Thelma Terry

Born

  • September 30, 1901
  • Michigan

Died

  • May 30, 1966

Real Name

  • Thelma Combes

Marriages / Children

  • Willy Haar (1929-34)
  • Patti (b. 1931)

Thelma Terry

Known as the ''Little Lady with the Big Fiddle,'' Thelma Terry led a popular Chicago-based orchestra in the late 1920s. Though a very beautiful woman Terry was more than just window dressing for her band. She herself was quite musically talented and played the double bass. Many critics consider her one of the better bassists of her era.

Born in Michigan, Terry's mother was a housekeeper for a wealthy Chicago family that was involved in the music business. Through them she was able to learn the bass and by the age of eighteen was first chair in the Chicago Women's Symphony Orchestra. She later became involved in jazz and in 1927 formed her own orchestra, Thelma Terry and Her Playboys, one of the first jazz groups to be led by a woman.

The group was based at the Golden Pumpkin club and toured nationally. Future bandleaders Gene Krupa and Bob Zurke worked in and recorded with Terry's orchestra during 1928. Most of the group's recordings, a total of six sides, were non-vocal.

Terry had a hard time managing her musicians. Many of the men wouldn't listen to her and some made advances towards her. She disbanded her group in 1929, right before they were scheduled to go on an international tour. Though very successful Terry had grown tired of show business and settled down to marry Savannah, Georgia, nightclub owner, Willy Haar. She divorced five years later and moved back to her native Michigan. She made several attempts to get back into show business, none of which were successful. Thelma Tetal"died of throat cancer in 1966.