This is a timeline documenting events of Jazz in the year 1955. Events July 15 – The 2nd Newport Jazz Festival started in Newport, Rhode Island (July 15 – 17). 17 Miles Davis historic performance at the Newport Jazz Festival resulted in George Avakian signing him to Columbia Records. This led to the formation of his so-called “first great quintet,” featuring John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones (the "’Round About Midnight" sessions). Album releases Harry Edison Buddy and Sweets (With Buddy Rich) Pres and Sweets (With Lester Young) Erroll Garner: Concert by the Sea Ahmad Jamal: Chamber Music of the New Jazz Stan Kenton Contemporary Concepts Duet (With June Christy) Thelonious Monk: Thelonious Monk Plays Duke Ellington Frank Morgan: Frank Morgan Herbie Nichols: The Prophetic Herbie Nichols, Vol. 1 & 2 Oscar Peterson At Zardi's In a Romantic Mood George Shearing: The Shearing Spell Horace Silver: Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers (recorded; released 1956) Frank Sinatra: In the Wee Small Hours Lennie Tristano: Lennie Tristano (released 1956) Deaths March 12 – Charlie "Bird" Parker, American saxophonist and composer (born 1920). April 23 – Henry Busse, German-born trumpeter (born 1894). 30 – Dave Peyton, American songwriter, pianist, and arranger (born 1889). May 17 – Ernst van 't Hoff, Dutch pianist and bandleader (born 1908). 25 – Wardell Gray, American tenor saxophonists (born 1921). June 28 – John Spikes, American jazz musician and entrepreneur (born 1881). August 28 – Bob Gordon, American baritone saxophonist (born 1928). October 21 – Dick Twardzik, American pianist (born 1931). September Reuben Reeves, American jazz trumpeter and bandleader (born 1905). 25 – Shotaro Moriyasu, Japanese pianist (born 1924). November 10 – Junior Raglin, American upright bassist (born 1917). 17 – James P. Johnson, American pianist and composer (born 1894). December 3 – Cow Cow Davenport, American pianist, organist, and singer. Unknown date Bessie Brown, American blues, jazz, and cabaret singer (born 1890) Eddie Pollack, American saxophonist (born 1899). Porter Grainger, American pianist (born 1891) Births January 10 – Ole Henrik Giørtz, Norwegian pianist. 11 – Ed Schuller, American bassist and composer. 12 – Jane Ira Bloom, American soprano saxophonist and composer. 17 – Vladislav Sendecki, Polish pianist. 18 – Marilyn Mazur, Danish percussionist, drummer, composer, vocalist, pianist, dancer, and bandleader. 22 – Phillip Johnston, American composer and saxophonist. 26 – Gary Crosby, British upright bassist, music arranger, and educator. 27 – Pheeroan