-Drummer Kenny Clarke died at the age of 71.
-Jack DeJohnette temporarily abandons the drum kit in favor of keyboard to record the Piano Album for Landmark
-Pat Metheny explores avant garde territory by collaborating with Ornette Coleman, Charlie Haden and Jack Dejohnette on the Geffen album Song X
-22 years old Cassandra Wilson records Point of view with saxophonist Steve Coleman
-Weather Report records its final album, This is This
In Greece
Five releases from Greek jazz musician this year in Greece. http://jazzonline.gr/en/cd-releases/itemlist/tag/Greek%20Jazz%20Discography%201985.html