Smithsonian Jazz


Jazz Class Home | Groovin' to Jazz (ages 8-13) |
Groovin' to Jazz (ages 12-15) | Duke Ellington |
Ella Fitzgerald | Louis Armstrong | Benny Carter |
What Is Jazz | Jazz 365 | Teacher Lesson Plans |
Feedback


Jazz 365
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 
DateFact
Jan 1
top
Vibraphonist Milt Jackson born 1923 in Detroit, Michigan.
 Pianist Albert Ammons records "Shout for Joy 1939."
 Bassist Al McKibbon born 1919 in Chicago, IL.
Jan 2Drummer Nick Fatool born 1915 in Milbury, MA.
 Gene Krupa records Blue Rhythm Fantasy, 1940.
 Vocalist Arthur Prysock born 1929 in Spartanburg, SC.
Jan 3Count Basie records Blues In The Dark, featuring vocalist Jimmy Rushing 1938
 Pianist/composer Herbie Nichols born 1919 in New York City.
 Alto saxophonist John Jenkins born 1931 in Chicago, IL.
Jan 4Trumpeter Frankie Newton born 1906 in Emory, VA.
 Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie record What’s The Matter Now? With vocalist Rubberlegs Williams.
 Saxophonist/flutist Frank Wess born 1922 in Kansas City, MO.
Jan 5Cornetist Will Bill Davison born 1906 in Defiance, Ohio.
 In 1959, Trumpeter Blue Mitchell records Out of the Blue with Art Blakey, Wynton Kelly, Benny Goldson and Sam Jones.
 Trumpeter Jerry Gonzalez born 1949 in New York, NY.
Jan 6Pianist Teddy Wilson records When You’re Smiling with Lester Young and Billie Holiday, 1938.
 Jimmie Lunceford records Margie featuring vocalist/trombonist Trummy Young.
 Trombonist Vernon Brown born 1907 in Venice, IL.
Jan 7Clarinetist Kenny Davern born 1935 in Huntington, NY.
 In 1986, pianist Muhal Richard Abrams records Roots of Blue, a series of duets with bassist Cecil McBee.
 Trumpeter Henry "Red" Allen born 1908 in New Orleans, LA.
Jan 8In 1929, Duke Ellington records Tiger Rag (Parts 1 and 2).
 Pianist Bobby Tucker born 1923 in Morristown, NJ.
 Saxophonist Jackie McLean records Bluesnik with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, 1961.
Jan 9Drummer Kenny Clarke born 1914 in Pittsburgh, PA.
 Dizzy Gillespie records I Can’t Get Started 1945
 Vocalist Betty Roche born 1920 in Wilmington, DE.
Jan 10Percussionist Max Roach born 1925 in New Land, NC.
 Vocalist Bee Palmer records her vocal version of Frank Trumbauer and Bix Beiderbecke’s Singin’ The Blues 1929
 Pianist Bud Powell records first trio session (with Max Roach and Curly Russell) 1946.
Jan 11Lennie Tristano records Subconscious Lee 1949
 Drummer Osie Johnson born 1923 in Washington, DC.
 Saxophonist Joe Lovano and pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba record Flying Colors, 1997.
Jan 12Trombonist Trummy Young born 1912 in Savannah, GA.
 Louis Armstrong records his big band version of Struttin’ With Some Barbecue, 1938.
 Pianist/bandleader Jay McShann born 1909 in Muskogee, OK.
Jan 13Horace Silver records Moon Rays 1958
 Guitarist Danny Barker 1909 born in New Orleans
 Trombonist/arranger Melba Liston born 1926 in Kansas City, MO.
Jan 14Trumpeter Kenny Wheeler born 1930 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
 Bessie Smith records St. Louis Blues 1925, with Louis Armstrong on cornet.
 Drummer/vocalist Grady Tate born 1932 in Durham, NC.
Jan 15Drummer Gene Krupa born 1909 in Chicago, IL.
 Baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan records What Is There To Say with Art Farmer, 1959.
 Trumpeter Baikida Carroll born 1947 in Saint Louis, MO.
Jan 16Benny Goodman Carnegie Hall Concert 1938
 Vocalist Ivie Anderson born 1905 in Gilroy, CA.
 Ahmad Jamal Trio records At the Pershing with bassist Israel Crosby and drummer Vernel Fournier, 1958.
Jan 17Pianist Cedar Walton born 1934 in Dallas, TX.
 Drummer Sid Catlett born 1910 in Evansville, IN.
 Pianist Nat "King" Cole’s Trio records Body and Soul, 1944.
Jan 18First Esquire Jazz Concert at Metropolitan Opera House 1944
 Trumpeter Clifford Brown records With Strings, 1955.
 Saxophonist Steve Grossman born 1951 in New York, NY.
Jan 19Jack Teagarden records the music of Willard Robison with Bob Brookmeyer’s band 1962
 Bassist Israel Crosby born 1919 in Chicago, IL.
 Pianist Horace Parlan born 1931 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Jan 20Drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts born 1960 in Pittsburgh, PA.
 Miles Davis Quintet (with Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Tony Williams) records E.S.P., 1965
 Drummer Jimmy Cobb born 1929 in Washington, DC.
Jan 21Count Basie band makes its first recording, Honeysuckle Rose, in 1937.
 Violinist and reedman Robert "Juice" Wilson born 1904 in St.Louis, MO.
 Miles Davis Nonet, later known as The Birth of the Cool band, records Jeru, 1949.
Jan 22Valve Trombonist Juan Tizol born 1900 in San Juan, PR.
 Trombonist/composer J.J. Johnson born 1924 in Indianapolis, IN.
 Vocalist Billie Holiday records Good Morning Heartache, 1946.
Jan 23Guitarist Django Reinhardt born 1910 in Liverchies, Belgium.
 Duke Ellington’s first Carnegie Hall Concert 1943
 Vibraphonist Gary Burton born 1943 in Anderson, IN.
Jan 24Tenor saxophonist Jimmy Forrest born 1920 in St. Louis, MO.
 Oscar Peterson Trio (with drummer Ed Thigpen and bassist Ray Brown) records music from West Side Story 1962
 Pianist/composer Avery Parrish born 1917 in Birmingham, Al.
Jan 25Bassist Wellman Braud born 1891 in St. James Parish, LA.
 Composer Antonio Carlos Jobim born 1927 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
 Dizzy Gillespie, making his last recordings, records Bird Songs, in 1992 with altoists Paquito D’Rivera and Jackie McLean.
Jan 26Saxophonist/composer Benny Golson born 1929 in Philadelphia, PA.
 Louis Armstrong records I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues 1933
 Violinist/pianist Stephane Grappelli born 1908 in Paris, France
Jan 27Pianist Bill Evans and alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley record Know What I Mean?, 1961.
 Trumpeter Hot Lips Page born 1908 in Dallas, TX.
 Vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson born 1941 in Los Angeles, CA.
Jan 28Drummer Bob Moses born 1948 in New York, NY.
 JATP records Lady Be Good 1946, with classic solos by saxophonists Lester Young and Charlie Parker.
 English saxophonist Ronnie Scott born 1927 in London, England.
Jan 29Jabbo Smith records Jazz Battle at his first session as a leader 1929
 Drummer Ed Shaugnessy born 1929 in Jersey City, NJ.
 Guitarist Sacha Distel born 1933 in Paris, France.
Jan 30Bassist and oud player Ahmed Abdul-Malik born 1927 in New York, NY.
 Trumpeter Roy Eldridge born 1911 in Pittsburgh, PA.
 The Original Dixieland Jazz Band makes the first jazz recordings, 1917
Jan 31Trumpeter Bobby Hackett born 1915 in Providence, PA.
 Guitarist George Barnes records Swing Guitar with Hank Jones, Milt Hinton and Jo Jones, 1973.
 Composer George Russell records The Stratus Seekers (including trombonist David Baker), 1961.
Feb 1
top
Pianist James P. Johnson born 1894 in New Brunswick, NJ.
 Saxophonist Joshua Redman born 1969 in Berkeley, CA.
 Saxophonist Sadao Watanabe born 1933 in Utsunomiya, Japan.
Feb 2Tenor saxophonist Stan Getz born 1927 in Philadelphia, PA.
 Saxophonist Sonny Stitt born 1924 in Boston, MA.
 The Modern Jazz Quartet records Lonely Woman, 1962
Feb 3Trumpeter Snooky Young born 1919 in Dayton, Ohio
 The Art Ensemble of Chicago records Thelonious Sphere Monk with Cecil Taylor, 1990.
 Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie record The Gifted Ones, 1977.
Feb 4Count Basie records Jive at Five(featuring Lester Young), 1939.
 Frank Trumbauer and Bix Beiderbecke record Singin’ The Blues 1927
 Pianist Wade Legge born 1934 in Huntington, WVA.
Feb 5Edmond Hall Celeste Quartet (with guitarist Charlie Christian) records Profoundly Blue 1941
 Pianist Rozelle Claxton born 1913 in Memphis, TN.
 Gil Evans records Pacific Standard Time, 1959.
Feb 6Bob Crosby’s Bob Cats record Spain, 1940.
 Trumpeter Howard McGhee born 1918 in Tulsa, OK.
 Alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley records Sophisticated Swing with Junior Mance, Sam Jones and Jimmy Cobb.
Feb 7Pianist Eubie Blake born 1883 in Baltimore, MD.
 Tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin records Change of Pace with French hornist Julius Watkins,1961.
 Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley records Soul Station, 1960.
Feb 8Vibraphonist Lionel Hampton records the first of all his All-Star sessions, 1937.
 Duke Ellington records Billy Strayhorn’s U.M.M.G., 1956.
 Guitarist Lonnie Johnson born 1899 in New Orleans, LA.
Feb 9Bassist Walter Page born 1900 in Gallatin, MS.
 Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie records Groovin’ High with tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon, 1945.
 Duke Ellington’s band is recorded in stereo by RCA Victor, 1932.
Feb 10Drummer/bandleader Chick Webb born 1909 in Baltimore. MD.
 Pianist Sir Roland Hanna born 1932 in Detroit, Mi.
 Ornette Coleman records his first album Something Else 1958
Feb 11Guitarist/vocalist Josh White born 1908 in Greenville, MS.
 Bing Crosby records St.Louis Blues with Duke Ellington’s Orchestra, 1932.
 Benny Carter records The King with vibraphonist Milt Jackson and pianist Tommy Flanagan, 1976
Feb 12Voacalist Mahalia Jackson records Come Sunday with Duke Ellington, 1958.
 Mel Powell born 1923 in New York, NY.
 Baritone saxophonist Lars Gullin records Holiday for Piano in Stockholm, 1953.
Feb 13Trumpeter Wingy Manone born 1900 in New Orleans, LA.
 Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd record Brazilian music for the first time 1962
 Tenor saxophonist Wardell Gray born 1921 in Oklahoma City, OK.
Feb 14Tenor saxophonist Pharoah Sanders records The Craetor Has A Master Plan, 1969.
 Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins records the title track of his classic album The Bridge 1962
 Pianist Perry Bradford born 1893 in Montgomery, AL.
Feb 15Saxophonist/composer Henry Threadgill born 1944 in Chicago, IL.
 Composer Harold Arlen born 1905 in Buffalo, NY.
 Duke Ellington records Blue Serge 1941
Feb 16Renee Rosnes records For The Moment with Steve Wilson and Joe Henderson 1990
 Pianist/organist Bill Doggett born 1916 in Philadelphia, PA.
 Bessie Smith makes her first recording, Downhearted Blues 1923
Feb 17Ruby Braff and Ellis Larkins record their first duo album 1955
 Clarinetist Buddy DeFranco born 1923 in Camden, NJ
 Trumpeter Henry "Red" Allen records You Might Get Better, But You’ll Never Get Well, 1930.
Feb 18Trumpeter Miles Davis records In A Silent Way, 1969 with pianist Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Joe Zawinul.
 Vocalist Billie Holiday records Lady In Satin, 1958.
 Drummer Frank Butler born 1928 Kansas City, MO.
Feb 19Saxophonist/composer/bandleader David Murray born 1955 in Berkeley, CA.
 Tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt record Soul Summit, 1962.
 
Feb 20Pianist/composer Anthony Davis born 1951 in Paterson, NJ.
 Vocalist Ethel Waters records Sugar 1926
 Pianist/arranger Phil Moore born 1918 in Portland, OR.
Feb 21Composer/pianist Tadd Dameron born 1917 in Cleveland, OH.
 Drummer Art Blakey’s Quintet with trumpeter Clifford Brown records Live at Birdland, 1954.
 Vocalist Nina Simone born 1933 in Tryon, NC.
Feb 22Cornetist Rex Stewart born 1907 in Philadelphia, PA.
 Trumpeter Joe Wilder born 1922 in Colwyn PA.
 Tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate born 1913 in Sherman, TX.
Feb 23Clarinetist Pee Wee Russell and tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins record Jazz Reunion, 1961.
 Oliver Nelson records The Blues and the Abstract Truth, 1961, with Eric Dolphy, Freddie Hubbard and Bill Evans.
 Trumpeter/composer John Carisi born 1922 in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ.
Feb 24Keith Jarrett records Fort Yawuh live at the Village Vanguard 1973
 Saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman born 1933 in Dallas, TX.
 Pianist/composer Michel Legrand 1932 in Paris, France
Feb 25Reedman Eric Dolphy records Out to Lunch 1964
 Trombonist Ake Persson born 1932 in Hassleholm, Sweden
 Duke Ellington recordsThe Queen’s Suite (of which only one copy is made and given to the Queen of England) 1959.
Feb 26Louis Armstrong records the first jazz scat vocal Heebie Jeebies, 1926.
 Tenor saxophonist Flip Phillips born 1915 in Brooklyn, NY.
 Count Basie records Avenue C with Shadow Wilson on drums, 1945.
Feb 27Tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon born 1923 in Los Angeles, CA.
 Pianist Erroll Garner records The One and Only, 1953.
 Bassist Oscar Pettiford and drummer Max Roach record There’ll Never Be Another You as a duet, 1958.
Feb 28Vocalist Mildred Bailey records Downhearted Blues with the John Kirby Sextet, 1939.
 Percussionist Willie Bobo born 1934 in New York, NY.
 Violin Svend Asmussen born 1916 in Copenhagen, Denmark
Feb 29Alto saxophonist and clarinetist Jimmy Dorsey born 1904 in Shenandoah, PA.
 Drummer Gene Krupa records small group session with Benny Goodman, Roy Eldridge and Chu Berry 1936
 Composer/arranger Quincy Jones records The Birth of a Band in Paris, 1960.
Mar 1
top
Trombonist Benny Powell born 1930 in New Orleans, LA.
 Pianist Geri Allen records Eyes In The Back of Your Head Ornette Coleman, 1996.
 Pianist Fats Waller records his piano solo Handful of Keys, 1929.
Mar 2Saxophonist/composer/trumpeter Benny Carter records Central City Sketches with The American Jazz Orchestra, 1987.
 Tenor saxophonist Eddie Lockjaw Davis born 1922 in New York, NY.
 Trumpeter Miles Davis records Kind of Blue, the best selling jazz album of all time, 1959
Mar 3Bassist Jimmy Garrison. born 1934 in Miami, FL.
 Saxophonist Hal McKusick’s quartet records George Russell’s The Day John Brown Was Hanged, 1956
 Clarinetist Barney Bigard born 1906 in New Orleans, LA.
Mar 4Guitarist Charlie Christian records Solo Flight with Benny Goodman’s band, 1941.
 Saxophonist Jan Garbarek born 1947 in Mysen, Norway.
 Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie’s Big Band records Carnegie Hall Concert, 1961.
Mar 5Vocalist Carol Sloane born 1937 in Providence, RI.
 Louis Armstrong records Knockin’ A Jug with trombonist Jack Teagarden, 1929.
 Basie tenor saxophonists Frank Foster and Frank Wess record Two Franks, Please, 1956.
Mar 6Trumpeter Howard McGhee born 1918 in Tulsa, OK.
 Duke Ellington records Ko-Ko 1940
 Guitarist Wes Montgomery born 1925 in Indianapolis, IN.
Mar 7Boogie-woogie pianist Meade "Lux" Lewis records Honky Tonk Train Blues 1937
 Bassist Alcide Pavageau born 1888 in New Orleans, LA.
 Guitarist Gabor Szabo born 1936 in Budapest, Hungary.
Mar 8Saxophonist George Coleman born 1935 in Memphis, TN.
 Pianist James Williams born 1951 in Memphis, TN.
 Alto saxophonist Lee Konitz records Yesterdays with Miles Davis, 1951.
Mar 9Alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley records Somethin’ Else, with trumpeter Miles Davis, pianist Hank Jones and drummer Art Blakey, 1958.
 Saxophonist Ornette Coleman born 1930 in Fort Worth, TX. .
 Pianist Paul Bley records Turns, featuring tenor saxophonist John Gilmore, 1964.
Mar 10Bassist/composer Charles Mingus records Cumbia and Jazz Fusion, 1977.
 Cornetist Bix Beiderbecke born 1903 in Davenport, IA.
 Trumpeter Bunk Johnson and saxophonist Sidney Bechet record Milenberg Joys 1945
Mar 11Violinist Leroy Jenkins born 1932 in Chicago, IL.
 Pianist Kenny Barron records Scratch with bassist Dave Holland and drummer Daniel Humair, 1985.
 Tenor saxophonist Stan Getz and guitarist Johnny Smith record Moonlight In Vermont, 1952.
Mar 12Pianist/composer Mary Lou Williams records Russian Lullaby with trumpeter Frankie Newton, 1944.
 Bassist/composer/bandleader Charles Mingus records Haitian Fight Song 1957
 Pianist Sir Charles Thompson born 1918 in Springfield, OH.
Mar 13Drummer Roy Haynes born 1926 in Roxbury, MA.
 Trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff records A Matter of Taste, 1977.
 Trumpeter/composer Terence Blanchard born 1962 in New Orleans, LA.
Mar 14Pianist/composer Chick Corea records his first trio album Now He Sings, Now He Sobs with Miroslav Vitous and Roy Haynes 1968
 Trumpeter/arranger Quincy Jones born 1933 in Chicago, IL.
 Alto saxophonist Art Pepper records Plus Eleven, with arrangements by Marty Paich, 1959.
Mar 15Trumpeter/bandleader Harry James born 1916 in Albany, GA.
 Duke Ellington records Concerto for Cootie 1940
 Pianist Cecil Taylor born 1929 in New York, NY.
Mar 16Pianist/composer Fats Waller records Jitterbug Waltz, 1942.
 Cornetist Ruby Braff born 1927 in Boston, MA.
 Pianist Tommy Flanagan born 1930 in Detroit, MI.
Mar 17Pianist Herbie Hancock records Maiden Voyage, 1965.
 Pianist/vocalist Nat "King" Cole born 1917 in Montgomery, AL.
 Saxophonist/composer Sam Rivers records Dimensions and Extensions with trumpeter Donald Byrd 1967
Mar 18Guitarist Bill Frisell born 1951 in Baltimore, MD.
 Pianist Lil Armstrong records Sixth Street, 1940.
 Poet Langston Hughes records Weary Blues with bassist Charles Mingus, 1958.
Mar 19Saxophonist/composer Ornette Coleman born 1930 in Fort Worth, TX.
 Pianist Lennie Tristano born 1919 in Chicago, IL.
 Count Basie records Taxi War Dance, featuring tenor saxophonist Lester Young, 1939
Mar 20Pianist Marian McPartland born 1918 in Windsor, England
 Trumpeter/composer Wynton Marsalis records In This House, On This Morning 1993
 Tenor saxophonist John Coltrane makes his last recording with trumpeter Miles Davis, Someday My Prince Will Come, 1961.
Mar 21Clarinetist Hank d’Amico born 1915 in Rochester, NY.
 Pianist/composer Andrew Hill’s Point of Departure recorded 1964
 Pianist/vocalist Amina Claudine Myers born 1942 in Blackwell, AR.
Mar 22Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins records Pent-Up House with trumpeter Clifford Brown and drummer Max Roach, 1956.
 Guitarist George Benson born 1943 in Pittsburgh, PA.
 Xylophonist Red Norvo’s band records Eddie Sauter’s arrangement of Remember, 1937.
Mar 23Tenor saxophonists Ben Webster and Dexter Gordon record Tenor Titans in Denmark, 1972.
 Pianist/composer Dave Frishberg born 1933 in St. Paul, MN.
 Dizzy Gillespie and Max Roach duo is recorded in Paris 1989
Mar 24Pianist Renee Rosnes born 1962 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
 Pianist Steve Kuhn born 1938 in Brooklyn, NY.
 Pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi records From Toshiko with Love, 1981.
Mar 25Guitarist John McLaughlin records his tribute to Bill Evans, Time Remembered, 1993.
 Drummer Paul Motian born 1931 in Philadelphia, PA.
 Duke Ellington records The 1952 Seattle Concert.
Mar 26Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley records Workout with pianist Wynton Kelly, guitarist Grant Green, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Philly Joe Jones, 1961.
 Saxophonist/flutist/vocalist James Moody born 1925 in Savannah, GA.
 Tenor saxophonist David Murray records The Special Quartet with pianist McCoy Tyner and drummer Elvin Jones, 1990.
Mar 27Saxophonist Ben Webster born 1909 in Kansas City, MO.
 Clarinetist Pee Wee Russell born 1906 in St. Louis, MO.
 Vocalist Sarah Vaughan born 1924 in Newark, NJ.
Mar 28Trumpeter/composer Thad Jones born 1923 in Pontiac, MI.
 Soprano saxophonist/clarinetist Sidney Bechet and cornetist Muggsy Spanier record China Boy, 1940.
 Pianist Tete Montoliu born 1933 in Barcelona, Spain.
Mar 29Guitarist Eddie Lang records Add A Little Wiggle, 1928.
 Trumpeter Tony Fruscella records his eponymously named album 1955, including the classic I’ll Be Seeing You.
 Saxophonist Michael Brecker born 1949 in Philadephia, PA.
Mar 30Vibraphonist Karl Berger born 1935 in Heidelberg, Germnay
 Pianist Marilyn Crispell born 1947 in Philadelphia, PA.
 Tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin records The Man I Love in 1967.
Mar 31Alto saxophonist Gary Bartz records West 42nd Street 1990.
 Guitarist Freddie Green born 1911 in Charleston, SC.
 Xylophonist/Vibraphonist Red Norvo born 1908 in Beardstown,PA.
Apr 1
top
Saxophonist Harry Carney born 1910 in Boston, MA.
 Trumpeter/bandleader Cootie Williams is the first to record a Thelonious Monk composition, Epistrophy, 1942.
 Saxophonist John Laporta born 1920 in Philadelphia, PA.
Apr 2Trumpeter Booker Little born 1938 in Memphis, TN.
 Guitarist Larry Coryell born 1943 in Galveston, TX.
 Tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, pianist Bud Powell, bassist Oscar Pettiford and drummer Kenny Clarke record All The Things You Are in Essen,Germany 1960
Apr 3Composer/arranger Bill Finegan born 1917 in Newark, NJ.
 Bassist Scott Lafaro born 1936 in Newark, NJ.
 Alto saxophonist Charlie Parker rehearses with Gene Roland’s Big band, 1950. It is issued as The Band That Never Was.
Apr 4Bassist Gene Ramey born 1913 in Austin, TX..
 Pianist Benny Green born 1963 in New York, NY.
 Trumpeter Booker Little records Out Front with Max Roach and Eric Dolphy in 1961.
Apr 5Saxophonist Stanley Turrentine born 1934 in Pittsbugh, PA.
 Drummer Stan Levey born 1925 in Philadelphia, PA.
 Vibraphonist Lionel Hamption records Sweethearts on Parade featuring tenor saxophonist Chu Berry, 1939.
Apr 6Saxophonist/composer Gerry Mulligan born 1927 in New York, NY.
 Saxophonist Charlie Rouse born 1924 in Washington, DC.
 Cornetist King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band records Dippermouth Blues 1923
Apr 7Vocalist Billie Holiday born 1915 in Philadelphia, PA.
 Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard born 1938 in Indianapolis, IN.
 Conga player/bandleader Mongo Santamaria born 1922 in Havana, Cuba.
Apr 8Vocalist Carmen McCrae born 1920 in New York, NY.
 Trumpeter Tom Harrell records Form with Joe Lovano, Dave Leibman and John Abercrombie 1990
 Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie’s big band records Benny Goldon’s Stablemates, 1957.
Apr 9Trumpeter Freddie Hubbard records Hub Cap with saxophonist Jimmy Heath, 1961.
 Tenor saxophonist Julian Dash born 1916 in Charleston, SC.
 Arranger Gil Evans records New Bottle, Old Wine featuring alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, 1959.
Apr 10Saxophonist/arranger Fud Livingstone born 1906 in Charleston, SC.
 Pianist Denny Zeitlin born 1938 in Chicago, IL.
 Pianist Count Basie’s band features tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins on Feedin’ The Bean, 1941.
Apr 11Trombonist Grachan Moncur III records his Echoes of Prayer with the Jazz Composer’s Orchestra, 1974.
 Guitarist Oscar Aleman records I’m Beginning To See The Light in Buenos Aires, 1946.
 Cornetist Nick La Rocca born 1889 in New Orleans, LA.
Apr 12Pianist Herbie Hancock born 1940 in Chicago, IL.
 Pianist Thelonious Monk records I Should Care 1957
 Clarinetist Johnny Dodds born 1892 in New Orleans, LA.
Apr 13Trumpeter Bobby Hackett records his big band version of Embraceable You 1939
 Saxophonist Bud Freeman born 1906 in Chiacgo, IL. .
 Pianist McCoy Tyner’s Trio records Infinity with tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker.
Apr 14Trumpeter/composer Shorty Rogers born 1924 in Great Barrington, MA.
 Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins records Misterioso with pianists Thelonious Monk and Horace Silver, 1957.
 Tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons born 1925 in Chicago, IL.
Apr 15Bassist Richard Davis born 1930 in Chicago, IL.
 Vocalist Bessie Smith born 1894 in Chattanooga, TN.
 Trumpeter Miles Davis’s Quintet records In Person: Saturday Night At the Blackhawk, 1961.
Apr 16Trombonist Benny Green born 1923 in Chicago, IL.
 Pianist Earl Hines records solo piano Plays Cole Porter, 1974.
 Pianist Alice Coltrane records Transfiguration, 1978
Apr 17Bassist Buster Williams born 1942 in Camden, NJ.
 Banjoist/guitarist Johnny St. Cyr born 1890 in New Orleans, LA.
 Pianist/composers Mary Lou Williams and Cecil Taylor record Embraced at Carnegie Hall, 1977.
Apr 18Multi-instrumentalist Sidney Bechet overdubs records a one-man band version of Sheik of Araby, 1941.
 Pianist Hal Galper born 1938 in Salem, MA.
 Pianist Jimmy Rowles records his last album, Lilac Time 1994
Apr 19Drummer Tommy Benford born 1985 in Chaleston, W. VA.
 The Great Concert of (bassist) Charles Mingus is recorded in Paris, France, 1964.
 Saxophonist Jimmy Greene records Live at Birdland, 1998.
Apr 20Drummer Beaver Harris born 1936 in Pittsburgh, PA.
 Percussionist/bandleader Tito Puente born 1923 in New York, NY.
 Pianist/composer Sun Ra records The Heliocentric Worlds of Sun Ra, Volume 1. 1965
Apr 21Trombonist/arranger Slide Hampton born 1932 in Jeannette, PA.
 Pianist Chick Corea records solo Piano Improvisations in Olso 1971
 Guitarist Mundell Lowe born 1922 in Laurel, MS.
Apr 22Bassist/composer Charles Mingus born 1922 in Nogales, AZ.
 Bassist Paul Chambers born 1935 in Pittsburgh, PA.
 Bassist John Kirby’s Sextet records 20th Century Closet, 1940.
Apr 23Vocalist Lil Brown records Why Don’t You do Right which Peggy Lee later turns into a major hit with Benny Goodman’s band. 1941
 Clarinetist Jimmie Noone born 1895 in New Orleans, LA.
 Vocalist Abbey Lincoln records Over The Years, 2000.
Apr 24Tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson born 1937 in Lima, Ohio.
 Guitarist Jim Hall and pianist Bill Evans record duo album Undercurrent, 1962.
 Tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin born 1928 in Chicago, IL.
Apr 25Vocalist Ella Fitzgerald born 1917 in Newport News, VA.
 Saxophonist Earl Bostic born 1913 in Tulsa, OK.
 Saxophonist Archie Shepp records Goin’ Home, a duo of traditional themes with pianist Horace Parlan, 1977.
Apr 26Drummer Dave Tough born 1907 in Oak Park, IL.
 Blues singer Ma Rainey born 1886 in Columbus, GA.
 Reedman/composer Jimmy Giuffre born 1921 in Dallas, TX.
Apr 27Multi-instrumentalist/composer Scott Robinson born 1959 in Pequannock, New Jersey.
 Three drummers born - Denzil Best 1917, Connie Kay 1927, Freddie Waits, 1943.
 Saxophonist John Coltrane records The Drum Thing with drummer Elvin Jones, 1964.
Apr 28Trumpeter Mario Bauza born 1911 in Havana, Cuba.
 Pianist Thelonious Monk records San Francisco Holiday, 1960.
 Louis Armstrong records Blue Again, 1931.
Apr 29Composer/pianist Duke Ellington born 1899 in Washington, D.C.
 Tenor saxophonist George Adams born 1940 in Covington, GA.
 Harmonica player and guitarist Toots Thielemans born 1922 in Brussels, Belgium.
Apr 30Pianist Richard Twardzik born 1931 in Danvers. MA.
 Bassist Percy Heath born 1923 in Wilmington, W.VA.
 Alto saxophonist Charlie Parker makes his first commercial recording (Swingmatism) with Jay McShann’s band in Dallas 1941
May 1
top
Vocalist/pianist Shirley Horn born 1934 in Washington, D.C.
 Pianist Bud Powell records Night in Tunisia 1951
 Flutist James Newton born 1953 in Los Angeles, CA.
May 2Organist Richard "Groove" Holmes born 1931 in Camden, NJ.
 Pianist Eddie Heywood records How High The Moon with the tenor saxophonist Don Byas, 1944.
 Vocalist/bandleader Billy Eckstine records A Cottage For Sale, 1945.
May 3Pianist/composer John Lewis born 1920 in La Grange, IL.
 Vibraphonist Red Norvo Trio with Charles Mingus and Tal Farlow make their first recordings 1950
 Vocalist Ethel Waters records Stormy Weather, 1933.
May 4Duke Ellington records Cottontail featuring tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, 1940
 Bassist Ron Carter born 1937 in Ferndale, MI.
 Vocalist Bessie Snith records Lost Your Head Blues 1926
May 5Trumpeter Jack Walrath born 1946 in Stuart, FL.
 Drummer/bandleader Paul Barbarin born 1899 in New Orleans, LA.
 Tenor saxophonist John Coltrane records Giant Steps with pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor 1959
May 6Cornetist/composer Bix Beiderbecke records Riverboat Shuffle with The Wolverines, 1924.
 Bassist David Friesen born 1942 in Tacoma, WA.
 Herbie Nichols records The Third World, his first album of his own music 1955
May 7Vocalist Sarah Vaughan records If You Could See Me Now with trumpeter Freddie Webster, 1946.
 Saxophonist Herbie Steward born 1926 in Los Angeles, CA.
 Saxophonist Ornette Coleman records Love Call, with Dewey Redman, Jimmy Garrison and Elvin Jones, 1968.
May 8Pianist Keith Jarrett born 1945 in Allentown, PA.
 Pianist/composer Mary Lou Williams born 1910 in Atlanta, GA.
 Pianist/vocalist Fats Waller records I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself A Letter, 1936.
May 9Vocalist Billie Holiday records God Bless The Child with trumpeter Roy Eldridge, 1941.
 Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins records East Broadway Rundown with Elvin Jones, Jimmy Garrison and Freddie Hubbard, 1965.
 Trumpeter Miles Davis records Dear Old Stockholm 1952
May 10Drummer/bandleader Mel Lewis born 1929 in Buffalo, NY.
 Keyboardist Mike Melvoin born 1937 in Oshkosh, WI.
 Louis Armstrong records Potato Head Blues 1927
May 11Cornetist/bandleader born Joe "King" Oliver in New Orleans, LA., 1885.
 Pianist/composer Carla Bley born 1938 in Oakland, CA.
 Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and alto saxophonist Charlie Parker record Shaw ’Nuff 1945
May 12Sauter-Finegan Orchestra records Doodletown Fifers 1952
 Bassist Gary Peacock born 1935 in Burley, ID.
 Guitarist Charlie Christian is recorded in a jam session with Thelonious Monk and Kenny Clarke, and plays an extended solo on Stompin’ At the Savoy, 1941.
May 13Pianist Red Garland born 1923 in Dallas, TX.
 Louis Armstrong records S.O.L. Blues, 1927.
 Arranger/composer Gil Evans born 1912 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and records Priestess, 1977.
May 14Saxophonist/clarinetist Sidney Bechet born 1897 in New Orleans, LA.
 Fletcher Henderson records Wrappin’ It Up 1934
 Drummer Zutty Singleton born 1898 in Bunkie, LA .
May 15Pianist Ellis Larkins born 1923 in Baltimore, MD.
 Multi-instrumentalist/composer/bandleader Rahsaan Roland Kirk born 1936 in Columbus, OH.
 Jazz at Massey Hall concert 1953 recorded - last reunion of trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, alto saxophonist Charlie Parker, pianist Bud Powell, bassist Charles Mingus and drummer Max Roach.
May 16Reedman/bandleader Woody Herman born 1913 in Milwaukee, WI.
 Clarinetist Jimmie Noone records Four or Five Times 1928 with pianist Earl Hines.
 Vocalist Betty Carter born 1930 in Flint, MI.
May 17Alto saxophonist Jackie McLean born 1932 in New York, NY.
 Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie makes his first recordings (King Porter Stomp) with Teddy Hill’s band, 1937.
 Tenor saxophonist Dewey Redman born 1931 in Fort Worth, TX.
May 18English bassist/composer Spike Hughes records with Benny Carter’s band 1933
 Bassist Pops Foster born 1892 in Mc Call, LA.
 Vocalist Big Joe Turner born 1912 in Kansas City, MO.
May 19Count Basie records Pound Cake with classic solos by tenor saxophonist Lester Young and trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, 1939.
 Saxophonist Sonny Fortune born 1939 in Philadelphia, PA.
 Vocalist Sarah Vaughan records Nice Work If You Can Get It with trumpeter Miles Davis, 1950.
May 20Woody Herman’s Woodchoppers record Pam featuring trumpeter Sonny Berman, 1946.
 Drummer Ralph Petersen born 1962 in Pleasantville, NJ.
 Mills Blue Rhythm Band records St. Louis Wiggle Rhythm with trumpeter Henry "Red" Allen, 1935.
May 21Bassist Christian McBride born 1972 in Philadelphia, PA.
 Pianist/vocalist Fats Waller born 1904 in New York City.
 Trumpeter Kenny Dorham records But Beautiful with pianist Hank Jones, bassist Oscar Pettiford and drummer Max Roach, 1957.
May 22Pianist Dick Hyman records Jelly and James P., a tribute to Morton and Johnson, 1975.
 Alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman records Lonely Woman and Congeniality, 1959.
 Pianist Sun Ra born 1914 in Birmingham, AL.
May 23Saxophonist John Coltrane records Greensleeves with a large ensemble including trumpeters Booker Little, Freddie Hubbard and reedman Eric Dolphy 1961
 Banjoist/guitarist Fred Guy born 1897 in Burkesville, GA.
 Clarinetist Artie Shaw born 1910 in New York City.
May 24Tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp born 1937 in Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
 Historic jazz concert at New York’s Imperial Theater - including clarinetist Artie Shaw’s new band that featured a string section. 1936
 Tenor saxophonists John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins record Tenor Madness, 1956.
May 25Clarinetist/tenor saxophonist Jimmy Hamilton born 1917 in Dillon, SC.
 Two Trumpeters born - Miles Davis, 1926 in Alton, IL. and Wallace Roney, 1960 in Philadelphia, PA.
 Saxophonists Benny Carter and Coleman Hawkins and trumpeter Roy Eldridge record I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me 1940
May 26Trumpeter Harold "Shorty" Baker born 1914 in St. Louis, MO.
 Vocalist Peggy Lee born 1920 in Jamestown, ND.
 Vibraphonist Lionel Hampton records Flying Home with a classic solo by tenor saxophonist Illinois Jacquet, 1942.
May 27Bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen born 1946 in Osted, Denmark.
 Pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba born 1963 in Havana, Cuba.
 Vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater born 1950 in Memphis, TN.
May 28Pianist/composer Reginald Forsythe born 1907 in London, England.
 Bandleader Andy Kirk born 1898 in Newport, KY.
 Pianist Russ Freeman born Chicago, Ill., 1926.
May 29Drummer Kenny Washington born 1958 in Staten Island, NY.
 Duke Ellington records Anatomy of a Murder, 1959.
 Pianist Hilton Ruiz born 1952 in New York, NY.
May 30Saxophonist Frank Trumbauer born 1901 in Carbondale, IL.
 Clarinetist/bandleader Benny Goodman born 1909 in Chicago, IL.
 Trumpeter Sidney DeParis born 1905 in Crawfordsville, IN.
May 31Saxophonist Otto "Toby" Hardwicke born 1904 in Washington, D.C.
 Two drummers born - Albert "Tootie" Heath 1935 in Philadelphia, PA, and Louis Hayes 1937 in Detroit, MI.
 Pianist Bill Evans records Time Remembered, 1963.
Jun 1
top
Saxophonist Hal McKusick born 1924 in Medford, MA.
 Vocalist Billie Holiday records I’ll Never Be The Same with a band led by pianist Teddy Wilson, including tenor saxophonist Lester Young, 1937.
 Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk records Played Twice, 1959.
Jun 2Vocalist Ella Fitzgerald records Sing Me A Swing Song with drummer Chick Webb’s band, 1936.
 Pianist Marty Napoleon born 1921 in New York, NY.
 Multi reedman Eric Dolphy records Last Date in Hilversum, The Netherlands, 1964.
Jun 3Joe Henderson records Page One 1963
 Trombonist/composer Grachan Moncur III born 1937 in New York.
 Trumpeter Ted Curson born 1935 in Philadelphia, PA.
Jun 4Saxophonist/composer Anthony Braxton born 1945 in Chicago, IL.
 Saxophonist/composer Oliver Nelson born 1932 in St. Louis, MO.
 Saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera born 1948 in Havana, Cuba.
Jun 5Pianist Misha Mengelberg born 1935 in Kiev, Ukraine, SSR.
 Duke Ellington records Bakiff, featuring violinist Ray Nance, 1941.
 Pianist/composer Stanley Cowell records Blues for the Viet Cong, 1969.
Jun 6Guitarist Grant Green born 1931 in St. Louis, MO.
 Pianist Monty Alexander born 1944 in Kingston, Jamaica.
 Pianist/bandleader Count Basie records Doggin’ Around 1938
Jun 7Guitarist Tal Farlow born 1921 in Greensboro, NC.
 Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk records solo album in Paris, 1954.
 Trumpeter Miles Davis records Nefertiti with his quintet (Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hanock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams, 1967.
Jun 8Soprano saxophonist Sidney Bechet records Summertime, 1939.
 Trombonist Bill Watrous born 1939 in Middletown, CT.
 Avant-garde composer John Cage and bandleader/keyboardist Sun Ra record together at Coney Island 1986
Jun 9Don Byas and Slam Stewart record I Got Rhythm 1945
 Pianist Kenny Barron born 1943 in Philadelphia, PA.
 Guitarist Les Paul born 1915 in Waukesha, WI
Jun 10Bassist Charnett Moffett born 1967 in New York, NY.
 Pianist Erroll Garner records Frankie and Johnny 1947, with bassist Red Callender and drummer Hal "Doc" West.
 Trombonist Dicky Wells born 1907 in Centerville, TN.
Jun 11Pianist Fats Waller records I Ain’t Got Nobody piano solo 1937
 Pianists George Shearing, John Lewis and Dave McKenna record A Tribute to Bill Evans, 1981
 Drummer Shelly Manne born 1920 in New York, NY.
Jun 12Pianist/composer Chick Corea born 1941 in Chelsea, MA
 Pianist Geri Allen born 1957 in Pontiac, MI.
 Tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon records Bikini 1947
Jun 13Trumpeter Doc Cheatham born 1905 in Nashville, TN
 Louis Armstrong and The Mills Brothers record The Song Is Ended 1938
 Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie records A Night in Tunisia with Boyd Raeburn’s band, 1944.
Jun 14Bassist John Simmons born 1918 in Haskell, OK.
 Bandleader/drummer Chick Webb makes his first recording, Dog Bottom, as a bandleader 1929
 Vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson records Components with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, 1965.
Jun 15Pianist Jaki Byard born 1922 in Worcester, MA.
 Pianist Erroll Garner born 1921 in Pittsburgh, PA.
 Jimmie Lunceford’s band records Sy Oliver’s For Dancers Only, 1937.
Jun 16Saxophonist Lucky Thompson born 1924 in Columbia, SC.
 Pianist Albert Dailey born 1939 in Baltimore, MD.
 Trumpeter Tom Harrell born 1946 in Urbana, IL.
Jun 17Soprano saxophonist Sidney Bechet records When a Soprano Meets a Piano with Martial Solal, 1957.
 Clarinetist Tony Scott born 1921 in Morristown, NJ.
 The Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra records Central Park North, 1969.
Jun 18Drummer/bandleader Ray McKinley born 1910 in Fort Worth, TX.
 1956 Metronome All Stars, including bassist Charles Mingus, trumpeter Thad Jones, alto saxophonist Lee Konitz and drummer Art Blakey records.
 Tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath records A New Face with pianist Tommy Flanagan, 1985.
Jun 19Vocalist Dave Lambert born 1917 in Boston, MA.
 Pianist John Hicks records Impressions of Mary Lou (Williams), 1998.
 Vocalist Carmen McCrae records If Love Were All, 1957.
Jun 20Pianist Bill Evans is featured on the recording of George Russell’s All About Rosie, 1957.
 Saxophonist/bass clarinetist Eric Dolphy born 1928 in Los Angeles, CA.
 Saxophonist Benny Carter records Waltzing The Blues 1936
Jun 21Pianist Eric Reed born 1970 in Philadelphia, PA.
 Pianist Les McCann records Swiss Movement at the Montreux Jazz Festival, 1969.
 Troy Floyd And His Plaza Hotel Orchestra record Dreamland Blues, 1929.
Jun 22Drummer Ben Pollack born 1903 in Chicago, IL.
 Percussionist Ray Mantilla born 1934 in New York, NY.
 Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins records Blue 7 1956
Jun 23Composer George Russell born 1923 in Cincinnati, OH.
 Saxophonist/flutist Sahib Shihab born 1925 in Savannah, GA,
 Just Jazz with Red Norvo records Body and Soul 1947
Jun 24Bandleader/pianist George Gruntz born 1932 in Basel, Switzerland
 Arranger Manny Albam born 1922 in Samana, Dominican Republic.
 Tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin records Back From The Gig, with trumpeter Woody Shaw, 1968.
Jun 25Composer Bill Russo born 1928 in Chicago, IL.
 Drummer/pianist Joe Chambers born 1942 in Stoneacre, VA.
 The Bill Evans Trio with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian record at The Village Vanguard, 1961.
Jun 26Thelonious Monk records Epistrophy with a band that includes both Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane 1957
 Drummer Joey Baron born 1955 in Richmond, VA.
 Bassist/educator Reggie Workman born 1937 in Philadelphia, PA.
Jun 27Benny Carter records his Songbooks, Vol. 1 and 2, 1995.
 Pianist Mal Waldron records The Quest with saxophonists Eric Dolphy And Booker Ervin, 1961.
 Pianist Elmo Hope born 1923 in New York, NY.
Jun 28Louis Armstrong records West End Blues 1928.
 Bass saxophonist Adrian Rollini born 1904 in New York, NY
 Trumpeter Joe Smith born 1902 in Ripley, OH.
Jun 29Trombonist Julian Priester born 1935 in Chicago, IL.
 Pianist/arranger Ralph Burns born 1922 in Newton, MA.
 Orchestra U.S.A. records Benny Golson’s A Portrait of Coleman Hawkins 1964
Jun 30Drummer Buddy Rich born 1917
 Pianist/composer Andrew Hill born 1937 in Chicago, IL.
 Duke Ellington records Ellington Uptown, 1952.
Jul 1
top
Drummer Leon "Ndugu" Chancler born 1952 in Shreveport, LA.
 Drummer Rashied Ali born 1935 in Philadelphia, PA.
 Benny Goodman records King Porter Stomp featuring trumpeter Bunny Berigan, 1935.
Jul 2Drummer Gene Krupa’s band and Roy Eldridge record Rockin’ Chair 1941
 Thelonious Monk records Misterioso and Evidence 1948
 Pianist Ahmad Jamal born 1930 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Jul 3Trumpeter Johnny Coles born 1926 in Trenton, NJ.
 Art Tatum records Too Marvelous for Words 1955
 Trombonist Lawrence Brown born 1907 in Lawrence, KS.
Jul 4Louis Armstrong’s "birthday" 1900 in New Orleans, LA.
 Pianist/composer Randy Weston records Earth Birth with the Orchestre Du Festival De Jazz De Montreal, 1995.
 Drummer Butch Miles born 1944 in Ironton, OH.
Jul 5Vocalist Billie Holiday records Them There Eyes, 1939.
 Saxophonist Arthur Blythe born 1940 in Los Angeles, CA.
 Vocalist Ella Fitzgerald records Carnegie Hall, ’73.
Jul 6The bands of Duke Ellington and Count Basie record For The First Time, 1961.
 Benny Goodman records Sing, Sing, Sing featuring drummer Gene Krupa.
 Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie records Mary Lou Williams’ In The Land of Oo-Bla-Dee, 1949.
Jul 7Guitarist Tiny Grimes born 1916 in Newport News, VA.
 Count Basie records One O’Clock Jump, 1937
 Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley born 1930 in Eastman, GA.
Jul 8Arranger Bill Challis born 1904 in Wilkes Barre, PA.
 Vocalist Billy Eckstine born 1914 in Pittsburgh, PA.
 Duke Ellington records At Newport, 1956 with the extended version of Diminuendo and Crescendo In Blue.
Jul 9Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie records Things To Come, 1946.
 Saxophonist Frank Wright born 1935 in Grenada, MS.
 Trumpeter Miles Davis records Blue Moods, with bassist Charles Mingus and drummer Elvin Jones 1955
Jul 10Trumpeter Cootie Williams born 1910 in Mobile, AL.
 Vocalist Ivie Anderson born 1905 in Gilroy, CA.
 Pianist/arranger/trumpeter Dick Cary born 1916 in Hartford, CT.
Jul 11Tenor saxophonist John Coltrane records The Stardust Session, with flugelhornist Wilbur Harden, 1958.
 McKinney’s Cotton Pickers record their first session, including Crying and Sighing, 1928.
 Blues Singer Blind Lemon Jefferson born 1897 in Couchman, TX.
Jul 12Tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves born 1920 in Boston, MA.
 Trumpeter Conte Candoli born 1927 in Mishawaka, IN.
 Drummer Roy Haynes records Vistalite with tenor sxophonist Joe Henderson, 1976.
Jul 13Tenor saxophonist Albert Ayler born 1936 in Cleveland, OH.
 Art Tatum records Willow Weep for Me 1949
 Benny Goodman records Body and Soul 1935
Jul 14J.J. Johnson records Tangence, an orchestral album with Robert Farnon in London 1994
 Drummer Alan Dawson born 1929 in Marietta, PA.
 Pianist Billy Kyle born 1914 in Philadelphia, PA.
Jul 15Harlan Leonard’s Big Band records Tadd Dameron’s A-La-Bridges, 1940.
 Drummer Philly Joe Jones born 1923 in Philadelphia, PA.
 First Newport Jazz Festival opens 1954
Jul 16Drummer Bobby Previte born 1957 in Niagara Falls, NY.
 Saxophonist/bass clarinetist/flutist Eric Dolphy and trumpeter Booker Little record at the Five Spot 1961
 Vibraphonist Cal Tjader born 1925 in St. Louis, MO.
Jul 17Drummer Joe Morello born 1928 in Springfield, MA.
 Drummer Ben Riley born 1933 in Savannah, GA.
 Creole Pianist/composer Jelly Roll Morton records with The New Orleans Rhythm Kings 1923 - one of the very first integrated recording sessions.
Jul 18Trombonist Carl Fontana born 1928 in Monroe, LA.
 Charles Mingus records Tijuana Moods 1957
 Trumpeter Erskine Hawkins’ Big Band records Tuxedo Junction, 1939.
Jul 19Clarinetist Buster Bailey born 1902 in Memphis, TN.
 Trumpeter Bobby Bradford born 1934 in Cleveland, MS.
 Bud Freeman and his Summa Cum Laude Orchestra record The Eel 1939
Jul 20Arranger/saxophonist Ernie Wilkins born 1922 in St. Louis, MO.
 Bassist Peter Ind born 1928 in Uxbridge, England.
 Stan Kenton’s band records Bill Holman’s arrangement of What’s New, 1955.
Jul 21Vocalist Helen Merrill born 1930 in New York, NY.
 Louis Armstrong records I’m Confessin’, 1930.
 Benny Carter arranges and plays on an all-star session for Lionel Hampton, 1938, including trumpeter Harry James and drummer Jo Jones.
Jul 22Pianist Al Haig born 1924 in Newark, NJ.
 Bassist Keter Betts born 1928 in Port Chester, NY.
 Duke Ellington records Harlem Airshaft, 1940.
Jul 23Trumpeter Emmett Berry born 1915 in Macon, GA.
 Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk records Criss-Cross 1951
 Soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy born 1934 in New York, NY.
Jul 24Pianist Billy Taylor born 1921 in Greenville, NC.
 Alto saxophonist Charles McPherson born 1939 in Joplin, MO.
 Duke Ellington records Sepia Panorama, 1940.
Jul 25Vocalist Annie Ross born 1930 in Surrey, England.
 Trumpeter/bandleader Don Ellis born 1934 in Los Angeles, CA.
 Saxophonist Johnny Hodges born 1907 in Cambridge, MA.
Jul 26Drummer/composer/bandleader Louie Bellson born 1924 in Rock Falls, IL.
 Drummer/bandleader Charlie Persip born 1929 in Morristown, NJ.
 Count Basie records All, OK, You Win with vocalist Joe Williams, 1955.
Jul 27Trumpeter Miles Davis records Quiet Nights with arranger Gil Evans, 1962.
 Tenor saxophonist Jean Toussaint born 1960 in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.
 Helen Merrill records with Gil Evans (Hank Jones, Art Farmer, Oscar Pettiford) 1956
Jul 28Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis born 1965 in New Orleans, LA.
 Duke Ellington records Sherman Shuffle, 1942.
 Tenor saxophonist Don Byas records Free and Easy with trumpeter Charlie Shavers and pianist Clyde Hart, 1944.
Jul 29Pianist/composer John Lewis records The Wonderful World of Jazz, 1960.
 Guitarist Charlie Christian born 1916 in Dallas, TX.
 Arranger/saxophonist Don Redman born 1900 Piedmont, WVA.
Jul 30Saxophonist James Spaulding born 1937 in Indianapolis, IN.
 Drummer Vernel Fournier born 1928 in New Orleans, LA.
 Charles Mingus records solo piano album 1963
Jul 31Pianist Hank Jones born 1918 in Vicksburg, MS.
 Guitarist Kenny Burrell born 1931 in Detroit, MI.
 Clarinetist Artie Shaw’s Gramercy Five with trumpeter Roy Eldridge and pianist Dodo Marmorosa record Scuttlebutt, 1945.
Aug 1
top
Pianist/vocalist Fats Waller records Until The Real Thing Comes Along, 1936.
 Glenn Miller records In The Mood, 1939.
 Drummer/composer Max Roach records Percussion Bittersweet, 1961.
Aug 2Tenor saxophonist Big Nick Nicholas born 1922 in Lansing, MI.
 Trumpeter Clifford Brown and drummer Max Roach record Parisian Thoroughfare, 1954.
 The Benny Goodman Quartet records Smiles, 1937.
Aug 3Alto saxophonist Greg Osby born 1960 in St. Louis, MO.
 Trumpeter/arranger Charlie Shavers born 1917 in New York, NY.
 Tenor saxophonist/composer Wayne Shorter records JuJu with pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Elvin Jones, 1964.
Aug 4Louis Armstrong born 1901 in New Orleans, LA.
 Guitarist Herb Ellis born 1921 in Farmersville, TX.
 Count Basie’s band records Song of the Islands featuring trumpeter Buck Clayton and tenor saxophonist Lester Young, 1939.
Aug 5Percussionist Airto Moreira born 1941 in Itaiopolis, Brazil.
 Trumpeter Frankie Newton and bassist John Kirby record Emperor Jones with Charlie Barnet 1937
 Pianist/bandleader Luis Russell born 1902 in Careening Clay, Panama.
Aug 6Trombonist Vic Dickenson born 1906 in Xenia, OH.
 Vocalist Abbey Lincoln born 1930 in Chicago, IL.
 Bassist Charlie Haden born 1937 in Shenandoah, IA.
Aug 7Pianist Thelonious Monk records Live at the Five Spot, 1958.
 Guitarist George Van Eps born 1913 in Plainfield, NJ.
 Multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk born 1936 in Columbus, OH.
Aug 8Trombonist Urbie Green born 1926 in Mobile, AL.
 Vocalist Sarah Vaughan records Nobody Else But me with Benny Carter, 1962.
 Saxophonist/composer/bandleader Benny Carter born 1907 in New York, NY.
Aug 9Count Basie records Time Out and Topsy, 1938.
 Drummer/pianist Jack DeJohnette born 1942 in Chicago, IL.
 Jazz historian/critic Martin Williams born 1924 in Richmond, VA.
Aug 10Pianist/bandleader Claude Thornhill born 1909 in Terre Haute, IN.
 Vocalist Mamie Smith records Crazy Blues 1920, the first hit record to establish the blues.
 Tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp records Four for Trane, 1966.
Aug 11Pianist Jess Stacy born 1904 in Bird’s Point, MO.
 Alto saxophonist/clarinetist Russell Procope born 1908 in New York, NY.
 Clarinetist/bandleader Benny Goodman records Fletcher Henderson’s arrangement of Fats Waller’s Stealin’ Apples, 1939.
Aug 12Pianist Wynton Kelly records Kelly Great with trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Philly Joe Jones.
 Drummer Tony Williams records Spring with the tenor saxophonists Sam Rivers and Wayne Shorter, 1965.
 Guitarist Pat Metheny born 1954 in Lee’s Summit, MO.
Aug 13Pianist George Shearing born 1919 in London, England.
 Pianist Mulgrew Miller born 1955 in Greenwood, MS.
 Baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan records with Thelonious Monk, 1957.
Aug 14Violinist Stuff Smith born 1909 in Portsmouth, OH.
  Pianist/vibraphonist Eddie Costa born 1930 in Atlas, PA.
 Trumpeter Miles Davis records first session as a leader, with Charlie Parker on tenor saxophone, 1947.
Aug 15Bassist Sam Jones records Right Down Front, 1962
 Composer Bill Russo records A Recital in New American Music 1951
 Pianist Oscar Peterson born 1925 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Aug 16Three pianists born - Bill Evans, 1929 in Plainfield, NJ., Mal Waldron, 1925 in New York, N.Y., and Carl Perkins, 1928 in Indianapolis, IN.
 Vocalist Al Hibbler born 1915 in Tyro, MS.
 Vibraphonist Lionel Hampton records Drum Stomp, 1937.
Aug 17Pianist/composer Duke Pearson born 1932 in Atlanta, GA.
 Bassist George Duvivier born 1920 in New York, NY.
 Pianist Paul Bley records Floater with bassist Steve Swallow ansd drummer Pete LaRoca, 1962.
Aug 18Trumpeter Miles Davis records Gil Evans’ arrangements of Porgy and Bess, 1958.
 Drummer Don Lamond born 1920 in Oklahoma City, OK.
 Fletcher Henderson’s band records Coleman Hawkins’ Queer Notions, 1933.
Aug 19Pianist Jimmy Rowles born 1918 in Spokane, WA.
 Arranger Lyle "Spud" Murphy born Salt Lake City, 1908.
 Trombonist/composer/arranger Eddie Durham born 1906 in San Marcos, TX.
Aug 20Drummer Milford Graves born 1941 in New York, NY.
 Guitarist Jimmy Raney born 1927 in Louisville, KY.
 Trombonist Frank Rosolino born 1926 in Detroit, MI.
Aug 21Pianist/bandleader Count Basie born 1904 in Red Bank, NJ.
 Flugelhornist Art Farmer born 1928 in Council Bluffs, IA.
 Drummer Leon Parker born 1965 in White Plains, NY.
Aug 22Thelonious Monk’s ’Round Midnight is recorded for the first time by trumpeter Cootie Williams’ big band, 1944.
 Bassist Malachi Favors born 1937 in Chicago, IL.
 Count Basie records Jumpin’ At the Woodside, 1938.
Aug 23Pianist Martial Solal born 1927 in Algiers, North Africa
 Tenor saxophonist John Coltrane records Traneing In with Red Garland’s trio, 1957.
 Pianist McCoy Tyner records Expansions with trumpeter Woody Shaw, saxophonists Gary Bartz and Wayne Shorter, 1968.
Aug 24Vibraphonist Milt Jackson records Between The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea with pianist John Lewis, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Kenny Clarke, 1951.
 Alto saxophonist Buster Smith born 1904 in Ennis, TX.
 Drummer Buddy Rich records This One’s for Basie, 1956.
Aug 25Tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate records Meets Dollar Brand, 1977.
 Saxophonist/composer Wayne Shorter born 1933 in Newark, NJ.
 Organist Jimmy Smith records The Sermon, 1957 with trumpeter Lee Morgan and guitarist Kenny Burrell.
Aug 26Saxophonist Branford Marsalis born 1960 in Breaux Bridge, LA.
 Vocalist Jimmy Rushing born 1903 in Oklahoma City, OH.
 Duke Ellington records Old Man Blues, 1930.
Aug 27Tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon records GO! with drummer Billy Higgins, 1962.
 Tenor saxophonist Stan Getz records Big Band Bossa Nova arranged by Gary McFarland, 1962.
 Tenor saxophonist/clarinetist Lester Young born 1909 in Woodville, MS.
Aug 28Clarinetist Jimmy Giuffre records with the Modern Jazz Quartet at the Music Inn 1956
 Tenor saxophonist Chu Berry records Monday at Mintons with pianist Clyde Hart and trumpeter Hot Lips Page, 1941.
 Pianist Kenny Drew born 1928 in New York, NY
Aug 29Vocalist Dinah Washington born 1924
 Trombonist/vocalist Jack Teagarden born 1905 in Vernon, TX.
 Alto saxophonist Charlie Parker born 1920 in Kansas City, KS.
Aug 30Max Roach and Archie Shepp duo concert is recorded in Switzerland 1979
 Trumpeter Kenny Dorham born 1924 in Fairfield, TX.
 Tenor saxophonist Eddie Harris records Freedom Jazz Dance, 1965.
Aug 31Alto saxophonist Ornette Coleman records Colors, duets with pianist Joachim Kuhn, 1996.
 Jimmie Lunceford records Organ Grinder’s Swing 1936
 Composer/arranger Edgar Sampson born 1907 in New York, NY.
Sep 1
top
Saxophonist Art Pepper born 1925 in Gardena, CA.
 Bassist/french hornist Willie Ruff born 1931 in Sheffield, AL.
 Duke Ellington records his tribute to Billy Strayhoen, And His Mother Called Him Bill, 1967.
Sep 2Pianist Horace Silver born 1928 in Norwalk, CT.
 Tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan born 1931 in Chicago, IL.
 Saxophonist John Coltrane records First Meditations For Quartet, 1965.
Sep 3Drummer Roy Brooks born 1938 in Detroit, MI.
 Pianist/musicologist James Dapogny born 1940 in Berwyn, IL.
 Baritone saxophonist Serge Chaloff records The Fable of Mabel with pianist Richard Twardzik, 1954.
Sep 4Miles Davis Nonet opened at Royal Roost 1948
 Saxophonist/educator Dave Liebman born 1946 in New York, NY.
 Composer/arranger Gerald Wilson born 1918 in Shelby, MS.
Sep 5Count Basie’s Kansas City Seven records Lester Leaps In 1939 featuring tenor saxophonist Lester Young.
 Duke Ellington records In a Mellotone 1940
 Trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff born 1928 in Frankfurt, Germany.
Sep 6Cornetist Buddy Bolden born 1877 in New Orleans, LA.
 Clarinetist Sidney Bechet records Blues In Thirds with pianist Earl Hines and drummer Baby Dodds, 1940.
 Saxophonist/musicologist Andrew White born 1942 in Washington, DC.
Sep 7Trumpeter Joe Newman born 1922 in New Orleans, LA.
 Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins born 1929 in New York, NY.
 Bennie Moten’s band records South, 1928.
Sep 8Cornetist’s Bix Beiderbecke’s last session as leader 1930
 Pianist Elmer Schoebel born 1896 in East St. Louis, Illinois.
 Bassist Wilbur Ware born 1923 in Chicago, IL.
Sep 9Drummer Elvin Jones born 1927 in Pontiac, MI.
 Bassist George Mraz born 1944 in Czechoslovakia.
 Duke Ellington records Indigos, an album of ballads, 1957.
Sep 10Drummer Cliff Leeman born 1913 in Portland, ME.
 Trombonist Craig Harris born 1954 in Hempstead, NY.
 Trumpeter Miles Davis records ’Round Midnight with tenor saxophonist John Coltrane, 1956.
Sep 11Fluegelhornist Stacy Rowles born 1955 in Los Angeles, CA.
 Lionel Hampton records When Lights Are Low 1939
 Pianist/singer Harry Connick, Jr. born 1967 in New Orleans, LA.
Sep 12Trombonist Steve Turre born 1948 in Omaha, NE.
 Trumpeter Cat Anderson born 1916 in Greenville, SC.
 George Russell records Manhattan with a band including John Coltrane, Art Farmer, Bob Brookmeyer and Bill Evans 1958
Sep 13Tenor saxophonist Chu Berry born 1910 in Wheeling, WVA.
 Billie Holiday records He’s Funny That Way 1937
 Composer/pianist Tadd Dameron records Lady Bird 1948
Sep 14Cecil Taylor makes his first session as a leader 1956. Band includes Steve Lacy, Buell Neidlinger and Dennis Charles.
 Saxophonist Joseph Jarman born 1937 in Pine Bluff, AR.
 Trumpeter Bill Berry born 1930 in Benton Harbor, MI.
Sep 15Saxophonist Cannonball Adderley born 1928 in Tampa, FL.
 Bassist Arvell Shaw born 1923 in St. Louis, MO.
 Pianist/composer Jelly Roll Morton records Black Bottom Stomp 1926
Sep 16Singer John Hendricks born 1921 in Newark, OH.
 Violinist Joe Venuti born 1903 in Philadelphia, PA.
 Guitarist Charlie Byrd born 1925 in Chuckatuck, VA.
Sep 17Clarinetist Perry Robinson born 1938 in New York, NY.
 Bandleader Bill McKinney born 1895 in Cynthiana, KY.
 Duke Ellington, bassist Charles Mingus and drummer Max Roach record Money Jungle, 1962.
Sep 18Guitarist Emily Remler born 1957 in New York, NY.
 Alto saxophonist Charlie Parker records Parker’s Mood with pianist John Lewis.
 Saxophonists Lester Young and Charlie Parker and trumpeter Roy Eldridge record Embraceable You at Carnegie Hall, 1949.
Sep 19Woody Herman’s band records Ralph Burns’ extended composition Summer Sequence, 1946.
 Pianist/composer Muhal Richard Abrams born 1930 in Chicago, IL.
 Pianist Erroll Garner records Concert By The Sea with bassist Eddie Calhoun and drummer Denzil Best, 1955.
Sep 20Saxophonist Johnny Dankworth born 1927 in London, England
 Duke Ellington records Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue 1937
 Saxophonist Steve Coleman born 1956 in Chicago, IL.
Sep 21Jelly Roll Morton records Dead Man Blues 1926
 Drummer Sunny Murray born 1937 in Idabel, OK
 Bassist Slam Stewart born 1914 in Englewood, NJ.
Sep 22Guitarist Wes Montgomery records Unit 7 with pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Jimmy Cobb, 1965.
 Trombonist Roswell Rudd records Broad Strokes with vocalist Sheila Jordan, 1999.
 Vocalist Marlena Shaw born 1942 in New Rochelle, NY.
Sep 23Saxophonist/composer John Coltrane born 1926 in Hamlet, NC.
 Saxophonist/composer Frank Foster born 1928 in Cincinnati OH.
 Pianist/vocalist Ray Charles born 1930 in Albany, GA.
Sep 24Trumpeter Fats Navarro born 1923 in Key West, FL.
 Bassist Charles Mingus records Let My Children Hear Music, 1971.
 Sarah Vaughan records My Funny Valentine 1973
Sep 25Saxophonist Sam Rivers born 1923 in El Reno, OK.
 Woodwind expert Garvin Bushell born 1902 in Springfield, OH.
 Saxophonist Lee Konitz records Duets with drummer Elvin Jones, violinist Ray Nance, guitarist Jim Hall and others, 1967.
Sep 26Ellington and John Coltrane record together 1962
 Xylophonist Red Norvo records Old Fashioned Love with clarinetist Artie Shaw, trombonist Jack Jenney and pianist Teddy Wilson, 1934.
 Saxophonist Gary Bartz born 1940 in Baltimore, MD.
Sep 27Pianist Bud Powell born 1924 in New York, NY.
 Trumpeter Red Rodney born 1927 in Philadelphia, PA.
 The Kansas City 6, with clarinetist/tenor saxophonist Lester Young and electric guitarist Eddie Durham record Countless Blues, 1938.
Sep 28Tony Bennett and Bill Evans record Together Again, their second album 1976
 Tenor saxophonist John Gilmore born 1931 in Summit, MS.
 Pianist Kenny Kirkland born 1955 in Newport, NY.
Sep 29Coleman Hawkins and Red Allen record The Day You Came Along 1933
 Violinist Jean-Luc Ponty born 1942 in Avranches, France
 Trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie plays Carnegie Hall with his big band with guests Ella Fitzgerald and alto saxophonist Charlie Parker, 1947.
Sep 30Bassist Oscar Pettiford born 1922 in Okmulgee, OK
 Louis Armstrong and vocalist Billie Holiday record You Can’t Lose A Broken Heart, 1949.
 Drummer Buddy Rich born 1917 in New York, NY.
Oct 1
top
Bassist Dave Holland born 1946 in Wolverhampton, W. Midlands, England
 Duke Ellington and bassist Jimmy Blanton record Pitter Panther Patter, 1940.
 Pianist/composer Horace Silver records Cape Verdean Blues with trumpeter Woody Shaw and tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, 1965.
Oct 2Guitarist Howard Roberts born 1929 in Phoenix, AZ
 Composer/pianist Django Bates born 1960 in Beckenham, England.
 Guitarist Charlie Christian makes his first recording Flying Home with the Benny Goodman Sextet, 1939.
Oct 3Pianist Dave Brubeck records All The Things We Are with alto saxophonists Lee Konitz and Anthony Braxton, 1974.
 Fletcher Henderson records Benny Carter’s arrangement of Somebody Loves Me, 1930.
 Tenor saxophonist Von Freeman born 1922 in Chicago, IL
Oct 4English tenor saxophonist Tubby Hayes records in New York with Clark Terry and Horace Parlan 1961
 Vocalist Leon Thomas born 1937 in East St. Louis, IL.
 Electric/acoustic bassist Steve Swallow born 1940 in Fair Lawn, NJ
Oct 5Bassist Jimmy Blanton born 1918 in Chattanooga, TN.
 Cornetist Bix Beiderbecke and his Gang record Jazz Me Blues, 1927.
 Trombonist Steve Turre records In The Spur of the Moment with bassist Buster Williams and drummer Jack DeJohnette, 1999.
Oct 6Ellington records Black and Tan Fantasy at first Victor session 1927
 Pianist Norman Simmons born 1929 in Chicago, IL.
 Pianist Sammy Price born 1908 in Honey Grove, TX
Oct 7Louis Armstrong records his first session with Fletcher Henderson’s band 1924
 Drummer Jo Jones born 1911 in Chicago, IL
 Organist Larry Young born 1940 in Newark, NJ.
Oct 8Baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams born 1930 in Highland Park, MI
 Drummer J .C. Heard born 1917 in Dayton, OH.
 Lennie Tristano records first trio sides (Out on a Limb) 1946 with Clyde Lombardi and Billy Bauer
Oct 9Reedman/composer Yusef Lateef born 1920 in Chattanooga, TN and records Gong, 1957.
 Alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett born 1960 in Detroit, MI.
 Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk records Ba-lue-Bolivar-Ba-lues-are, with bassist Oscar Pettiford, drummer Max Roach and saxophonists Sonny Rollins and Ernie Henry, 1956.
Oct 10Trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison born 1915 in Columbus, OH.
 Billie Holiday stages a 1956 comeback concert at Carnegie Hall (it also became an album) with a band that includes Roy Eldridge and Coleman Hawkins.
 Pianist/composer Thelonious Monk born 1917in Rocky Mount, NC
Oct 11Drummer/bandleader Art Blakey born 1919 in Pittsburgh, PA.
 Trumpeter Lester Bowie born 1941 in Frederick, MD.
 Tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins records Body and Soul 1939, an advanced improvisation that became a hit.
Oct 12 Drummer Tubby Hall born 1895 in Sellers, LA.
 Bassist/composer Charles Mingus records The Complete Town Hall Concert, 1962.
 Alto saxophonist James Moody records I’m in The Mood for Love, 1949, which later becomes a hit as Moody’s Mood for vocalist Eddie Jefferson.