What do two of the most influential performs in smooth jazz, Jeff Lorber and Najee, have in common with Matthew McConaughey, Kathy Griffin, Laura Bush and Ralph Macchio? They are all celebrating birthdays today, November 4.

Keyboardist Lorber, who is 57, was born in Philadelphia on election day in 1952, the same day that Dwight D. Eisenhower beat Democratic nominee Adlai Stevenson for the seat of the 34th United States president. Today, Lorber lives in Southern California with his wife Mink and has two grown daughters, Nica, and Jessica. He’s also a grandfather. Lorber’s most recent CD, Heard That, features the smooth jazz hit single “Rehab.” He’ll be performing in Venice, Calif., on November 11 and in Dallas on November 14. He’ll then embark on a seven-city tour of Europe.

Najee was born on this day 52 years ago at St. Vincent’s Hospital in the heart of New York City. The saxophonist was actually born Jerome Najee Rasheed, but began going by his middle name in college. At a young age, Najee wanted to be a pilot and actually attended an aviation-oriented high school. Currently, Najee has 11 solo albums to his credit including his latest CD Mind Over Matter, which includes the Smooth Jazz Top 20 hit single “Sweet Summer Nights.” Najee and his wife – who have four sons and a daughter – live in Florida.

(Smooth Jazz Network)

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