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.