Terrie Hessels started playing guitar when he co-founded the Ex in 1979. Kind of coincidence; it was the instrument no-one wanted to play. Some 1900 concerts with The Ex ever since.  More than 2000 in total.

Next to all The Ex releases, he started free-improvising from the very start. From a little guitarsolo on the Awara/Ex 7" in 1981, till recent tours with Han Bennink or impro-groups Offonoff or LeanLeft (with Ken Vandermark, Andy and Paal Nilssen-Love).

Drives a year along 21 African countries, with Emma Fischer. In 1996. Starts in 2000 the TERP label, for his own impro-projects and African Music. Produced Cd's with ao Tsehaytu Beraki, Getatchew Mekuria, Konono No.1 and Mohammed Jimmy Mohammed. 25 releases thus far. (www.terprecords.nl)

Lives with Emma Fischer and daughter Lena (13) in the Witte Villa in Wormer.

Played with: Sonic Youth, John Cale, Getatchew Mekuria, Herman Brood, Herr Seele, Kamagurka, Jan Mulder, Mekons, Chumbawamba, Tsehaytu Beraki, Peter Brozmann, Hamid Drake, Jan Akkerman, Djibril Diabate, Butch Morris, Mats Gustafsson, ICP, Wolter Wierbos, Wilbert de Joode, Zu, Guy Picciotto, Roy Paci, Cactus Truck,  Christine Senaoui, Ig Henneman, Tim Hodgekinson, Michael Vatcher, Magpie Dancecompany, Alex d' Electrique, Ferrie Heyne, Saadet Turkoz, Peter Evans, Nate Wooley, Melaku Belay, Endris Hassen, Misale Legesse, Noel Akchote, Akira Sakata, Ada Rave, Jamie Breezy Branch