John Clark: Musician, Historian, Teacher, Author

Asked how he sees his multiple roles as a maker of music, historian, writer and educator, John Clark responded, “I love all kinds of music, and I play many different styles. There are no boring gigs. My focus as a music historian is on the issues of jazz performance, and I have been fortunate in being able to teach and write about the history of jazz and Western Music.” John grew up in Natick, Massachusetts, a Boston suburb, and currently lives in Norwood. He received his music degrees from Connecticut College, the University of Maryland, and Brandeis University and has a PhD in Musicology. He has been a visiting professor at Connecticut College since 2004, teaching courses in American Music, the History of Jazz and Western Music, music theory, and a seminar dealing with jazz on film. He also teaches at MassBay Community College. Over the years, John (plays all the saxes and clarinet) has been a fixture on the New England jazz scene, playing professionally with numerous traditional jazz and big bands, including the Happy Feet Dance Orchestra, Commonwealth Jazz, New Black Eagle JB, and the Paramount JB, with whom he toured England and Wales in 1995. He regularly appears with the Dave Whitney Orchestra, Henry Francis and the Swing Legacy, Ro