The Battle Creek-area musician is a much-in-demand sideman and “dazzling soloist” who’s toured the state and the globe. He’ll be honored by the West Michigan Jazz Society on May 10.
Humbled By ‘A Big Honor’: Terry Lower will perform as part of the jazz society banquet in May. (Photo/Dave Koether)
Not everyone is able to make a childhood dream come true, but pianist and composer Terry Lower isn’t everyone.
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Lower, with 55 years of playing the piano under his belt, has been named the West Michigan Jazz Society’s 2016 Musician of the Year.
Playing Since Age 6: Terry Lower
“Music has a unique way of touching people,” Lower said, “and if you work hard on your music career and never stop trying to be a better musician and writer, someone will be touched by your music.”
In Lower’s case, plenty of folks have been, including a host of Michigan musicians.
“He is an arranger, composer and wonderful jazz musician,” said Grand Rapids jazz singer Edye Evans Hyde, noting Lower performed on her most recent album. “He is also a great guy.”
The award will be presented during a May 10 banquet at Watermark Country Club, 5500 Cascade Road SE. Hyde, Mike Hyde, Tim Froncek, Max Colley and Denis Shebukov will perform with Lower that evening. The event begins at 6 p.m. and includes a happy hour, dinner and dancing. Tickets are $35 for jazz society members, $40 for non-members, and available online here. The registration deadline is May 1.
The jazz society started the award in 2000 to recognize local talent and provide a platform for musicians. Winners are selected after “an extensive nomination and voting process” involving society members, past winners and the WMJS board. The award announcement described Lower as “a dazzling soloist and a superior accompanist.”
For his part, Lower, 61, called the society “a group of wonderful people who certainly know their jazz music very well. Also, past recipients of this award are involved in the nominating and voting process, so this is really a big honor for me.”
PLAYING IN CHURCH AS A CHILD, STUDYING IN BOSTON, ACCOMPANYING JAZZ GREATS
The Battle Creek native comes from a family of musicians. He started his musical career playing in the Pentecostal church at the age of six.
Repetition made perfect as he and his family performed at least four times a week in church services. In addition to the powerful sermons, he recalled “a lot of foot-stomping gospel music with good rhythms.”
After attending Berklee College of Music in Boston and studying with the late jazz pianist Ray Santisi, Lower became well-known across Michigan.
‘Keep Moving Forward’: Lower at the piano.
The full-time musician has played with plenty of renowned musicians, including Frank Morgan, Bobby Shew, Jimmy Dorsey and Nelson Riddle, but the memory of playing with Benny Golson sticks out.
“He is not only a well-known saxophonist and composer in the jazz world, but is a really nice guy to work with,” Lower said. “With all of his talents, fame and great songs that he wrote under his belt, he was still humble, modest, kind, and treated me very well, even though I was extremely nervous about performing with him. That made my night a lot easier and less nerve-racking.”
Lower, who lives just outside Battle Creek, also toured Italy in 2006 and 2008 as part of the “Centro Jazz Torino” tour featuring Grammy-nominated vocalist Betty Joplin and the Edye Evans Hyde Sextet.
One of his most rewarding experiences occurred in Verbania, Italy, during a performance when the singer featured him in a piano trio and he played Duke Ellington’s “Take the A Train.”
“I had played this version many times back in the States, with pretty good feedback from audiences, but nothing all that spectacular,” he said.
APPRECIATION FOR ‘HARD WORK AND YEARS OF PRACTICING’
“That night in Italy, though, the crowd went bonkers and loved it so much they wouldn’t stop clapping. It just reminded me that if you keep working hard on your instrument and try to be the best you can be, somebody will be touched by it eventually and surprise you with their appreciation for all of your hard work and years of practicing.”
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Lower also creates original compositions. In 2005, his septet released its CD, “Step by Step.” In 2009, his piano trio released the CD set, “4 Trios: Vol. 1 & Vol. 2.”
“Even though I’m sure there are some things I could’ve done better, I’m quite pleased with the decisions I’ve made about my music career. I believe we should try really hard to make things happen by faithfully practicing our instruments and working hard to improve our music,” he said.
“However, no matter how hard we try to set goals and pursue our careers, there’s always a curve ball or two that gets thrown at you. That’s just the way life is. No matter what happens to us beyond our control, we need to adapt, adjust and keep moving forward.”
Set Your Goals High: Terry Lower (Photo/Dave Koether)
What’s next for Lower? He plans to finish some full symphony orchestra arrangements for Edye Evans Hyde, and wants to record more CDs with piano trios and bigger ensembles incorporating new ideas in the studio.
He also offers some encouraging words for young musicians.
“Whether it’s playing music on your instrument of choice or writing music, set your goals high, but not so high that you cannot attain them,” he said.
“Work very, very hard at attaining those goals, and remember that you’re only a human being who happens to be a musician. So, keep in mind that you’re not flawless and you will make some mistakes. However, you do have the capabilities to minimize those mistakes.
“And always remember to treat others the way that you’d like to be treated.”
Check out Lower’s upcoming performance schedule and listen to some of his music at terrylowermusic.com.
Copyright 2016, Spins on Music LLC
