Terry Myers - Clarinet

Perhaps the most commonly used word to describe Terry Myers is "versatile." He is equally at

home in traditional jazz, big bands or small ensembles, and straight ahead groups. In addition,

he is often called to play in the pit for such shows as "Chicago," "42nd Street," "Fiddler on the

Roof," and others.

In the area of traditional jazz, he worked for a number of years at Rosie O'Grady's Goodtime Jazz Emporium in Orlando and is a charter member of Bill Allred's Classic Jazz Band. Though the

Allred band is not strictly a trad band, it can turn that switch whenever the need arises. This

band has played around the world in many festivals since 1990. Terry has also recorded and

appeared frequently with the Black Dogs Jazz Band.

Big bands have always been an important part of his playing career. He started his own "Tribute

to Benny Goodman" band in 1992. This band has appeared in all of the major concert halls in

Florida, as well as Busch Gardens, Cypress Gardens, and Silver Springs, in their respective

big band programs. Along with dates at some of the casinors in Mississippi and Illinois, the

band has played river cruises on the Mississippi Queen and American Queen riverboats. It also appeared twice on the SS Norway's big band cruise. In addition to leading his own band, Terry

has filled in as a leader of the Artie Shaw Band, the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, and the Tex

Beneke Band. He has played with both Dorsey bands, Ray Anthony, Les Elgart, Larry Elgart,

and Bob Crosby, to name a few.

Terry especially enjoys the small group, straight ahead format. He also led a seven-piece

group at EPCOT for four years during the 1980's.

Since 2003, Terry has been an instructor at a jazz camp sponsored by the Sacramento

Traditional Jazz Society. He was honored to be picked to replace the legendary Abe Most,

who had taught at the camp since its inception. Teaching is not new to Terry, however. He

holds a bachelor's degree in education from Drake University and a master's degree in

education from the University of Missouri. He spent 11 years as a high school social studies

teacher and coached varsity basketball, football, and track teams in Iowa. Also, his last three

years in education found him holding down the position of high school principal in addition to

his coaching duties.

Some of the jazz greats with whom Terry has appeared include Buddy Morrow, Bob Haggart,

Milt Hinton, Butch Miles, Jake Hanna, Duffy Jackson, Chubby Jackson, Billy Butterfield, Warren

Vache', Allan Vache', Randy Sandke, Vince Giordano, Dan Barrett, Chuck Hedges, Kenny Davern, Eddie Metz, Jr., and many others.