1921 in jazz

This is a timeline documenting events of Jazz in the year 1921.

Musicians born that year included Humphrey Lyttelton and Eddie Calhoun.

Events



 * Bix Beiderbecke attended the Lake Forest Academy near Chicago, and got the opportunity to learn about the New Orleans and Chicago Jazz.
 * Frankie Trumbauer worked for Isham Jones at the College Inn in Chicago.
 * Sidney Bechet returns from his trip to Europe, and musicians like Duke Ellington become aware of his abilities.
 * Fletcher Henderson is on the road with Ethel Waters. He hears Armstrong for the first time and immediately offers him a job. Armstrong turns him down.
 * James P. Johnson starts approaching jazz with the recording of "Worried and Lonesome Blues" and "Carolina Shout". He becomes a pioneer of stride piano with these recordings.
 * Saxophonist Coleman Hawkins joined the Mamie Smith's Jazz Hounds.
 * Lennie Tristano takes an interest in piano at the age of two years.

Standards

 * In 1921 the main standard published was "The Sheik of Araby".

Deaths

 * April
 * 20 – Tony Jackson, American pianist, singer, and composer (born 1882).

Births

 * January
 * 20 – Connie Haines, American singer (died 2008).
 * 22 – André Hodeir, French violinist (died 2011).
 * 30 – Bernie Leighton, American pianist (died 1994).
 * 31 – John Anderson, American trumpeter (died 1974).


 * February
 * 12 – Hans Koller, Austrian tenor saxophonist and bandleader (died 2003).
 * 13 – Wardell Gray, American tenor saxophonist (died 1955).


 * March
 * 1 – Kenny Baker, English trumpeter (died 1999).
 * 11 – Astor Piazzolla, Argentine tango composer, bandoneon player (died 1992).
 * 15 – Vinnie Burke, American bassist (died 2001).
 * 19 – Harry Babasin, American bassist (died 1988).
 * 20 – Jimmy Coe, American saxophonist (died 2004).
 * 26 – Joe Loco, American pianist and arranger (died 1988).


 * April
 * 3 – Earl Washington, American pianist (died 1975).
 * 7 – Al Hayse, American trombonist (died 1982).
 * 13 – Dona Ivone Lara, Brazilian samba singer (died 2018).
 * 22 – Candido Camero, Cuban conga and bongo player (died 2020).
 * 26
 * Jimmy Giuffre, American clarinet and saxophone player (died 2008).
 * Preston Love, American saxophonist (died 2004).


 * May
 * 6 – Freddy Randall, American trumpeter and bandleader (died 1999).
 * 20 – Jimmy Henderson, American trombonist and bandleader (died 1995).
 * 22 – Gustav Brom, Czech big band leader and clarinetist (died 1995).
 * 23 – Humphrey Lyttelton, English trumpeter (died 2008).
 * 28 – Al Tinney, American pianist (died 2002).
 * 31 – Alan Clare, British jazz pianist (died 1993).


 * June
 * 2
 * Ernie Royal, American trumpeter (died 1983).
 * Marty Napoleon, American pianist (died 2015).
 * 7 – Tal Farlow, American guitarist (died 1998).
 * 15 – Erroll Garner, American pianist and composer (died 1977).
 * 17 – Tony Scott, American clarinetist (died 2007).


 * July
 * 9 – Irv Kluger, American drummer (died 2006).
 * 17
 * George Barnes, American guitarist (died 1977).
 * Mary Osborne, American guitarist (died 1992).
 * 24 – Billy Taylor, American pianist and composer (died 2010).


 * August
 * 4
 * Herb Ellis, American guitarist (died 2010).
 * Pat Friday, American singer (died 2016).
 * 6 – Buddy Collette, American flautist, saxophonist, and clarinetist (died 2010).
 * 7 – Warren Covington, American big band trombonist (died 1999).
 * 21 – Dennis Berry, English musician and composer (died 1994).
 * 28 – Tony Aless, American pianist (died 1988).


 * September
 * 3 – Cab Kaye, English singer, pianist, and bandleader (died 2000).
 * 8 – Norris Turney, American flautist and saxophonist (died 2001).
 * 15 – Gene Roland, American composer and musician (died 1982).
 * 16 – Jon Hendricks, American lyricist and singer (died 2017).
 * 20
 * Bill DeArango, American guitarist (died 2005).
 * Chico Hamilton, American drummer and bandleader (died 2013).
 * 29 – Franny Beecher, American guitarist (died 2014).


 * October
 * 3 – Leon Breeden, American clarinetist and saxophonist (died 2010).
 * 4 – Shifty Henry, American bassist (died 1958).
 * 10
 * Julius Watkins, American French hornist (died 1977).
 * Monk Montgomery, American bass guitarist (died 1982).
 * Roy Kral, American pianist and singer (died 2002).
 * 18 – Willy Andresen, Norwegian pianist orchestra leader (died 2016).
 * 28 – Chico O'Farrill, Cuban composer and conductor (died 2001).


 * November
 * 13 – Eddie Calhoun, American upright bassist (died 1993).
 * 20 – Norman O'Connor, American pianist (died 2003).
 * 23 – Jack Marshall, American guitarist, conductor, and composer (died 1973).


 * December
 * 1 – John Bunch, American pianist (died 2010).
 * 26 – Steve Allen, American singer, songwriter, and television personality (died 2000).
 * 31 – Simon Brehm, Swedish upright bassist (died 1967).