Spencer Clark (musician)
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Spencer Clark (March 15, 1908 – May 27, 1998) was an American jazz bass saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist.
In addition to bass saxophone, Clark was also competent on mandolin, cornet, trumpet, clarinet, and string bass. His first professional experience was on saxophone in a New Rochelle, New York ensemble in 1923. In 1925-26 he played in Adrian Rollini's California Ramblers on record and in movie palaces. He also played with Joe Tenner and George Carhart in the middle of the decade. He accompanied Carhart on an ocean liner gig in an orchestra which included Bud Freeman and Babe Russin. While in Europe, he played with Danny Polo, Lud Gluskin, and Julian Fuhs.
He returned to New York City in 1931, where he played with Will Osborne and Fred Waring, then joined Ozzie Nelson's band as a trumpeter. After the 1930s music became a secondary profession for Clark, who worked for a newspaper, in the airline industry, and as a land purchasing consultant for Highland Park, Illinois. He played with Freddie Wacker's Windy City Seven from 1954, and recorded with them in 1957. Clark continued to perform into the 1970s, when he retired to North Carolina; he continued to play there locally in a trio with his wife, Mary Clark.
