Important Jazz Dates & Birthdays in October

• October 1, 1947: The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band made history by performing a landmark
concert at Carnegie Hall, cementing bebop's arrival on the grand
stage.

• October 3, 1957: Miles Davis recorded Milestones, introducing modal jazz to the world.

• October 4, 1974: Monterey Jazz Festival opened in California, quickly becoming one
of the most prestigious annual jazz events.

• October 10, 1923: Jelly Roll Morton recorded his historic piano solos for Gennett
Records, capturing some of the earliest recorded jazz compositions.

• October 17, 1954: Trombonists J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding recorded their first
collaborative live album at Birdland, launching their iconic duo.

• October 23, 1934: The Quintette du Hot Club de France, featuring Django Reinhardt
& Stéphane Grappelli, made its very first recordings in Paris.

Jazzy Birthdays

• OCT 1, 1924: Buddy Montgomery (Pianist / Vibraphonist)
• OCT 3, 1924: Von Freeman (Tenor Saxophonist)
• OCT 7, 1934: Amiri Baraka [Leroy Jones] (Writer / Jazz Poet / Critic)
• OCT 9, 1940: Abdullah Ibrahim / Dollar Brand (Pianist / Composer)
• OCT 10, 1917: Thelonious Monk (Pianist / Composer)
• OCT 11, 1919: Art Blakey (Drummer / Bandleader)
• OCT 13, 1926: Ray Brown (Bassist)
• OCT 13, 1940: Pharoah Sanders (Tenor Saxophonist)
• OCT 15, 1908: Buddy Rich (Drummer)
• OCT 17, 1906: Cozy Cole (Drummer)
• OCT 17, 1923: Barney Kessel (Guitarist)
• OCT 17, 1936: Sathima Bea Benjamin (Vocalist)
• OCT 17, 1969: Roy Hargrove (Trumpeter)
• OCT 18, 1961: Wynton Marsalis (Trumpeter)
• OCT 21, 1917: Dizzy Gillespie (Trumpeter / Composer)
• OCT 25, 1912: Minnie Minoso (Vocalist)
• OCT 26, 1911: Mahalia Jackson (Gospel / Jazz Vocalist)
• OCT 29, 1915: Melba Liston (Trombonist / Arranger)
• OCT 29, 1922: Neal Hefti (Trumpeter / Arranger)
• OCT 31, 1926: Illinois Jacquet (Tenor Saxophonist)