Tom Terrell (journalist)

Tom Terrell, born July 16, 1950 in Summit, New Jersey, died November 29, 2007, of cancer, Washington, D.C., was a music journalist, deejay, promoter, and NPR music reviewer. Born Tom Gerald Terrell, (aka Scooter, King Pleasure, and Tom T.), he was a life-long musicologist who recognized talent and trends long before they became popular, and worked to promote new acts in jazz, funk, rock, hip-hop, and world music.

Terrell attended college at Howard University in Washington, D.C. in the late 1960s, where he practiced journalism at the campus annual and newspaper, acting as his own photographer. He made his mark as a radio personality and concert promoter, impacting the music scene as a programmer for WHFS and WPFW, and was an early force behind d.c. space, District Curators Inc., and the Nightclub 9:30. His pioneering radio shows included "Stolen Moments" on WPFW, "Sunday Reggae Splashdown" and "Café C'est What" on WHFS. From 2005 until his death, Terrell reviewed music for "All Things Considered" on National Public Radio.

Terrell was instrumental in masterminding the U.S. premiere of reggae band Steel Pulse on the night of Bob Marley's funeral, which was broadcast live around the world from the 9:30 Club, 930 F Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.