Clark Terry, gone at 94

[hup_d_dup]

Clark Terry, who played trumpet and flugelhorn with the Basie, Ellington and Tonight Show bands, died at 94 after being in poor health for some years.

Equally adept in big bands and small combos, he was also a gifted singer, known for scatting with accent inflected syllables in vaguely Russian, Italian, Yiddish and perhaps nondescript languages, implying humorous narratives that were clear in meaning if not specifics.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertain ... story.html" target="_blank

In concert with Oscar Peterson:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X4d2qAGJtY" target="_blank

Hup

[pdonoh]

I like this part from the New York Times Obit: "... He became interested in music when he heard the husband of one of his sisters play tuba, and when he was 10 he built himself a makeshift trumpet by attaching a funnel to a garden hose. Neighbors later pitched in to buy him a trumpet from a pawn shop. ."

[barry grrr-ero]

I saw him 3 or 4 times in the '70s since he used to do 'clinics' at high schools and colleges all over the place. Just an incredible player who never, IMHO, received his 'due' from the general public. A fun entertainer too. He was overshadowed by Miles, Diz, Satchmo, Al Hirt and Maynard.

Jack Sheldon is still alive in L.A. IMHO, he's been every bit as good over the decades as Chet Baker.

Barry Guerrero

[MikeS]

I attended a Clark Terry clinic at a college back in the '70's. During the question and answer session at the end of the clinic someone asked, "What advice do you have for becoming a successful professional musician?" Mr. Terry thought for a few seconds and answered, "Show up on time and don't be a d&$k." I consider this possibly the best single piece of advice I've ever received.

[Steve Sykes]

Very sad to hear of the passing of Clark Terry - he was a real hero of mine.
He had the most joyous flugelhorn tone of them all in my opinion.
Listen to his composition 'Sheba' or Bob Brookmeyer's 'Pretty Girl'.
RIP Clark.

[circusboy]

I got to meet him a few years back--a humble, sweetheart of a guy. And he kept his chops well into his 80s! I imagine that's pretty rare for any brass instrument artist.