival of The Firebird, Robbins' Goldberg Variations, and Tudor's The Leaves are Fading.

1952Fletcher Henderson, American pianist, composer, and bandleader (born 1897)^[†]

James Fletcher Hamilton Henderson was an American pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer, important in the development of big band jazz and swing music. He was one of the most prolific black musical arrangers and, along with Duke Ellington, is considered one of the most influential arrangers and bandleaders in jazz history. Henderson's influence was vast. He helped bridge the gap between the Dixieland and the swing eras. He was often known as "Smack" Henderson.

1952Beryl Rubinstein, American pianist, composer and teacher (born 1898)^[†]

Beryl Rubinstein was an American pianist, composer, and teacher. He was the father of social historian David Rubinstein.