Terry Disley was born in London October 1956. He studied Pianoforte and theory of music at the Salterton School of Music from the age of 9 –18. He studied piano for 12 years studying classical repertoire, as well as jazz, composition, harmony and arranging for 10 years. In 1982 Terry and his group Macondo received the award for Best Jazz Musician’s of the year from the Greater London Arts Association.

He started composing at age 11 and by 13 was writing for his own electric/acoustic chamber group. Terry has gone on to write for a multitude of ensembles. Including string quartets, electronic contemporary dance music, jazz big band, ambient new age music and contemporary pop songs. In 1997 he composed the music for the motion picture ‘Snitch’, a Ted Demme film which premiered at the Sundance film festival.

He also wrote 2 compositions for the Grammy Award nominated “Back on the Case” album by British new age jazz group Acoustic Alchemy, with whom he toured and recorded for six years. He also wrote “the Beautiful Game” for

Alchemy – a top ten hit for 16 weeks and resulted in a top twenty placement in the “Best Contemporary Jazz Album of 2000” – Billboard Magazine.

As a player and performer Terry was featured soloist with London’s Metropolitan Orchestra on the soundtrack of the movie “Beautiful Girls” starring Matt Dilon and Uma Thurman, in which Timothy Hutton played the part of a pianist for whom Terence created the music. He also was
featured on soundtracks for “The Ref”, “Showgirls” and “Crime Time” along with Marianne Faithful.He is a highly acclaimed jazz pianist and has appeared many times at London’s prestigious Ronnie Scott’s club alongside luminaries such as McCoy Tyner, Cedar Walton and Monty Alexander.

He collaborated with pop star Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) on a whole range of projects throughout 1992-97. One highlight was appearing live in
concert at 5 Bob Dylan shows in Tokyo in 1997 to 5,000 people a night – although his biggest audience so far was with ska band Madness at the
Roskilde Festival in Denmark – 85,000 people. He was Dave Stewart’s musical director for 5 years, recording 25 albums and 4 major motion picture soundtracks.

As a session player in London he was much in demand and has been commissioned to work on projects with Sir Paul McCartney, George
Harrison, Mick Jagger, Brian Wilson, Van Morrison, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Tom Jones and Bon Jovi.

Since 1997 he has lived in San Francisco recording and performing with his own projects, and has been employed regularly as a session musician
at Sausalito’s Studio D and at The Magic Shop Studio in San Francisco.

From 1999 – 2002 he lead his own trio “Three Thinking”, three nights a week at the Ana Mandara - Don Johnson’s fabulous Vietnamese style club
and restaurant in the city. In 2002 he was featured alongside Yellow Jackets players Will Kennedy and Marc Russo on J Thompson’s debut CD – Romantic Night.

Most recently, in September 2003 he co-wrote music for the San Francisco Oracle World Convention with Chris Hedge of the Magic Shop. He performed an improvisation on these themes on solo piano in front of 15,000 people at the Moscone Center – and their music was enhanced by a state of the art laser light show.

Terry’s debut CD with his new band was released in 2003. The track Side to Side was entered into a competition on KKSF Radio 103.7 – the Bay Areas Smooth jazz station. The track received the most votes by a long way – 17,047 people voted for his piece.

 

Studio Credits

CD’s –

Marianne Faithful, Shakespeare’s Sister, Sir Bob Geldof (single), Billy Bragg, Moodswings, Susannah Hoffs (single), Wilson Phillips w/ Brian
Wilson (not credited), Acoustic Alchemy, Terry Hall (Specials), Alicia’s Attic, Van Morrison (one track on Hymns for the Silence), Bon Jovi, Dave
Stewart (various), Bryan Ferry, Mick Jagger (sings bv’s on Dave Stewart CD), Tom Jones (w/Van Morrison), J Thompson (CD).

Demo’s/writing/unreleased projects –

Sir Paul McCartney, (unreleased session London ‘97).
George Harrison, (unreleased session London ‘96)
Mick Jagger, (unreleased session Cannes ’96).
Darryl Hall, (unreleased writing session)
Bryan Adams, (unreleased writing session)
Billy Idol, (writing/rehearsal)
Madness (various demos in London).

Live appearance’s and TV shows

Roger Daltry (who) , Dave Gilmour (Floyd), Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music) – Two Stadium Shows in Columbia

Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) – various TV appearances including the Prince Charles Trust Concert, and many live shows – including European tour.

Terry Hall (specials) – five concerts in Tokyo with Dave Stewart supporting Bob Dylan.

Bootsy Collins Bernie Worrell and Candy Dulfer – with Dave Stewart at the Prince Charles Wembley concert.

Madness – World tour (Europe/Australia/America) and Live TV Broadcast New Years Eve, England.

Acoustic Alchemy – 6 years touring worldwide, mainly America - plus writing and recording. TV appearances on Pebble Mill/Gas Street etc.

Hot Chocolate – Irish tour.

Sheena Easton – TV appearance on Jonathon Ross show,

Cyndi Lauper – TV appearance on Jonathon Ross show.

Lou Rawls - TV appearance on Jameson Tonight show.

Film Scores

Snitch – Producer Ted Demme –Starring – Denis Leahry
Music composed by Terence Disley and Todd Kasow.
Keybords TD

Beautiful Girls – Producer Ted Demme –Starring Uma Thurman/Matt Dilon/ Tim Hutton.
Keyboards – TD

Showgirls – producer Paul Verhoeven –Starring Elizabeth Berkeley
Keyboards – TD

Crime Time – producer George Sluizer –Starring Keith Postlewaithe
Keyboards – TD

The Ref – producer Ted Demme –Starring Denis Leary
Keyboards – TD

Jazz Credits

Live appearances with -

Cecile Payne – saxophone be-bop legend - (one week of concerts in London)

Urbie Greene – legendary trombonist - (one week of concerts in London)

Eddie Henderson – legendary trumpet star - various live shows in UK and America

Branford Marsalis – (sat in with my trio in London).

Working Week – various live shows including Japanese tour and the Vienna Jazz Festival opening for Miles Davis).

Carmen Lundi – jazz vocalist - (one week of concerts in London)

Dee Dee Bridgewater – legendary vocalist - (Paris sessions and one track released on CD).

 

Discography

Bryan Ferry – Frantic - virgin
Terry Hall (Specials) – Laugh
Marianne Faithfull – Crime Time
Showgirls – Movie Soundtrack & CD - Atlantic
The Ref – Movie Soundtrack & CD - imago
Snitch – Movie Soundtrack
Beautiful Girls – Movie Soundtrack
Tom Jones with Van Morrison – Carrying a Torch - Dover
Van Morrison – Hymns to the Silence
Dee Dee Bridgewater –
Acoustic Alchemy – Back on the Case - grp
Acoustic Alchemy – The New Edge - grp
Acoustic Alchemy – Reference Point - grp
Acoustic Alchemy – Against the Grain – grp
Acoustic Alchemy – The Beautiful Game – higher octave
Acoustic Alchemy – Aart – higher octave
Acoustic Alchemy – Best Of - grp
Dave Stewart – Greetings From the Gutter - anxious
Dave Stewart – Secret (single) – east/west
Wilson Phillips – (no credit)
Bon Jovi – Destination Anywhere
Billy Bragg – William Bloke - electra
Bob Geldof – Crazy (single w/Sting)
Susannah Hoffs – To Sir with Love (single)
Alisha’s Attic – Alisha Rules the World - mercury
Moodswing’s – Rainsong (ep)
Moodswings – Moodfood - arista
Moodswings – psychedelicatessen - arista
Shakespeare’s Sister – I can drive (single) - London
Texas – White on Blond (mercury)
Marchosias Vamp – victor entertainment
Terence Disley Experience – "Experience" - disleyworld

 

Available CD’s –

"Experience" – the Terry Disley Band Debut CD of this red-hot jazz and groove group.

Features members of Tower of Power, the Joe Satriani Group, Flora Purim group etc.
Quote ref – Disleyworld 005
Price $15

• cd available from cdbaby.com

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