George Trantalidis, Mimis Plessas, Sakis Papadimitriou, Floros Floridis, Thanos Mikroutsikos, Nana Simopoulos, Vangelis Katsoulis released new albums. The group ISKRA released A New Day, their first ablum. http://jazzonline.gr/en/cd-releases/itemlist/tag/Greek%20Jazz%20Discography%201986.html
Around the world
-The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz is established by the Monk family and Maria Fisher. Its mission is to offer public school-based jazz education programs for young people around the globe, helping students develop imaginative thinking, creativity, curiosity, a positive self-image, and a respect for their own and others' cultural heritage
- Release of the documentary film Art Pepper: Notes from a Jazz Survivor, discussing his life and featuring interviews with both Art and his wife Laurie, as well as footage from a live performance in Malibu jazz club.This documentary is a painfully revealing portrait of this cult figure and contains lots of music.
- Benny Goodman the "King of Swing" dies at 77. He received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award at a ceremony held in Los Angeles on February 25, 1986 less than four months before his death.
- Hank Mobley, is "one of the most underrated musicians of the bop era." dies at the age of 56
- Saxophonist Courtney Pine makes his recording debut with journey to the urge within. His sextet features up and coming talents Julian Joseph (piano) and Martin Taylor (guitar)
- Thad Jones dies. His former position at the Count Basie Band is now held by saxophonist Frank Foster
- Wynton Marsalis cements his growing reputation as a performer of jazz standards with his album Standard Time
- Miles Davis begins his Warner contract with the album Tutu, named after Desmond Tutu and inspired by the persisting racial tensions in South Africa
- Bertrand Tavernier’s film ‘Round Midnight stars Dexter Gordon, François Cluzet and Herbie Hancock. Martin Scorsese, Philippe Noiret and Wayne Shorter appear in cameos. Dexter Gordon was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and won a Grammy for the film's soundtrack entitled The Other Side of Round Midnight in the category for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, Soloist. Herbie Hancock won the Academy Award for Best Music, Original Score. The soundtrack was released in two parts: Round Midnight and The Other Side of Round Midnight.
The protagonist jazzman, "Dale Turner", was based on a composite of real-life jazz legends Lester Young and Bud Powell