Terri Quaye facts for kids

Terri Quaye, also known as Theresa, is a talented English musician. Born on November 8, 1940, in Bodmin, England, she is a singer, pianist, songwriter, and percussionist. Music runs in her family! Her father was Cab Kaye, and her siblings are Caleb Quaye and Finley Quaye, who are also musicians.

Terri Quaye's Musical Start

Terri began her professional music career in 1958. She started by singing with a Latin jazz band. This band was led by a musician named Ido Martin. She also sang with pianists like Colin Purbrook and Brian Lemon. Later, she performed regularly with Frank Holder.

Performing in Germany

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

A Trip to Ghana

Terri took a special trip to Ghana, a country in West Africa. This was the birthplace of her grandfather, Caleb Quaye, who was also a musician. While in Ghana, she received her Ga name: Naa-Koshie.

Working with Other Musicians

In the 1970s, Terri Quaye worked with many well-known artists. She collaborated with musicians like Manu Dibango and Dr. John. She also performed with jazz greats such as Archie Shepp and Billy Higgins. Her work during this time showed her versatility as a performer.

Education and Later Career

In the 1980s, Terri became very active in education. She also worked as an ethnomusicologist. This means she studied music from different cultures around the world. She worked at the National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C.

Advanced Studies and Photography

Terri continued her studies and earned her master's degree in ethnomusicology in 1988. She received this degree from the University of London. Besides music and education, Terri is also a talented photographer. Her ethnographic photos, which capture cultural scenes, are part of the permanent collection at Maplin Art Gallery.

Solo Performances and New Ventures

During the 1990s, Terri focused mostly on solo performances. She played the piano and sang jazz standards. She even opened her own bar in London called Jazzers, which operated from 1996 to 1999.

Current Activities

Today, Terri Quaye is involved with the Unitarian church. She serves as a lay preacher, sharing her thoughts and beliefs. While she was well-known as a percussionist in the past, she now mainly performs as a pianist and vocalist. She continues to sing classic jazz songs. Terri is currently based on the South Coast of England. She has performed at recent events, including the 2022 Swanage Jazz Festival.