- Jan 1 Hsu Tsang-Houei, Taiwanese composer and collector of Taiwanese folk songs, dies at 71
- Jan 4 Les Brown, American big band bandleader (His Band of Renown - "Sentimental Journey"), dies at 88
- Jan 7 James Carr, American soul singer ("To Love Somebody"; "Dark End of the Street"), dies of lung cancer at 58
- Jan 12 Kyra Vayne [Knopmuss], English stage and opera soprano, dies at 84
- Jan 12 Luiz Bonfá, Brazilian guitarist and composer (Black Orpheus), dies of pancreatic cancer at 78
- Jan 13 Michael Cuccione, Canadian actor, singer (2gether), and cancer research fundraiser, dies of respiratory failure at 16
- Jan 16 Virginia O'Brien, American actress and singer (Meet the People, Gus, Ziegfeld Follies), dies of a heart attack at 81
- Jan 17 Norris Turney, American jazz flute and saxophone player (Billy Eckstine, 1947-48; Duke Ellington Orchestra, 1968-73), dies at 79
- Jan 20 Nico Assumpção, Brazilian bass player, dies at 46
- Jan 23 Eugene [Brother Jack] McDuff, American jazz organist (George Benson, Brother Jack), dies of heart failure at 74
- Jan 23 Lou Levy, American jazz pianist (Woody Herman; Stan Getz), and accompanist (Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald), dies of a heart attack at 72
- Jan 24 Leif Thybo, Danish composer and organist, dies at 78
- Jan 27 André Prévost, Canadian composer, dies at 66
- Jan 27 Stavros Damianides, Greek musician (b. 1941)
Country Singers
Jazz Singers
Opera Singers
Pop Singers
Rappers
Rock Singers