And he leads his children on...

The Duke Ellington Society UK's celebration of Clark Terry's centennial in their series Uptown Lockdown may be found here.

The finale to the programme was a recording made in 2000 by the Sun Prairie High School Jazz Ensemble, Wisconsin. Clark terry was in town and spent a day in workshop with the students, participating also in the performance that evening to an audience of 1 000.

Clark was seventy nine years old at the time and in a wheelchair. The limits of his physicality are evident in the flugelhorn solo he plays in the recording here of Ellington's Launching Pad but he remains irrefutably, recognisably Clark Terry. As you can hear from this extract, he uses his limitations to humorous advantage, sparring with a needle-sharp muted trumpet and finally surrendering with a comical 'parp'. As ever he holds the audience in the palm of his hand.

Young musicians featured include Adam Braatz on piano, Mike Ganz on flugelhorn, Paul Gerneyzke on trombone, Adam Kuhn on tenor saxophone and Trent Austin on lead trumpet. They learn here at the feet of a master.

The students would have been, I suppose, between 14 and 18 years old. They'll be in their late thirties by now. I wonder how they used this launching pad? If you read this, do get in touch via the comments section.

Teaching was always central to Clark Terry throughout his career. He may well have considered it the most important aspect of his work. The many young musicians he inspired are certainly a vital part of his legacy. Thank you for Clark Terry. All the kids in the band want you to know that they do love you madly. 

Here's an excerpt from that performance of Launching Pad...