2003 in jazz

This is a timeline documenting events of jazz in the year 2003.

Events

January

30 – The 6th Polarjazz started in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.

April

* The 30th Vossajazz started at Vossavangen, Norway.
* Kåre Opheim was awarded Vossajazzprisen 2003.3 – Terje Rypdal performs the commissioned work Vossabrygg for Vossajazz 2003.

May

21 – The 31st Nattjazz 2004 started in Bergen, Norway.

* The 49th Newport Jazz Festival started in Newport, Rhode Island.
* The 18th Oslo Jazzfestival started in Oslo, Norway.18
* The Public Law 108 - 72 - Smithsonian Facilities Authorization Act, which includes language strongly endorsing Jazz and urging that "musicians, schools, colleges, libraries, concert halls, museums, radio and television stations, and other organizations should develop programs to explore, perpetuate, and honor Jazz as a national and world treasure", was signed by President George W. Bush.

September

19 – The 46th Monterey Jazz Festival started in Monterey, California.

November

14 – The 12th London Jazz Festival started in London, England.

Album released

August

Unknown date

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Michael Brecker: Wide Angles

Michael Franks: Watching the Snow

Kenny Garrett: Standard of Language
Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band: XXL

The Idea of North: Here & Now

James Morrison: On The Edge

Mike Nock: Changing Seasons with Brett Hirst and Toby Hall

The Rippingtons: Let It Ripp

Wayne Shorter: Alegria

Amy Winehouse: ''Frank''

Deaths

; January5 – Ramon Carranza, Venezuelan saxophonist and composer.11 – William Russo, American composer, conductor, and trombonist.24 – Cy Touff, American bass trumpeter.
; February1 – Mongo Santamaría, Afro-Cuban Latin jazz percussionist.4 – Charlie Biddle, Canadian upright bassist.5 – Werner Dies, German tenor saxophonist, clarinetist, guitarist, composer, and arranger.9 – Ruby Braff, American trumpeter and cornetist.
; March6 – Linton Garner, American pianist.24 – Artie Shapiro, American upright bassist.
; April7 – Jutta Hipp, German pianist and composer.13 – Allen Eager, American tenor and alto saxophonist.20 – Teddy Edwards, American saxophonist.21 – Nina Simone, American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist.25 – Ted Joans, American poet, surrealist, trumpeter, and painter.
; May5 – Jerry Rusch, American trumpeter.12 – Bross Townsend, American pianist.
; June11 – Rudolf Tomsits, Hungarian trumpeter, flugelhornist, and composer.13 – Harold Ashby, American tenor saxophonist, Duke Ellington Orchestra.14 – Jimmy Knepper, American trombonist.15 – Volker Kriegel, German guitarist, United Jazz + Rock Ensemble19 – Peanuts Hucko, American clarinetist and saxophonist.29 – Norman O'Connor, American pianist.
; July1 – Herbie Mann, American flautist .10 – Alvin Alcorn, American trumpeter.12 – Benny Carter, American jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger and bandleader .23 – Gary King, American bassist.28 – Aaron Bell, American upright bassist.29 – Luther Henderson, American arranger, composer, orchestrator, and pianist.
; August6 – Grover Mitchell, American trombonist, Count Basie Orchestra.9 – Herbie Steward, American saxophonist, Four Brothers.10 – Bill Perkins, American saxophonist and flutist.26 – Wayne Andre, American trombonist.
; September14 – John Serry Sr., American accordion virtuoso, composer, and arranger.19 – Frank Lowe, American saxophonist and composer.21 – Chris McGale, Canadian violinist.30 – Eddie Gladden, American jazz drummer.
; October1 – Chubby Jackson, American upright bassist and band leader.9

* Carl Fontana, American trombonist.
* Don Lanphere, American tenor and soprano saxophonist.20 – Maxine Daniels, English singer.22 – Ron Collier, Canadian trombonist, composer, and arranger.23 – Eraldo Volonté, Italian saxophonist and bandleader.

; November3 – Aaron Bridgers, African-American pianist.9 – Buddy Arnold, American saxophonist.10 – Jed Williams, Welsh jazz journalist and the founder of the Brecon Jazz Festival.
; December2 – John Brimhall, American musical arranger and author.13 – Webster Young, American trumpeter and cornetist.21 – Hans Koller, Austrian tenor saxophonist and bandleader.23 – Don Lamond, American drummer.
; Unknown date

Jacques Butler, American trumpeter and vocalist.

Births

; June25 – Joey Alexander, Indonesian pianist.