Brilliant bassist Jaco Pastorius dies from injuries suffered when he is severely beaten by a bar bouncer.

One of the "old men of Jazz", the Canadian arranger, Gil Evans, dies.

Miles Davis does the album Tutu for Warner Brothers. Tutu represents a move in the direction of Funk.

Miles Davis and Marcus Miller release the movie soundtrack Siesta. Critics compare Siesta to Sketches of Spain and Miller's influence on Miles to Gil Evans' earlier influence.

On the Timeless album Africa, Pharoah Sanders draws from his Coltrane experiences and produces some danceable Jazz with a mesmerizing beat.

Tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker records under his own name with the likes of Pat Metheny on guitar, Charlie Haden on bass, Jack DeJohnette on drums and Kenny Kirkland at the keyboards on the album Michael Brecker.

Trumpeter Randy Brecker forms his own group.

Anthony Braxton records Six Monk's Compositions with Mal Waldron on piano, Buell Neidlinger on bass and Bill Osborne on drums. This album is available on Black Saint.

Sax, flute and keyboard player Greg Osby (formerly of M-Base) debuts under his own name with Greg Osby and Sound Theatre on JMT. Side players include Michele Rosewoman on piano, Fusako Yoshida on koto, Kevin McNeal on guitar, Lonnie Plaxico on bass and Paul Samuels and Terri Lyne Carrington on drums.

Guitarist Mike Stern does Time in Place on Atlantic with Bob Berg and Michael Brecker on tenor sax, Don Grolnick on organ, Jim Beard on keyboards, Jeff Andrews on bass, Peter Erskine on drums and Don Alias on percussion. This is muscular Fusion with lots of solos.

Woody Herman dies in October. Herman led big bands his entire life. Great sidemen over the years included Stan Getz, Milt Jackson, Bill Harris, and Davey Tough. Contributed by Jack Twomey.

CD's are becoming commonplace in record stores. Soon they will make vinyl records almost obsolete.