DJ - Producer - Remixer Ken Terry - (aka KTs DJ Toys)
From the very beginning, Ken has had a passion for music, and
a relentless desire to play for music lovers. So began his journey
with music in the late 80s doing house parties for family and
friends. 15 plus years later, he spins for a multitude of fans and
friends in such cities as New York, Miami, California, Chicago,
Washington DC, New Jersey, Miami, and Atlanta, to name a few.
Europe has also been hypnotized by his amazing talent. His travels
also include Italy, London, and Germany.
Ken's a native New Yorker, but currently resides in New Jersey. His
elementary years were spent in Ohio. It was there that the connection with music took root. He spent countless hours learning to play flute, piano, cello, and the violin in the school band. At home, with ears glued to the radio, he was heavily influenced by disco music and it's more commercial artist like Abba, Donna Summer, Gorgio Moroder, Blondie. There were also the pop rock artists like The Bee Gees, Elton John, The Carpenters, ELO, Billy Joel, Queen, Eurythmics and Heart. After returning to New York for high school and Collage, he learned of more soulful artists Like Dionne Warwick, Barry White, Nina Simone, Isaac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield, Stephanie Mills and the "house music" sound. His passion for all music opened the flood gates to discover and study more. So began his quest to become a radio dj. Ken studied Communications and Radio Broadcasting at LIU. The radio dj quest proved fruitless, so Ken changed course and took to the clubs. Kens first "baby" DJ gig was spinning at the now defunct club Better Days in New York, home of Tee Scott, Bruce Forrest and later, Andre Collins. Ken was then introduced to the legendary Paradise Garage, on one of his off nights, where he met who was to become his ghost mentor and inspiration, Larry Levan. He immediately joined, and became a "core" member.
This is where the true music lessons began! Every weekend, without
fail, Ken was there, soaking up the music and spirit of Larry. And when he wasn't listening to Larry, he was listening to recorded radio mixshows, done by by WBLS's own Timmy Regisford. Ken honed his craft and took his music talents to the next level. The 90s had rolled in, and Ken had established
a residency at clubs Octagon, Warehouse (with Andre Collins) in
New York, and Black Box (with Naeem Johnson) and Alberts (with
Fred Pierce) in New Jersey.
During his residency there, he's been invited by friend and idol, Fran..ois Kervorkian to play along side Joe Clausell, and Danny Krivit at
the world famous party, Body N Soul. After doing a 2 guest spots @
Body N Soul, Danny Tenaglia invited Ken to play his party Be Yourself,
along with world famous DJ/producer/remixer Mike Cruz. In that time
period, Ken has opened for Louie Vega, Tony Humphries, Kenny Carpenter,
Mike Cruz, Danny Krivit, Ron Trent, and the list goes on. Danny Tenaglia
shed light on Kens production skills by breaking a track called
Attitude featuring Madonna (click here), at his annual Winter Music
Conference party in Miami. The highly sought after track became a "top
ten" on every DJs play list from New York to Spain! Unfortunately the DJs
to get a copy were few, since the track was never released) The next major
unreleased music gem done by Ken Terry that Danny broke was a remix/
reedit of "Shackles" by Mary Mary, and then "On Jones Street" featuring
Grace Jones which was released on Jamsteady records.
Since Tenaglia broke all three tracks, all are still highly sought after,
thanks to the likes of Chus & Ceballos, Mike Cruz, Tom Stephon and Ted Patterson, who Ken hand picked to play his production exclusively. Ken
has also done remixes of Angie Stone, Beyonce & Destinys Child, Justin
Timberlake, The Basement Boys, Julie McKnight, Mike Cruz, Masters @ Work, Missy Elliot, Ciara, Pussycat Dolls, Sounds of Blackness, Roman Anthony,
St. Germain, Barbara Tucker, and Darryl DBonneau, just to name a few. Be
on the lookout for other releases as well as mixed CD projects. Kens career
is chockfull of creativity and accomplishments, and this is just the beginning.
As far as Ken Terry is concerned, music is the answer, indeed! Special
thanks to all friend/mentors who have inspired Ken over the years. (Danny Tenaglia, Danny Krivit, Francois K, Larry Levan, Mike Cruz, Ted Patterson, Bruce Forrest, Timmy Regisford, Tony Humphries, Kenny Carpenter, Chad
Jack, Glen Friscia, DJ Sedrick, Fred Pierce, and too many more to mention.)
MUSIC IS THE ANSWER! Contact and further music information:
[email protected] and WWW.DJKenTerry.Com.
