Terry Lightfoot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Terry Lightfoot
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| Birth name | Terence Lightfoot |
| Born | 21 May 1935 Potters Bar, Middlesex, England |
| Died | 15 March 2013 (aged 77) Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England |
| Genres | Jazz Trad Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician Bandleader |
| Instruments | Clarinet |
| Years active | 1950-2013 |
Terence Lightfoot (born 21 May 1935 – died 15 March 2013) was a famous British jazz musician. He was a talented clarinet player and also led his own band. Terry Lightfoot was a key figure in the "trad jazz" movement in Britain. He played alongside other well-known jazz musicians like Chris Barber, Acker Bilk, and Kenny Ball.
Starting His Musical Journey
Terry Lightfoot was born in Potters Bar, Middlesex, England. He began his music journey as a singer when he was still in school. He sang popular songs with a small group of friends.
In 1949, while attending Enfield Grammar School, he discovered jazz music. He first played the trumpet. However, he soon switched to the clarinet to fit in with his friends' traditional Dixieland jazz band. After finishing school, he formed his very first jazz band, called the Wood Green Stompers.
Leading a Jazz Band
In 1955, Terry Lightfoot started his most famous band, Terry Lightfoot's New Orleans Jazzmen. This band became quite popular.
They even had three songs that became minor hits in the UK Singles Chart. These songs were "True Love", "King Kong", and "Tavern in the Town". This happened in 1961 and 1962. The Jazzmen often performed on Sunday nights at the Wood Green Jazz Club.
Later Life and Passing
Terry Lightfoot continued to play music for many years. He passed away on 15 March 2013, at the age of 77. He died in Milton Keynes General Hospital after a period of illness.
