Pha Elmer Terrell, born on May 25, 1910, in Kansas City, Missouri, was an influential American jazz singer known for his smooth baritone and falsetto capabilities. He began his career in the early 1930s as a singer, dancer, and emcee in Kansas City nightclubs. Terrell's big break came when he was discovered by Andy Kirk, who hired him as the vocalist for his band, the Twelve Clouds of Joy. Terrell performed with Kirk from 1933 to 1941, recording extensively for Decca Records. His notable hits with the band include "Until the Real Thing Comes Along" in 1936 and "I Won't Tell a Soul (I Love You)" in 1938.

After leaving Kirk's band, Terrell moved to Indianapolis to join Clarence Love's territory band and later relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a solo career. Despite his promising career, Terrell's life was cut short when he died of kidney failure on October 14, 1945, in Los Angeles at the age of 35. His contributions to jazz, particularly during his time with the Twelve Clouds of Joy, left a lasting impact on the genre.