- May 6 Harold Morris, American pianist and composer, dies at 74
- May 10 Carol Haney, dancer (Pantomime Quiz), dies at 35
- May 10 Ignace Lilien, Dutch-Austrian composer, dies at 66
- May 20 Rudy Lewis, American pop vocalist (The Drifters - "Up On The Roof"; "On Broadway), dies of a probable drug overdose at 27
- May 25 Vasily Andreyevich Zolotaryov, Russian composer (Rhapsodie hébraïque; Prince Lake), and teacher, dies at 92
- May 28 John Finley Williamson, American choral conductor (Westminster Choir College, 1920-58), dies at 76
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Jazz Musicians
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