Terry Thompson

The Beginning . . . 

Terry Thompson was introduced to music at an early age. As a six year old wild child, Terry marched around the house banging on his mother's pots and pans to John Phillip Sousa records. At about the age of 9, he began guitar lessons. Thompson's two uncles were musicians who frequently performed at his grandparents' home. Right then and there, little Terry was hooked on music. He got real serious about his guitar lessons and he has been at it ever since. From the start, long hours of practice and study dominated his life (and still do).

Professionally . . .

Terry Thompson started playing with local dance bands in St. Louis in 1956, his first year of high school. After years as a sideman and motivated by his leadership drive, he formed his first small band--the Jesters. As Thompson's skillful musicianship and leadership capabilities emerged, the band's popularity flourished during the late 50's and early 60's. Ask Thompson what he was trying to do musically at this time (and still today)--he'll say Louis Prima, Sam Butera, Louis Jordan, Billy May, Bill Haley & The Comets, Johnny Ray, Bobby Darin and Les Paul.

During his college days Thompson spent a substantial amount of his after-class time working with big bands and house orchestras. This exposure to big band orchestrations and top-notch arrangers served as a catalyst for his intense desire to become a music arranger. Through the years Terry's dedicated study of orchestration and record transcriptions has earned him the respect of his peers as a highly proficient arranger and recording producer.

Through the Years . . .

Thompson's formidable list of musical credits has grown to include stints with Rowan & Martin, Nancy Wilson, Bob Hope, Roy Clark, The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Four Lads, Ray Charles, The Smothers Brothers, Margaret Whiting, Lou Rawls, Donald O'Connor, the Lennon Brothers, and many others.

Today . . .

Terry Thompson and his Dance & Party Band and Swing Alive Orchestra maintain a busy schedule performing at dances, concerts, private events, and even an occasional jazz festival. Thompson's new CD "Love Songs That Swing" is a collection of 16 great standards all tastefully arranged to help you keep those love torches burning.

The Jinglemeister . . .

When Thompson's not leading the band, he can be found writing and recording his latest 60 second jingle ditty for an advertisers' radio and TV commercials. Terry Thompson Productions is now one of the nation's premier jingle production and graphic design firms.