Clark Terry was a trumpeter who performed, recorded, and toured for 70 years with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Aretha Franklin, and Terri Lyne Carrington. He influenced others such as Miles Davis and Quincy Jones and has appeared on over 900 recordings. Here he performs the tune 'Mumbles' which was the title track of his 1966 album. Watch this video and see if you can spot trumpeters Chris Botti and the late Roy Hargrove looking on in admiration at one of the Black musical icons of the 20th century.
Ideas for discussion questions:
What is he doing?
What style is this tune? How do you know?
Can you make up your own 'mumbles'?
What story do you think he was telling here?
Have you ever heard or seen something like this before? Did you like it? If yes, why? If no, why not?