click
photo for high rez image |
Drummer,
Terry Clarke was born on August 20, 1944 in Vancouver,
British Columbia. His natural rhythmic aptitude was
obvious from an early age, and at the age of twelve,
he began studying formally with the noted drum teacher
and author Jim Blackley-who was to remain a primary
and ongoing figure in Terry's development as a musician.
In 1965, Terry moved to San Francisco to work with John
Handy III. He performed with him for the next two and
a half years, during which time the GRAMMY nominated
recording, Live at Monterey Jazz Fest (Columbia, 1966)
was made. Following the John Handy experience, Terry
began building his reputation for versatility by joining
the world-famous pop vocal group, "The Fifth Dimension".
At the time, they were at the height of their popularity,
and Terry traveled and performed extensively with them
throughout the U.S.A., Canada and Europe. Terry left
"The Fifth Dimension" in 1970, and re-located to Toronto.
For the next fifteen years he played an abundance of
jazz in all styles, as well as being in demand in Toronto's
considerable studio scene. Countless television shows,
jingles and recording dates were Terry's mainstay, as
well as touring Japan and Europe with noted jazz guitarist,
Jim Hall and piano great, Oscar Peterson. Terry Clarke
is well-known as a founding member of the world acclaimed
big-band, "Rob McConnell's Boss Brass". For twenty-five
years he recorded and toured with the band, helping
to define it's remarkable sound. In 1985, Terry made
a bold move to New York to pursue an exclusively jazz
career. During his stint there, he worked with The Toshiko
Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra, The Joe Roccisano Jazz Orchestra,
Jim Hall, Jay Leonhart, Helen Merrill, Marvin Stamm,
Bob Mintzer, and Mark Murphy (among others). Terry Clarke
has recorded well over 300 albums with various jazz
artists including Jim Hall, Oscar Peterson, Rob McConnell,
The Singers Unlimited, Frank Rossolino, Toshiko Akiyoshi,
Lew Tabackin, Freddie Hubbard, Jay McShann, Buddy Tate,
Emily Remler, John Handy III, Ed Bickert, Helen Merrill
and Roger Kellaway. Terry is a familiar face at jazz
festivals in Europe, Canada, Japan and the U.S. After
fifteen years of living and working in New York City,
he re-located to Toronto with his wife Lesley, and their
two young sons, Kristopher and Kyle. In October of 1999,
Terry re-united with Rob McConnell to help form the
"Rob McConnell Tentet"-an exciting newly formatted group
comprised mainly of charter "Boss Brass" members, and
fueled by the brilliant writing of Rob McConnell. This
new group has received rave reviews for their "live"
performances, as well as a GRAMMY nomination and a JUNO
award for their self-titled debut CD on the "Justin
Time" label.
As a jazz educator, Terry Clarke is currently an adjunct
professor at The University of Toronto, and In January
of 2002, he was honored as "Drummer of the Year" at
the first annual "Canadian National Jazz Awards". Terry
Clarke has also been recently named as a Member of the
prestigious Order of Canada.
|
