Born in Port Arthur in 1937, Ted Dunbar developed an early interest in music after attending a Duke Ellington concert with his mother at age seven. By ten, he had become proficient in both guitar and trumpet and was already performing professionally. Dunbar attended Texas Southern University in the late 1950s, studying pharmacology. After graduating, he accepted a position with the Hook Drug chain in Indianapolis, where he heard influential jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery perform. Montgomery’s warm, melodic style became a lifelong influence on Dunbar, who studied with both Montgomery and Dave Baker and soon developed a strong interest in modal jazz.

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While continuing to work as a pharmacist, Dunbar moved to New York City in 1966 and built an impressive résumé performing in theater orchestras, small groups, and big bands. His versatility and musical depth made him a sought-after collaborator in the jazz community.

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In 1972, Dunbar became the first “jazz professor” at Rutgers University, leaving an imprint as profound in academia as in performance. His students included Kevin Eubanks, future leader of The Tonight Show with Jay Leno band. Dunbar also performed with the Rutgers Livingston Jazz Professors, touring throughout the United States and Southern Africa.

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Dunbar excelled as a composer, arranger, and author. He wrote twenty-five original compositions, arranged several albums, and published four instructional volumes on jazz. He toured internationally, appearing at major venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center alongside artists like Gil Evans, Billy Taylor, and Sonny Rollins.

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Like his mentor Wes Montgomery, Dunbar used his thumb rather than a pick, producing a soft, nuanced tone that sometimes masked the complexity of his playing. His 1982 solo recording Jazz Guitarist is considered one of his finest showcases, featuring demanding pieces originally written for piano. His honors include the Outstanding Guitarist Award from DownBeat magazine and a nomination in Ebony magazine’s Black Music Poll of outstanding musicians.