The University of New Hampshire is throwing a birthday bash on campus at the Johnson Theater. The celebration, complete with 85 candles on the cake, is for legendary jazz musician and educator Clark Terry.  

The University of New Hampshire is throwing a birthday bash on campus at the Johnson Theater. The celebration, complete with 85 candles on the cake, is for legendary jazz musician and educator Clark Terry.   

What is life but a string of notes on the staff? We have memories, moments—a  series of movements scratched and scrawled measure by measure onto the surface of time, each a one-off performance. We need glue. We need something to fasten together our days. We need context and depth. We need a vehicle on which our deepest hopes, fears and joys can go along for the ride. Music provides all of this. More to the point, Clark Terry has provided it for more than 60 years. Terry has been dedicated to a career in music, and to providing this connection for all of us with his soulful contributions to the world of jazz horn playing. His accomplishments and influence stretch far and wide, through the decades, on over 300 recordings and with performances on every continent.

Giants like like Basie, Ellington and Gillespie have all shared the stage with Clark Terry, and millions have benefited from his presence and prodigious musical talents, his well documented kindness, his gracious teaching and, without question, his bottomless well of soul. The man who can pick a beautiful melody out of the air as if it were low-hanging fruit will be honored on Wednesday, Dec. 14, by a big band and vocalists comprised of alumni from three decades, faculty performers, and guest artists representing various stages and influences in Terry’s career, including clarinetist Bob Wilber (flying in from London), guitarist Gray Sargent (on break from Tony Bennett), and young trumpeter Nicholas Payton (colleague of both Doc Cheatham and Wynton Marsalis). Terry will also be honored by the Blues Bank Collective in Portsmouth, which will present to him the organization’s 2005 Lifetime Achievement award, which goes to those who demonstrate a commitment to perpetuating the traditions of black music and help to promote racial diversity and harmony through their music. For a lifetime of rich, beautiful, and priceless contributions to our culture, we at The Wire also tip our hat to Mr. Terry. Thanks for your  presence among us here in New Hampshire, and most of all, for your music. Happy birthday.


Clark Terry’s 85th Birthday Celebration
Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 8 p.m.
UNH Johnson Theater
$8 adults; $6 students and seniors
603-862-2290