- Oct 2 Ahmed Abdul-Malik [Jonathan Tim, Jr.], American jazz double bassist and oud player (Odetta; Thelonius Monk), dies at 66
- Oct 4 Varetta Dillard, American R&B singer ("Mercy, Mr. Percy"; "Easy, Easy Baby"; "Johnny Has Gone"), and civil rights activist, dies of cancer at 60 [1]
- Oct 7 Agnes de Mille, American Tony and Emmy Award-winning dancer and choreographer (Rodeo; Oklahoma!), dies at 88
- Oct 8 Manke Nelis [Cornelis Pieters], Dutch singer (Aunt Saar), dies at 73
- Oct 10 Catherine Collard, French concert pianist (Schumann; Brahms), and teacher, dies of cancer at 46
- Oct 11 Jess Thomas, American tenor known for his singing in Richard Wagner operas, dies at 66
- Oct 11 Yvar Mikhashoff [Ronald Mackay], American contemporary classical pianist, composer, and educator (University of Buffalo, 1973-93), dies of AIDS at 52
- Oct 15 Ken E. Jones, musician (New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra), dies of AIDS at 34
- Oct 17 Criss Oliva, American musician (Savatage), dies at 30
- Oct 22 Luis Felipe Ramón y Rivera, Venezuelan musician and composer, dies at 80
- Oct 26 Harold Rome, American musical theater composer (Fanny; Pins and Needles), dies at 85
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