instrument inventor (born 1908). March 9 – Maurice Purtill or Moe Purtill, American drummer, Glenn Miller Orchestra (born 1916). 13 – Danny Barker, American guitarist, banjoist, vocalist, and author (born 1909). 19 – Rafig Babayev, Azerbaijani musician and composer (born 1937). 24 – Tommy Benford, American drummer (born 1905). April 2 – Rowland Greenberg, Norwegian trumpeter (born 1920). 6 – Dick Cary, American trumpeter, composer, and arranger (born 1916). 16 – Ralph Ellison, American novelist and literary critic (born 1913). 22 – Jack Bentley, English trombonist, journalist, and scriptwriter (born 1913). May 23 – Joe Pass, American guitarist of Sicilian descent (born 1929). 25 – Eric Gale, American guitarist (born 1938). 26 Gil Fuller, American composer and arranger (born 1920). Sonny Sharrock, American guitarist (born 1940). 27 – Red Rodney, American trumpeter (born 1927). 29 – Oliver Jackson, American drummer (born 1933). 30 – Jean Omer, Belgian reedist and bandleader (born 1912). June 7 – Willie Humphrey, American clarinetist (born 1900). 14 Henry Mancini, American composer, conductor, and arranger (born 1924). Lionel Grigson, British pianist, cornettist, trumpeter, and composer (born 1942). 21 – Dennis Berry, English saxophonist, composer, arranger, and producer (born 1921). July 11 – Lex Humphries, American drummer (born 1936). August 6 – Jacques Pelzer, Belgian alto saxophonist and flautist (born 1924). 12 – Gene Cherico, American upright bassist (born 1935). 18 – Charles Redland, Swedish saxophonist, bandleader, and composer (born 1911). September 5 – Billy Usselton, American jazz reed player (born 1926). 6 – Max Kaminsky, American trumpeter and bandleader (born 1908). 13 – John Stevens, English drummer, Spontaneous Music Ensemble (born 1940). 16 – Bernie Leighton, American pianist (born 1921). 20 – Jimmy Hamilton, American clarinetist, tenor saxophonist, and composer (born 1917). 22 Bob Lively, American saxophonist (born 1923). Leonard Feather, British pianist, composer, and producer (born 1914). 29 – David van Kriedt, American composer, saxophonist, and music teacher (born 1922). October 3 – Scoville Browne, American reedist (born 1909). 4 – Danny Gatton, American guitarist (born 1945). 5 – Nini Rosso, Italian jazz trumpeter and composer (born 1926). 8 – John Neely, American tenor saxophonist and arranger (born 1930). 21 Lanny Steele, American pianist and composer (born 1933). Thore Ehrling, Swedish trumpeter, composer, and bandleader (born 1912). November 4 – Jack Sharpe, English saxophonist and bandleader (born 1930). 7 – Shorty Rogers, American trumpeter and flugelhornist (born 1924). 10 – Carmen McRae, American singer, composer,