Steele, Terry (1974 - )
Dates
- Existence: 1974 -
Biography
Terry Steele joined the SRU music faculty in 1975, teaching the woodwind instruments, intro classes and directing the jazz ensemble. Throughout his tenure, he also taught music theory, music history and chamber music. In 1997, he started student jazz combos at SRU, giving depth to the outstanding jazz program. Under Mr. Steele's direction, the SRU Jazz Ensemble performed hundreds of concerts, including a ten day, seven concert tour of the former Soviet Union. The ensemble regularly hosted and performed with legendary jazz musicians, including J.J. Johnson, Stanley Turrentine, Paquito D'Rivera, Billy Taylor, John Scofield, David Liebman, Kenny Burrell and many others. Mr. Steele served three terms as the PA state president of the International Association for Jazz Education.
He retired from SRU in 2007 and remains busy as a freelance musician, performing in different venues in the region. As the principal saxophonist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Steele has performed on one U.S. and two European tours.