Sue Terry
Encyclopedia
"Sweet" Sue Terry is a jazz
saxophonist
and composer.
While a student at the Hartt School
in Hartford, Connecticut
, Terry was a protégé of saxophonist Jackie McLean
. McLean encouraged her to move to New York City, where she was later mentored by Clifford Jordan
, Junior Cook
and Barry Harris
, who collectively gave her the nickname "Sweet Sue". Upon her arrival in New York in the eighties, Terry became a featured soloist with bands led by Charli Persip, Clifford Jordan, Walter Bishop, Jr.
and Jaki Byard
. She went on to work with others such as Dr. Billy Taylor, Clark Terry, Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan, George Duke, Barry Harris, Hilton Ruiz, Irene Reid, Juan Carlos Formell, Dr. John, Teri Thornton, Mike Longo and Howard Johnson.
Terry's discography of more than forty recordings includes her as leader/composer on "Gilly's Caper", "Pink Slimy Worm", and "Bandleader 101", and as co-leader/composer on "The Troubadours" and "The Blue.Seum Project." Other artists whose recordings have featured her playing and writing include Charli Persip, Clifford Jordan, Joe McMahon, Derwyn Holder, Bobby Sanabria
, Mini All Stars, Jaki Byard, Ricardo Franck (Ti Plume), Fred Ho, and DIVA.
Terry is also the author of "Practice Like the Pros" and several other instruction books.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
saxophonist
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
and composer.
While a student at the Hartt School
Hartt School
The Hartt School is the comprehensive performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford located in West Hartford, Connecticut, United States that offers innovative degree programs in music, dance, and theatre...
in Hartford, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, Terry was a protégé of saxophonist Jackie McLean
Jackie McLean
John Lenwood McLean was an American jazz alto saxophonist, composer, bandleader and educator, born in New York City.-Biography:McLean's father, John Sr., played guitar in Tiny Bradshaw's orchestra...
. McLean encouraged her to move to New York City, where she was later mentored by Clifford Jordan
Clifford Jordan
Clifford Laconia Jordan was a jazz saxophone player. While in Chicago, he performed with Max Roach, Sonny Stitt, and some rhythm and blues groups. He moved to New York City in 1957, after which he recorded three albums for Blue Note. He also recorded with Horace Silver, J.J. Johnson, Kenny...
, Junior Cook
Junior Cook
Herman "Junior" Cook was a hard bop tenor saxophone player.-Biography:Cook was born in Pensacola, Florida. After playing with Dizzy Gillespie in 1958, Cook gained some fame for his longtime membership in the Horace Silver Quintet ; when he and Blue Mitchell left that band, Cook played in...
and Barry Harris
Barry Harris
Barry Doyle Harris is an American bebop jazz pianist and educator.-Biography:Harris left Detroit for New York City in 1960...
, who collectively gave her the nickname "Sweet Sue". Upon her arrival in New York in the eighties, Terry became a featured soloist with bands led by Charli Persip, Clifford Jordan, Walter Bishop, Jr.
Walter Bishop, Jr.
Walter Bishop, Jr. was an American bop and hard bop jazz pianist.He was the son of composer Walter Bishop, Sr.. In high school his friends included Kenny Drew, Sonny Rollins, and Art Taylor...
and Jaki Byard
Jaki Byard
Jaki Byard was an American jazz pianist and composer who also played trumpet and saxophone, among several other instruments. He was noteworthy for his eclectic style, incorporating everything from ragtime and stride to free jazz...
. She went on to work with others such as Dr. Billy Taylor, Clark Terry, Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan, George Duke, Barry Harris, Hilton Ruiz, Irene Reid, Juan Carlos Formell, Dr. John, Teri Thornton, Mike Longo and Howard Johnson.
Terry's discography of more than forty recordings includes her as leader/composer on "Gilly's Caper", "Pink Slimy Worm", and "Bandleader 101", and as co-leader/composer on "The Troubadours" and "The Blue.Seum Project." Other artists whose recordings have featured her playing and writing include Charli Persip, Clifford Jordan, Joe McMahon, Derwyn Holder, Bobby Sanabria
Bobby Sanabria
Bobby Sanabria is an American drummer, percussionist, composer, arranger, bandleader, educator, producer, and writer specializing in Latin jazz.-Biography:Sanabria was born at St. Francis Hospital in the South Bronx, where he grew up...
, Mini All Stars, Jaki Byard, Ricardo Franck (Ti Plume), Fred Ho, and DIVA.
Terry is also the author of "Practice Like the Pros" and several other instruction books.