Clark Terry Albums (64)
What The Critics Say
Recorded during the mid-'90s, The Chicago Sessions features legendary trumpeter Clark Terry performing with the Depaul University Big Band under the direction of trumpeter Bob Lark. Compiled out of two hard--to-find recordings, this is '50s and '60s style big-band bop that should appeal to fans of straight-ahead jazz. Terry sounds in fine form throughout and it is a joy to hear him showcased within such a large and crisply swinging ensemble. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide
'Live at Marihan's'
Release Date 11/8/2005
Tracks 28
Label Chiaroscuro
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Clark Terry assembled an all-star group of his students, ranging from teenagers to musicians well into their forties to appear with him at the 2004 International Jazz Festival of Bern at Marihan's Jazz Club. In addition to crowd-pleasing favorites like "Flintstones Theme" and Terry's ballad "Sheeba," there are less familiar works like Frank Wess' slinky blues "Shell Game" and new contributions, such as trumpeter/bandmember Tony Lujan's swinging "Bella Blue." Terry is obviously the primary soloist and adds a vocal to "I Want a Little Girl," though his younger players are also featured. Among the musicians in the big band are trombonist Conrad Herwig, trumpeters Stjepko "Steve" Gut and Lujan, pianist Helen Sung, and alto saxophonist Brad Leali, all of whom have already recorded CDs of their own. and A second disc features interview excerpts with Terry, where he discusses his method of teaching and highlights of his career. Highly recommended! ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'George Gershwin's Porgy & Bess'
Release Date 8/31/2004
Tracks 13
Label A440 Music Group
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Gil Evans' historic arrangement of excerpts from George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess folk opera became one of the most important records ever released by trumpeter Miles Davis. But no one else revisited this score until it was transcribed by Jeff Lindberg, (along with Charles Harrison III) for this release featuring guest Clark Terry (who celebrated his 83rd birthday between the recording sessions) with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Lindberg. Not only was Terry an early influence on the young Davis, but he is a far more expressive trumpeter who doubles on flügelhorn, while also possessing a fatter tone, greater range, and more personality on his instruments, though this CD was not intended to eclipse the earlier achievement of Davis. Terry's flügelhorn beautifully projects the emotion of Porgy in the soulful "Bess, You Is My Woman Now," while capturing the pain of Bess in the plaintive "My Man's Gone Now." Terry's touch of humor is displayed in "Fisherman, Strawberry and Devil Crab" and the saucy "It Ain't Necessarily So." He switches to muted trumpet for the lightly swinging "Summertime." Terry's vocals, always a favorite of his fans, are heard in the brief rendition of "Here Come de Honey Man," complete with the usual jocular asides typical when Terry sings. The CD is wrapped with the boisterous celebration "There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York." Throughout the sessions, the orchestra provides superb accompaniment for its special guest, while Art Hoyle joins Terry as a second flügelhorn soloist for the one original by Evans, "Gone." This is a very fitting salute to the earlier album by Miles Davis and Gil Evans which easily exceeds the expectations of typical re-creations of historic sessions. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'Live at Montmarte June 1975'
Release Date 9/2/2003
Tracks 7
Label Storyville
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Clark Terry is joined by his old Count Basie bandmate Ernie Wilkins for this 1975 concert at the Montmartre in Copenhagen, though it was not released until 2003. The terrific rhythm section consists of expatriate pianist Horace Parlan, bassist Mads Vinding, and drummer Bjarne Rostvold. Terry steals the show in the lengthy workout of "Bye Bye Blackbird" with his trademark solos in which he alternates between flügelhorn and muted trumpet. His fat-toned flügelhorn majestically is the centerpiece of a brief take of "When I Fall in Love." Wilkins gives Terry a run for his money with a burning tenor sax solo in the extended treatment of "Satin Doll." The amusing "Boone's Blues" was improvised on the spot, featuring not only Richard Boone's singing but also vocals by guest Dexter Gordon and Terry's famous "Mumbles" routine. Terry's ballad technique is once again to the forefront in his tantalizing take of "Misty," followed by a brisk dash through "The Theme," the venerable boppish set closer with authorship claimed by many different artists. Originally broadcast by Danish Radio, this excellent live set will be of immense interest to fans of Clark Terry. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'Live! At Buddy's Place'
Release Date 1/21/2003
Tracks 7
Label Universe
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
In spite of the economic challenges of leading a big band, trumpeter and flügelhornist Clark Terry managed to keep one going for a time in the 1960s and 1970s, recording several valuable albums for Vanguard. This live performance at Buddy's Place in New York City features an all-star cast, including saxophonists Frank Wess, Chris Woods, and Ernie Wilkins, trombonists Eddie Bert and Sonny Costanzo, and others. Wilkins contributed most of the charts for this release, including the barnburning opener, "Modus Operandi," and a great feature for bassist Victor Sproles, "Big Bad Blues." Terry's matchless flügelhorn and trumpet are both generously featured as well, though he hardly hogs the solo spotlight for himself due to the wealth of talent in his band. Out of print for quite some time after the end of the LP era, it has since been reissued on CD by Universe. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Clark Terry always seems to be the happiest jazz musician in a concert setting, and his ability to make his audience feel good probably ranks second only to Louis Armstrong. This undated concert, which was recorded at the St. Lucia Jazz Festival (evidently not long after the tragic events of September 11, 2001), finds the veteran trumpeter in great form, even if he left his flugelhorn behind for this performance. He's surrounded by a great cast of musicians, including alto saxophonist Donald Harrison, pianist Anthony Wonsey, bassist Curtis Lundy, and drummer Victor Lewis. Terry's wide-ranging set includes a pair of swing classics ("Moten Swing" and "Take the 'A' Train"), Miles Davis' landmark modal tune "All Blues" (with a delicious scatted introduction by the leader), and several enjoyable originals by Terry, including the burning bop opener "Quicksand," the easygoing ballad "Elijah" (written for his grandson), and the entertaining "St. Lucia Blues," with some fine muted trumpet and a hilarious vocal. Terry also invites the audience to sing along during portions of his "Love, Love, Love" and the closer, "Bye, Bye, Blackbird," although the latter song was doctored slightly to eliminate the audience's muffed ending and includes only the immediate retake requested by Terry. All of the musicians shine throughout the concert and make the most of their ample opportunities to solo; Terry himself seems almost ageless. The only minor gripe about this release is its somewhat sparse packaging, with a single sheet insert lacking composer credits, liner notes, and recording information (neither the date or the St. Lucia Jazz Festival is mentioned). The music on this CD is also available under the same title from Image with excerpts of an interview with Clark Terry. Even if you already own the DVD version, this highly recommended CD is worth purchasing as well. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
When you get to the point in your career that drummer Max Roach and trumpeter Clark Terry are, it's not so much what you say, but how you say it. These jazz giants may not be at the top of their game technically, but artistically no Young Lion can touch them. Starting with the leadoff track on Friendship, it's clear that all bets are off. "Statements" is a drum and trumpet duet loosely based around a blues theme, with Terry playing off various rhythms and drum head detunings from Roach. It's easily one of the most avant-garde things these guys have played in a while, and possibly the most surprising thing you'll hear on a straight-ahead jazz recording from 2002. Elsewhere, Terry takes a burnished and juicy stroll through "When I Fall in Love," Roach gets some solo time on the furious "Lil Max," and both of them turn "Makin' Whoopee" into a bittersweet daydream. Backed sensitively by pianist Don Friedman and bassist Marcus McLaurine, Roach and Terry make Friendship a pure joy. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide
'Clark Terry and His Orchestra Featuring Paul Gonsalves'
Release Date 1/8/2002
Tracks 11
Label Storyville
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Critics often complain that small-group sessions comprised of members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra are somewhat disappointing; this is definitely not the case with this session led by Clark Terry, recorded during a 1959 tour of Europe in the final month of the trumpeter's almost eight-year tenure with the band. Fellow Ellington sidemen Paul Gonsalves, Jimmy Woode, and Sam Woodyard are present, along with Raymond Fol at the piano. Terry was one of the most gifted trumpeters to grace the Ellington band and he blossoms when he has more opportunities to solo in a small group setting like this one. Gonsalves proves to be the perfect foil for Terry as they trade lines on several of the numbers. Unlike many dates led by Ellington veterans, this one doesn't rely heavily on songs from the vast Ellington songbook; instead, Terry includes only "Satin Doll," while choosing one standard ("Mean to Me"), a pair of Monk tunes, and five of his own compositions, with "Serenade to a Bus Seat" (a remake of his upbeat instrumental interpretation of the hectic life of a touring musician) proving to be the most memorable. This studio date was recorded for French Decca and has been almost impossible to find prior to the appearance of this Storyville CD, so it should be of great interest to fans of Clark Terry, with the added bonus of a previously unissued alternate take of "Pannonica." ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide
'Clark Terry and His Jolly Giants'
Release Date 7/31/2001
Tracks 10
Label Universe
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Flugelhornist Clark Terry, who was nearly 79 at the time of this live recording, was still in fine form; in fact, in remarkably good shape considering his age and his instrument. Terry and his regular band of the period (with altoist David Glasser, pianist Don Friedman, bassist Marcus McLaurine, and drummer Sylvia Cuenca) are joined on a number or two apiece by vocalists Shirley Horn ("But Beautiful"), Etta Jones ("East of the Sun"), Vanessa Rubin, and Carrie Smith, but it is the instrumentals (which include Terry's "Opus Ocean," "The Nearness of You," "The Snapper," and "Is It True What They Say About Dixie") that are most memorable. As is typical of a Clark Terry set, the results are joyful, often humorous, and swinging. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
