This is a timeline documenting events of Jazz in the year 1940. Events March The American Society of Composers, Artists and Producers (ASCAP) proposed a new contract, increasing by 100 percent the royalties which they received from broadcast use. Top hits of the year On February 8, 1940, “How High the Moon” was introduced during the Broadway revue Two for the Show. The musical would run at the Booth Theatre for 124 performances. Music and Lyrics by Alfred Drake and Frances Comstock. Album releases Duke Ellington: In a Mellotone Duke Ellington: Sophisticated Lady Standards Deaths February 24 – Guy Kelly, American jazz trumpeter (born 1906). April 23 – Walter Barnes, American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist and bandleader (born 1905). May 1 – Arthur Whetsel, "sweet" trumpeter for Duke Ellington's Washingtonians (born 1905). August 8 Einar Aaron Swan, American musician, arranger and composer (born 1903). Johnny Dodds, New Orleans based jazz clarinetist and alto saxophonist (born 1892). September Charley Straight, American pianist, bandleader and composer (born 1891). December 6 – Charlie Dixon, American jazz banjoist (born 1898). 21 – Hal Kemp, jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader, composer, and arranger (born 1904). Births January 6 – Laudir de Oliveira, Brazilian percussionist in Chicago (died 2017). 10 – Waymon Reed, American trumpeter (died 1983). 12 – Ronald Shannon Jackson, American drummer (died 2013). 18 Don Thompson, Canadian double-bassist, pianist, and vibraphonist. Lindsay L. Cooper, Scottish upright bass, electric bass and cello player (died 2001). 22 – Eberhard Weber, German double-bassist and composer. 30 – Tony Levin, English drummer (died 2011). February 4 – Maurice J. Summerfield, British guitarist, author, publisher, and businessman. 10 – Kenny Rankin, American singer and songwriter (died 2009). 14 – Bob Kerr, English trumpeter and cornetist, Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. 29 – Paul Rutherford, English trombonist (died 2007). March 1 Gene Perla, American bassist. Ralph Towner, American guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. 10 – Louis Moholo, South African drummer. 11 – Bobby Graham, English drummer (died 2009). 12 – Al Jarreau, American singer (died 2017). 16 – Vagif Mustafazadeh, Azerbaijani pianist and composer (died 1979). 19 Keith Smith, English trumpeter (died 2008). Roger Dawson, American percussionist. 20 – Frode Thingnæs, Norwegian trombonist and orchestra leader (died 2012). 22 – Keith Relf, English singer, The Yardbirds (died 1976). 24 – S. Frederick Starr, American clarinetist. 25 – Lonnie Hillyer, American trumpeter (died 1985). 26 – Lew Tabackin, American flutist and tenor saxophonist.