It’s taken me some time to process the way too early passing of the soul jazz master I made music with for over thirty years.  As a young musician just getting started on the Chicago scene, three chance encounters helped to define an important part of my musical life.

Act 1 (ca 1973) - Concert at the old Jazz Showcase, the Happy Medium version, with the Elvin Jones Quintet.  One of my favorite bands featuring two saxophone greats, Dave Liebman and Steve Grossman.  I had been attending Showcase concerts since high school, and don’t remember ever seeing an opening act at the club before, but on this night I was introduced to Terry Callier, playing a solo set.  I liked the voice, but wasn’t particularly a fan of what sounded to me like folk music, as I was a pretty hard core jazz guy at this point, and I had come to hear Elvin!  But, it was obvious that Terry had the goods.  He put on what I came to know as his trademark heart felt performance.

Act 2 - The Broadway Ltd. to NYC.  I was called to come out to New Haven, Ct. to play with drummer Michael Walden (Narada) and a couple of other musicians that were putting a group together.  As I settled into my seat on the train, I saw the fellow I had heard a while back at the Showcase seated not too far from me.  I couldn’t remember his name, but decided to introduce myself, and we talked for a good bit of the long trip to New York.  Terry was an affable guy and I had a good time talking music with him.  We parted at the end of the trip without any mention of keeping in touch.

Act 3 - A few months later, I was back in Chicago walking down Belmont Ave. by the popular music club, The Quiet Knight, when I saw Terry coming toward me.  We greeted each other and almost immediately Terry asked me if I would be able to make a gig with him in Philly the next weekend.  I actually had plans, but had a feeling that this could be a good thing, so I said yes.  Terry had never heard me play but took the chance, and I can only guess that he felt the vibe between us was good.  That Thursday I found myself back on the train with Terry and percussionist-vocalist, Penn McGee, for what turned out to be a great gig in the city of brotherly love. 

That was the first in a long line of road gigs, and the trio would develop a unique sound over the many years we played together.  Much of Terry’s recorded output through the ’70’s tended towards large scale productions not reflective of what we were doing live, but the trio was documented on the album “TC in DC”, taken from a live performance in Washington, DC, early ‘80’s vintage.  I believe this is the only recording that shows off the incredible vocal chemistry between Terry and Penn.

Terry sat out most of the 1980’s musically, and I went on to other things, but we reconnected in the early 90’s when I discovered the tapes that would become “TC in DC”.  They were off the board cassettes and I had left them forgotten in a box, but when I found them some ten years later, I gave them a listen and immediately gave Terry a call to see if he would be interested in doing something with them, as I thought they sounded very good.  He agreed, and that started round two of our relationship. I introduced Terry to Mike Friedman of Premonition Records and things started happening.  When “TC in DC” was released in 1996, Terry, Penn and I did some US gigs in support and it was like riding a bike, we just started up again right where we had left off.

Around 1992, “I Don’t Want to See Myself Without You”, a track that we had recorded in 1982, was discovered in England and became a hit.  Terry began touring Europe with London based musicians.  Then, mid ’90’s, Terry decided to record a four song demo of new material which we produced ourselves.  Chuck Mitchell, president of Verve Records, who was a long time fan of Terry’s, heard about it and signed Terry.  We did two albums for them and toured the US with the American band of percussionists Penn McGee or Alejo Poveda, reedman Rich Fudoli, guitarist Dave Onderdonk and myself.  Terry continued to tour Europe with the UK band.  Terry asked me to join the UK band in 2002 and I toured with them throughout Europe, Japan and Australia for a few years.  We were also at this time playing Monday night’s at the Green Mill when in Chicago.  Mr Bongo Records put out our self produced album, “Lookin’ Out”, in 2005 and it was well received.  Our steady Monday at the Green Mill ended and Terry and I went our separate ways.  September 27, 2004 was our last night at the Mill and the last time I saw him.

While Terry did not receive the wider acclaim he may have deserved,  he left an indelible mark on those who experienced his deep, melodic, and greatly poetic work.  I know I’ll always appreciate it, and am indebted to him for being one of my earliest supporters.    

Terry, may you rest in peace.