Terri Quaye facts for kids

Terri Quaye, also known as Theresa, was born on November 8, 1940, in Bodmin, England. She is a talented English singer, pianist, songwriter, and percussionist. Terri comes from a musical family. Her father was Cab Kaye, a famous musician. She is also the older sister of Caleb Quaye and the half-sister of Finley Quaye, who are also musicians.

Terri Quaye's Musical Journey

Terri Quaye started her professional music career in 1958. She began by singing with a Latin jazz band. This band was led by a musician named Ido Martin.

Early Performances

Terri sang with several talented musicians early in her career. These included Colin Purbrook, Leon Cohen, and Brian Lemon. She also performed regularly with Frank Holder.

Music in Germany

Later, Terri traveled to Germany. There, she joined a music group called The Merrymakers. In this group, she played the conga drums and sang. She also had the chance to play with other jazz artists. These included Carmell Jones, Dave Pike, and Leo Wright.

A Trip to Ghana

Terri took a special trip to Ghana. This country is in West Africa. It is the birthplace of her grandfather, Caleb Quaye. He was also a musician. While in Ghana, Terri received a special name from the Ga people. Her new Ga name was Naa-Koshie.

Working with Jazz Legends

In the 1970s, Terri Quaye worked with many famous musicians. She collaborated with artists like Manu Dibango and Dr. John. She also performed with jazz greats such as Archie Shepp and Billy Higgins. These experiences helped her grow as a musician.

A New Path: Education and Research

In the 1980s, Terri started focusing on education. She became an ethnomusicologist. This is someone who studies music from different cultures. She worked at the Museum of African Art. This museum is part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC.

Studying Music and Culture

Terri continued her studies in the 1990s. In 1988, she earned her master's degree in ethnomusicology. She got this degree from the University of London. Her work helped people learn about music from around the world.

Photography and Business

Besides music and education, Terri also has other talents. She has shown her photographs in art exhibits. The Maplin Art Gallery even has some of her work in its collection. In the 1990s, she mostly performed solo. She played the piano and sang. From 1996 to 1999, Terri owned her own bar in London. It was called Jazzers.

Terri Today

Today, Terri Quaye is active in the Unitarian church. She works as a lay preacher. While she was well-known as a percussionist in the 1970s and 80s, she now performs as a pianist and singer. She often sings classic jazz songs. Terri lives on the South Coast of England. She recently performed at the 2022 Swanage Jazz Festival.