This is a timeline documenting events of Jazz in the year 1952. Events The pianist John Lewis initiates the Modern Jazz Quartet together with vibraphonist Milt Jackson, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Kenny Clarke. Thelonious Monk starts making records for Prestige. The young trumpeter Chet Baker play with Charlie Parker before he joines the quartet of Gerry Mulligan. The health of guitarist Django Reinhardt is starting to fail. His fingers are getting stiff. Les Paul introduces his new invention, the solid body guitar, when Gibson begins marketing the classic guitar which bears his name. Album releases Gerry Mulligan: Gerry Mulligan Quartet Volume 1 (Pacific Jazz) Johnny Smith: Moonlight in Vermont originally Jazz at NBC Series (Royal Roost) Stan Kenton: New Concepts of Artistry in Rhythm (Capitol) Nat King Cole: Penthouse Serenade (Capitol) Duke Ellington: Ellington Uptown (Columbia) Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie: Bird and Diz (Clef/Verve) Oscar Peterson: An Evening with Oscar Peterson (Clef Records) Oscar Peterson: Oscar Peterson Plays Duke Ellington (Clef Records) Dave Brubeck: The Dave Brubeck Quartet (Fantasy Records) Bud Powell: The Amazing Bud Powell'' (Blue Note) Standards Deaths January 9 – Midge Williams, African-American singer (born 1915). February 23 – Herb Morand, American trumpeter (born 1905). March 27 – Cassino Simpson, American pianist (born 1909). April 26 – Zinky Cohn, American pianist (born 1908). June 14 – John Kirby, American upright bassist who also played trombone and tuba (born 1908). November 20 – Mal Hallett, American jazz violinist and bandleader (born 1893). December 29 – Fletcher Henderson, American pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer (born 1897). 31 – Mel Stitzel, German-born pianist best known for his work with the New Orleans Rhythm Kings (born 1902). Births January 2 – Viatcheslav Nazarov, Russian trombonist, pianist, and vocalist (died 1996). 10 – William Parker, American bassist, poet, and composer. 11 – Lee Ritenour, American guitarist. 13 – Pekka Pohjola, Finnish multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer (died 2008). 19 – Eric Leeds, American saxophonist. 27 – Ray Obiedo, American contemporary jazz guitarist. February 18 – Randy Crawford, American singer. 20 – Uwe Kropinski, German guitarist. 22 – ** Ken Pickering, Canadian jazz promotor, Vancouver Jazz Festival co-founder (died 2018). March 11 – Vince Giordano, American saxophonist, Nighthawks Orchestra. 17 – Manolo Badrena, Puerto Rican percussionist, Weather Report. 19 – Chris Brubeck, American bassist, bass trombonist, and pianist. 21 – Carlo Actis Dato, Italian saxophonist and composer. 22 – Bob Mover, American