In the 1980s in jazz, the jazz community shrank dramatically and split. A mainly older audience retained an interest in traditional and straight-ahead jazz styles.

Wynton Marsalis Wynton Learson Marsalis (born October 18, 1961) is an American trumpeter, composer, teacher, and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. He has promoted classical and jazz music, often to young audiences. Marsalis has won nine Grammy Award ...

strove to create music within what he believed was the tradition, creating extensions of small and large forms initially pioneered by such artists as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. In the early 1980s, a commercial form of jazz fusion called pop fusion or "

smooth jazz Smooth jazz is a genre of commercially-oriented crossover jazz and easy listening music that became dominant in the mid 1970s to the early 1990s. History Smooth jazz is a commercially oriented, crossover jazz which came to prominence in the 19 ...

" became successful and garnered significant radio airplay. Smooth jazz saxophonists include Grover Washington Jr.,

Kenny G Kenneth Bruce Gorelick (born June 5, 1956), known professionally as Kenny G, is an American smooth jazz saxophonist, composer, and producer. His 1986 album ''Duotones'' brought him commercial success. Kenny G is one of the best-selling artis ...

Kirk Whalum Kirk is a Scottish and former Northern English word meaning "church". It is often used specifically of the Church of Scotland. Many place names and personal names are also derived from it. Basic meaning and etymology As a common noun, ''kirk' ...

Boney James Boney James (born James Oppenheim September 1, 1961) is an American saxophonist (tenor, alto and soprano), songwriter, record producer and recording artist. He is a four-time Grammy Award nominee (Best Pop Instrumental Album, 2001, 2004, 2014 a ...

, and

David Sanborn David William Sanborn (born July 30, 1945) is an American alto saxophonist. Though Sanborn has worked in many genres, his solo recordings typically blend jazz with instrumental pop and R&B. He released his first solo album ''Taking Off'' in 19 ...

. Smooth jazz received frequent airplay with more straight-ahead jazz in "

quiet storm Quiet storm is a radio format and genre of R&B, performed in a smooth, romantic, jazz-influenced style. It was named after the title song on Smokey Robinson's 1975 album '' A Quiet Storm''. The radio format was pioneered in 1976 by Melvin Li ...

" time slots at radio stations in urban markets across the U.S., helping to establish or bolster the careers of vocalists including Al Jarreau,

Anita Baker Anita Denise Baker (born January 26, 1958) is an American singer-songwriter. She is one of the most popular singers of soulful ballads, especially renowned for her work during the height of the quiet storm period in the 1980s. Starting her career ...

, Chaka Khan, and

Sade Sade may refer to: People * Marquis de Sade (1740–1814), French aristocrat, writer, and libertine * Sade (singer) (born 1959, Helen Folasade Adu), British Nigerian musician and lead singer of the eponymous band * Sade Baderinwa (born 1969), WAB ...

. In this same time period Chaka Khan released '' Echoes of an Era'', which featured Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Chick Corea,

Stanley Clarke Stanley Clarke (born June 30, 1951) is an American bassist, film composer and founding member of Return to Forever, one of the first jazz fusion bands. Clarke gave the bass guitar a prominence it lacked in jazz-related music. He is the first ja ...

, and Lenny White. She also released the song "And the Melody Still Lingers On (Night in Tunisia)" with Dizzy Gillespie reviving the solo break from " Night in Tunisia".

Overview

According to Robert Christgau, in the 1980s

Miles Davis Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26, 1926September 28, 1991) was an American trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music. Davis adopted a variety of musi ...

capitalized on the popularity of the electric

fusion Fusion, or synthesis, is the process of combining two or more distinct entities into a new whole. Fusion may also refer to: Science and technology Physics *Nuclear fusion, multiple atomic nuclei combining to form one or more different atomic nucl ...

style he had pioneered in the 1970s. In the ''

Newsweek ''Newsweek'' is an American weekly online news magazine co-owned 50 percent each by Dev Pragad, its president and CEO, and Johnathan Davis, who has no operational role at ''Newsweek''. Founded as a weekly print magazine in 1933, it was widely ...

'' article "The Problem With Jazz Criticism",

Stanley Crouch Stanley Lawrence Crouch (December 14, 1945 – September 16, 2020) was an American poet, music and cultural critic, syndicated columnist, novelist, and biographer. He was known for his jazz criticism and his 2000 novel ''Don't the Moon Look ...

considered Davis' playing of fusion as a turning point that led to smooth jazz. In Aaron J. West's introduction to his analysis of smooth jazz, "Caught Between Jazz and Pop" he states, "I challenge the prevalent marginalization and malignment of smooth jazz in the standard jazz narrative. Furthermore, I question the assumption that smooth jazz is an unfortunate and unwelcomed evolutionary outcome of the jazz-fusion era. Instead, I argue that smooth jazz is a long-lived musical style that merits multi-disciplinary analyses of its origins, critical dialogues, performance practice, and reception." Acid jazz developed in the UK over the 1980s and 1990s and was influenced by

jazz-funk Jazz-funk is a subgenre of jazz music characterized by a strong back beat ( groove), electrified sounds, and an early prevalence of analog synthesizers. The integration of funk, soul, and R&B music and styles into jazz resulted in the creat ...

and electronic dance music. Vibraphonist

Roy Ayers Roy Ayers (born September 10, 1940) is an American funk, soul, and jazz composer, vibraphone player, and music producer. Ayers began his career as a post-bop jazz artist, releasing several albums with Atlantic Records, before his tenure at Po ...

is considered a forerunner of acid jazz. Although acid jazz often contains electronic composition (sometimes including sampling or live DJ cutting and scratching), it is just as likely to be played live by musicians who showcase jazz interpretation as part of their performance.

Nu jazz Nu jazz (also known as jazztronica, or future jazz) is a genre of jazz and electronic music. The music blends jazz elements with other musical styles, such as funk, electronic music, and free improvisation.Definition from Sergey Chernov, June 7, ...

is influenced by jazz harmony and melodies. There are usually no improvisational aspects. It ranges from combining live instrumentation with beats of jazz house, exemplified by St Germain,

Jazzanova Alexander Barck, Zelt Musik Festival 2015 in Freiburg, Germany Jazzanova is a German Berlin-based DJ/producer collective consisting of Alexander Barck, Claas Brieler, Jürgen von Knoblauch, Roskow Kretschmann, Stefan Leisering, and Axel Reine ...

, and

Fila Brazillia Fila Brazillia is an English electronica duo from Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, England, formed in 1990 by Steve Cobby and David McSherry. History Their early albums were released on Pork Recordings, also based in Hull: '' Old Codes New Chao ...

, to more band-based improvised jazz with electronic elements such as that of

The Cinematic Orchestra The Cinematic Orchestra is a British nu jazz and downtempo music group created in 1999 by Jason Swinscoe. The group is signed to independent record label Ninja Tune. The Cinematic Orchestra have produced four studio albums, ''Motion'' (1999) ...

Kobol "Kobol's Last Gleaming" is the two-part first-season finale of the reimagined '' Battlestar Galactica'' television series. In the first part, the human fleet discovers the abandoned planet Kobol, the mythical birthplace of humanity, who left her ...

, and the Norwegian "future jazz" style pioneered by

Bugge Wesseltoft Jens Christian Bugge Wesseltoft (born 1 February 1964) is a Norwegian jazz pianist, composer, and producer, son of jazz guitarist Erik Wesseltoft. Career In 1989, Wesseltoft collaborated with the Knut Riisnæs Quartet and was soon after ...

, Jaga Jazzist,

Nils Petter Molvær Nils Petter Molvær () also known as NPM (born 18 September 1960) is a Norwegian jazz trumpeter, composer, and record producer. He is considered a pioneer of future jazz, a genre that fuses jazz and electronic music, best showcased on his most ...

, and others. Nu jazz can be very experimental in nature and can vary widely in sound and concept.

Jazz rap Jazz rap (or jazz hip hop) is a fusion of jazz and hip hop music, as well as an alternative hip hop subgenre, that developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s. AllMusic writes that the genre "was an attempt to fuse African-American music of the ...

developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and incorporates jazz influence into hip hop. In 1988,

Gang Starr Gang Starr was an American hip hop duo, consisting of Texas record producer DJ Premier and Massachusetts rapper Guru. For the entirety of their association, they were based out of Brooklyn, New York. Gang Starr was at its height from 1989 to 2 ...

released the debut single "Words I Manifest", sampling Dizzy Gillespie's 1962 "Night in Tunisia", and

Stetsasonic Stetsasonic is an American hip hop band. Formed in 1981 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, Stetsasonic was one of the first hip hop acts to perform with a full band and use live instrumentation in their recordings, paving the way for future ...

released "Talkin' All That Jazz", sampling

Lonnie Liston Smith Lonnie Liston Smith Jr. (born December 28, 1940) is an American jazz, soul, and funk musician who played with such jazz artists as Pharoah Sanders and Miles Davis before forming Lonnie Liston Smith and the Cosmic Echoes, recording a number of ...

. Gang Starr's debut LP, '' No More Mr. Nice Guy'' (

Wild Pitch In baseball, a wild pitch (WP) is charged against a pitcher when his pitch is too high, too short, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to control with ordinary effort, thereby allowing a baserunner, or the batter (on an uncaught third str ...

, 1989), and their track "Jazz Thing" (

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainm ...

, 1990) for the soundtrack of '' Mo' Better Blues'', sampling

Charlie Parker Charles Parker Jr. (August 29, 1920 – March 12, 1955), nicknamed "Bird" or "Yardbird", was an American jazz saxophonist, band leader and composer. Parker was a highly influential soloist and leading figure in the development of bebop, a form ...

and

Ramsey Lewis Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis Jr. (May 27, 1935 – September 12, 2022) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and radio personality. Lewis recorded over 80 albums and received five gold records and three Grammy Awards in his career. His album '' The ...

. Gang Starr also collaborated with Branford Marsalis and

Terence Blanchard Terence Oliver Blanchard (born March 13, 1962) is an American trumpeter and composer. He started his career in 1982 as a member of the Lionel Hampton Orchestra, then The Jazz Messengers. He has composed more than forty film scores and performed ...

. Groups making up the collective known as the

Native Tongues Posse The Native Tongues were a collective of late 1980s and early 1990s hip-hop artists known for their positive-minded, good-natured Afrocentric lyrics, and for pioneering the use of eclectic sampling and jazz-influenced beats. Its principal me ...

tended towards jazzy releases; these include the

Jungle Brothers Jungle Brothers are an American hip hop trio composed of Michael Small (Mike Gee), Nathaniel Hall ( Afrika Baby Bam), and Sammy Burwell (DJ Sammy B). Known as the pioneers of the fusion of jazz, hip-hop, and house music, they were the first hi ...

' debut '' Straight Out the Jungle'' (Warlock, 1988) and A Tribe Called Quest's ''

People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm ''People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm'' is the debut studio album by American hip hop group A Tribe Called Quest, released on April 10, 1990 on Jive Records. After forming the Native Tongues collective and collaborating on sever ...

'' ( Jive, 1990) and '' The Low End Theory'' (Jive, 1991). In 1987, the US House of Representatives and Senate passed a

resolution Resolution(s) may refer to: Common meanings * Resolution (debate), the statement which is debated in policy debate * Resolution (law), a written motion adopted by a deliberative body * New Year's resolution, a commitment that an individual mak ...

proposed by Democratic Representative

John Conyers Jr. John James Conyers Jr. (May 16, 1929October 27, 2019) was an American politician of the Democratic Party who served as a U.S. representative from Michigan from 1965 to 2017. The districts he represented always included part of western Detroit ...

to define jazz as a unique form of American music stating, among other things, "...that jazz is hereby designated as a rare and valuable national American treasure to which we should devote our attention, support and resources to make certain it is preserved, understood and promulgated."It passed in the House of Representatives on September 23, 1987, and in the Senate on November 4, 1987. The entire six-point mandate can be found on the HR-57 Center for the Preservation of Jazz and Blues website. HR-57 Center for the Preservation of Jazz and Blues –

1980

Album releases

* Anthony Davis: '' Lady of the Mirrors'' *

Rova Saxophone Quartet Rova Saxophone Quartet is an American, San Francisco-based saxophone quartet, formed in October 1977. The name "Rova" is an acronym formed from the last initials of the founding members: Jon Raskin, Larry Ochs, Andrew Voigt, and Bruce Ackley. Wh ...

: '' Invisible Frames'' * Om: ''

Cerberus In Greek mythology, Cerberus (; grc-gre, Κέρβερος ''Kérberos'' ), often referred to as the hound of Hades, is a multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld to prevent the dead from leaving. He was the offspring of the ...

'' *

Pat Metheny Patrick Bruce Metheny ( ; born August 12, 1954) is an American jazz guitarist and composer. He is the leader of the Pat Metheny Group and is also involved in duets, solo works, and other side projects. His style incorporates elements of progre ...

: ''

As Falls Wichita, so Falls Wichita Falls ''As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls'' is a collaborative album by Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays, released in 1981. The title makes reference to Wichita, Kansas, and Wichita Falls, Texas. The title track is just under 21 minutes. Throughout th ...

'' * Billy Bang: '' Changing Seasons'' * Julius Hemphill: '' Flat-Out Jump Suite'' * Charles Noyes: '' Free Mammals'' *

: '' 80/81'' * Steve Tibbetts: '' Yr'' *

World Saxophone Quartet The World Saxophone Quartet is an American jazz ensemble founded in 1977, incorporating elements of free jazz, R&B, funk and South African jazz into their music. The original members were Julius Hemphill (alto and soprano saxophone, flute), ...

: '' W.S.Q.'' * David Murray: ''

Ming The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last orthodox dynasty of China ruled by the Han peop ...

'' * Ganelin Trio: '' Ancora da Capo'' *

Joanne Brackeen Joanne Brackeen (born Joanne Grogan; July 26, 1938) is an American jazz pianist and music educator. Music career Brackeen was born in Ventura, California, United States, and attended the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music. She was a fan of pop pi ...

: ''

Ancient Dynasty ''Ancient Dynasty'' is an album by American pianist Joanne Brackeen recorded in New York City and released on the Tappan Zee label in 1980.

'' *

Ran Blake Ran Blake (born April 20, 1935) is an American pianist, composer, and educator. He is known for his unique style that combines blues, gospel, classical, and film noir influences into an innovative and dark jazz sound. His career spans over 40 rec ...

: '' Film Noir'' *

Muhal Richard Abrams Muhal Richard Abrams (born Richard Lewis Abrams; September 19, 1930 – October 29, 2017) was an American educator, administrator, composer, arranger, clarinetist, cellist, and jazz pianist in the free jazz medium. He recorded and toured the Uni ...

: ''

Mama and Daddy ''Mama and Daddy'' is an album by Muhal Richard Abrams. It was released on the Italian Black Saint label in 1980 and features performances of four of Abrams' compositions by a big band. Reception The AllMusic review calls the album "a first-rate ...

'' * Derek Bailey: ''

Aida ''Aida'' (or ''Aïda'', ) is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni. Set in the Old Kingdom of Egypt, it was commissioned by Cairo's Khedivial Opera House and had its première there on 24 Decemb ...

'' *

Evan Parker Evan Shaw Parker (born 5 April 1944) is a British tenor and soprano saxophone player who plays free improvisation. Recording and performing prolifically with many collaborators, Parker was a pivotal figure in the development of European free ja ...

: '' Six of One'' *

Steps Ahead Steps Ahead is an American jazz fusion group. History The group arose out of spontaneous sessions at Seventh Avenue South, a jazz club in New York City owned by saxophonist Michael Brecker and trumpeter brother Randy Brecker. The first three al ...

: '' Step by Step'' *

Steve Beresford Steve Beresford (born 6 March 1950) is a British musician who graduated from the University of York He has played a variety of instruments, including piano, electronics, trumpet, euphonium, bass guitar and a wide variety of toy instruments, suc ...

: '' Double Indemnity'' * Music Revelation Ensemble: '' No Wave'' *

Jan Garbarek Jan Garbarek () (born 4 March 1947) is a Norwegian jazz saxophonist, who is also active in classical music and world music. Garbarek was born in Mysen, Østfold, southeastern Norway, the only child of a former Polish prisoner of war, Czesław ...

: '' Eventyr'' *

Dave Liebman David Liebman (born September 4, 1946) is an American saxophonist, flautist and jazz educator. He is known for his innovative lines and use of atonality. He was a frequent collaborator with pianist Richie Beirach. In June 2010, he received ...

: '' If They Only Knew'' *

Tom Varner Tom Varner (born June 17, 1957 in Morristown, New Jersey, United States) is an American jazz horn (French horn) player and composer. Varner grew up in Millburn, New Jersey, and studied piano in his youth with Capitola Dickerson of Summit, Ne ...

: '' Quartet'' *

Harvie Swartz Harvie S (born Harvie Swartz; December 6, 1948) is an American jazz double-bassist. He learned piano as a child and did not begin playing bass until 1967, when he was nineteen years old.Scott Yanow, Harvie Swartzat Allmusic He attended Berklee ...

: ''

Underneath It All "Underneath It All" is a song by American ska band No Doubt from their fourth studio album '' Rock Steady'' (2001). It was written by the band's lead singer Gwen Stefani and David Stewart. The song features a reggae production from Sly and Rob ...

'' * Paul Winter: '' Callings'' *

: ''

Revue A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own dur ...

'' * James Ulmer: ''

Are You Glad to Be in America? ''Are You Glad to Be in America?'' is an album by American guitarist James Blood Ulmer, recorded in 1980 and released on the Rough Trade label in the UK. It was mixed by Ulmer, Geoff Travis, Roger Trilling, and Mayo Thompson. A remixed version, cr ...

'' *

Kazumi Watanabe is a Japanese guitarist. Other guitarists such as Luke Takamura and Sugizo have cited him as an influence. Career Watanabe learned guitar at the age of 12 from Sadanori Nakamure at the Yamaha Music School in Tokyo. He released his first album ...

: '' To Chi Ka'' *

Chico Freeman Chico Freeman (born Earl Lavon Freeman Jr.; July 17, 1949) is a modern jazz tenor saxophonist and trumpeter and son of jazz saxophonist Von Freeman. He began recording as lead musician in 1976 with ''Morning Prayer'', won the New York Jazz Award ...

: '' Peaceful Heart, Gentle Spirit'' * Jack DeJohnette: '' Tin Can Alley'' * Jay Clayton: '' All Out'' *

Ronald Shannon Jackson Ronald Shannon Jackson (January 12, 1940 – October 19, 2013) was an American jazz drummer from Fort Worth, Texas. A pioneer of avant-garde jazz, free funk, and jazz fusion, he appeared on over 50 albums as a bandleader, sideman, arranger, and ...

: '' Eye on You'' * Art Pepper: '' Winter Moon''

Deaths

* Bill Evans (August 16, 1929 – September 15, 1980) *

Ronnie Boykins Ronald Boykins (December 17, 1935 – April 20, 1980) was a jazz bassist and is best known for his work with pianist/bandleader Sun Ra, although he had played with such disparate musicians as Muddy Waters, Johnny Griffin, and Jimmy Witherspoon pr ...

(December 17, 1935 – April 20, 1980) * Barney Bigard (March 3, 1906 – June 27, 1980)

Births

Christina Bjordal Christina Elisabeth Nesse Bjordal (born 25 September 1980 in Haugesund, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz singer. Career Bjordal let out her debut album ''Where Dreams Begin'', within Christina Bjordal Band in 2003. Two years later she signed up w ...

(January 10), Norwegian guitarist *

Lars Horntveth Lars Horntveth (born 10 March 1980 in Tønsberg, Norway) is a Norwegian musician (saxophones, clarinet, percussion and guitar), band leader, and composer. He is the younger brother of tubaist Line Horntveth, but best known as a key member of the ...

(March 10), Norwegian saxophonist and guitarist * Pål Hausken (August 25), Norwegian drummer * Julie Dahle Aagård (September 25), Norwegian singer

1981

Album releases

* Anthony Davis: ''Episteme'' (1981) *

Joe McPhee Joe McPhee (born November 3, 1939) is an American jazz multi-instrumentalist born in Miami, Florida, a player of tenor, alto, and soprano saxophone, the trumpet, flugelhorn and valve trombone. McPhee grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York, and is ...

: ''Topology'' (1981) *

Paul Motian Stephen Paul Motian (March 25, 1931 – November 22, 2011) was an American jazz drummer, percussionist, and composer. Motian played an important role in freeing jazz drummers from strict time-keeping duties. He first came to prominence in the ...

: ''Psalm'' (1981) *

: ''As Was'' (1981) *

Marilyn Crispell Marilyn Crispell (born March 30, 1947) is an American jazz pianist and composer. Scott Yanow described her as "a powerful player... who has her own way of using space... She is near the top of her field." Jon Pareles of The New York Times wrot ...

: ''Spirit Music'' (1981) *

: ''Blues Forever'' (1981) * Henry Kaiser: ''Aloha'' (1981) *

Sergey Kuryokhin Sergey Anatolyevich Kuryokhin (russian: Серге́й Анато́льевич Курёхин, also transliterated as Sergei Kuriokhin, Sergei Kurekhin, Sergueï Kouriokhine, Sergey Kuriokhin, etc.; nicknamed "The Captain"; 16 June 1954 – 9 Ju ...

: ''The Ways of Freedom'' (1981) * David Moss: ''Terrain'' (1981) * David Murray: ''Home'' (1981) *

Frank Lowe Frank Lowe (June 24, 1943 – September 19, 2003) was an American avant-garde jazz saxophonist and composer. Biography Born and brought up in Memphis, Tennessee, Lowe took up the tenor saxophone at the age of 12. As an adult he moved to San Fra ...

: ''Skizoke'' (1981) *

Willem Breuker Willem Breuker (4 November 1944 – 23 July 2010) was a Dutch bandleader, composer, arranger, saxophonist, and clarinetist. Career During the mid 1960s, he played with percussionist Han Bennink and pianist Misha Mengelberg, co-founding the I ...

: ''In Holland'' (1981) *

: ''Nasty'' (1981) * Billy Bang: ''Rainbow Gladiator'' (1981) *

Don Moye Donald Moye, Jr. (born May 23, 1946), known as Famoudou Don Moye, is an American jazz percussionist and drummer. He is most known for his involvement with the Art Ensemble of Chicago and is noted for his mastery of African and Caribbean percuss ...

: ''Black Paladins'' (1981) * Frederic Hand: ''Heart's Song'' (1981) *

Jaco Pastorius John Francis Anthony "Jaco" Pastorius III (; December 1, 1951 – September 21, 1987) was an American jazz bassist, composer and producer. He recorded albums as a solo artist and band leader and was a member of Weather Report from 1976 to 1981. ...

: ''Word of Mouth'' (1981) *

: ''Special Identity'' (1981) * Hal Russell: ''NRG Ensemble'' (1981) *

Marvin Peterson Hannibal Lokumbe (born Marvin Peterson on November 11, 1948) is an American jazz trumpeter. Career A native of Smithville, Texas, United States, he is sometimes known by the name "Hannibal". He attended high school in Texas City, Texas and was i ...

: ''The Angels of Atlanta'' (1981) *

: ''Paths Prints'' (1981) *

Oscar Peterson Oscar Emmanuel Peterson (August 15, 1925 – December 23, 2007) was a Canadian virtuoso jazz pianist and composer. Considered one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, Peterson released more than 200 recordings, won seven Grammy Awards ...

: ''Nigerian Marketplace'' (1981) * Saheb Sarbib: ''Aisha'' (1981) *

: ''Street Priest'' (1981) * Steve Douglas: ''Rainbow Suite'' (1981) *

Steve Khan Steve Khan (born Steven Harris Cahn; April 28, 1947) is an American jazz guitarist. Career Steven Harris Cahn was born in Los Angeles. His father, lyricist Sammy Cahn, "loved to hear any and all versions of his songs". He took piano lessons as a ...

: ''Eyewitness'' (1981) *

: ''Wynton Marsalis'' (1981) *

Keith Tippett Keith Graham Tippetts (25 August 1947 – 14 June 2020), known professionally as Keith Tippett, was a British jazz pianist and composer. According to AllMusic, Tippett's career "..spanned jazz-rock, progressive rock, improvised and contemporary ...

: ''Mujician'' (1981) * Larry Carlton: '' Strikes Twice''

Deaths

Sonny Red Sylvester Kyner Jr. (December 17, 1932 – March 20, 1981), known as Sonny Red, was an American jazz alto saxophonist and composer associated with the hard bop idiom among other styles. Sonny Red played with Art Blakey, Curtis Fuller, Paul Qu ...

(December 17, 1932 – March 20, 1981) *

Mary Lou Williams Mary Lou Williams (born Mary Elfrieda Scruggs; May 8, 1910 – May 28, 1981) was an American jazz pianist, arranger, and composer. She wrote hundreds of compositions and arrangements and recorded more than one hundred records (in 78, 45, an ...

(May 8, 1910 – May 28, 1981) * Bob Bates (September 1, 1923 - September 13, 1981) * Cat Anderson (12 September 1916 – 29 April 1981) *

Helen Humes Helen Humes (June 23, 1913 – September 9, 1981) was an American singer. Humes was a teenage blues singer, a vocalist with Count Basie's band, a saucy R&B diva, and a mature interpreter of the classic popular song. Early life She was born on ...

(June 23, 1913 - September 9, 1981) *

Russell Procope Russell Keith Procope (August 11, 1908 – January 21, 1981) was an American clarinetist and alto saxophonist who was a member of the Duke Ellington orchestra. Before Ellington Procope was born in New York City, United States, and grew up in ...

(11 August 1908 – 21 January 1981) * Bill Coleman (August 4, 1904 – August 24, 1981) * Sam Jones (12 November 1924 – 15 December 1981) *

Tommy Turk Thomas Eugene Turk (1927 – August 4, 1981) was an American jazz trombonist. Early life Tommy Turk was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania in 1927. His father, Joseph, was a coal miner and self-taught trumpeter.Leonard, Vince, "Trombonist Turk Slai ...

(1927–1981)

Births

Ivar Loe Bjørnstad Ivar Loe Bjørnstad (born 1981 in Surnadal, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz and rock musician (drums), brother of the dancer Marit Loe Bjørnstad (1983) and the singer Ingebjørg Loe Bjørnstad (1978). Career Bjørnstad studied jazz at the Norweg ...

, Norwegian drummer *

Hilde Marie Kjersem Hilde Marie Kjersem, also known as Marie Munroe, (born 27 April 1981 in Ålesund, Norway) is a Norwegian artist, musician and songwriter signed to Warner Music Norway. She started out as a jazz musician, but has had an organic and natural develo ...

(April 27), Norwegian singer *

Sigurd Hole Sigurd Hole (born 13 July 1981) is a Norwegian jazz musician (upright bass) from Rendalen living in Oslo. Biography Sigurd Hole was born in Elverum, Norway, and has worked in jazz ensembles and presetented content related to Norwegian folk m ...

(July 13), Norwegian upright bassist

1982

Album releases

* Anthony Davis: ''Variations In Dream-time'' (1982) *

Henry Threadgill Henry Threadgill (born February 15, 1944) is an American composer, saxophonist and flautist. He came to prominence in the 1970s leading ensembles rooted in jazz but with unusual instrumentation and often incorporating other genres of music. He h ...

: ''When Was That'' (1982) *

Air The atmosphere of Earth is the layer of gases, known collectively as air, retained by Earth's gravity that surrounds the planet and forms its planetary atmosphere. The atmosphere of Earth protects life on Earth by creating pressure allowing f ...

: ''

80° Below '82 ''80° Below '82'' is an album by the improvisational collective Air featuring Henry Threadgill, Steve McCall and Fred Hopkins recorded in 1982 for the Antilles label.Backstrom, L. & Lopez, RHenry Threadgill discographyaccessed February 11, 2010 ...

'' (1982) * Billy Bang: '' Outline No. 12'' (1982) *

Dave Holland David “Dave” Holland (born 1 October 1946) is an English jazz double bassist, composer and bandleader who has been performing and recording for five decades. He has lived in the United States for over 40 years. His extensive discography r ...

: ''Life Cycle'' (1982) * David Murray: ''Murray's Steps'' (1982) *

Jane Ira Bloom Jane Ira Bloom (born January 12, 1955) is an American jazz soprano saxophonist and composer. Early years Bloom was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Joel and Evelyn Bloom. She began as a pianist and drummer, later switching to the alto saxopho ...

: '' Mighty Lights'' (1982) *

Lol Coxhill George Lowen Coxhill (19 September 1932 – 10 July 2012) known professionally as Lol Coxhill, was an English free improvising saxophonist. He played soprano and sopranino saxophone. Biography Coxhill was born to George Compton Coxhill ...

: ''Instant Replay'' (1982) *

Dewey Redman Walter Dewey Redman (May 17, 1931 – September 2, 2006) was an American saxophonist who performed free jazz as a bandleader and with Ornette Coleman and Keith Jarrett. Redman mainly played tenor saxophone, though he occasionally also played al ...

: ''The Struggle Continues'' (1982) * Steve Lacy: ''Flame'' (1982) * Elements: ''Elements'' (1982) *

Errol Parker Errol Parker (né Raphaël Schecroun; 30 October 1925 – 2 July 1998) was a French-Algerian jazz pianist who played with Django Reinhardt, James Moody, Don Byas and Kenny Clarke, among others. Born in Oran, French Algeria, Raphaël Schecroun ...

: ''Tentet'' (1982) * James Ulmer: ''Black Rock'' (1982) *

: ''Oleo'' (1982) * John Carter: ''Dauwhe'' (1982) *

Sonny Simmons Huey "Sonny" Simmons (August 4, 1933 – April 6, 2021) was an American jazz musician. Biography Simmons was born on August 4, 1933 in Sicily Island, Louisiana. He grew up in Oakland, California, where he began playing the English horn. (Along w ...

: ''Backwoods Suite'' (1982) *

: ''Paradox'' (1982) *

Tony Coe Anthony George Coe (born 29 November 1934) is an English jazz musician who plays clarinet, bass clarinet, flute as well as soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones. Career Born in Canterbury, Kent, England, Coe started out on clarinet and was self- ...

: ''Tournee Du Chat'' (1982) *

: ''Mandance'' (1982) * Warren Vaché: ''Midtown Jazz'' (1982) * Paul Winter: ''Missa Gaia'' (1982) * Cecil McBee: ''Flying Out'' (1982) * Shadowfax: ''Shadowfax'' (1982) * Jack DeJohnette: ''Inflation Blues'' (1982) *

Stanley Jordan Stanley Jordan (born July 31, 1959) is an American jazz guitarist noted for his playing technique, which involves tapping his fingers on the fretboard of the guitar with both hands. Music career Jordan was born in Chicago, Illinois, United St ...

: ''Touch Sensitive'' (1982) *

Kevin Eubanks Kevin Tyrone Eubanks (born November 15, 1957) is an American jazz and fusion guitarist and composer. He was the leader of The Tonight Show Band with host Jay Leno from 1995 to 2010. He also led the Primetime Band on the short lived ''The Jay Le ...

: ''Guitarist'' (1982) *

Claus Ogerman Claus Ogerman (born Klaus Ogermann; 29 April 1930 – 8 March 2016) was a German arranger, conductor, and composer best known for his work with Billie Holiday, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Frank Sinatra, Michael Brecker, and Diana Krall. Life and wor ...

and

Michael Brecker Michael Leonard Brecker (March 29, 1949 – January 13, 2007) was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. He was awarded 15 Grammy Awards as both performer and composer. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Berklee College of M ...

: ''

Cityscape In the visual arts, a cityscape (urban landscape) is an artistic representation, such as a painting, drawing, Publishing, print or photograph, of the physical aspects of a city or urban area. It is the urban equivalent of a landscape. ''Town ...

'' (1982)

Deaths

Thelonious Monk Thelonious Sphere Monk (, October 10, 1917 – February 17, 1982) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including " 'Round Midnight", ...

(October 10, 1917 – February 17, 1982) * Sonny Stitt (February 2, 1924, - July 22, 1982) *

Gábor Szabó Gábor István Szabó (March 8, 1936 – February 26, 1982) was a Hungarian American guitarist whose style incorporated jazz, pop, rock, and Hungarian music. Early years Szabó was born in Budapest, Hungary. He began playing guitar at the age ...

(March 8, 1936 - February 26, 1982) * Art Pepper (September 1, 1925 – June 15, 1982) *

Cal Tjader Callen Radcliffe Tjader Jr. ( ; July 16, 1925 – May 5, 1982) was an American Latin Jazz musician, known as the most successful non-Latino Latin musician. He explored other jazz idioms, even as he continued to perform music of Afro-Jazz, ...

(July 16, 1925 – May 5, 1982) *

Al Haig Alan Warren Haig (July 19, 1922 – November 16, 1982) was an American jazz pianist, best known as one of the pioneers of bebop. Biography Haig was born in Newark, New Jersey and raised in nearby Nutley. In 1940, he majored in piano at Obe ...

(July 19, 1924 – November 16, 1982) * Sonny Greer (13 December 1895 – 23 March 1982)

Births

* Even Helte Hermansen (February 13), Norwegian guitarist * Daniel Herskedal (April 2), Norwegian tubist * Anders Hana (August 7), Norwegian guitarist

1983

Album releases

Borbetomagus Borbetomagus are a free jazz/noise rock group. They are cited by critics as pioneers of aggressive improvised noise music. Biography Borbetomagus formed in 1979 when saxophone players Jim Sauter (musician), Jim Sauter and Don Dietrich (music ...

: ''Barbed Wire Maggot'' (1983) * Anthony Davis: ''Hemispheres'' (1983) *

Terje Rypdal Terje Rypdal (born 23 August 1947) is a Norwegian guitarist and composer. He has been an important member in the Norwegian jazz community, and has also given show concerts with guitarists Ronni Le Tekrø and Mads Eriksen as "N3". Career Rypda ...

: ''Eos'' (1983) *

Don Pullen Don Gabriel Pullen (December 25, 1941 – April 22, 1995) was an American jazz pianist and organist. Pullen developed a strikingly individual style throughout his career. He composed pieces ranging from blues to bebop and modern jazz. The great ...

: ''Evidence of Things Unseen'' (1983) *

James Newton James W. Newton (born May 1, 1953) is an American jazz and classical flutist. Biography He was born in Los Angeles, California, United States. From his earliest years, James Newton grew up immersed in the sounds of African-American music, inclu ...

: ''Luella'' (1983) *

: ''Rhythms Hung in Undrawn Sky'' (1983) * Ganelin Trio: ''Semplice'' (1983) *

Microscopic Septet The Microscopic Septet is a jazz septet, founded in 1980 by saxophonist Phillip Johnston. They played frequently in New York City, toured, and recorded until they disbanded in 1992. Known affectionately as "The Micros" Heather Phares of Allmusic de ...

: Take the Z Train (1983) *

: Rejoicing with Light (1983) *

Tim Berne Tim Berne (born October 16, 1954) is an American avant-garde jazz saxophonist and record label owner. His primary instruments are the alto and baritone saxophones. Biography Berne was born in Syracuse, New York, United States. He has said that ...

: Mutant Variations (1983) *

: Steps Ahead (1983) * Dollar Brand: Ekaya (1983) *

Jamaaladeen Tacuma Jamaaladeen Tacuma (born Rudy McDaniel; June 11, 1956) is an American free jazz bassist born in Hempstead, New York. He was a bandleader on the Gramavision label and worked with Ornette Coleman during the 1970s and 1980s, mostly in Coleman's P ...

: Show Stopper (1983) *

: The Story Of Maryam (1983) *

Joachim Kuhn Joachim (; ''Yəhōyāqīm'', "he whom Yahweh has set up"; ; ) was, according to Christian tradition, the husband of Saint Anne and the father of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The story of Joachim and Anne first appears in the Biblical apocryphal ...

: I'm Not Dreaming (1983) *

Kenny Wheeler Kenneth Vincent John Wheeler, OC (14 January 1930 – 18 September 2014) was a Canadian composer and trumpet and flugelhorn player, based in the U.K. from the 1950s onwards. Most of his performances were rooted in jazz, but he was also active i ...

: Double Double You (1983) * L. Subramaniam: Spanish Wave (1983) * Roger Neumann: Introducing Rather Large Band (1983) *

: Jumpin' In (1983) *

: Just the Facts (1983) * George Russell: So What (1983) * Derek Bailey: Epiphany (1982) * Bobby Shew: Breakfast Wine (1983) * Bob Wasserman: Solo (1983) *

: Visitation (1983) *

Bobby Watson Robert Michael Watson Jr. (born August 23, 1953), known professionally as Bobby Watson, is an American saxophonist, composer, and educator. Music career Watson was born in Lawrence, Kansas, United States, and grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. He ...

: Jewel (1983) * Branford Marsalis: Scenes In The City (1983) *

: Barbeque Dog (1983) * Shadowfax: Shadowdance (1983)

Deaths

Roy Milton Roy Bunny Milton (July 31, 1907 – September 18, 1983) was an American R&B and jump blues singer, drummer and bandleader. Career Milton's grandmother was Chickasaw. He was born in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, and grew up on an Indian reservation bef ...

(July 31, 1907 – September 18, 1983) * Kai Winding (May 18, 1922 – May 6, 1983) *

Gigi Gryce Gigi Gryce (born George General Grice Jr.; November 28, 1925 – March 14, 1983), later Basheer Qusim, was an American jazz saxophonist, flautist, clarinetist, composer, arranger, and educator. While his performing career was relatively short, ...

(November 28, 1925 — March 14, 1983) * Earl Hines (December 28, 1903 – April 22, 1983) *

Paul Quinichette Paul Quinichette (May 17, 1916 – May 25, 1983) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. He was known as the "Vice President" or "Vice Prez" for his emulation of the breathy style of Lester Young, whose nickname was "The President", or simply "P ...

(17 May 1916 - 25 May 1983) *

Willie Bobo William Correa (February 28, 1934 – September 15, 1983), better known by his stage name Willie Bobo,Biography ''AllMusic'' was an American Latin jazz percussionist of Puerto Rican descent. Bobo rejected the stereotypical expectations of Lat ...

(February 28, 1934 – September 15, 1983) *

Ken Kersey Kenneth Lyons Kersey (April 3, 1916 – April 1, 1983) was a Canadian jazz pianist who spent most of his life working in the United States. Early life Kersey was born in Harrow, Ontario, on April 3, 1916 into a musical family. He studied piano an ...

(April 3, 1916 - April 1, 1983) *

Harry James Harry Haag James (March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was an American musician who is best known as a trumpet-playing band leader who led a big band from 1939 to 1946. He broke up his band for a short period in 1947 but shortly after he reorganized ...

(March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983)

Births

Mari Kvien Brunvoll Mari Kvien Brunvoll (born 20 February 1984 in Molde, Norway) is a Norwegian folk and jazz singer who has over the past few years attracted attention at festivals internationally with her solo concept, where the voice is complemented by small ele ...

, Norwegian singer * Espen Berg (June 30), Norwegian pianist * Svein Magnus Furu (November 10), Norwegian saxophonist

1984

Album releases

* John Zorn: Locus Solus (1984) *

Geri Allen Geri Antoinette Allen (June 12, 1957 – June 27, 2017) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and educator. In addition to her career as a performer and bandleader, Allen was also an associate professor of music at the University of Pittsburgh ...

: Printmakers (1984) *

: Modern Times (1984) *

Oliver Lake Oliver Lake (born September 14, 1942) is an American jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer, poet, and visual artist. He is known mainly for alto saxophone, but he also performs on soprano and flute. During the 1960s, Lake worked with the Black ...

: Expandable Language (1984) *

: Subject To Change (1984) * Hal Russell: Conserving NRG (1984) *

: Let's Flip (1984) *

: Distance (1984) * Henry Kaiser: Invite The Spirit (1984) * Mark Helias: Split Image (1984) *

Hilton Ruiz Hilton Ruiz (May 29, 1952 – June 6, 2006) was an American jazz pianist in the Afro-Cuban jazz mold, but was also a talented bebop player. He was of Puerto Rican descent. Biography Born in New York City, Ruiz began playing piano at the age of ...

: Crosscurrents (1984) *

: It Should've Happened A Long Time Ago (1984) *

: A Loose Kite In A Gentle Wind (1984) *

: Seeds of Time (1984) * James Williams: Alter Ego (1984) *

Andy Laverne Andy LaVerne (born December 4, 1947) is an American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and educator. Education and musical career Born in New York City, LaVerne studied at Juilliard School of Music, Berklee College, and the New England Conservat ...

: Liquid Silver (1984) *

Bobby McFerrin Robert Keith McFerrin Jr. (born March 11, 1950) is an American folk and jazz singer. He is known for his vocal techniques, such as singing fluidly but with quick and considerable jumps in pitch—for example, sustaining a melody while also rap ...

: The Voice (1984)

Deaths

Red Garland William McKinley "Red" Garland Jr. (May 13, 1923 – April 23, 1984) was an American modern jazz pianist. Known for his work as a bandleader and during the 1950s with Miles Davis, Garland helped popularize the block chord style of playing in jazz ...

(May 13, 1923 – April 23, 1984) *

Count Basie William James "Count" Basie (; August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and the ...

(August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) *

Vic Dickenson Victor Dickenson (August 6, 1906 – November 16, 1984) was an American jazz trombonist. His career began in the 1920s and continued through musical partnerships with Count Basie (1940–41), Sidney Bechet (1941), and Earl Hines. Life and car ...

(August 6, 1906 - November 16, 1984)

Births

Andrea Rydin Berge Andrea Rydin Berge (born 26 April 1984 in Oslo, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz musician (vocals, piano and autoharp), composer and band leader, known from her own Andrea Kvintett. Career Berge has a background from music studies at the Universit ...

(April 12), Norwegian singer, pianist and autoharpist * Frida Ånnevik (June 18), Norwegian singer

1985

Album releases

* Butch Morris: Current Trends In Racism (1985) *

Bobby Previte Bobby Previte (born July 16, 1951 in Niagara Falls, New York) is a drummer, composer, and bandleader. He earned a degree in economics from the University at Buffalo, where he also studied percussion. He moved to New York City in 1979 and began ...

: Bump The Renaissance (1985) * George Russell: The African Game (1985) *

: Crowd (1985) *

Lyle Mays Lyle David Mays (November 27, 1953 – February 10, 2020) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and member of the Pat Metheny Group. Metheny and Mays composed and arranged nearly all of the group's music, for which Mays won eleven Grammy Awa ...

: Lyle Mays (1985) *

David Liebman David Liebman (born September 4, 1946) is an American saxophonist, flautist and jazz educator. He is known for his innovative lines and use of atonality. He was a frequent collaborator with pianist Richie Beirach. In June 2010, he received a N ...

: The Loneliness Of A Long-Distance Runner (1985) *

: Water Mystery (1985) * Hank Robertson: Transparency (1985) *

David Torn David M. Torn (born May 26, 1953) is an American guitarist, composer, and producer. He is known for combining electronic and acoustic instruments and for his use of looping. Background Torn has contributed to recordings by artists as diverse ...

: Best Laid Plans (1985) *

: Borbeto Jam (1985) *

Mark Nauseef Mark Nauseef (born June 11, 1953), in Cortland, New York, is a drummer and percussionist who has enjoyed a varied career, ranging from rock music during the 1970s with his time as a member of the Ian Gillan Band and, temporarily with Thin Li ...

: Wun Wun (1985) * Kip Hanrahan: Vertical Currency (1985) * Patrick O'Hearn: Ancient Dreams (1985) *

: Sixth Sense (1985) * John Carter: Castles of Ghana (1985) *

Gerry Hemingway Gerry Hemingway (born March 23, 1955) is an American drummer and composer. Hemingway was a member of the Anthony Braxton quartet from 1983 to 1994. He has also performed with Ernst Reijseger, Anthony Davis, Earl Howard, Leo Smith, George E ...

: Outerbridge Crossing (1985) *

Leni Stern Leni Stern (born 28 April 1952) is a German jazz guitarist and singer. Early life Stern was born Magdalena Thora, in Germany on 28 April 1952. She was interested in music from an early age, beginning piano studies at the age of six and takin ...

: Clairvoyant (1985) * Marc Johnson: Bass Desires (1985) *

: Chasers (1985) *

Tom Harrell Tom Harrell (born June 16, 1946) is an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist, composer, and arranger. Voted Trumpeter of the Year of 2018 by ''Jazz Journalists Association'', Harrell has won awards and grants throughout his career, including mul ...

: Moon Alley (1985) *

: Black Codes (1985) *

: J Mood (1985) * Paul Winter: Canyon (1985) * Tony Williams: Civilization (1985) *

Michael Mantler Michael Mantler (born August 10, 1943) is an Austrian avant-garde jazz trumpeter and composer of contemporary music. Career: United States Mantler was born in Vienna, Austria. In the early 1960s, he was a student at the Academy of Music and V ...

: Alien (1985) * Herbie Hancock: Village Life (1985) * Manhattan Transfer: Vocalese (1985)

Deaths

Philly Joe Jones Joseph Rudolph "Philly Joe" Jones (July 15, 1923 – August 30, 1985) was an American jazz drummer. Biography Early career As a child, Jones appeared as a featured tap dancer on ''The Kiddie Show'' on the Philadelphia radio station WIP. He wa ...

(July 15, 1923 – August 30, 1985) *

Kenny Clarke Kenneth Clarke Spearman (January 9, 1914January 26, 1985), nicknamed Klook, was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. A major innovator of the bebop style of drumming, he pioneered the use of the ride cymbal to keep time rather than the hi-ha ...

(January 9, 1914 - January 26, 1985) * Cootie Williams (July 10, 1911 - September 15, 1985) * Jo Jones (October 7, 1911 – September 3, 1985) *

Benny Morton Benny Morton (January 31, 1907 – December 28, 1985) was an American jazz trombonist, most associated with the swing genre. Career He was born in New York, United States. One of his first jobs was working with Clarence Holiday, and he appea ...

(January 31, 1907 – December 28, 1985) *

Dicky Wells William Wells (June 10, 1907 – November 12, 1985), known professionally as Dicky Wells (sometimes Dickie Wells), was an American jazz trombonist. Career Dickie Wells is believed to have been born on June 10, 1907 in Centerville, Tennessee, Un ...

(June 10, 1907 - November 12, 1985)

Births

* Per Arne Ferner, Norwegian guitarist *

Eyolf Dale Eyolf Dale (born 5 March 1985) is a Norwegian jazz pianist and composer. Career Dale started playing piano at the age of 6 years, and shortly after started taking lessons. After finishing his Examen artium on the Music program at Skien videre ...

(March 5), Norwegian pianist *

Ellen Brekken Ellen Brekken (born 20 June 1985) is a Norwegian jazz musician who plays upright bass, bass guitar, and the tuba. Biography Brekken was born in Tynset, Norway. She attended the Toneheim Folk High School in 2005, and completed a bachelor's de ...

(June 20), Norwegian upright bassist, bass guitarist and tubist * Kim Johannesen (August 22), Norwegian guitarist

1986

Album releases

* John Zorn: Cobra (1986) *

: Atlanta (1986) *

ICP Orchestra Instant Composers Pool (ICP) is an independent Dutch jazz and improvised music label and orchestra. Founded in 1967, the label takes its name from the notion that improvisation is "instant composition". The ICP label has published more than 50 r ...

: Bospaadje Konijnehol I (1986) * 16-17: 16-17 (1986) * Steve Coleman: On the Edge Of Tomorrow (1986) * Steve Lacy: Outings (1986) * Jim Staley: Mumbo Jumbo (1986) *

: Romance and Revolution (1986) *

: Fulton Street Maul (1986) * Cecil Taylor: For Olim (1986) * Last Exit: Last Exit (1986) *

Michael Shrieve Michael Shrieve (born July 6, 1949) is an American drummer, percussionist, and composer. He is best known as the drummer of the rock band Santana, playing on the band's first seven albums from 1969 to 1974. At age 20, Shrieve was the second you ...

: In Suspect Terrain (1986) *

: Spice Of Life (1986) *

: Lyle Mays (1986) *

Ned Rothenberg Ned Rothenberg (born September 15, 1956) is an American multi-instrumentalist and composer. He specializes in woodwind instruments, including the alto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, and shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute). He is known ...

: Trespass (1986) *

Sonny Sharrock Warren Harding "Sonny" Sharrock (August 27, 1940 – May 25, 1994) was an American jazz guitarist. He was married to singer Linda Sharrock, with whom he recorded and performed. One of only a few prominent guitarists who participated in the fir ...

: Guitar (1986) *

: The Snake Decides (1986) *

Courtney Pine Courtney Pine, (born 18 March 1964), is a British jazz musician, who was the principal founder in the 1980s of the black British band the Jazz Warriors. Although known primarily for his saxophone playing, Pine is a multi-instrumentalist, also ...

: Journey to the Urge Within (1986) *

: You Know the Number (1986) *

& Ornette Coleman: Song X (1986) * Last Exit: Koln (1986) * John Carter: Dance of Love Ghosts (1986) *

: Duotones (1986) *

Reggie Workman Reginald "Reggie" Workman (born June 26, 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American avant-garde jazz and hard bop double bassist, recognized for his work with both John Coltrane and Art Blakey. Career Early in his career, Workman wo ...

: Synthesis (1986) *

: Short Life of Barbara Monk (1986) *

: Love Remains (1986) * Christy Doran: Red Twist and Tuned Arrow (1986) *

Arturo Sandoval Arturo Sandoval is a Cuban-American jazz trumpeter, pianist, and composer. While living in his native Cuba, Sandoval was influenced by jazz musicians Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown, and Dizzy Gillespie. In 1977 he met Gillespie, who became his f ...

: Tumbaito (1986) * Larry Carlton: '' Alone / But Never Alone'' * Larry Carlton: ''

Discovery Discovery may refer to: * Discovery (observation), observing or finding something unknown * Discovery (fiction), a character's learning something unknown * Discovery (law), a process in courts of law relating to evidence Discovery, The Discover ...

Deaths

Jimmy Lyons Jimmy Lyons (December 1, 1931 – May 19, 1986) was an American alto saxophone player. He is best known for his long tenure in the Cecil Taylor Unit. Lyons was the only constant member of the band from the mid-1960s until his death. Taylor never ...

(December 1, 1931 – May 19) * Hank Mobley (July 7, 1930 – May 30) * Benny Goodman (May 30, 1909 – June 13) *

Curley Russell Dillon "Curley" Russell (19 March 1917 – 3 July 1986) was an American jazz musician, who played bass on many bebop recordings. He was born in New York, United States. He was nicknamed "Curley" for his curly hair. A member of the Tadd Damero ...

(March 19, 1917 – July 3) *

Teddy Wilson Theodore Shaw Wilson (November 24, 1912 – July 31, 1986) was an American jazz pianist. Described by critic Scott Yanow as "the definitive swing pianist", Wilson had a sophisticated, elegant style. His work was featured on the records of many ...

(November 24, 1912 – July 31) *

Thad Jones Thaddeus Joseph Jones (March 28, 1923 – August 20, 1986) was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader who has been called "one of the all-time greatest jazz trumpet soloists". Biography Thad Jones was born in Pontiac, Michigan, U ...

(March 28, 1923 – August 21) *

Billy Taylor Billy Taylor (July 24, 1921 – December 28, 2010) was an American jazz pianist, composer, broadcaster and educator. He was the Robert L. Jones Distinguished Professor of Music at East Carolina University in Greenville, and from 1994 was the a ...

(April 3, 1906 – September 2) * Eddie Davis (March 2, 1922 – November 3)

Births

* Jon Audun Baar, Norwegian drummer *

Emilie Stoesen Christensen Emilie Stoesen Christensen (born 1986 in Oslo, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz singer and actor, the daughter of Jazz drummer Jon Christensen (1943–2020) and actress Ellen Horn (b. Stoesen in 1951), and half sister of Theater director Kjersti H ...

, Norwegian singer and actor *

Ayumi Tanaka Ayumi Tanaka (born 1986) is a Japanese pianist and composer, known for numerous albums with Norwegian and international jazz musicians. Education Tanaka moved to Norway in 2011, and got her education at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo, ...

(March 11), Japanese pianist *

Jakop Janssønn Hauan Jakop Filip Janssønn Hauan (born 11 July 1986 in Tromsø, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz musician (drums and electronics). Career Hauan is a graduate of the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo (2011), holding a Bachelor's degree in executive dru ...

(July 11), Norwegian drummer *

Ellen Andrea Wang Ellen Andrea Wang (born 10 October 1986 in Gjøvik, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz musician (double bass and singer) and composer. She is the cousin of singer-songwriter Marthe Wang. Raised in Søndre Land, Oppland, she released her debut album, ' ...

(October 10), Norwegian upright-bassist and singer *

Jon Batiste Jonathan Michael Batiste (born November 11, 1986) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, bandleader, and television personality. He has recorded and performed with artists in various genres of music (Stevie Wonder, Prince, Willie Nelson, L ...

(November 11), American singer, multi-instrumentalist, and bandleader *

Tal Wilkenfeld Tal Wilkenfeld (born 2 December 1986) is an Australian singer, songwriter, bassist, and guitarist. She has performed with artists including Jeff Beck, Prince, Incubus, Eric Clapton, Herbie Hancock, and Mick Jagger. In 2008, Wilkenfeld was vot ...

(December 2), Australian bass guitarist

1987

Album releases

: Easily Slip Into Another World (1987) * Anthony Davis: Undine (1987) * Steve Lacy: Momentum (1987) * John Zorn: Spillane (1987) *

Hank Roberts Hank Roberts (born March 24, 1954, Terre Haute, Indiana) is an American jazz cellist and vocalist. He plays the electric cello, and his style is a mixture of rock, jazz, avant-garde, folk, and classical influences. He emerged with the downtown N ...

: Black Pastels (1987) *

: Labyrinths (1987) * Guy Klucevsek: Scenes From A Mirage (1987) *

: Cloud About Mercury (1987) *

: Dull Bang, Gushing Sound, Human Shriek (1987) *

: Sanctified Dreams (1987) *

: Fish That Sparkling Bubble (1987) *

Marty Ehrlich Marty Ehrlich (born May 31, 1955) is a multi-instrumentalist (saxophones, clarinets, flutes) and is considered one of the leading figures in avant-garde jazz. Biography Though born in St. Paul, Minnesota, the portion of Ehrlich's youth spent in ...

: Pliant Plaint (1987) *

: Fulton Street Maul (1987) *

Benny Carter Bennett Lester Carter (August 8, 1907 – July 12, 2003) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. With Johnny Hodges, he was a pioneer on the alto saxophone. From the beginning of his career ...

: Central City Sketches (1987) *

: Pushing The Envelope (1987) *

Phil Woods Philip Wells Woods (November 2, 1931 – September 29, 2015) was an American jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader, and composer. Biography Woods was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. After inheriting a saxophone at age 12, he began ...

: Bouquet (1987) *

Danny Gottlieb Daniel Richard Gottlieb (born April 18, 1953) is an American drummer. He was a founding member of the Pat Metheny Group and was co-founder of Elements with Mark Egan. Biography Gottlieb was born in New York City on April 18, 1953. He took less ...

: Aquamarine (1987) *

: Razor's Edge (1987) * Elements: Illumination (1987) * Henry Kaiser: Crazy-backwards Alphabet (1987) * Henry Kaiser: Devil In The Drain (1987) *

: Flutter By Butterfly (1987) * Mark Helias: The Current Set (1987) *

: Michael Brecker (1987) *

Montreaux Montreux (, , ; frp, Montrolx) is a Swiss municipality and town on the shoreline of Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps. It belongs to the district of Riviera-Pays-d'Enhaut in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland, and has a population of approximat ...

: Sign Language (1987) *

: Seize the Rainbow (1987) *

Mulgrew Miller Mulgrew Miller (August 13, 1955 – May 29, 2013) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and educator. As a child he played in churches and was influenced on piano by Ramsey Lewis and then Oscar Peterson. Aspects of their styles remained i ...

: Wingspan (1987) *

Neil Swainson Neil James Sinclair Swainson (born November 15, 1955) is a Canadian jazz bassist. Swainson started his career in Victoria, British Columbia, when he supported visiting American musicians such as Herb Ellis, Barney Kessell, and Sonny Stitt. In ...

: 49th Parallel (1987) * Earthworks: Earthworks (1987) *

Chick Corea Elektric Band Chick Corea Elektric Band was a jazz fusion band, led by keyboardist and pianist Chick Corea and founded in 1986 in New York City. The band was nominated twice at the Grammy Awards. The sixth band album, a tribute one named ''Chick Corea Elektr ...

: Light Years (1987)

Deaths

Buddy Rich Bernard "Buddy" Rich (September 30, 1917 – April 2, 1987) was an American jazz drummer, songwriter, conductor, and bandleader. He is considered one of the most influential drummers of all time. Rich was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, ...

(September 30, 1917 – April 2, 1987) *

(December 1, 1951 – September 21, 1987) *

Maxine Sullivan Maxine Sullivan (May 13, 1911 – April 7, 1987), born Marietta Williams in Homestead, Pennsylvania, United States, was an American jazz vocalist and performer. As a vocalist, Sullivan was active for half a century, from the mid-1930s to just b ...

(May 13, 1911 – April 7, 1987) *

Freddie Green Frederick William Green (March 31, 1911 – March 1, 1987) was an American swing jazz guitarist who played rhythm guitar with the Count Basie Orchestra for almost fifty years. Early life and education Green was born in Charleston, South Car ...

(March 31, 1911 – March 1, 1987) *

Woody Herman Woodrow Charles Herman (May 16, 1913 – October 29, 1987) was an American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading groups called "The Herd", Herman came to prominence in the late 1930s and was active until his dea ...

(May 16, 1913 – October 29, 1987) *

Howard McGhee Howard McGhee (March 6, 1918 – July 17, 1987) was one of the first American bebop jazz trumpeters, with Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro and Idrees Sulieman. He was known for his fast fingering and high notes. He had an influence on younger beb ...

(March 6, 1918 – July 17, 1987)

Births

Hanne Kalleberg Hanne Kalleberg (born 1987 in Flekkefjord, Norway) is a Norwegians, Norwegian jazz singer and composer. Career Kalleberg is a graduate of the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo. She released her debut album ''Papirfly'' (2013), within her own ...

, Norwegian singer and composer *

Eldar Djangirov Eldar Djangirov (born January 28, 1987), also known as Eldar, is an American jazz pianist. He was born in Tokmok, Kyrgyz SSR, Soviet Union to Tanya and Emil Djangirov, and is of Volga Tatar and Russian descent. He grew up in Kansas City, MO from ...

(January 28), American pianist *

Trygve Waldemar Fiske Trygve Waldemar Fiske (born 15 February 1987 in Frei, Norway) is a Norwegian jazz musician (upright bass), known from different Norwegian jazz bands and recordings. Career Fiske was educated on the jazz program at Trondheim Musikkonsevatoriu ...

(February 15), Norwegian upright-bassist *

Marte Eberson Marte Maaland Eberson is a Norwegian keyboardist and composer, known from bands including Morning Has Occurred and Highasakite. She is the daughter of the guitarist Jon Eberson. Career Eberson was born in Oslo, and obtained her formal music ...

(December 12), Norwegian keyboardist *

Julian Lage Julian Lage ( ; born December 25, 1987) is an American guitarist and composer. Career A child prodigy, Lage was the subject of the 1996 short documentary film ''Jules at Eight''. At 12, he performed at the 2000 Grammy Awards. Three years later ...

(December 25), American guitarist

1988

Events

*Jazz guitarist Larry Carlton is shot in a random gun shooting outside his Los Angeles studios.Larrcarlton.com

Album releases

Bill Frisell William Richard Frisell (born March 18, 1951) is an American jazz guitarist, composer and arranger. Frisell first came to prominence at ECM Records in the 1980s, as both a session player and a leader. He went on to work in a variety of contexts ...

: Before We Were Born (1988) *

: Rag Bush And All (1988) *

Turtle Island String Quartet The Turtle Island Quartet is a string quartet that plays hybrids of jazz, classical, and rock music. The group was formed in 1985 by David Balakrishnan, Darol Anger, and Mark Summer in San Francisco. They released their first album on Windham ...

: Turtle Island String Quartet (1988) *

: Street Dreams (1988) *

: Triplicate (1988) *

Jackie McLean John Lenwood "Jackie" McLean (May 17, 1931 – March 31, 2006) was an American jazz alto saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and educator, and is one of the few musicians to be elected to the ''DownBeat'' Hall of Fame in the year of their deat ...

: Dynasty (1988) * John Carter: Fields (1988) *

: Secrets (1988) *

: Beauty Based on Science (1988) * Music Revelation Ensemble: Music Revelation Ensemble (1988) *

: Psalm 122 (1988) * Steve Turre: Fire and Ice (1988) *

Trilok Gurtu Trilok Gurtu (born 30 October 1951) is an Indian percussionist and composer whose work has blended the music of India with jazz fusion and world music. He has worked with Terje Rypdal, Gary Moore, John McLaughlin, Jan Garbarek, Joe Zawinul, ...

: Usfret (1988) *

: Claude's Late Morning (1988) *

: Lookout for Hope (1988) *

Misha Mengelberg Misha Mengelberg (5 June 1935 – 3 March 2017) was a Dutch jazz pianist and composer.Feather, Leonard & Gitler, Ira (2007) ''The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz'', p. 459. Oxford University Press. A prominent figure in post-WWII European Jazz ...

: Impromptus (1988) *

Marcus Roberts Marthaniel "Marcus" Roberts (born August 7, 1963) is an American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, bandleader, and teacher. Early life Roberts was born in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. His mother was a gospel singer who had gone blind a ...

: Truth is Spoken Here (1988) *

David Ware David Spencer Ware (November 7, 1949 – October 18, 2012) was an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. Biography Ware was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, and grew up in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. While in high school he att ...

: Passage To Music (1988) *

: Trio + One (1988) * Freddie Hubbard: Stardust (1988) * Gary Thomas: Code Violations (1988) *

: El Camino (1988) *

: Evolution (1988) * Ralph More: Rejuvenate (1988)

Deaths

* Chet Baker (December 23, 1929 – May 13, 1988) *

Gil Evans Ian Ernest Gilmore Evans (né Green; May 13, 1912 – March 20, 1988) was a Canadian–American jazz pianist, arranger, composer and bandleader. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest orchestrators in jazz, playing an important role i ...

(13 May 1912 – 20 March 1988) *

Eddie Vinson Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson (born Edward L. Vinson Jr.; December 18, 1917 – July 2, 1988) was an American jump blues, jazz, bebop and R&B alto saxophonist and blues shouter. He was nicknamed Cleanhead after an incident in which his hair was ...

(December 18, 1917 – July 2, 1988) *

Tommy Potter Charles Thomas Potter (September 21, 1918 – March 1, 1988) was an American jazz double bass player, best known for having been a member of Charlie Parker's "classic quintet", with Miles Davis, between 1947 and 1950. Born in Philadelphia, Penn ...

(September 21, 1918 - March 1, 1988) *

Sy Oliver Melvin James "Sy" Oliver (December 17, 1910 – May 28, 1988) was an American jazz arranger, trumpeter, composer, singer and bandleader. Life Sy Oliver was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, United States. His mother was a piano teacher, and his ...

(December 17, 1910 – May 28, 1988) *

J. C. Heard James Charles Heard (August 10, 1917 – September 27, 1988) was an American swing, bop, and blues drummer. Biography Heard was born in Dayton, Ohio and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. As a young child, he performed as a tap dancer in a ...

(August 10, 1917, in Dayton, Ohio – September 27, 1988)

Births

Fredrik Luhr Dietrichson Fredrik Luhr Dietrichson (born 5 February 1988 in Haugesund, Norway) is a Norwegian Upright bassist. Career Dietrichson holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance by the Jazz program at Trondheim Musikkonsevatorium, where he and some fe ...

(February 5), Norwegian upright bassist

1989

Album releases

: '' Traveller's Tale '' *

: ''

Fractured Fairy Tales ''The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends'' (commonly referred to as simply ''Rocky and Bullwinkle'') is an American animated television series that originally aired from November 19, 1959, to June 27, 1964, on the American Broadca ...

'' *

Joe Maneri Joseph Gabriel Esther Maneri (February 9, 1927 – August 24, 2009), was an American jazz composer, saxophone and clarinet player. Violinist Mat Maneri is his son. Boston Microtonal Society In 1988, Maneri founded the Boston Microtonal Society ...

: '' Kalavinka '' * 16-17: '' When All Else Fails '' *

Joe Lovano Joseph Salvatore Lovano (born December 29, 1952)"Joe Lovano." ''Contemporary Musicians''. Vol. 13. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, 1994. Retrieved via ''Biography in Context'' database, May 5, 2017. is an American jazz saxophonist, alto clarin ...

: ''Worlds'' *

Nimal Nimal may refer to *Nimal Bandara, Sri Lankan politician *Nimal Gamini Amaratunga, Sri Lankan judge *Nimal Gunaratne, Sri Lankan air force officer *Nimal Mendis, Sri Lankan politician *Nimal Piyatissa (born 1968), Sri Lankan politician *Nimal Raja ...

: ''

'' * John Oswald: ''

Plunderphonics Plunderphonics is a music genre in which tracks are constructed by sampling recognizable musical works. The term was coined by composer John Oswald in 1985 in his essay "Plunderphonics, or Audio Piracy as a Compositional Prerogative", and even ...

'' *

: '' Stiletto '' *

: ''

Extensions Extension, extend or extended may refer to: Mathematics Logic or set theory * Axiom of extensionality * Extensible cardinal * Extension (model theory) * Extension (predicate logic), the set of tuples of values that satisfy the predicate * E ...

'' * Andrew Hill: '' Eternal Spirit '' * Christy Doran: ''

Phoenix Phoenix most often refers to: * Phoenix (mythology), a legendary bird from ancient Greek folklore * Phoenix, Arizona, a city in the United States Phoenix may also refer to: Mythology Greek mythological figures * Phoenix (son of Amyntor), a ...

'' * Henry Kaiser: '' Re-Marrying For Money'' *

: '' Big Picture'' *

: '' Hearinga Suite '' *

: ''

Song Everlasting ''Song Everlasting'' is an album by the Don Pullen- George Adams Quartet recorded in 1987 for the Blue Note label.Fred Hersh: '' Heartsongs '' *

: '' Twylight '' *

: '' Closer to the Light'' * Ganelin Trio: ''

Cantabile In music, ''cantabile'' , an Italian word, means literally "singable" or "songlike". In instrumental music, it is a particular style of playing designed to imitate the human voice. For 18th-century composers, ''cantabile'' is often synonymous wit ...

'' * Marty Fogel: '' Many Bobbing Heads '' * London Jazz Composers Orchestra:''

Harmos ''Harmos'' is an album by Barry Guy and the London Jazz Composers' Orchestra that features a recording of a large-scale, 44-minute composition by Guy. It was recorded in April 1989, just before the LJCO's 20th anniversary, in Zürich, Switzerland, ...

'' *

: '' Let Them Say '' * No Safety: '' This Lost Leg '' * John Carter: '' Shadows on a Wall '' *

Ralph Peterson Ralph Peterson may refer to: * Ralph Peterson Jr. (1962–2021), American jazz drummer and bandleader * Ralph Peterson (writer) Ralph Wilton Peterson (21 February 1921 – 2 November 1996) was an Australian writer (dramatist and playwright ...

: ''

Triangular A triangle is a polygon with three edges and three vertices. It is one of the basic shapes in geometry. A triangle with vertices ''A'', ''B'', and ''C'' is denoted \triangle ABC. In Euclidean geometry, any three points, when non- collinea ...

'' * Ray Anderson: '' Blues Bred '' * King Ubu Orchestru: '' Binaurality '' *

:'' Conic Sections'' *

: '' Living on the Edge '' * Charles Earland: ''

Third Degree Burn A burn is an injury to skin, or other tissues, caused by heat, cold, electricity, chemicals, friction, or ultraviolet radiation (like sunburn). Most burns are due to heat from hot liquids (called scalding), solids, or fire. Burns occur mai ...

'' *

John Scofield John Scofield (born December 26, 1951), sometimes referred to as "Sco", is an American guitarist and composer whose music over a long career has blended jazz, jazz fusion, funk, blues, soul and rock. He first came to mainstream attention in th ...

: '' Time on My Hands '' * Roy Hargrove: '' Diamond in the Rough '' *

: '' Sail Away '' *

Tommy Flanagan Thomas Lee Flanagan (March 16, 1930 – November 16, 2001) was an American jazz pianist and composer. He grew up in Detroit, initially influenced by such pianists as Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, and Nat King Cole, and then by bebop musicians. ...

: '' Jazz Poet '' * Larry Carlton: ''

On Solid Ground ''On Solid Ground'' is an album by the American musician Larry Carlton, released in 1989. The album features keyboardists Terry Trotter and Alan Pasqua, and saxophonist Kirk Whalum. Carlton was shot in the neck while working on the album, delaying ...

'' *

Neal Schon Neal ( Neil) is a given masculine name and surname of Gaelic and Irish origin. The name is an Anglicisation of the Irish Niall which is of disputed derivation. The Irish name may be derived from words meaning "cloud", "passionate", "victory", "hon ...

:''

Late Nite ''Late Nite'' is the first solo album by Neal Schon released in 1989. Bob Marlette played keyboards and produced the album. Several of the musicians were former Journey members Gregg Rolie, Jonathan Cain, Steve Smith, and Randy Jackson as well as ...

Deaths

* Phineas Newborn Jr. (December 14, 1931 – May 26, 1989) *

Woody Shaw Woody Herman Shaw Jr. (December 24, 1944 – May 10, 1989) was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, arranger, band leader, and educator. Shaw is widely known as one of the most important and influential jazz trumpet ...

(December 24, 1944 – May 10, 1989) *

Roy Eldridge David Roy Eldridge (January 30, 1911 – February 26, 1989), nicknamed "Little Jazz", was an American jazz trumpeter. His sophisticated use of harmony, including the use of tritone substitutions, his virtuosic solos exhibiting a departure from ...

(January 30, 1911 – February 26, 1989) * Kenny Hagood (1926 - November 9, 1989)

Births

Hans Hulbækmo Hans Hulbækmo (born 1989) is a Norwegian musician (drums, percussion, saw, Jew's harp and vibraphone) and composer, son of the traditional folk musicians Tone Hulbækmo and Hans Fredrik Jacobsen, brother of pianist Alf Hulbækmo, and known ...

, Norwegian drummer

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1980s In Jazz 1980s in music 20th century in jazz Jazz by decade 1980s decade overviews