May Jazz Birthdays

Jazz musicians born in May, day by day.

This page lists 61 jazz musicians born in May, day by day. The earliest-born is Irving Berlin (11 May 1888) and the most recent is Christian McBride (31 May 1972). The month also includes Miles Davis (26 May), Keith Jarrett (8 May) and Benny Goodman (30 May). Underlined names link to our article about that musician.

1May

Little Walterharmonica, singer · 1930
Shirley Hornsinger, piano · 1934

2May

Lorenz Hartlyricist · 1895
Richard "Groove" Holmesorgan · 1931

3May

Bing Crosbysinger · 1903
John Lewispiano, composer · 1920

4May

Maynard Fergusontrumpet, bandleader · 1928
Ron Carterdouble bass · 1937

5May

Paul Barbarindrums · 1899

6May

Till Brönnertrumpet · 1971

7May

Teresa Brewersinger · 1931

8May

Mary Lou Williamspiano, composer, arranger · 1910
Keith Jarrettpiano · 1945

9May

Tania Mariasinger, piano · 1948

10May

Fred Astairesinger, dancer · 1899
Mel Lewisdrums, bandleader · 1929

11May

Irving Berlinsongwriter · 1888
Carla Bleycomposer, piano, bandleader · 1936

12May

Burt Bacharachsongwriter, piano · 1928
Gary Peacockdouble bass · 1935

13May

Maxine Sullivansinger · 1911
Gil Evansarranger, composer, piano · 1912
Red Garlandpiano · 1923

14May

Sidney Bechetsoprano saxophone, clarinet · 1897

15May

Karin Krogsinger · 1937
Oscar Castro-Nevesguitar, composer · 1940

16May

Woody Hermanclarinet, bandleader · 1913
Betty Cartersinger · 1929
Billy Cobhamdrums · 1944

17May

Jackie McLeanalto saxophone · 1931
Dewey Redmantenor saxophone · 1931

18May

Big Joe Turnersinger · 1911
Kai Windingtrombone · 1922

19May

Georgie Auldtenor saxophone, bandleader · 1919
Sonny Fortunealto saxophone · 1939

20May

Louis Smithtrumpet · 1931
Dino Saluzzibandoneon · 1935

21May

Fats Wallerpiano, singer, composer · 1904
Bill Holmanarranger, tenor saxophone · 1927

22May

Sun Rapiano, bandleader, composer · 1914
Kenny Balltrumpet, bandleader · 1930

23May

Artie Shawclarinet, bandleader · 1910
Rosemary Clooneysinger · 1928

24May

Archie Shepptenor saxophone · 1937
Terry Calliersinger, guitar · 1945

25May

Jimmy Hamiltonclarinet, tenor saxophone · 1917
Hal Davidlyricist · 1921

26May

Peggy Leesinger · 1920
Miles Davistrumpet, bandleader · 1926

27May

Ramsey Lewispiano · 1935
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersendouble bass · 1946
Dee Dee Bridgewatersinger · 1950

28May

Andy Kirkbandleader, saxophone · 1898
Tommy Ladniertrumpet · 1900
T-Bone Walkerguitar, singer · 1910

29May

Eugene Wrightdouble bass · 1923
Freddie Reddpiano, composer · 1928

30May

Benny Goodmanclarinet, bandleader · 1909

31May

Albert "Tootie" Heathdrums · 1935
Louis Hayesdrums · 1937
Christian McBridedouble bass · 1972

Disputed May birth dates

Little Walter (1 May 1930): Year disputed: other documents give 1923, 1925 or 1928.
Jackie McLean (17 May 1931): Many sources give 1932; Grove and other reference works give 1931.
Sun Ra (22 May 1914): He gave various birth years (1910 to 1918); biographer John Szwed confirmed 1914.

Birth dates checked against standard references. Where sources disagree, we use the most widely cited date and say so. Spotted an error or a missing name? Let us know.