Thank you for all the great music….. Recording engineer John Chiuchiolo (Johnny Cue) briefly introduced us at Capitol Records (151 West 46th Street, NYC) in the mid 60s at a session that included Jerome Richardson, Bobby Rosengarden, and The Ray Charles Singers…
Mr. Terry, many years ago (mid ’70s) you came to a small college in Kansas for a concert with the mass bands of several local high schools, and the Sterling College band, of which I was a member (1st trumpet). I remember how much fun that sold-out concert was, and that memory has stuck with me ever since.
I recently picked up my trumpet again after a 25-year layoff; I’m even trying some simple circular breathing to help my aging chops through the long phrases in some of the number we play in our local community band.
Thanks for you influence on me and thousands of other aspiring musicians during your long and distinguished career!
Clark, I am listening to “In Orbit” and was thinking about my time in the Northern Illinois Jazz Ensemble under Ron Model. We played a concert with you in Rockford Illinois in 1992 I think. Your flugelhorn was giving you trouble. I think one of the valves was sticking. You used my vintage Courtois flugelhorn for the show and showed me how to stretch the springs for better valve action.
After the gig, while on the bus you offered to swap flugelhorns. For some reason I said no. Stupid move on my part.
I think about you and your music nearly everyday. God Bless you. Or should I say may Big Prez bless you.
I’m signing your guestbook to first of all, Thank You, for your genius & contributions to music. Specifically Jazz, from which the style of music i make came from, as well as R&B. I was watching an interview with SnoopDogg & he said in so many words that Quincy Jones told him that if he wanted a Grammy, he needs to work with CLARK TERRY, and then went on to say that he came to my home of ARKANSAS and got his chance to do just that. Needless to say i automatically went to do my research and this was my 1st stop. I am a DJ/Radio Personality in Little Rock, AR at KIPR Power 92.3fm as well as a producer/song writer/performer & its because of you (Mr.Terry) and others that paved the way for me to do my music, THANK YOU… -KING Akeem
1977 was a great year. I was a high school senior at Kent Meridian from WA. state and our Jazz ensemble attended and played the Wichita Jazz Fest. I was fortunate to meet you and was honored to play “Sheba” and “Terry Talk” in honor of you.
You were so gracious to me with a generous hug of encouragement. You then took me back stage following our set to meet some other greats of Jazz. I have admired your technique and style from the moment I heard you improvise. I always thought that Bop was created for you, and my favorite recording was the duo you played with Oscar Peterson. Your solo on “Slow Boat to China” was to me a real masterpiece. It just swings. And your technical ability on “Shaw Nuff” is mesmerizing.
Dear Clark — It’s clear that Gwen, in collaboration with Big Prez, keeps boosting your bravery and optimism, as you give life and hope to all of us, as well as to yourself. Often while on the stationary bike I’m digging those incomparable tracks of you and Brookmeyer in the 1960s, like “Naptown” and “Blackbird” — and the album “Clark After Dark.” I’m happy to see that my “cousin” Tony P. keeps showing up here in the Guestbook.You inspire all of us with your love. It’s mutual.
Just wanted to share an experience with you that I shall remember always. In 1968, I spent the summer (I was a high school student) at Berklee School of Music, and a group of us wanted to see your show at the Jazz Workshop, a few blocks down from Berklee on Boylston Street. Unfortunately, when we got there, the management turned us away, explaining that since there were several of our group under age, they couldn’t seat us. Anyway, there we were, standing in front of the Workshop, and I suppose looking pretty dejected. It was just a few moments before the first show, and suddenly, you got out of a car, and walked up to where we were standing. Sizing up the situation, you simply asked, “What’s the matter, boys?” One of the older guys shrugged his shoulders and told you the story. You smiled, and said, “Nonsense. Follow me.” In we walked, all 6 or 7 of us, and you instructed the Manager to seat us at a table right in front of the bandstand — as your guests! We were thrilled, and probably stayed for at least two sets. I’ve seen you several times since, when I was with the USC Jazz Band in the 70s and at club dates in Chicago and elsewhere. But, I’ve always wanted to thank you for your generosity that evening in Boston so many years ago, as well as for the great music you’ve given to all of us.
I had the great fortune of hearing a couple of sets by your friends and students Champian and Stephen Fulton at Andy’s Jazz Club in Chicago. What an amazing young lady … and what a thrill for a father to be able to perform with his child. Your influence on their music was un-mistakable.
You left your mark on me as a young music student, when you performed with our high school jazz band in Crown Point Indiana in 1970. Thank you for sharing your talent and love of jazz with so many students around the country and world. Your music will live on in your recordings and the people you’ve tutored and influenced forever.
Love your style and admire your enormous talent. (I play Flugel horn too) I had the pleasure of hearing you one night up close and personal. I got a table for two right under your spit valve (well, not exactly under it, but very close) at a place called the Continental in Bridgeport Ct. A horn player named Bill Ratzenburger owned it. It was a Great Night and I’ll never forget it. You are a great inspiration to so many, many people. God Bless you Clark!
Dear Clark,
Just wanted to say a big hello from West London. I’ve been a huge fan of your happy melodic infectious playing since my Dad first played me ‘The Power Of Positive Swinging’, the Basie small group, and then later discovering the Oscar trio plus one-Wow! Every Thursday, at a small little tucked away pub named The Brewery Tap in Brentford, Dad’s Sextet-The Phil Brown Swingtet have had a session for 25 years, playing a mixture of swing, trad and mainstream and regularly perform your compositions. Many thanks for all your playing and inspiration, best wishes to you and your family.
Lester Brown (trumpet and flugel)
Hey, Cee Tee! Just wanted to pop in and wish you and Miss Gwen a beautiful and blessed Easter weekend. Celebrate His resurrection for us!! Much love from our home to yours!
Overflowing blessings,
TeePee
Clark and Gwen: How come when I just thought I had a few lousy months, I read C.T.s comments of positivity and gratitude on this website and I shut my negativity down, say a few prayers and get grateful myself. I’m thinking about making a birthday party for myself in July in NYC. I still stay in touch with Junior Mance. Think I can embarass him into playing for my birthday…lol??? Clark, I realize you have been a friend of mine since the 70s in NYC. That makes YOU one of my longest lasting friends but I know you have friends like Quincy since the 40s, so the 70s might not sound like much to you guys!!!! Congratulations to both of you on your recent 25th anniversary last month. Sammy just turned 18 in January. I keep telling him there’s a video from your Glen Cove house of some of his first steps. Also, because of you two, and for Sammy’s sake, I am trying in my larte middle age to reach out to Cathi in California a little. Much love to you both, Michael (Klapper) P.S. I still have a CD from 2012 I am tryin to produce with Ed Calle, John Branzer and Billy MacCumber, who played here in Florida for me. Let me know if you would like me to mail you a copy, C.T., for your comments and suggestions. Michael
Hi Clark, you were on my mind and I just wanted to say hello to you and Gwen. All the best in the spirit of Art! Much love, Kyle, Sherree and the boys.
I am nearing the end of your biography and I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed it. It is fascinating to read all the stories about all the wonderful characters from the world of jazz. Your wonderful attitude is an inspiration to me and thousands of others. Keep on, keeping on!
Vince Biancomano
05/18/2013 @ 8:25 am
Thank you for all the great music….. Recording engineer John Chiuchiolo (Johnny Cue) briefly introduced us at Capitol Records (151 West 46th Street, NYC) in the mid 60s at a session that included Jerome Richardson, Bobby Rosengarden, and The Ray Charles Singers…
Perry Brown
05/3/2013 @ 6:18 pm
Mr. Terry, many years ago (mid ’70s) you came to a small college in Kansas for a concert with the mass bands of several local high schools, and the Sterling College band, of which I was a member (1st trumpet). I remember how much fun that sold-out concert was, and that memory has stuck with me ever since.
I recently picked up my trumpet again after a 25-year layoff; I’m even trying some simple circular breathing to help my aging chops through the long phrases in some of the number we play in our local community band.
Thanks for you influence on me and thousands of other aspiring musicians during your long and distinguished career!
Chris Goode
05/2/2013 @ 8:18 pm
Clark, I am listening to “In Orbit” and was thinking about my time in the Northern Illinois Jazz Ensemble under Ron Model. We played a concert with you in Rockford Illinois in 1992 I think. Your flugelhorn was giving you trouble. I think one of the valves was sticking. You used my vintage Courtois flugelhorn for the show and showed me how to stretch the springs for better valve action.
After the gig, while on the bus you offered to swap flugelhorns. For some reason I said no. Stupid move on my part.
I think about you and your music nearly everyday. God Bless you. Or should I say may Big Prez bless you.
Keep on keepin on,
Chris Goode
Jody Licker
04/29/2013 @ 9:05 am
Hi Clark, hope you are well. I have heard about your health and I hope you are doing better.
Paul Chivers
04/26/2013 @ 1:15 pm
A huge thank you Clark. Simples.
"King" Akeem Ray
04/23/2013 @ 3:49 pm
Greetings Mr. Clark Terry,
I’m signing your guestbook to first of all, Thank You, for your genius & contributions to music. Specifically Jazz, from which the style of music i make came from, as well as R&B. I was watching an interview with SnoopDogg & he said in so many words that Quincy Jones told him that if he wanted a Grammy, he needs to work with CLARK TERRY, and then went on to say that he came to my home of ARKANSAS and got his chance to do just that. Needless to say i automatically went to do my research and this was my 1st stop. I am a DJ/Radio Personality in Little Rock, AR at KIPR Power 92.3fm as well as a producer/song writer/performer & its because of you (Mr.Terry) and others that paved the way for me to do my music, THANK YOU… -KING Akeem
Tom Watkins
04/21/2013 @ 11:06 pm
Mr. Terry,
1977 was a great year. I was a high school senior at Kent Meridian from WA. state and our Jazz ensemble attended and played the Wichita Jazz Fest. I was fortunate to meet you and was honored to play “Sheba” and “Terry Talk” in honor of you.
You were so gracious to me with a generous hug of encouragement. You then took me back stage following our set to meet some other greats of Jazz. I have admired your technique and style from the moment I heard you improvise. I always thought that Bop was created for you, and my favorite recording was the duo you played with Oscar Peterson. Your solo on “Slow Boat to China” was to me a real masterpiece. It just swings. And your technical ability on “Shaw Nuff” is mesmerizing.
A forever fan,
Tom Watkins
Charlton Price
04/19/2013 @ 10:22 pm
Dear Clark — It’s clear that Gwen, in collaboration with Big Prez, keeps boosting your bravery and optimism, as you give life and hope to all of us, as well as to yourself. Often while on the stationary bike I’m digging those incomparable tracks of you and Brookmeyer in the 1960s, like “Naptown” and “Blackbird” — and the album “Clark After Dark.” I’m happy to see that my “cousin” Tony P. keeps showing up here in the Guestbook.You inspire all of us with your love. It’s mutual.
“Champagne Charlie”
Jerry Brandell
04/10/2013 @ 6:01 pm
Dear Clark:
Just wanted to share an experience with you that I shall remember always. In 1968, I spent the summer (I was a high school student) at Berklee School of Music, and a group of us wanted to see your show at the Jazz Workshop, a few blocks down from Berklee on Boylston Street. Unfortunately, when we got there, the management turned us away, explaining that since there were several of our group under age, they couldn’t seat us. Anyway, there we were, standing in front of the Workshop, and I suppose looking pretty dejected. It was just a few moments before the first show, and suddenly, you got out of a car, and walked up to where we were standing. Sizing up the situation, you simply asked, “What’s the matter, boys?” One of the older guys shrugged his shoulders and told you the story. You smiled, and said, “Nonsense. Follow me.” In we walked, all 6 or 7 of us, and you instructed the Manager to seat us at a table right in front of the bandstand — as your guests! We were thrilled, and probably stayed for at least two sets. I’ve seen you several times since, when I was with the USC Jazz Band in the 70s and at club dates in Chicago and elsewhere. But, I’ve always wanted to thank you for your generosity that evening in Boston so many years ago, as well as for the great music you’ve given to all of us.
John Donovan
04/8/2013 @ 2:23 pm
Mr Terry -
I had the great fortune of hearing a couple of sets by your friends and students Champian and Stephen Fulton at Andy’s Jazz Club in Chicago. What an amazing young lady … and what a thrill for a father to be able to perform with his child. Your influence on their music was un-mistakable.
You left your mark on me as a young music student, when you performed with our high school jazz band in Crown Point Indiana in 1970. Thank you for sharing your talent and love of jazz with so many students around the country and world. Your music will live on in your recordings and the people you’ve tutored and influenced forever.
God bless you.
Delesa Lucien
04/3/2013 @ 5:46 pm
Dear Mr. Terry,
Jon admired your talent and appreciate all your work.
God Bless and With Respect,
Mrs. Jon Lucien (Delesa)
Bob Fahy
04/3/2013 @ 1:46 pm
Love your style and admire your enormous talent. (I play Flugel horn too) I had the pleasure of hearing you one night up close and personal. I got a table for two right under your spit valve (well, not exactly under it, but very close) at a place called the Continental in Bridgeport Ct. A horn player named Bill Ratzenburger owned it. It was a Great Night and I’ll never forget it. You are a great inspiration to so many, many people. God Bless you Clark!
Lester Brown
04/2/2013 @ 10:30 pm
Dear Clark,
Just wanted to say a big hello from West London. I’ve been a huge fan of your happy melodic infectious playing since my Dad first played me ‘The Power Of Positive Swinging’, the Basie small group, and then later discovering the Oscar trio plus one-Wow! Every Thursday, at a small little tucked away pub named The Brewery Tap in Brentford, Dad’s Sextet-The Phil Brown Swingtet have had a session for 25 years, playing a mixture of swing, trad and mainstream and regularly perform your compositions. Many thanks for all your playing and inspiration, best wishes to you and your family.
Lester Brown (trumpet and flugel)
Tony Price
03/28/2013 @ 3:24 pm
Hey, Cee Tee! Just wanted to pop in and wish you and Miss Gwen a beautiful and blessed Easter weekend. Celebrate His resurrection for us!! Much love from our home to yours!
Overflowing blessings,
TeePee
Michael Klapper
03/23/2013 @ 2:01 pm
Clark and Gwen: How come when I just thought I had a few lousy months, I read C.T.s comments of positivity and gratitude on this website and I shut my negativity down, say a few prayers and get grateful myself. I’m thinking about making a birthday party for myself in July in NYC. I still stay in touch with Junior Mance. Think I can embarass him into playing for my birthday…lol??? Clark, I realize you have been a friend of mine since the 70s in NYC. That makes YOU one of my longest lasting friends but I know you have friends like Quincy since the 40s, so the 70s might not sound like much to you guys!!!! Congratulations to both of you on your recent 25th anniversary last month. Sammy just turned 18 in January. I keep telling him there’s a video from your Glen Cove house of some of his first steps. Also, because of you two, and for Sammy’s sake, I am trying in my larte middle age to reach out to Cathi in California a little. Much love to you both, Michael (Klapper) P.S. I still have a CD from 2012 I am tryin to produce with Ed Calle, John Branzer and Billy MacCumber, who played here in Florida for me. Let me know if you would like me to mail you a copy, C.T., for your comments and suggestions. Michael
Bill Pallman
03/22/2013 @ 10:15 am
Hi Mr. Clark,
I just purchased In Orbit and likd the outing on several levels. I look forward to reading your autobiography. Music is the glue of mankind.
Regards,
Bill Pallman
Luciano
03/16/2013 @ 12:57 pm
Dearest Clark, I love your style. I’d like to know you personally. A living legend. Long live!
Pete Hittle
03/15/2013 @ 10:54 am
Just letting you know Mr. Terry that you’re always in my thoughts. Hoping this finds you well. God Bless.
kyle lane
03/7/2013 @ 7:33 pm
Hi Clark, you were on my mind and I just wanted to say hello to you and Gwen. All the best in the spirit of Art! Much love, Kyle, Sherree and the boys.
Victor Smith
03/2/2013 @ 6:04 am
Dear Clark,
I am nearing the end of your biography and I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed it. It is fascinating to read all the stories about all the wonderful characters from the world of jazz. Your wonderful attitude is an inspiration to me and thousands of others. Keep on, keeping on!
Victor Smith