- May 5 Sam Lanin, American sweet jazz arranger and bandleader (Roseland Orchestra; The Ipana Troubadors), dies at 85
- May 7 Irwin Fischer, American composer and organist (Chicago Symphony Orchestra), dies at 73
- May 9 Walter Kraft, German organist and composer, dies at 71
- May 16 Edouard Van Remoortel, Belgian conductor (St Louis Symphony, 1958-62), dies at 50
- May 22 Marius Monnikendam, Dutch choir composer, dies at 80
- May 26 William Powell, American R&B singer (O'Jays - "Love Train"; "Backstabbers"), dies of cancer at 35
- May 28 Jiří Reinberger, Czech organist and composer, dies at 63
- May 29 Goddard Lieberson, English composer and President of Columbia Records, dies at 66
- May 30 Marinus Adam, Dutch conductor and composer, dies at 76
- May 30 Paul Desmond, American jazz alto saxophonist (Dave Brubeck Quartet - Take Five), dies of lung cancer at 52
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