Clark Terry

“Really? Read it again!” That was Clark’s response when I read a list of more than fifty stellar musicians who will perform at a fundraiser to help defray medical expenses for him. The event is on next Monday, April 23rd, 7:00 p.m., at Saint Peter’s Church in Manhattan. The address is 619 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022, and the suggested donation is $25 at the door.

This exciting concert is being produced by the Saint Peter’s Jazz Ministry, International Women in Jazz, the Duke Ellington Society, the Jazz Foundation of America, Clark’s musician friends, dozens of volunteers, and me. We are extremely grateful to everyone for their love, prayers and support.

We truly appreciate The Jazz Foundation of America for helping us with the astromonical expenses for 24-hour healthcare that Clark needs here at home. JFA is truly a God-send! If you aren’t able to attend the fundraiser, and would like to make a donation, you may write a check with “Clark Terry Account” on the memo line, and mail your donation to: Jazz Foundation of America, 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036. Or if you’d like to donate online, please use the following JFA link: http://jazzfoundation.org/memory_honor

David Demsey is here visiting Clark at home. David is the emcee for the upcoming concert, and one of the performing musicians. He said, “This list reads like a “Who’s Who” in Jazz! It’s absolutely incredible!” Dr. D.D. (Clark’s nickname for him) is Coordinator of Jazz Studies at William Paterson University, and Curator of the William Paterson Living Jazz Archives, which contains The Clark Terry Archive, along with archives of Thad Jones and James Williams. David also wrote the Introduction in Clark’s autobiography. For more information about David, please click here.

After the third time that I read the list to Clark – his musician friends who are donating their performances for his fundraiser – he said, “Man, that’s beautiful! I feel so fortunate.” When he and David talked more about it, Clark said, “I wish I could be there in person, but I’ll be there.” We’re both planning to make a brief appearance via Skype during the event.

The outpouring of love from his friends on the list has lifted Clark’s spirit so much that his appetite has returned. He’s now gaining some of the weight that he’d lost while taking pain medication during recent months. I’m happy to report that his pain has diminished.

The beloved musicians who are donating their performance for next Monday’s concert include: Clifford Adams, Jr., Carl Allen, Lisle Atkinson, Art Baron, Gene Bertoncini, Valerie Capers, Paquito D’Rivera, Ron Carter, Jimmy Cobb, Sylvia Cuenca, Dee Daniels, Bryan Davis, David Demsey, Lou Donaldson, Mark Elf, Essiet Essiet, Don Friedman, Greg Gisbert, Dave Glasser, Onaje Allan Gumbs, Winard Harper, Barry Harris, Louis Hayes, Jimmy Heath, Conrad Herwig, Jack Jeffers, Melba Joyce, Justin Kauflin, Stantawn Kendrick, Bob Kindred, Victor Lewis, Tony Lujan, Russell Malone, Sarah McLawler, Marcus McLaurine, Junior Mance, Mulgrew Miller, Shawnn Monteiro, Frank Owens, Jimmy Owens, Jeremy Pelt, Anne Phillips, Rufus Reid, Bill Saxton, Josh Shpak, Don Sickler, Norman Simmons, John Simon, Lew Soloff, Helen Sung, Frank Wess, and the list is still growing. There will be surprise guests, too!

For more information, please click to see the flyer.

I’ve read him all of your messages on his website, and he always loves hearing them. He said, “Sometimes, when I’m not feeling my best, I think about how everybody is still pulling for me, and it helps me to feel better. I thank everybody, and I thank God!”

Recently, Clark went for a follow-up visit with his vascular surgeon, Dr. Heather LeBlanc. She said, “The amputation sight on his right leg (mid-thigh) has healed completely, and the left one (above the knee) is doing fantastically well.” Primary care physician, Dr. Simmie Armstrong, is also pleased with Clark’s progress. He said, “We still have to focus on protection, and no infection.”

Clark’s physical therapist works with him five times a week here at home, and visiting nurses are attending his left leg wound three times a week. He said, “They’ve been telling me that things are cooling out. It’s been a long journey with ‘strange changes.’ I’ve had some good days and some bad days, but I’m glad to still have days.”

Jon Faddis came to spend some time with Clark, while in Arkansas for a clinic and concert at Central High School in Little Rock. They spent quite a while together, laughing, reminiscing and discussing Clark’s book. Jon said, “I loved your book! When I read the passage where you talked about one of the albums that we did together – Take Double – I wondered if you remembered those slippery wings on that plane when we did the photo shoot for the cover? They had to put rubber strips on the bottoms of our shoes to keep us from sliding off.” Clark laughed and said, “I had forgotten about the rubber strips.” For more information about Jon Faddis, please click here.

Jon Faddis and Clark. (photo by Quincy Cavers)

During David Demsey’s visit, they discussed the newly released Terry Tunes book which is a compilation of some of Clark’s compositions, information on Clark’s “doodle-tonguing” technique, and more. They worked on this book for many years, along with Stjepko Gut and others, and they’ve gotten some wonderful comments about it. Visit the Terry Tunes page for more info.

As Clark and David discussed the Clark Terry Archive at WPU, David reported, “We’re excited about the archive website! We’re working hard to get it done, and it’s going to be great. We’ve got some incredible photos that can give you the feeling that you’re there in person.” As soon as the website is completed, we’ll be sure to let you know.

Later, they talked about the Skype lessons for which Clark is preparing. He asked for his trumpet and said, “I’m having a little arthritis trouble with my hands, but I’m doing my best.” Below is a photo of Clark and David.

Clark and Dr D.D. (photo by Quincy Cavers)

Clark and I thank you all so much for your kindness and encouragement. Although it’s been quite challenging, he’s come a long way, and your love has played an integral part.

Blessings and love,
Gwen

Clark is home! His primary care physician, Dr. Simmie Armstrong, arranged for him to have professional physical therapy for five days a week here at home, along with homecare visits from nurses three times a week. The amputation site on his left leg is healing, and the right one is completely well. He’s experiencing some pain, but other than that, he said, “It gets pretty tough sometimes, but I’m hanging on in there. And I’m thanking Big Prez (his nickname for God) for every day.”

He was talking on the phone with one of his friends who expressed how sorry he was that Clark had gone through so much – losing his legs and all. Clark responded, “Don’t worry, just keep pulling for me.”

On one of his particularly challenging days, I asked what would help him to feel better. He said, “Love. All the love from you and everybody. It makes me feel like you all still need me.”

You can see how much you mean to him. Each message that you post, and all of your prayers, phone calls, cards, and visits have helped to give him the courage to “keep on keepin’ on.” We appreciate you all so very much, and we hope that you’ll stay in touch.

His friend Bob Montgomery came from Denver to visit. Between doses of Clark’s pain medication, they talked about Clark’s book, reminisced about their road trips when Bob played trumpet in Clark’s Big Bad Band, and the years that Bob organized, supervised and participated in the Clark Terry Jazz Camps that were held in Oklahoma and Kansas.

Bob said, “I remember those long bus rides when I was in his band. I sat across the aisle from him, and when I’d doze off, he’d wake me up so we could talk. I loved traveling with him. He told some great stories, and a lot of them are in his autobiography. It’s a great book!”

I left them alone for a while, and when I went back to see if they needed anything, Bob and Clark were all smiles. Bob said, “He sang all of the words to ‘Squeeze Me,’ and he was buzzing a little (a lip-vibration exercise for strengthening chops). He went on to say, “Clark still has a perfect embouchure, and his mind is as sharp as ever.” For more information about Bob, please visit: www.dmamusic.org/bobmontgomery

Here’s a photo (left to right) of Bob, Clark and Quincy Cavers who is one of Clark’s students, a travel assistant, and one of his home health aides.

When Clark is able, he’s looking forward to teaching his students in person and via Skype. Last September, prior to the barrage of challenges with his legs, he enjoyed giving his first Skype lesson to a student in Australia. He said, “That computer is something else, man! I was here and he was there. A real talented kid. Plays trumpet. He learned how to ‘doodle-tongue’ in thirty minutes. It was great!”

Clark is getting stronger daily, and we are forever grateful for your love. Please keep him in your prayers.

Blessings,
Gwen

Clark’s surgery was successful! His vascular surgeon, Dr. Heather LeBlanc, was pleased that there were no complications following the amputation of his left leg on Thursday, February 23rd.  After twenty-four hours in the Intensive Care Unit, Clark was transferred to a hospital room on Friday, where he continued to improve and his spirit remained high.

The next day he was hit with the news that his dear friend “Brother” Red Holloway had passed away in California. Clark was quite saddened. After a while, he said, “I’ve lost one of the best friends that I’ve ever had. He was like a brother to me.” They had been in touch with each other until two weeks ago, when Red called and said that he was going to a rehabilitation hospital, and he would call back later. Clark said, “I’m really going to miss him. We spent lots of time together. Played lots of gigs.”

The last time that they played together was at the “2007 Clark Terry Jazz Festival,” sponsored by the Department of Music at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. As one of the featured celebrity artists on stage and in master classes, Red brought the house down with his signature rendition of “Locksmith Blues.” To hear an earlier recording of it, click here.

Hours later, while Clark was trying to accept the sad news about Red, we were told that Maurice Andre had passed away in France. Clark couldn’t talk about it initially. Later he said, “Maurice was a great trumpeter. A great musician. One of my all-time favorites. We had a lot of respect and admiration for each other.” To see one of Maurice’s youTube performances, click here.

Maurice’s quote that is published within the first few pages of Clark’s autobiography says, “The one I admire without restriction is Clark Terry, whose pronunciation at the trumpet or bugle is a model of sharpness, clearness, and authority. A model which is given with generosity to all of those who want to play this instrument…the way it should be played.”

In the midst of recuperating from surgery, to have heard such sad news was quite challenging for Clark, as you can imagine, especially since it had only been a month earlier when he’d heard the news that his long-time friend John Levy had passed away just months before his one-hundredth birthday. Clark said, “John was such a beautiful cat. A master musician and a beautiful friend.” If you’d like to post a remembrance message for John, please visit www.lushlife.com.

When Mike Vax drove from Tyler, Texas on Sunday, between gigs from his multi-state clinic tour, to visit with Clark in the hospital, it was truly a God-send. Clark’s face lit up when he heard Mike’s voice and they hugged each other. They talked about the days back in the ‘70’s when they were on tour with Clark’s Big Bad Band, laughing about some of the road challenges they had gone through, and the incredible times they’d shared.

It was exactly what Clark needed to lift his spirit. Mike shared some CD’s of recordings they had made, made speakerphone calls to some of their friends, played his trumpet, and talked about how much he loves Clark’s book. He said, “I was cracking up when I read the first few chapters. It reads like you’re sitting there talking to me, Clark.  I wanted to bring it with me on this tour, but Peg (his wife) wanted to read it, too. So, I’m going to download a copy on my computer.” For more information about Mike, please visit his website at: www.mikevax.net.

Clark and Mike Vax

Mike was very complimentary of Clark’s Van Dyke beard, and he took lots of photos. He didn’t ask about Clark’s missing front tooth that mysteriously disappeared about a month ago. When I asked Clark where it was, he said, “I ate it.” I asked him how it tasted, and he said, “Stale.”

I found out later that he didn’t really eat it, but no one knew where it was. It was an old implant that had come out several times before, so I guess we’ll make a visit to his dentist when Clark is home and feeling better.

Mike and I shared some of the posts on Clark’s website, which always makes Clark smile, and we discussed the rehabilitation that has been recommended by Dr. Simmie Armstrong. Rehab is necessary to help improve Clark’s upper-body strength and provide new maneuvering techniques. Clark said, “I can do those exercises at home,” but we encouraged him to work with the professionals at the hospitals for maximum results. Finally, after a very long discussion, Clark said, “Okay, I’ll do it.”

Please join us in prayer for the families of Red, Maurice, and John, as we remember them and continue to celebrate their incredible contributions in music. Also, please continue praying for Clark’s recovery, and know that your posts on his website make a huge impact toward keeping his spirit high.

We love you, and we thank God for you all!

Blessings,
Gwen