– Ethel Azama, American singer (born 1934). April 3 – John Mehegan, Kjeld Bonfils, American jazz pianist, lecturer, and critic (born 1916). 13 – George Fierstone, English drummer (born 1916). 20 – Mabel Mercer, English-born cabaret singer (born 1900). 23 Red Garland, American pianist, band leader, and composer (born 1923). Juan Tizol, Puerto Rican trombonist and composer (born 1900). 26 – Count Basie, American pianist, organist band leader, and composer (born 1904). May 18 – Ray Copeland, American trumpeter and teacher (born 1926). June 22 – Red Garland (60), American pianist, band leader, and composer (born 1923). 26 – Dill Jones, Welsh jazz stride pianist (born 1923). 26 – Albert Dailey, American pianist (born 1939). July 5 – Don Elliott, American trumpeter, vibraphonist, and vocalist (born 1926). 14 – Bill Stapleton, American trumpeter and arranger (born 1945). 24 – Frank Butler, American drummer (born 1928). August 7 – Esther Phillips, American singer (born 1935). 12 – Lenny Breau, American guitarist and music educator (born 1941). September 10 Herman Sherman, American saxophonist and bandleader (born 1923). Trummy Young, African-American trombonist (born 1912). 26 – Shelly Manne, American drummer (born 1920). October 13 – Kjeld Bonfils, Danish pianist and vibraphonist (born 1918). 16 – Jiří Jelínek, Czech painter, illustrator, jazz trumpeter, and singer (born 1922). 17 – Alberta Hunter, American singer and songwriter (born 1895). 20 – Budd Johnson, American saxophonist and clarinetist (born 1910). Ronnie Ball, English pianist, composer, and arranger (born 1927). November 16 – Vic Dickenson, American trombonist (born 1906). December 8 – Gene Ramey, jazz musician (born 1913). 15 – Eddie Beal, American pianist (born 1910). Unknown date Elmon Wright, American trumpeter (born 1929). Births January 4 – Trond Bersu, Norwegian drummer. 5 – Shinya Fukumori, Japanese drummer and composer. 19 – Yvonnick Prene, French harmonica player and composer. 24 – Jason Nazary, American drummer. 28 – David Helbock, Austrian pianist and composer February 20 – Mari Kvien Brunvoll, Norwegian singer and composer. 23 – Lucia Cadotsch, Swiss singer and composer. March 4 – Sheila Permatasaka, Indonesian bassist. April 4 – Steinar Aadnekvam, Norwegian jazz guitarist. 26 – Andrea Rydin Berge, Norwegian singer and pianist. May 16 – Zara McFarlane, Jamaican-British singer and songwriter. 28 – Obenewa, English singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. 29 – Jo Berger Myhre, Norwegian upright bassist, Splashgirl. June 18 – Frida Ånnevik, Norwegian singer. 21 – David Lyttle, Northern Irish musician, songwriter, producer, composer, and