Died On This Date (February 21, 2015) Clark Terry / American Jazz Great

Clark Terry
December 14, 1920 – February 21, 2015

clark-terryClark Terry was an American jazz trumpeter who is widely considered one of the most influential and popular jazz musicians of his time.  Terry launched his career during the early ’40s, just in time to serve in the US Navy Band during World War II.  After his discharge, Terry went on to perform with Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and later, Quincy Jones, among others, as well as leading his own bands. As one of the most recorded artists jazz music has ever known, Terry appeared on nearly 1000 known recordings.  Throughout his career, he wrote over 200 jazz songs, performed for seven US Presidents, and put on several jazz festivals and jazz camps.  In 1991 he was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Award, and in 2010, he became one of only five trumpet players to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.  A lifetime student of jazz as well as a respected educator, Clark held sixteen honorary doctorates.  He was even knighted in Germany.  Clark Terry was 94 when he passed away on February 21, 2015.

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Died On This Date (December 15, 2011) Bob Brookmeyer / Notable Jazz Trombonist

Bob Brookmeyer
December 19, 1929 – December 15, 2011

Bob Brookmeyer was an American jazz musician, arranger and composer who is most often remembered for his contributions to Gerry Mulligan’s Quartet during the late ’50s.  He went on to work with the likes of Jimmy Giuffre, Clark Terry, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis.  In later years, Brookmeyer taught jazz composition at the New England Conservator of Music.  In 2006, he released Spirit Music which was nominated for a Grammy.  Bob Brookmeyer was 81 when he passed away on December 15, 2011.

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New Works - Bob Brookmeyer

Died On This Date (September 2, 2008) Arne Domnerus / Swedish Jazz Great

Arne Domnerus
December 20, 1924 – September 2, 2008

As an alto saxophonist and clarinetist, Arne Domnerus was one of Sweden’s most influential jazz musicians.  Domnerus came to prominence during the ’50s, in part because he would invite American musicians who were touring in Sweden to play on his recordings.  Such collaborators included James Moody, Art Farmer and Clifford Brown.  He also performed with such greats as Clark Terry, Quincy Jones and Charlie Parker.  In declining health in recent years, Arne Domnerus passed away at the age of 83.

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Arne Domnerus

Died On This Date (December 23, 2007) Oscar Peterson / Jazz Great

Oscar Peterson
August 15, 1925 – December 23, 2007

Oscar Peterson was a prolific Canadian jazz pianist and composer who, over the course of a 60+ year career, released over 200 albums, seven of which earning him Grammys.  Peterson actually started out with the trumpet as a child, but after coming down with tuberculosis at the of seven, he could no longer play it, so he turned his focus to the piano.  Peterson is regarded for his choice of duet partners over the years.  Some of those he worked with were Ray Brown, Herbie HancockClark Terry and Herb Ellis.  He also put together some of the greatest trios and quartets jazz has ever known.  Peterson was an educator as well, teaching at advanced music schools and universities in Canada.  He continued to perform up until the final months of his life.  On December 23, Oscar Peterson died of renal failure at the age of 82.

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Night Train - Oscar Peterson