Terry Hanck (born 1944) is an American electric blues saxophonist, singer, songwriter and record producer, who won a

Blues Music Award The Blues Music Awards, formerly known as the W. C. Handy Awards (or "The Handys"), are awards presented by the Blues Foundation, a non-profit organization set up to foster blues heritage. The awards were originally named in honor of W. C. Handy, " ...

in 2016 in the 'Instrumentalist - Horn' category. Previously Hanck earned both a Blues Music Award and a ''

Living Blues ''Living Blues: The Magazine of the African American Blues Tradition'' is a bi-monthly magazine focused on blues music, and America's oldest blues periodical. The magazine was founded as a quarterly in Chicago in 1970 by Jim O'Neal and Amy van Sin ...

'' Award for 'Best Horn' in 2012, and was nominated for the latter prize in the 'Best Song' category. In May 2015, he won the International Songwriting Competition for his soul ballad, "I Keep On Holding On." Born in Chicago, Hanck was influenced by the blues, soul and jazz of the 1950s and early 1960s. After moving to California in 1965, Hanck later toured with

Elvin Bishop Elvin Richard Bishop (born October 21, 1942) is an American blues and rock music singer, guitarist, bandleader, and songwriter. An original member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a membe ...

for over a decade, before leaving to tour and record with his own band for now almost 30 years. ''

'' writer Lee Hildebrand has written that "Hanck is one of the most formidable saxophonists in the blues and soul business. He has a virile tone and attack and an uncanny command of upper-register notes."

Life and career

Hanck was born in

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...

, United States. He took up playing the saxophone shortly before his 21st birthday. In 1967, Hanck relocated on a permanent basis to

Orange County, California Orange County is located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area in Southern California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,186,989, making it the third-most-populous county in California, the sixth-most-populous in the United States, a ...

. He moved again in 1969 to

San Francisco San Francisco (; Spanish language, Spanish for "Francis of Assisi, Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the List of Ca ...

, before starting his own band, the Grayson Street Houserockers, the following year. The outfit briefly included the guitarist

Luther Tucker Luther Tucker (January 20, 1936 – June 18, 1993) was an American blues guitarist. While soft-spoken and shy, Tucker made his presence known through his unique and clearly recognizable guitar style. Tucker helped to define the music known as ...

. Hanck's music was inspired by the work in the 1950s of

Fats Domino Antoine Dominique Domino Jr. (February 26, 1928 – October 24, 2017), known as Fats Domino, was an American pianist, singer and songwriter. One of the pioneers of rock and roll music, Domino sold more than 65 million records. Born in New O ...

Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Ge ...

, B. B. King,

Lee Allen Lee Allen may refer to: *Lee Allen (wrestler) (1934–2012), wrestler and coach * Lee Allen (baseball) (1915–1969), baseball historian *Lee Allen (musician) (1927–1994), saxophone player *Lee Allen (artist) Lee Allen (1910 – May 5, 2006), bor ...

and

King Curtis Curtis Ousley (born Curtis Montgomery; February 7, 1934 – August 13, 1971), known professionally as King Curtis, was an American saxophonist who played rhythm and blues, jazz, and rock and roll. A bandleader, band member, and session musicia ...

. He saw both King and Charles in concert in the early 1960s. However his band's music did not reach a large audience, although one who did see them perform was

who asked Hanck to join his band. Hanck played on Bishop's album, ''Struttin' My Stuff'' (1975), which included the hit single, "

Fooled Around and Fell in Love "Fooled Around and Fell in Love" is a song written and performed by blues guitarist Elvin Bishop with Mickey Thomas on lead vocals. It appeared on his 1975 album, ''Struttin' My Stuff'', and was released as a single the following year. Backgro ...

." In 1977, Hanck finally joined Bishop's band at the third time of asking. He remained until 1987 when he left to form his own outfit, although the two reunited on Bishop's 2011

live album An album is a collection of audio recordings issued on compact disc (CD), Phonograph record, vinyl, audio tape, or another medium such as Digital distribution#Music, digital distribution. Albums of recorded sound were developed in the early ...

, ''Raising Hell Revue''. Previously Hanck had re-joined his friend on the 2010 Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, and subsequent live album release. In 1998, Terry Hanck & The Soulrockers performed at the

Notodden Blues Festival Notodden Blues Festival (NBF) is one of the largest blues music festivals in Europe and the largest in Scandinavia. The festival is held in Notodden, Norway, usually in early August. It has been running annually since 1988. The festival does not ...

. In 2001, at the age of 21, Christoffer "Kid" Andersen moved to the United States and joined Hanck's band, and became a figure on the

West Coast blues West Coast blues is a type of blues music influenced by jazz and jump blues, with strong piano-dominated sounds and jazzy guitar solos, which originated from Texas blues players who relocated to California in the 1940s. West Coast blues also ...

scene. In 2002, Hanck released his solo album, ''I Keep On Holdin' On''.

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

noted of Hanck's 2005 album, ''Night Train'', that he "is a competent journeyman set of old school-style R&B, mixing covers with Terry Hanck originals. The covers give a good sense of where Hanck is coming from, as he selects songs from the catalogs of Sam Cooke, Fats Domino, Hank Ballard, and Little Willie John. He plays good smoky saxophone in the spirit of Junior Walker". Andersen has appeared on, and co-produced all of Hanck's releases, since ''I Keep On Holdin' On''. However, in 2004, Johnny “Cat” Soubrand replaced Andersen in Hanck's backing ensemble. In 2008, ''Always'', showcased Hanck's humor when it included his self-penned track entitled, "Deep Fried Twinkies." In 2011, ''Look Out!'' was Hanck's first outing on the

Delta Groove Productions Delta Groove Productions is an American blues record label in Van Nuys, California, United States. The label was founded by Randy Chortkoff ( Rand Jay Chortkoff; 1949–2015), a producer, concert promoter, and harmonica player. Chortkoff's biog ...

label. His album, ''Gotta Bring It On Home to You'' (2014), included contributions from guitarists Kid Andersen and

Debbie Davies Debbie Davies (born August 22, 1952) is an American blues guitarist. Davies was born in Los Angeles, California, United States. She has been the featured guitarist in several female based bands including Maggie Mayall and the Cadillacs (led by ...

. It incorporated an equal mixture of Hanck's own compositions and cover versions of others' work. The covers included one of Elvin Bishop's songs, "Right Now Is the Hour." Hanck has produced (or co-produced) all of his albums. Hanck's saxophone or arrangement work has appeared on various albums by J.P. Soars (''Full Moon Night In Memphis''),

Rick Estrin & The Nightcats Rick Estrin & the Nightcats are an American electric blues band formed in 2008. The group was established by ex-members of Little Charlie & the Nightcats. Members include Rick Estrin on vocals and harmonica, guitarist Kid Andersen, bassist Lor ...

(''One Wrong Turn''), R.C. Finnigan (''Heart Body and Soul''), Mickey Thomas (''As Long As You Love Me''), Little Smokey Smothers (''Chicago Blues Buddies''), Jackie Payne (''Partners in the Blues''),

Alice Stuart Alice Stuart (born June 15, 1942 in Chelan, Washington, United States) is an American blues and folk singer-songwriter and guitarist. She toured the UK with Van Morrison and throughout the United States with Mississippi John Hurt. Her singin ...

(''Crazy with the Blues''), Steve Freund (''"C" for Chicago''),

Amos Garrett Amos Garrett (born November 26, 1941) is an American-Canadian blues and blues-rock musician, guitarist, singer, composer, and musical arranger. He has written instructional books about music and guitar. Garrett holds dual citizenship and was rai ...

(''I Make My Home in My Shoes''), Tracy Nelson (''Ebony and Irony''), and several Elvin Bishop recordings, amongst others.

Current band

*Johnny "Cat" Soubrand (guitar) *Tim Wagar (bass) *Butch Cousins (drums)

Discography

Albums

References

External links