1916 in jazz

This is a timeline documenting events of Jazz in the year 1916.
Several musicians who were born in this year went on to become big names in jazz, such as the pianist and orchestra leader Buddy Cole.

Events

1916 saw the emergence of groups such as the Original Dixieland Jass Band, and publication of the jazz standard "Beale Street Blues".
June 5 - Stein's Dixie Jass Band plays its first gig under its new name, the Original Dixieland Jass Band.
The Original Dixieland Jass Band make a hit in Chicago, Illinois
Wilber Sweatman records his hot ragtime in New York City.

Births

; January4 – Slim Gaillard, American singer, songwriter, pianist, and guitarist.12 – Jay McShann, American pianist and bandleader.14 – Maxwell Davis, American saxophonist, arranger, and record producer.15

* Artie Shapiro, American upright bassist.
* Hugh Gibb, English drummer and bandleader.27 – Milt Raskin, American pianist.28 – Cliff Townshend, English saxophonist and clarinetist.

; February8 – Jimmy Skidmore, English jazz tenor saxophonist.12 – Max Geldray, Dutch harmonica player.16

* Bill Doggett, American pianist and organist.
* Charles Fowlkes, American baritone saxophonist.28 – Svend Asmussen, Danish violinist.

; March6 – Red Callender, American string bass and tuba player.15 – Harry James, American trumpeter.17 – Ray Ellington, English singer, drummer, and bandleader.29 – Kamil Běhounek, Bohemian-Czech accordionist.
; April2 – Oleg Lundstrem, Russian violinist, composer, and conductor.3 – Ken Kersey, Canadian pianist.9 – Julian Dash, American tenor saxophonist.12 – Russell Garcia, American composer and music arranger.20 – Burt Bales, American stride pianist.22 – Yehudi Menuhin, violinist.
; May4 – Maurice Purtill, Moe Purtill, American drummer.10 – Milton Babbitt, American composer, music theorist, and teacher.11 – Moon Mullens, American trumpeter.14 – Skip Martin, American saxophonist, clarinetist, and music arranger.16 – Dud Bascomb, American trumpeter.17 – Paul Quinichette, American tenor saxophonist.22 – Joe Springer, American pianist.26 – Moondog, American musician, composer, theoretician, and poet.
; June6 – John Mehegan, American pianist.8 – Freddie Webster, American trumpeter.15 – Horacio Salgán, Argentine tango pianist.17 – Lance Hayward, American pianist.27 – Robert Normann, Norwegian guitarist.
; July7 – Tiny Grimes, American guitarist.10 – Dick Cary, American trumpeter, composer, and arranger.12 – Sam Taylor, American tenor saxophonist.16 – Miles Copeland, Jr., American trumpeter.22 – Paul Moer, American pianist.29 – Charlie Christian, American guitarist.
; August3 – Jake Porter, American trumpeter and record producer.9

* Jay McShann, American guitarist.
* Mike Bryan, American guitarist.16 – Edythe Wright, American singer.

; September3 – Trigger Alpert, American bassist.12 – Cat Anderson, American trumpeter.27 – Teddy Brannon, American pianist.
; October8 – Bill Stegmeyer, American clarinetist and arranger.15 – Al Killian, American trumpeter and occasional bandleader.28 – Bill Harris, American trombonist.29 – Hadda Brooks, American pianist, vocalist, and composer.
; November7 – Joe Bushkin, American pianist.10 – Billy May, American composer, arranger, and trumpeter.14

* Don Ewell, American stride pianist.
* George Fierstone, English drummer.16 – Al Lucas, Canadian upright bassist.23 – Norman Keenan, American upright bassist.30 – Benny Moten, American bassist.

; December2 – Charles Ventura, American tenor saxophonist and band leader.9 – Bob Scobey, American singer, trumpeter, banjo player, and band leader.15 – Buddy Cole, American pianist and orchestra leader.25 – Oscar Moore, American guitarist.27 – Johnny Frigo, American jazz violinist and bassist.
; Unknown date

Oliver Todd, American band leader, organist, pianist, and trumpeter.