Terry Jean Pollard was born in Detroit Michigan, August 15th, 1931. She began playing piano at age 3. By the age of 16, Terry was playing professionally. She was part of the very fertile Detroit Jazz music scene in the late ’40s and early ’50s. Terry’s first professional recordings were with Billy Mitchell in 1948 (the year she graduated from nursing school). Terry Pollard was an integral part of the Detroit jazz scene as she participated in making American Jazz history.

In 1952 while performing in a Detroit Jazz club called the Bee Hive, she was discovered by Jazz legion Terry Gibbs. He was mesmerized by her skillful talent and asked her to join his International tour. Terry accepted and immediately became a well-received member of The Terry Gibbs Quartet where she played piano and second vibes. The Terry Gibbs Quartet featuring Terry Pollard toured nationwide between 1952 - 1960. In those 8 years, Terry Gibbs also recorded 5 albums featuring Terry Pollard.

She performed with many of the up and coming groundbreaking players known today as Jazz legends. Johnny Hill, Emmit Slay, Barry Harris, Billy Mitchell and Dick Garcia. She also performed with the well-known giants at that time...John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Alice Coltrane, Chet Baker and Nat King Cole.

While touring with Terry Gibbs, she was offered a recording contract with Bethlehem Records and recorded one self-entitled solo album released in 1955.  She made a historic performance as well being the first  African American female Jazz artist to appear on the NBC’s Tonight Show with Terry Gibbs and then host Steve Allen. Also in 1956, Terry won the prestigious Downbeat Magazine New Artist (on Vibraphones) award. Outdueling the great Milt Jackson. Terry Pollard gained the respect from all the greatest of the greats at the famous Birdland Stars of 57’ concert in New York City. Dinah Washington, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald to name a few.

Terry Pollard has recorded and performed with Detroit Jazz greats...Yusef Lateef, Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby from 1958 - 1960. In the mid-'60s, she also worked with Motown Records performing with Diana Ross and the Supremes. Terry was also a featured member of the great Jimmy Wilkins Orchestra. Terry Pollard won many awards during her career and was inducted into the Michigan Jazz Hall of Fame as a lifetime member.  Terry Pollard held a 60-year membership with the Detroit Federation of Musicians Union Local 5. Most recently she's featured in a book by Terry Gibbs “Good Vibes".  Also the book “Before Motown and the book A History of Jazz in Detroit” by Lars Bjorn and Jim Gallert. Terry Pollard is highlighted in the award-winning documentary, “The Girls In The Band” by Judy Chaikin. Her skills on piano and vibraphones are still remembered today by hardcore jazz music enthusiasts.

Until her last days, she practiced every day with one hand and was still better than most with two. Simply Amazing! Terry transcended December 16th, 2009. Her tragic illness in 1978, resulted in the entire left side of her body paralyzed. It kept her from performing. In 1979, a tribute was given in her honor with a who's who in the Jazz World performing for her hosted by Steve Allen. Including an international stunning array of guest that participated in the event. The last major event dedicated to Terry was from the legendary  Barry Harris in 2007. In honor of Terry, he performed with a cast of special guest at her residence in Riverdale, New York. 

I personally thank all of you for reviewing this information on the legacy of my mother Terry Jean Pollard. A humble and sincere musical talent.

Michael Weeden

Founder

Terry Jean Pollard Music Foundation Inc.