- Jan 2 Nat Adderley, American jazz musician (Work Song), dies from diabetes complications at 68
- Jan 3 Harmonica Fats [Harvey Blackston], American blues session and touring harmonica player ("Tore Up"), dies at 72
- Jan 10 Sam Jaffe, American music and film producer (Born Free, The Fighting Sullivans), dies at 98
- Jan 16 Gene Harris [Haire], American soul-jazz pianist (The Three Sounds), dies of kidney failure at 66
- Jan 16 Will "Dub" Jones, American bass singer (The Coasters - "Charlie Brown"), dies at 71
- Jan 17 Philip Jones, British classical trumpeter (Philip Jones Brass Ensemble, 1951-86), and educator, dies at 71
- Jan 20 (John) Don Abney, American session and touring jazz pianist, and musical director, dies of kidney disease at 76
- Jan 20 Ray Jones, British rock bassist (Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas), dies at 60
- Jan 27 Friedrich Gulda, Austrian classical and jazz pianist and composer (Ineffable; Concerto for Cello and Wind Orchestra), dies at 69
- Jan 31 (Simon) "Si" Zentner, American jazz, session, and pop trombonist and big-band lbandeader, dies of leukemia at 82
Country Singers
Jazz Singers
Opera Singers
Pop Singers
Rappers
Rock Singers