Terry Gibbs Quartet with Terry Pollard

Terry Gibbs (vibes), Terry Pollard (piano and vibes), Herman Wright (bass), Jerry Segal (drums) on the Tonight Show, October 12, 1956. Tunes: "Gibberish", "Now's The Time".
Press Release:
TERRY POLLARD, DETROIT-BORN JAZZ PIANIST PASSES
August 15, 1931 December 16, 2009
DETROIT It is with great sadness the Pollard family announces the passing of storied jazz pianist Terry Jean Pollard. The 78-year-old musician died early this morning in The Bronx, New York, after battling a long sickness.
Terry began her professional career in Detroit at the age of 16. She was part of the very fertile Detroit Jazz scene in the late forty's and early fifty's performing on piano with many of the major up and coming players. Terrys first recordings were with Billy Mitchell in 1948. She worked with Johnny Hill from 1948 - 1949, the Emmit Slay Trio from 1950 - 1952 and regularly worked with Billy Mitchell from 1952 - 1953.
It was during this time she was discovered at Bakers Keyboard Lounge by noted vibist Terry Gibbs. He was mesmerized by her skills and asked her to join his North American tour. Terry accepted and became a member of the Terry Gibbs Quartet where she played piano and second vibes. Her greatest visibility was from this period of 1953 - 1957. Terry also made American television history appearing with Terry Gibbs on the famous Tonight Show then hosted by Steve Allen.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Terry Gibbs
• vibes
• vibraphone
• Terry Pollard

[Tiyee]

i never had the chance to meet this wonderful lady but she is the mother of my dear friend Michael,i see where my Michael gets his great talents from!! I know that she will be missed but always loved and remembered!!

[WilliamCrow]

I was the bass player on this quartet in 1953 (with Frank DiVito on drums). Loved playing with Terry Pollard. Great pal on the road. When we got to Detroit, she took us to the Blue Bird, and introduced us to Paul Chambers, Kenny Burrell, Doug Watkins, Tommy Flanagan, Barry Harris, Thad and Elvin Jones, Ernie Farrow, Wilbert Hogan, Pepper Adams and Billy Mitchell, who were all there at the same time!

Bill Crow

[mrboppman1]

this chick is a piano monster WOW !!

[acfinney1]

@WilliamCrow Bill Crow of Gerry Mulligan fame........Legend

[clariondiaz123]

she has to be Taino.

[radiobobks]

it is so fantastic to have this on youtube. I am convinced that if Terry Pollard had pursued a national career in jazz she would have been a major star, but going home was her family's, and Detroit's gain. I wish i had been able to hear her live. As for Terry Gibbs, I recall doing an HOURS long phone interview with him back, i'd guess, in the mid to late 80s. He had great things to say about Terry Pollard. And was I think the most fun person I've EVER interviewed.

[jibsmokestack1]

Wow!

[ggibbsthrasher1]

This is Terry' s son, Gerry. He was always so proud of this working band that stayed,lived and ate on the road together sometimes up to 48 weeks a year.Both Terry's were friends up till her end.I never met Terry in real life,but called her in the rest home that she lived in,in Brooklyn in the 1990.s, When I told her who I was, she cried and in the hour that we talked, she told me she loved my Pops 20 times and how the greatest 4 years of her life was touring and recording with him in his band..

[schmogdog5]

@dmsanderson817

Now THAT is talent! I'm so glad for you that you had her as your relative. Amazing.

[yrral3712]

I listened to Ms Pollard many times at the Hobby Bar on Dexter in Detroit and saw her on local Detroit TV back in the early 60s. Just great especially on "Now is the Time"

[redhairedstepchild]

great jazz... burnin!! rhsc nyc