Events

January

• 28 – The 3rd Polarjazz started in Longyearbyen, Svalbard (February 28 – 30).^[2]

April

• 14 – The 27th Vossajazz started in Voss, Norway (April 14 – 16).^[3]

May

• 10 – The 11th MaiJazz started in Stavanger, Norway (May 10 – 14).^[4]
• 25 – The 28th Nattjazz started in Bergen, Norway (May 25 – June 3).^[5]

June

• 9 – The 29th Moers Festival started in Moers, Germany (June 9 – 12).^[6]
• 13 – The 10th Jazz Fest Wien started in Wien, Austria (June 13 – July 9).^[7]
• 29 – The 21st Montreal International Jazz Festival started in Montreal, Quebec, Canada (June 29 – July 9).^[8]

July

• 5 – The 37th Kongsberg Jazzfestival started in Kongsberg, Norway (July 5 – 8).^[9]
• 7 – The 34th Montreux Jazz Festival started in Montreux, Switzerland (July 7 – 22).^[10]
• 11 – The 53rd Nice Jazz Festival started in Nice, France (July 11 – 18).^[11]
• 14
  • The 25th North Sea Jazz Festival started in The Hague (July 14 – 16).^[12]
  • The 35th Pori Jazz started in Pori, Finland (July 14 – 23).^[13]
• 17 – The 40th Moldejazz started in Molde, Norway (July 17 – 22).^[14]
• 21 – The 35th San Sebastian Jazz Festival started in San Sebastian, Spain (July 21 – 26).^[15]

August

• 9 – The 14th Sildajazz started in Haugesund, Norway (August 9 – 13).^[16]
• 11
  • The 46th Newport Jazz Festival started in Newport, Rhode Island (August 11 – 13).^[17]
  • The 15th Oslo Jazzfestival started in Oslo, Norway (August 11–19).^[18]
• 13 – The 17th Brecon Jazz Festival started in Brecon, Wales (August 13 – 15).^[19]

September

• 15 – The 43rd Monterey Jazz Festival started in Monterey, California (September 15 – 17).^[20]

October

• 12 – The DølaJazz started in Lillehammer, Norway (October 12 – 15).^[21]

November

• 2 – The Trondheim Jazz Festival started in Trondheim, Norway (November 2 – 5).^[22]
• 15 – The 9th London Jazz Festival started in London, England (November 15 – 24).^[23]

Album releases

Deaths

January

• 2 – Nat Adderley, American trumpeter (born 1931).
• 4 – Roger Frampton, Australian pianist, saxophonist, composer, and educator (born 1948).
• 16 – Gene Harris, American pianist (born 1933).
• 20 – Don Abney, American pianist (born 1923).
• 25 – Lin Halliday, American saxophonist (born 1936).
• 31 – Si Zentner, American trombonist and big-band leader (born 1917).

February

• 15 – Gus Johnson, American drummer (born 1913).
• 29 – Hidehiko Matsumoto, Japanese saxophonist and bandleader (born 1926).

March

• 6 – Ole Jacob Hansen, Norwegian drummer (born 1940).
• 13 – Cab Kaye, English singer and pianist (born 1921).
• 18 – Randi Hultin, Norwegian jazz critic and impresario (born 1926).
• 24 – Al Grey, American trombonist (born 1925).

April

• 13 – Pete Minger, American trumpeter (born 1943).
• 29 – Jonah Jones, American trumpeter (born 1909)

May

• 2
  • Billy Munn, British pianist and arranger (born 1911).
  • Teri Thornton, American singer (born 1934).
• 21 – Buzzy Drootin, American drummer (born 1920).
• 31 – Tito Puente, American drummer, songwriter, and record producer (born 1923).

June

• 3 – Glenn Horiuchi, American jazz pianist, composer, and shamisen player (born 1955).
• 7 – Clint Houston, American upright bassist (born 1946).
• 12 – Bruno Martino, Italian jazz composer, singer, and pianist (born 1925).
• 22 – Svein Finnerud, Norwegian pianist, painter, and graphic artist (born 1945).
• 23 – Jerome Richardson, American saxophonist and flautist (born 1920).
• 25 – Wilson Simonal, Brazilian singer (born 1938).

July

• 6 – Akira Miyazawa, Japanese saxophonist, clarinetist, and flautist (born 1927).

August

• 14 – Walter Benton, American tenor saxophonist (born 1930).
• 20 – Chris Columbus, American drummer (born 1902).
• 25 – Jack Nitzsche, American musician, arranger, songwriter, record producer, and film score composer (born 1937).

September

• 12 – Stanley Turrentine, American tenor saxophonist (born 1934).
• 22 – Willie Cook, American trumpeter (born 1923).
• 26
  • Baden Powell, Brazilian guitarist and composer (born 1937).
  • Nick Fatool, American drummer (born 1915).

October

• 6 – Pat Flowers, American pianist and singer (born 1917).
• 11 – Sture Nordin, Swedish upright bassist (born 1933).
• 13 – Britt Woodman, American trombonist (born 1920).
• 18 – Julie London, American singer and actress (born 1926).
• 25 – Jeanne Lee, American singer, poet, and composer (born 1939).
• 30 – Steve Allen, American singer, songwriter, and television personality (born 1921).

November

• 4 – Vernel Fournier, American drummer (born 1928).
• 8 – Dick Morrissey, British saxophonist and composer (born 1908).

December

• 1
  • George Finola, American cornetist (born 1945).
  • Neal Creque, American organist and composer (born 1940).
• 12 – Rosa King, American saxophonist and singer (born 1939).

Album releases

• Michael Brecker: Nearness Of You: The Ballad Book (Verve)
• Diana Krall: The Look of Love (Verve)
• Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band: Swingin' For The Fences (Silverline)
• Herbie Hancock: Future 2 Future (Transparent, Columbia)
• Gordon Haskell: Look Out (Flying Sparks)
• The Idea of North: The Sum of Us (Magnetic Records)
• Robbie Williams: Swing When You're Winning (Capitol)
• James Morrison: Scream Machine (Morrison Records)
• World Saxophone Quartet: 25th Anniversary: The New Chapter (Justin Time)
• Marilyn Crispell: Blue (Black Saint)
• Matthew Shipp: Expansion Power Release (hatOLOGY)
• Olga Konkova Trio: Some Things From Home (Candid)

Deaths

• Moses Taiwa Molelekwa (17 April 1973 – 13 February), South African pianist
• John Lewis (May 3, 1920 – March 29), American pianist, composer and arranger

Events

January

• 25 – The 5th Polarjazz started in Longyearbyen, Svalbard (January 25 – 27).^[24]

March

• 22 – The 29th Vossajazz started in Voss, Norway (March 22 – 24).^[25]

May

• 5 – The 13th MaiJazz started in Stavanger, Norway (May 6 – 10).^[26]
• 17 – The 30th Moers Festival started in Moers, Germany (May 17 – 20).^[27]
• 24 – The 30th Nattjazz started in Bergen, Norway (May 24 – June 1).^[28]

June

• 24 – The 12th Jazz Fest Wien started in Wien, Austria (June 24 – July 7).^[29]
• 27 – The 23rd Montreal International Jazz Festival started in Montreal, Quebec, Canada (June 27 – July 7).^[30]

July

• 3 – The 38th Kongsberg Jazzfestival started in Kongsberg, Norway (July 3 – 6).^[31]
• 5 – The 36th Montreux Jazz Festival started in Montreux, Switzerland (July 5 – 22).^[32]
• 12 – 27th North Sea Jazz Festival started in The Hague (July 12 – 14).^[33]
• 13 – 37th Pori Jazz started in Pori, Finland (July 13 – 21).^[34]
• 15 – The 42nd Moldejazz started in Molde, Norway (July 15 – 20).^[35]

August

• 5 – The 17th Oslo Jazzfestival started in Oslo, Norway (August 5 – 10).^[36]
• 7 – The 16th Sildajazz started in Haugesund, Norway (August 7 – 11).^[37]
• 9
  • The 48th Newport Jazz Festival started in Newport, Rhode Island (August 9 – 11).^[38]
  • The 19th Brecon Jazz Festival started in Brecon, Wales (August 9 – 11).^[39]

September

• 20 – The 45th Monterey Jazz Festival started in Monterey, California (September 20 – 22).^[40]

November

• 15 – The 11th London Jazz Festival started in London, England (November 15 – 24).^[41]

Album releases

• Norah Jones: Come Away with Me
• Rova Saxophone Quartet: Freedom in Fragments (Composed by Fred Frith)
• Herbie Hancock: Directions in Music: Live at Massey Hall, live album with Michael Brecker and Roy Hargrove
• Gordon Haskell: Harry's Bar
• Kenny Garrett: Happy People
• James Morrison: So Far So Good
• Wayne Shorter: Footprints Live!
• World Saxophone Quartet: Steppenwolf (Justin Time)
• Fred Frith and Maybe Monday: Digital Wildlife (Winter & Winter)
• Kausland/Mathisen Quartet: Good Bait (Hot Club)
• Hugh Masekela: Time (Sony Music Distribution)

Deaths

January

• 21 – Peggy Lee, American singer, songwriter, composer, and actress (born 1920).

February

• 1 – Streamline Ewing, American trombonist (born 1917).
• 2 – Remo Palmier, American guitarist (born 1923).
• 6 – Wendell Marshall, American upright bassist (born 1920).
• 8 – Nick Brignola, American baritone saxophonist (born 1936).
• 10 – Dave Van Ronk, American folk singer (born 1936).
• 22 – Ronnie Verrell, English drummer (born 1926).
• 24 – Mel Stewart, American character actor, television director, and saxophonist (born 1929).
• 28 – Helmut Zacharias, German violinist and composer (born 1920).

March

• 10 – Shirley Scott, African-American organist (born 1934).
• 19 – John Patton, American pianist and organist (born 1935).
• 27 – Dudley Moore, English actor, comedian, pianist, and composer (born 1935).

April

• 8 – Wilber Morris, American upright bassist and bandleader (born 1937).
• 9 – Weldon Irvine, American composer, playwright, poet, pianist, organist, and keyboardist (born 1943).
• 11 – Bubba Brooks, American tenor saxophonist (born 1922).
• 16 – Claudio Slon, Brazilian drummer (born 1943).
• 18 – Cy Laurie, English clarinetist and bandleader (born 1926).
• 29
  • Noel DaCosta, Nigerian-Jamaican composer, violinist, and choral conductor (born 1929).
  • Pete Jacobsen, English pianist (born 1950).

May

• 6 – Bjørn Johansen, Norwegian saxophonist (born 1940).
• 12 – Bob Berg, American saxophonist (born 1951).
• 24 – Susie Garrett, African-American actress, vocalist, and acting teacher (born 1929).

June

• 5
  • Curtis Amy, American tenor saxophonist (born 1929).
  • Truck Parham, American upright bassist (born 1911).
• 27
  • Russ Freeman, American pianist and composer (born 1926).
  • Chico O'Farrill, Cuban composer, arranger, and conductor (born 1921).

July

• 2 – Ray Brown, American upright bassist (born 1926).
• 20 – Jimmy Maxwell, American trumpeter (born 1917).
• 22 – Marion Montgomery, American singer (born 1934).
• 25 – Idrees Sulieman, American trumpeter and alto saxophonist (born 1923).

August

• 2 – Roy Kral, American pianist and vocalist (born 1921).
• 31 – Lionel Hampton, American vibraphonist (born 1908).

September

• 5 – Frank Hewitt, American hard bop pianist (born 1935).
• 17 – Dodo Marmarosa, American pianist, composer, and arranger (born 1925).
• 21 – Peter Kowald, German upright bassist and tubist (born 1944).
• 30 – Ellis Larkins, American pianist (born 1923).

October

• 17
  • Chuck Domanico, American bassist (born 1944).
  • Henri Renaud, French jazz pianist and record company executive (born 1925).

November

• 3 – Lonnie Donegan, Scottish skiffle singer, songwriter, and guitarist (born 1931).
• 13
  • Bill Berry, American trumpeter, Duke Ellington Orchestra (born 1930).
  • Roland Hanna, American pianist, composer, and teacher (born 1932).
• 16 – Mose Vinson, American pianist and singer (born 1917).
• 20 – Webster Lewis, American keyboardist (born 1943).
• 21 – Hadda Brooks, American pianist, vocalist, and composer (born 1916).
• 27
  • John McLevy, Scottish trumpeter (born 1927).
  • Stanley Black, English bandleader, composer, conductor, arranger and pianist (born 1913).

December

• 2 – Mal Waldron, American pianist, composer, and arranger (born 1925).
• 5 – Arvell Shaw, American upright bassist (born 1923).
• 7 – Clare Deniz, British pianist (born 1911).
• 11 – Lou Stein, American pianist (born 1922).
• 13 – Stella Brooks, American singer (born 1910).

Album releases

• Michael Brecker: Wide Angles
• Michael Franks: Watching the Snow ^[42]
• Kenny Garrett: Standard of Language
• Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band: XXL
• The Idea of North: Here & Now
• James Morrison: On The Edge (with Simon Stockhausen)
• Mike Nock: Changing Seasons with Brett Hirst and Toby Hall
• The Rippingtons: Let It Ripp
• Wayne Shorter: Alegria
• Amy Winehouse: Frank
• Tord Gustavsen Trio: Changing Places (ECM)

Deaths

• Nina Simone (February 21, 1933 – April 21), American singer

Album releases

• Jamie Cullum: Twentysomething
• Fourplay: Journey
• The Idea of North: Evidence
• Norah Jones: Feels Like Home
• Diana Krall: The Girl in the Other Room
• Mike Nock: Duologue (Birdland, 2004) live concert recording with Dave Liebman
• Ben Sidran: Nick's Bump ^[43]
• World Saxophone Quartet: Experience (Justin Time)
• Gordon Haskell: The Lady Wants To Know

Deaths

• Ray Charles (September 23, 1930 – June 10), American singer, pianist and composer
• Bjørnar Andresen (April 1, 1945 – October 2), Norwegian upright bassist
• Artie Shaw (May 23, 1910 – December 30), American clarinetist

Album releases

• Herbie Hancock: Possibilities
• Diana Krall: Christmas Songs
• James Morrison: Gospel Collection
• The Rippingtons: Wild Card
• Wayne Shorter: Beyond the Sound Barrier
• Tord Gustavsen Trio: The Ground (ECM)
• Hans Mathisen: Quiet Songs (Curling Legs)

Deaths

• Pierre Michelot (March 3, 1928 – July 3), French upright-bassist

Album releases

• Eddie Daniels: Brief Encounter (Muse, 2006)
• Michael Franks: Rendezvous in Rio ^[44]
• Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band: The Phat Pack
• The Idea of North: The Gospel Project
• Diana Krall: From This Moment On
• James Morrison: Gospel Collection Volume II
• James Morrison: 2x2 with Joe Chindamo
• The Rippingtons: 20th Anniversary
• World Saxophone Quartet: Political Blues (Justin Time)
• Olga Konkova and Per Mathisen: Unbound (Alessa)

Deaths

• Lou Rawls (December 1, 1933 – January 6), American singer
• Maynard Ferguson (May 4, 1928 – August 23), American trumpet player, composer
• Ruth Brown (January 12, 1928 – November 17), American singer, actress
• Anita O'Day (October 18, 1919 – November 23), American singer
• Jay McShann (January 12, 1916 – December 7), American pianist
• Kenneth Sivertsen (January 16, 1961 – December 24), Norwegian guitarist, composer, and entertainer

Births

• Angelina Jordan (January 10), Norwegian singer.

Album releases

• Michael Brecker: Pilgrimage
• Herbie Hancock: River: The Joni Letters
• The Idea of North: Live at the Powerhouse (CD and DVD)
• James Morrison: The Other Woman with Deni Hines
• James Morrison: Christmas
• Tord Gustavsen Trio: Being There (ECM)

Deaths

• Michael Brecker (March 29, 1949 – January 13), American tenor saxophonist, composer
• Al Viola (June 16, 1919 – February 21), American guitarist
• Art Davis (December 5, 1934 – July 29), American upright-bassist
• Max Roach (January 10, 1924 – August 16), American drummer, percussionist, and composer
• Joe Zawinul (July 7, 1932 – September 11), Austrian keyboardist and composer
• Specs Powell (June 5, 1922 – September 15), American drummer and percussionist
• Teresa Brewer (May 7, 1931 – October 17), American singer
• Joel Dorn (April 7, 1942 – December 17), American music producer and record label entrepreneur
• Oscar Peterson (August 15, 1925 – December 23), Canadian pianist

Album releases

• Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band: Act Your Age
• Steve Tyrell: Back to Bacharach^[45]

Deaths

• Esbjörn Svensson (April 16, 1964 – June 14), Swedish pianist and bandleader of Esbjörn Svensson Trio
• Cachao (September 14, 1918 – March 22), Cuban upright-bassist
• Earle Hagen (July 9, 1919 – May 26), American composer
• LeRoi Moore (September 7, 1961 – August 19), American saxophonist
• Bheki Mseleku (March 3, 1955 – September 9), South African pianist
• Richard Wright (July 28, 1943 – September 15), English keyboarder, composer, singer and songwriter
• Merl Saunders (February 14, 1934 – October 24), American pianist and keyboardist
• Miriam Makeba (March 4, 1932 – November 9), South African singer

Album releases

• Diana Krall: Quiet Nights
• The Rippingtons: Modern Art
• Ben Sidran: Dylan Different ^[46]
• Tord Gustavsen Ensemble: Restored, Returned (ECM)
• Olga Konkova: Improvisational Four (Candid)

Deaths

• David "Fathead" Newman (February 24, 1933 – January 20), American saxophonist
• Gerry Niewood (April 6, 1943 – February 12), American saxophonist
• Blossom Dearie (April 28, 1924 – February 7), American singer and pianist
• Coleman Mellett (May 27, 1974 – February 12), American guitarist
• Koko Taylor (September 28, 1928 – June 3), American singer
• Kenny Rankin (February 10, 1940 – June 7), American singer and composer
• Tina Marsh (January 18, 1954 – June 16), American singer and composer