Music
Terry Pollard
1931–2009 · jazz pianist, vibraphonist
Detroit pianist and vibraphonist of the Blue Bird Inn house band, discovered at Baker's by Terry Gibbs, who toured nationally in the 1950s before choosing family and local work.
- Born
Detroit, Michigan- Died
New York City
aged 78- Detroit years
- 1931–2000s
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Terry Pollard was one of the finest players of Detroit's 1940s and 1950s jazz scene, described by historians as a major player who was inexplicably overlooked. She worked with Billy Mitchell in the Blue Bird Inn house band alongside Elvin Jones and Beans Richardson, and with guitarist Johnny Hill and the Emmitt Slay Trio. In 1952–1953, while she was playing at Baker's Keyboard Lounge, vibraphonist Terry Gibbs heard her and hired her for his quartet; from 1953 to 1957 she toured with him on piano and vibraphone, recorded albums including Terry Gibbs Quartet Featuring Terry Pollard, and appeared with him on Steve Allen's Tonight Show. She also performed with Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald. In 1955 she recorded a trio album for Bethlehem, and in 1956 won Down Beat's New Artist award. Soon after, she stepped back from touring to raise a family, but she kept playing around Detroit, including work with Diana Ross and the Supremes. She is in the Michigan Jazz Hall of Fame.
Highlights
- Member of Billy Mitchell's Blue Bird Inn house band
- Discovered at Baker's Keyboard Lounge by Terry Gibbs (1952–1953)
- Toured and recorded with the Terry Gibbs Quartet, 1953–1957
- Down Beat New Artist award (1956)
- Inducted into the Michigan Jazz Hall of Fame
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 2
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Performed here · early 1950s
Blue Bird Inn
Closed
The Tireman Avenue bebop club where Pollard played in Billy Mitchell's house band with Elvin Jones.
Performed here · 1952–1953
Baker's Keyboard Lounge
Where Terry Gibbs heard Pollard and hired her for his national touring quartet.