Terry Teachout
Full Name and Common Aliases
Terry Teachout is a renowned American author, critic, and journalist.
Birth and Death Dates
He was born on December 1, 1956, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Teachout holds dual citizenship of the United States and Canada. He has worked as an author, music critic, and playwright.
Early Life and Background
Terry Teachout grew up in a family that valued arts and literature. His father was a novelist, and his mother was an artist. This background likely influenced his early interest in creative pursuits. Teachout developed a passion for classical music, which would later become a central part of his career.
Major Accomplishments
Teachout has made significant contributions to the world of arts and culture. Some notable achievements include:
- Writing Pops: A Life of Louis Armstrong, a critically acclaimed biography that explores the life and artistry of the legendary jazz musician.
- Serving as the drama critic for The Wall Street Journal from 2004 to 2013, where he offered insightful reviews of theater productions in New York City and beyond.
- Publishing several books on music and culture, including Fortunate Slips: Herbie Nichols and the Music of His Time and A Terry Teachout Reader, a collection of his essays and criticism.
Notable Works or Actions
Some notable works and actions that showcase Teachout's expertise include:
- His biography of Louis Armstrong is considered one of the most comprehensive and engaging accounts of the musician's life.
- As drama critic, Teachout was known for his thoughtful analysis of theater productions, often highlighting both technical merits and cultural significance.
- He has also written extensively on jazz and classical music, offering insightful commentary on the art forms.
Impact and Legacy
Terry Teachout's contributions to arts criticism have left a lasting impact. His work in shaping public discourse around music and culture continues to influence contemporary critical thought. As a biographer, he has shed new light on important figures in American cultural history, enriching our understanding of their lives and artistic endeavors.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Terry Teachout is widely quoted and remembered for his astute analysis, thoughtful critique, and dedication to celebrating the arts. As a respected critic and biographer, he has earned a reputation for insightful commentary that illuminates both artistic merit and cultural significance. His passion for classical music and jazz has made him an authoritative voice in these fields, while his engaging writing style has drawn readers into the world of culture criticism.
Quotes by Terry Teachout
Terry Teachout's insights on:

One of the advantages of no longer being young is that you’re expected to start making up your mind about certain things.

The best of Donald Westlake's pseudonymous thrillers about Parker, the toughest burglar who ever lived. . . .Out of print for years and years, Butcher's Moon is the ultimate Parker novel, best read as an installment in the series as a whole but comprehensible and wholly satisfying on its own.

EXTREMELY FUNNY! A SUPER-VIRTUOSO! I expected to enjoy 'The Two and Only,' but I didn't expect to be touched, much less to find my eyes growing moist.

I know that luck has a way of happening to people who shoot high, who never sell themselves short.

The digital apocalypse continues to blight the lives of television producers, music-industry executives and newspaper publishers, all of whom are scrambling to figure out how to reconfigure their business models in such a way as to allow them to make an honest buck.

The first play I ever saw - I was in junior high school - was a high school production of Noel Coward's 'Blithe Spirit,' which seemed to me absolutely magical.

You don't have to know anything about the Shakers to appreciate Mr. Copland's score for 'Appalachian Spring' any more than you have to know who William Randolph Hearst was to understand 'Citizen Kane.'

Ai Weiwei, who is both a widely admired conceptual artist and a fearless human-rights activist, has been on the bad side of the Chinese government for years.

All history, and most especially the history of the 20th century, argues against placing ideas in the saddle and allowing them to ride mankind. Too often, they end up riding individual men and women into mass graves.

I believe deeply that jazz is still a very vital music that has much to say, not just to eggheads, or whatever the musical equivalent of an egghead is, but to ordinary people.