02/25/2015
Services for Clark Terry
Where: Abyssinian Baptist Church led by the wonderful Reverend Calvin Butts
When: This Saturday, February 28th at 10:00 a.m. 132 W 138th St, New York, NY 10030
Dear Jazz Foundation Family,
It is with deep feelings of loss for the entire jazz world that I write that our beloved Clark Terry has seen the other side. His beautiful sendoff will be held this Saturday, February 28th.
Our deep love surrounds his wife Gwen, who was the greatest partner and showed enormous heroism all these years. Our love and deep appreciation goes out to Quincy, Justin Kauflin, Al Hicks, Adam Fell, Adam Hart, Wynton Marsalis, Paula DuPre Pesmen, Lois Gilbert, Maxine Gordon, Jackie Harris, his precious students who made his life so rich and all of YOU who came through in making his last years as beautiful as possible.
Clark will be laid to rest at the Woodlawn Cemetery following the service.
Funeral services entrusted to P.K. Miller Mortuary, Pine Bluff, Arkansas and George H. Weldon Funeral Home, New York City.
This quote from JFA board member Steve Jordan expresses so much of what we feel: "This is a loss greater than words, for if not for Clark and a handful like him jazz would NOT have had a foundation to build on.....Humanitarian, diplomat, genius, loving husband, amazing friend, mentor, teacher, artist and overall as cool as cool can be...."Class" personified. We should all be so blessed....For if not for Clark, the soundtrack of our lives would sound a lot different ... and not nearly as good. God rest his soul....In everlasting peace and glory."
In lieu of flowers: The family is asking that donations be made to the Jazz Foundation of America which has helped over the years to make sure that Clark's needs were met. Please note when making donations online that they be noted "In Honor of Clark Terry" to help them continue this lifesaving work.www.jazzfoundation.org/donate
CLARK TERRY (official obituary)
Our beloved Clark Terry peacefully went home to God on Saturday, February 21st in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, surrounded by his family, students and friends. He was known internationally for his signature musicianship and gratitude for his love from many. For nearly half a century, Clark's greatest passion was helping to make young musicians' dreams come true. He was a tremendous source of inspiration, of love, of respect, of decency, and of human rights. He was one of the first recruits of the United States Navy when black musicians were given the Rating of Musician in 1942. From being one of the few musicians who played as a featured soloist in both the Count Basie and the Duke Ellington Orchestras, to being the first black staff musician at NBC, Clark had multiple bands including big bands, youth bands and other ensembles. He was one of the most recorded jazz musicians in history on more than 900 albums.
Clark's devotion towards mentoring young musicians influenced the lives of worldwide master talents such as Quincy Jones, Miles Davis, Marsalis and Dianne Reeves amongst countless others. Clark inspired everyone by example. As he was quoted in the documentary about his life and love for mentoring students, Keep On keeping On, "Your mind is a powerful asset. Use it for positive thoughts and you'll learn what I've learned. I call it getting on the plateau of positivity."
He is survived by his loving wife Gwen Terry. His step-children Gary (LaJuana) Paris, Bruce "Tony" (Olivia) Paris, sister-in-law Georgette Wiley, brother-in-law Harry (Carol) Golden and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. Other family members who proceeded him in death were his parents Mary Scott and Clark Virgil Terry, his son Hiawatha, his sisters Ada Mae, Margueritte, Lillian, Mable Myrtle, Juanita Alberta, Marie Louise, Mattie Lucille, Odessa and his brothers Virgil Otto and Charles Edward as well as his former wives Mayola Robinson and Pauline Reddon.
