1984 in jazz

This is a timeline documenting events of Jazz in the year 1984.

April

 * 13 – The 11th Vossajazz started in Voss, Norway (April 13 – 15).

May

 * 23 – 12th Nattjazz started in Bergen, Norway (May 23 – June 6).

June

 * 8 – 13th Moers Festival started in Moers, Germany (June 8 – 11).
 * 29 – The 5th Montreal International Jazz Festival started in Montreal, Quebec, Canada (June 29 – July 8).

July

 * 5 – The 18th Montreux Jazz Festival started in Montreux, Switzerland (July 5 – 21).
 * 13 – The 9th North Sea Jazz Festival started in The Hague, Netherlands (July 13 – 15).

August

 * 17 – The very first Brecon Jazz Festival started in Brecon, Wales (April 17 – 19).

September

 * 14 – The 27th Monterey Jazz Festival started in Monterey, California (September 14 – 16).

Album releases

 * John Zorn: Locus Solus
 * Geri Allen: The Printmakers
 * Steps Ahead: Modern Times
 * Oliver Lake: Expandable Language
 * Henry Threadgill: Subject To Change
 * Hal Russell: Conserving NRG
 * Microscopic Septet: Let's Flip
 * Joachim Kuhn: Distance
 * Henry Kaiser: Invite The Spirit
 * Mark Helias: Split Image
 * Hilton Ruiz: Crosscurrents
 * Paul Motian: The Story of Maryam
 * Keith Tippett: A Loose Kite In A Gentle Wind
 * Dave Holland: Seeds of Time
 * James Williams: Alter Ego
 * Andy Laverne: Liquid Silver
 * Bobby McFerrin: The Voice
 * Chick Corea and Steve Kujala: Voyage
 * Chick Corea: Children's Songs
 * Herbie Hancock: Sound-System
 * Wynton Marsalis: Hot House Flowers
 * Branford Marsalis: Scenes in the City
 * Sonny Rollins: Sunny Days, Starry Nights
 * Ron Carter and Jim Hall: Telephone
 * Weather Report: Domino Theory
 * Jane Ira Bloom and Fred Hersch: As One
 * Fred Hersch: Horizons
 * Bill Frisell: Rambler
 * Bill Frisell and Vernon Reid: Smash & Scatteration
 * Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers: New York Scene
 * Benny Golson: Nostalgia
 * Art Farmer and Lionel Hampton: In Concert
 * Art Farmer and Slide Hampton: In Concert
 * Clare Fischer: Crazy Bird
 * Martial Solal: Plays Hodeir
 * Anthony Braxton: Prag 1984 (Quartet Performance)
 * Pat Metheny Group: First Circle
 * John Abercrombie: Night
 * Jack De Johnette: Album Album
 * Kenny Garrett: Introducing Kenny Garrett
 * Mal Waldron and David Friesen: Encounters
 * Lee Konitz: Wild at Springtime
 * Art Ensemble of Chicago: The Third Decade
 * Pat Metheny: Rejoicing
 * Kenny Wheeler: Double, Double You
 * George Duke: Rendezvous
 * Miles Davis: Decoy
 * Hugh Masekela: Techno-Bush

Deaths

 * January
 * 10 – Thore Jederby, Swedish upright bassist, record producer, and radio broadcaster (born 1913).


 * February
 * 19 – Claude Hopkins, American stride pianist and bandleader (born 1903).


 * March
 * 7 – Ethel Azama, American singer (born 1934).


 * April
 * 3 – John Mehegan, Kjeld Bonfils, American jazz pianist, lecturer, and critic (born 1916).
 * 13 – George Fierstone, English drummer (born 1916).
 * 20 – Mabel Mercer, English-born cabaret singer (born 1900).
 * 23
 * Red Garland, American pianist, band leader, and composer (born 1923).
 * Juan Tizol, Puerto Rican trombonist and composer (born 1900).
 * 26 – Count Basie, American pianist, organist band leader, and composer (born 1904).


 * May
 * 18 – Ray Copeland, American trumpeter and teacher (born 1926).


 * June
 * 26 – Dill Jones, Welsh jazz stride pianist (born 1923).
 * 26 – Albert Dailey, American pianist (born 1939).


 * July
 * 5 – Don Elliott, American trumpeter, vibraphonist, and vocalist (born 1926).
 * 14 – Bill Stapleton, American trumpeter and arranger (born 1945).
 * 24 – Frank Butler, American drummer (born 1928).


 * August
 * 7 – Esther Phillips, American singer (born 1935).
 * 12 – Lenny Breau, American guitarist and music educator (born 1941).


 * September
 * 10
 * Herman Sherman, American saxophonist and bandleader (born 1923).
 * Trummy Young, African-American trombonist (born 1912).
 * 26 – Shelly Manne, American drummer (born 1920).


 * October
 * 13 – Kjeld Bonfils, Danish pianist and vibraphonist (born 1918).
 * 16 – Jiří Jelínek, Czech painter, illustrator, jazz trumpeter, and singer (born 1922).
 * 17 – Alberta Hunter, American singer and songwriter (born 1895).
 * 20 – Budd Johnson, American saxophonist and clarinetist (born 1910).
 * Ronnie Ball, English pianist, composer, and arranger (born 1927).


 * November
 * 16 – Vic Dickenson, American trombonist (born 1906).


 * December
 * 8 – Gene Ramey, jazz musician (born 1913).
 * 15 – Eddie Beal, American pianist (born 1910).


 * Unknown date
 * Elmon Wright, American trumpeter (born 1929).

Births

 * January
 * 4 – Trond Bersu, Norwegian drummer.
 * 5 – Shinya Fukumori, Japanese drummer and composer.
 * 19 – Yvonnick Prene, French harmonica player and composer.
 * 24 – Jason Nazary, American drummer.
 * 28 – David Helbock, Austrian pianist and composer


 * February
 * 20 – Mari Kvien Brunvoll, Norwegian singer and composer.
 * 23 – Lucia Cadotsch, Swiss singer and composer.


 * March
 * 4 – Sheila Permatasaka, Indonesian bassist.


 * April
 * 4 – Steinar Aadnekvam, Norwegian jazz guitarist.
 * 26 – Andrea Rydin Berge, Norwegian singer and pianist.


 * May
 * 16 – Zara McFarlane, Jamaican-British singer and songwriter.
 * 28 – Obenewa, English singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
 * 29 – Jo Berger Myhre, Norwegian upright bassist, Splashgirl.


 * June
 * 18 – Frida Ånnevik, Norwegian singer.
 * 21 – David Lyttle, Northern Irish musician, songwriter, producer, composer, and record label owner.

July
 * 8 – Jo Skaansar, Norwegian upright bassist and composer.


 * August
 * 10 – Cyrille Aimée, French singer.
 * 14 – Kristoffer Kompen, Norwegian trombonist and composer.
 * 18 – John Escreet, English pianist and composer.
 * 25 – Linda Oh, Australian bassist and composer.


 * September
 * 16 – Katie Melua, Georgian-British singer, songwriter and musician.


 * October
 * 17 – Anja Eline Skybakmoen, Norwegian singer and composer, Pitsj.
 * 18 – Esperanza Spalding, American bassist, vocalist, and composer.
 * 19 – Thundercat, American bassist, singer, and composer.
 * 24 – Fredrika Stahl, Swedish singer and songwriter.
 * 29 – Anthony Strong, English singer, pianist, and songwriter.


 * November
 * 29 – Sitti Navarro, Filipino bossa nova singer.


 * December
 * 27 – Jørgen Mathisen, Norwegian saxophonist and clarinetist.