About

Bio

I have been a bassist since I was first presented with a bass on Christmas morning at age 13. After that, there was no turning back... After leaving my hometown of Clovis, New Mexico, I moved to the Midwest (Omaha) and began my professional career as a bassist. After receiving a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts, I moved to New York to study with the great Rufus Reid. Upon completion of my studies, I relocated to Los Angeles and continued my career, playing gigs and performing for commercials, television, and motion pictures. After leaving L.A., I relocated (again) to Minneapolis where I stayed for the next 20 years and began my collegiate career, earning a B.A. an M.A., and also began my teaching career in higher education, becoming a Department Head, Dean of Academic Affairs, and Director of Institutional Research. In 2014, I returned to New Mexico and currently live In Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Performer

I have played and/or recorded with many of the greatest names in Jazz, including:

Teddy Edwards Gene Harris Ray Bryant Freddie Hubbard

Art Farmer Lee Konitz Billy Hart Dewey Redman

Ritchie Cole Jane Monheit Eric Gravatt Joanne Brakeen

Terrell Stafford Kei Akagi Victor Lewis Marlena Shaw

Marc Copland Lenny White Ben Sidran Bobby Watson

Dave Stryker Bobby Shew Mike Stern Nachito Hererra

Doug Lawrence Eddie Daniels Carmen Bradford

And many others....

Composer

I started SongSpeak Music (the publishing arm of Terry Burns) in 1995. To date, SongSpeak Music has published over 100 pieces written by Terry Burns. SongSpeak Music has recently released five new recordings; "Wingwalker" released in 2024, "Artrio–one" released in 2023 (winner of the 2024 New Mexico Music Award), "Particles", released in 2022, "Behind the Mask" (winner of the 2022 New Mexico Music Award), "Rocket Appliances" and "Arroyo." Please visit the "Music" page of this site for samples of the music.

Also, if you would like a free copy of these recordings, just email me and I will send you a copy....