1940 in jazz

This is a timeline documenting events of Jazz in the year 1940.

Events

; March

The American Society of Composers, Artists and Producers 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''

Deaths

; February24 – Guy Kelly, American jazz trumpeter.
; April23 – Walter Barnes, American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist and bandleader.
; May1 – Arthur Whetsel, "sweet" trumpeter for Duke Ellington's Washingtonians.
; August8

* Einar Aaron Swan, American musician, arranger and composer.
* Johnny Dodds, New Orleans–based jazz clarinetist and alto saxophonist.

; September

Charley Straight, American pianist, bandleader and composer.

; December6 – Charlie Dixon, American jazz banjoist.21 – Hal Kemp, jazz alto saxophonist, clarinetist, bandleader, composer, and arranger.

Births

; January6 – Laudir de Oliveira, Brazilian percussionist in Chicago.10 – Waymon Reed, American trumpeter.12 – Ronald Shannon Jackson, American drummer.18

* Don Thompson, Canadian double-bassist, pianist, and vibraphonist.
* Lindsay L. Cooper, Scottish upright bass, electric bass and cello player.22 – Eberhard Weber, German double-bassist and composer.30 – Tony Levin, English drummer.

; February4 – Maurice J. Summerfield, British guitarist, author, publisher, and businessman.10 – Kenny Rankin, American singer and songwriter.14 – Bob Kerr, English trumpeter and cornetist, Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band.29 – Paul Rutherford, English trombonist.
; March1

* Gene Perla, American bassist.
* Ralph Towner, American guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer.10 – Louis Moholo, South African drummer.11 – Bobby Graham, English drummer.12 – Al Jarreau, American singer.16 – Vagif Mustafazadeh, Azerbaijani pianist and composer.19
* Keith Smith, English trumpeter.
* Roger Dawson, American percussionist.20 – Frode Thingnæs, Norwegian trombonist and orchestra leader.22 – Keith Relf, English singer, The Yardbirds.24 – S. Frederick Starr, American clarinetist.25 – Lonnie Hillyer, American trumpeter.26 – Lew Tabackin, American flutist and tenor saxophonist.29 – Allan Botschinsky, Danish trumpeter, flugelhornist, and composer.30 – Astrud Gilberto, Brazilian singer.

; April2 – Dave MacRae, New Zealand keyboardist.6 – Don Myrick, American saxophonist, The Pharaohs.12 – Herbie Hancock, American pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, and composer.13

* Bjørn Stokstad, Norwegian clarinettist and architect.
* Neal Creque, American organist and composer.16 – Ole Jacob Hansen, Norwegian drummer.23 – Pierre Courbois, Dutch drummer, bandleader and composer.28 – Doudou Gouirand, French saxophonist and composer.29 – George Adams, American saxophonist.

; May1 – Carlos Ward, saxophonist and flautist.9 – Dick Morrissey, British saxophonist and composer.15 – Bob Cornford, British jazz pianist and composer.17 – Alan Kay, American guitarist and computer scientist. 23 – Bjørn Johansen, Norwegian saxophonist.25 – Larry Rosen, American drummer, entrepreneur, and music producer.28 – Hans Dulfer, Dutch tenor saxophonist.
; June2 – Karel Růžička, Czech jazz pianist, composer, and music teacher.9 – Curtis Boyd, American drummer.10 – John Stevens, English drummer.15 – Nancy King, American singer.17 – Chuck Rainey, American bass guitarist.18 – Sue Raney, American singer.
; July5 – Arthur Blythe, American alto saxophonist and composer.10 – Brian Priestley, English writer, pianist and arranger.19 – John Roache, American pianist.20 – Monica Dominique, Swedish pianist, composer and actress.26 – Casey Jones, American drummer, singer, and record producer.
; August3

* Ray Draper, American tuba player.
* Roscoe Mitchell, American saxophonist and composer.6 – Egil Kapstad, Norwegian pianist.11 – Peter King, English saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer.12 – Thurman Green, American trombonist.18 – Adam Makowicz, Polish pianist and composer.27 – Sonny Sharrock, American guitarist.29 – Bennie Maupin, American saxophonist, flautist, and bass clarinetist.31 – Wilton Felder, American saxophone and bass player.

; September 2 – Mick Pyne, English pianist.3 – James Dapogny, American musicologist, pianist and bandleader.10

* Dave Burrell, American pianist.
* Roy Ayers, American composer and vibraphone player.12 – John DeFrancesco, American organist and vocalist.13 – Alex Riel, Danish drummer.16
* Hamiet Bluiett, American saxophonist, clarinetist and composer.
* Lisle Atkinson, American upright bassist.21
* Dick Shearer, American jazz trombonist.
* John Pochee, Australian drummer and bandleader.26 – Gary Bartz, American saxophonist and clarinetist.27 – Mike Nock, New Zealand pianist.28
* Rod Mason, English trumpeter and singer.
* Sirone, American bassist and composer.

; October1

* Henry Franklin, American upright bassist.
* Ramon Carranza, Venezuelan saxophonist and composer.4 – Steve Swallow, American bassist and composer.7 – Larry Young, American organist and pianist.12 – John Brunious, American trumpeter and bandleader.13 – Pharoah Sanders, American saxophonist.21 – Manfred Mann, South African–British keyboard player, guitarist, and vocalist, Manfred Mann's Earth Band.23 – Tom McGrath, Scottish pianist and playwright.26 – Eddie Henderson, American trumpet and flugelhornist.

; November8

* Kenny Cox, American pianist.
* Terri Quaye, English singer, pianist and percussionist.11 – Mario Pavone, American bassist.13 – Janet Lawson, American singer and educator.24 – Wendell Logan, American composer.28 – Clem Curtis, Trinidadian British singer.29
* Billy Hart, American drummer and educator.
* Chuck Mangione, American flugelhorn player and composer.

; December6 – Jay Leonhart, American upright bassist, singer, and songwriter.14 – Gustavo Bergalli, Argentine trumpeter and bandleader.20 – Larry Willis, American pianist and composer.21 – Frank Zappa, American guitarist, record producer.22 – Boris Lindqvist, Swedish singer and musician.28 – Lonnie Liston Smith, American keyboarder.30 – Jerry Granelli, American-Canadian jazz drummer.31 – Mani Neumeier, German drummer.
; Unknown date

Lyn Cornell, English singer, The Vernons Girls.