Let's make this birthday one to remember.

89 years old (Born on June 05, 1935)

Happy Birthday, Misha Mengelberg! From jazzing up the world with your innovative compositions to resurrecting Herbie Nichols from obscurity—your musical wizardry never ceases to amaze. Winning the Gaudeamus International Composers Award back in 1961 was just a warm-up act for decades of brilliance that followed.

Your playful improvisations and fearless creativity have inspired countless musicians—and probably confused quite a few critics along the way (which we suspect you secretly enjoyed). Here's wishing you another year filled with spontaneous melodies, joyful chaos, and plenty more opportunities to remind us all why you're truly one-of-a-kind. Keep swinging strong!