Terry Waldo

From the 1970s onward Terry Waldo has ranked among the premier practitioners of traditional jazz piano, an artist whose fresh readings continually revitalize both classic jazz repertoire and ragtime. Despite working largely outside the spotlight, he has produced numerous albums of exceptional appeal. Piano study began for him at age six with three years of classical training, after which ragtime and Dixieland captured his attention. He subsequently acquired functional ability on trumpet, tuba, banjo, cello, and bass, and in 1962 he directed the Fungus Five on an appearance for the Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour. While based in Ohio he performed with Gene Mayl’s Dixieland Rhythm Kings, pursued freelance engagements on multiple instruments in New Orleans and San Francisco, completed his studies at Ohio State, and fulfilled military duty as a tuba player. Between 1971 and 1978 he offered a course on the history of jazz, blues, and ragtime at Denison University; in 1972 he hosted the National Public Radio series This Is Ragtime; and in 1976 he published the authoritative volume also titled This Is Ragtime. During the 1980s Waldo directed the Gotham City Stompers, contributed to the production One Mo’ Time, accompanied Leon Redbone on tour, and collaborated with Woody Allen. His recording credits include sessions for GHB in 1969, Fat Cat Records, Stomp Off with his Gutbucket Syncopators, and the Musical Heritage Society.