1921 in jazz

Events

• Bix Beiderbecke attended the Lake Forest Academy near Chicago, and got the opportunity to learn about the New Orleans and Chicago Jazz.
• Frankie Trumbauer worked for Isham Jones at the College Inn in Chicago.
• Sidney Bechet returns from his trip to Europe, and musicians like Duke Ellington become aware of his abilities.
• Fletcher Henderson is on the road with Ethel Waters. He hears Armstrong for the first time and immediately offers him a job. Armstrong turns him down.
• James P. Johnson starts approaching jazz with the recording of "Worried and Lonesome Blues" and "Carolina Shout". He becomes a pioneer of stride piano with these recordings.
• Saxophonist Coleman Hawkins joined the Mamie Smith's Jazz Hounds.
• Lennie Tristano takes an interest in piano at the age of two years.

Standards

• In 1921 the main standard published was "The Sheik of Araby".

Deaths

; April

• 20 – Tony Jackson, American pianist, singer, and composer (born 1882).

Births

; January

• 20 – Connie Haines, American singer (died 2008).
• 22 – André Hodeir, French violinist (died 2011).
• 30 – Bernie Leighton, American pianist (died 1994).
• 31 – John Anderson, American trumpeter (died 1974).

; February

• 12 – Hans Koller, Austrian tenor saxophonist and bandleader (died 2003).
• 13 – Wardell Gray, American tenor saxophonist (died 1955).

; March

• 1 – Kenny Baker, English trumpeter (died 1999).
• 11 – Astor Piazzolla, Argentine tango composer, bandoneon player (died 1992).
• 15 – Vinnie Burke, American bassist (died 2001).
• 19 – Harry Babasin, American bassist (died 1988).
• 20 – Jimmy Coe, American saxophonist (died 2004).
• 26 – Joe Loco, American pianist and arranger (died 1988).

; April

• 3 – Earl Washington, American pianist (died 1975).
• 7 – Al Hayse, American trombonist (died 1982).
• 13 – Dona Ivone Lara, Brazilian samba singer (died 2018).
• 22 – Candido Camero, Cuban conga and bongo player (died 2020).
• 26
  • Jimmy Giuffre, American clarinet and saxophone player (died 2008).
  • Preston Love, American saxophonist (died 2004).

; May

• 6 – Freddy Randall, American trumpeter and bandleader (died 1999).
• 20 – Jimmy Henderson, American trombonist and bandleader (died 1995).
• 22 – Gustav Brom, Czech big band leader and clarinetist (died 1995).
• 23 – Humphrey Lyttelton, English trumpeter (died 2008).
• 28 – Al Tinney, American pianist (died 2002).
• 31 – Alan Clare, British jazz pianist (died 1993).

; June

• 2
  • Ernie Royal, American trumpeter (died 1983).
  • Marty Napoleon, American pianist (died 2015).
• 7 – Tal Farlow, American guitarist (died 1998).
• 15 – Erroll Garner, American pianist and composer (died 1977).
• 17 – Tony Scott, American clarinetist (died 2007).

; July

• 9 – Irv Kluger, American drummer (died 2006).
• 17
  • George Barnes, American guitarist (died 1977).
  • Mary Osborne, American guitarist (died 1992).
• 24 – Billy Taylor, American pianist and composer (died 2010).

; August

• 4
  • Herb Ellis, American guitarist (died 2010).
  • Pat Friday, American singer (died 2016).
• 6 – Buddy Collette, American flautist, saxophonist, and clarinetist (died 2010).
• 7 – Warren Covington, American big band trombonist (died 1999).
• 21 – Dennis Berry, English musician and composer (died 1994).
• 28 – Tony Aless, American pianist (died 1988).

; September

• 3 – Cab Kaye, English singer, pianist, and bandleader (died 2000).
• 8 – Norris Turney, American flautist and saxophonist (died 2001).
• 15 – Gene Roland, American composer and musician (died 1982).
• 16 – Jon Hendricks, American lyricist and singer (died 2017).
• 20
  • Bill DeArango, American guitarist (died 2005).
  • Chico Hamilton, American drummer and bandleader (died 2013).
• 29 – Franny Beecher, American guitarist (died 2014).

; October

• 3 – Leon Breeden, American clarinetist and saxophonist (died 2010).
• 4 – Shifty Henry, American bassist (died 1958).
• 10
  • Julius Watkins, American French hornist (died 1977).
  • Monk Montgomery, American bass guitarist (died 1982).
  • Roy Kral, American pianist and singer (died 2002).
• 18 – Willy Andresen, Norwegian pianist orchestra leader (died 2016).
• 28 – Chico O'Farrill, Cuban composer and conductor (died 2001).

; November

• 13 – Eddie Calhoun, American upright bassist (died 1993).
• 20 – Norman O'Connor, American pianist (died 2003).
• 23 – Jack Marshall, American guitarist, conductor, and composer (died 1973).

; December

• 1 – John Bunch, American pianist (died 2010).
• 26 – Steve Allen, American singer, songwriter, and television personality (died 2000).
• 31 – Simon Brehm, Swedish upright bassist (died 1967).

References

References

1. "History of Jazz Time Line: 1921". All About Jazz.
2. (2018-04-17). "Morre no Rio cantora Dona Ivone Lara". G1.
3. Lifton, Dave. (2014-02-25). "Franny Beecher, Guitarist for Bill Haley & the Comets, Dies at 92". UltimateClassicRock.com.