Terry Koger

Recording of their performance on 5/8/21

Terry Koger, alto saxophone
Freddie Dunn, Jr., trumpet
Bill Washburn, piano
John Leonard, bass
Darrell Taylor, drums

Terry Koger, a native of Trenton New Jersey began his musical training at an early age on piano and later on alto saxophone. His first jazz instructor, Thomas Grice, was instrumental in his early training, teaching Terry about improvisation and the art of teaching music.

Terry graduated from Morgan State University majoring in music education. In addition to his love of music and especially Jazz, he developed an interest in black music research, studying the history of black music and the current contributions of black Americans to the vast field of music. He was mentored by significant scholars in the field such as Dr. Samuel A. Floyd, Dr. Eileen Southern, and Dr. Dominique Rene’ de Lerma.  

Since that time, Terry has performed musical therapy in the Baltimore Washington Metropolitan area. He has played for thousands of elders for the past 20 years performing room visits and theme music programs at nursing homes and hospitals. In addition to leading his group, “TKQ” (Terry Koger Quartet, Quintet), He has been featured as a sideman with many area musicians.

He has worked with Vattel Cherry Soulststion, The Eubie Blake Big Band, The Deepwater Jazz Ensemble, and the Benny Russell Big Band. Some of the venues Terry has played include the Anacostia Arts Center, An Die Musik, Alice’s Jazz and Cultural Center, The Arts Barn, Caton Castle, The Eubie Blake Center, Germano’s and Keystone Korner Baltimore. 

Terry has been influenced by many saxophonists including Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Johnny Griffin, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Jackie McClain, Oliver Nelson, Charlie Parker and Sonny Stitt.

Streaming cost is $10
Donations are welcomed.