bio

Her voice has been labeled, "A refreshing, warm sound in jazz." Starting with her roots in traditional jazz and coming up through swing, blues and contemporary music, Terrie Richards has attained a level of quality and versatility shared by few in the vocal music scene.

Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Terrie began singing professionally at age fifteen, after early encouragement from her father, a traditional jazz pianist. Her influences include Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Carmen McRae, Nat King Cole, Rosemary Clooney, Keely Smith, Peggy Lee, Bing Crosby, Lee Wiley and Maxine Sullivan.

In 1982 Terrie moved to Orlando, Florida, appearing five nights a week with jazz trombonist Bill Allred. In 1986 Terrie signed with the Walt Disney Company to perform exclusively at "The Village Lounge", Disney's prestigious jazz club, where Terrie recorded her first solo album accompanied by the Don Scaletta trio. Over the years Ms. Richards has performed with such greats as Wild Bill Davison, Maxine Sullivan, Bob Crosby, Milt Hinton, Ralph Sutton, Bob Haggart and Joe Bushkin.

In the summer of 1993 Terrie moved to New York City and made her debut, appearing in "The Swinging Music of Cy Coleman", was part of Dick Hyman's "Jazz in July" concert series. Ms. Richards vocals were featured alongside Milt Hinton, Butch Miles, Frank Wess, Ken Peplowski, Randy Sandke and the Cy Coleman trio.  Terrie was featured vocalist with the Joe Bushkin Orchestra, appearing at the famous "SupperClub" in Manhattan, and had the opportunity to sing her favorite Lee Wiley and Billie Holliday tunes. Terrie was a featured guest artist at the JVC Jazz Festival, New York City. "An Evening Of Hoagy Carmichael" with Kenny Davern, Scott Hamilton, Dave McKenna, Bob Dorough, Howard Alden, Michael Moore and Jackie Williams,  at the Danny Kaye Playhouse, Manhattan.

In 1993 Terrie recorded her first solo cd for Master Mix Records in London with The Harry Allen Quartet.  Jazz Writer, Benny Green wrote this about Terrie, "she has a slightly breathless, immensely feminine voice, a wide range and an excellent sense of time and rhythm".  March of '99 she recorded her first solo cd for Nagel-Heyer Records, entitled "Voice With Heart" with the Warren Vache' Quartet. Matt Snyder of "Jazz Times Magazine" wrote "Her swinging and melodic sensibility combined with her excellent taste in repertoire and a winning band, make the day".

Currently, Terrie is in the studio recording for Arbors Records, (her first solo cd in over 10 years), accompanied by the Manhattan based group "New York Swing" featuring John Bunch on piano, Bucky Pizzarelli on guitar and Jay Leonhart on bass, with special guest Warren Vache' on cornet. Scheduled for release February, 2010.

Eddie Cook, editor of the International Jazz Journal wrote this about Terrie, "... she has a small, yet powerful and intimate voice akin to Mildred Bailey, especially in the upper register, but with Billie Holiday overtones ... In fact, Terrie has a remarkably original voice with a unique style."
Currently, Terrie performs at jazz festivals, parties and concerts throughout the United States and Europe.