Terry Devon

Teresa Devon (born Toby Teresa Dekovnick; 19 May 1922 – 5 April 2013) was a British jazz singer. She worked as a hairdresser in her father's business but switched to singing after winning a crooning competition on Radio Luxembourg. Devon joined the Billy Thorburn orchestra and her first record was released in 1938. She was heard weekly on the BBC radio comedy programme Take It From Here. Devon later became a vocalist for the Tito Burns jazz Septet, developing the skill of scat singing. Burns and Devon married in November 1948. She subsequently stopped singing professionally, and helped her husband to manage notable singers.

Early life Toby Teresa Dekovnick was born on 19 May 1922 in Mile End in the East End of London. She was the only child of second generation Russian immigrants Manny and Connie Dekovnick (née Lofeas).

Manny worked as a hairdresser in Shepherd's Bush. Although Devon won a scholarship to attend a grammar school, she left early to assist in her father's business.

Career After she won a crooning competition on Radio Luxembourg, she changed her career path to singing. Among her recordings for Decca were "Be Bop Spoken Here", a duet with Burns, and "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles".

She helped her husband represent singer Cliff Richard, The Searchers, and The Zombies, and promoted the British tours of Tony Bennett and Victor Borge. Although Devon did not return to singing professionally, she was seen on the television game show Countdown as a contestant. She died on 5 April 2013 in London at the age of 90.