Born in Port Arthur in 1937, Ted Dunbar's musical interest began at age seven after attending a Duke Ellington concert with his mother. By age ten, having become proficient in both guitar and trumpet, he began playing professionally. Dunbar continued to play these instruments in jazz groups while studying pharmacy at Texas Southern University in the late 1950s.

After graduation, Dunbar took a job with the Hook drug chain in Indianapolis. There he heard a performance by influential jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery, whose mellow style became a lifelong influence. He studied with Montgomery and Dave Baker, from whom he became interested in modal jazz. While continuing to work as a pharmacist, Dunbar moved to New York City in 1966, where he amassed a wide range of experience playing in theater orchestras, small groups and big bands.

In 1972, Dunbar became the first "jazz professor" at Rutgers University. His imprint on that institution was just as large as his impact on the jazz world. His former students include Kevin Eubanks, a fusion guitarist and leader of the house band for the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Rodney Jones, a guitarist with The Rosie O'Donnell Show. He also performed with the Rutgers Livingston Jazz Professors, touring the U.S. and Southern Africa.

While continuing to practice pharmacy part-time and teach at Rutgers, Dunbar achieved success as a composer, arranger and publisher, composing twenty-five original pieces, arranging several albums and publishing four volumes concerning jazz. He toured the U.S. and abroad, performing at such venues as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, performing and recording with the likes of Gil Evans, Billy Taylor and Sonny Rollins.

Like Wes Montgomery, Dunbar used his thumb to pick the strings of his guitar, creating a subtler sound that led some listeners to overlook his idiosyncratic music. His best showcase is Jazz Guitarist, a 1982 solo guitar recording in which he took on several demanding pieces written for piano. His honors include the Outstanding Guitarist Award from Downbeat Magazine and nomination in Ebony Magazine's "Black Music Poll" of outstanding musicians.

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