Jazz Great, Teddy Wilson
Just over a year ago Wonder of Sound discovered copies of previously unpublished live performances by three jazz greats: Teddy Wilson, Dorothy Donegan, and Ruby Braff. To date we have restored the Teddy Wilson and Dorothy Donegan (to be released on May 12, 2015) performances. Even if you are not a jazz lover, you will want to take a listen to a track from the Teddy Wilson, Live at the King of France Tavern, 1978. The alum is available from our distributor Allegro-music.com, our website, Wonder of Sound (www.wonderofsound.com) or iTunes under the title of “Live at the King of France Tavern.”
It has been said great jazz musicians are hard to define as their music describes the era in which they performed (1). Like Rock, their music reflects the social changes and times in which they lived. Teddy Wilson was one of those early jazz musicians who achieved greatness along with Earl Hines, Count Bassie and Duke Ellington. If you are a jazz lover, you probably recognize the name Teddy Wilson. For those of you who don’t have a clue, this newsletter will provide an introduction to one of America’s jazz greats.
Theodore Shaw Wilson was born on November 24th, 1912 in Austin, Texas and moved to Tuskegee, Alabama when he was six. There, he began his musical journey with the violin. He eventually switched to the piano while attending Talladega College, located in Talladega, Alabama. It was here he modeled his style after Earl Hines. His first professional spot was playing with Speed Webb whose band included a young Roy Eldridge. This collaboration prompted him to move to Chicago in 1931 (1).
While living in Chicago, he played with trumpeter Louis Armstrong, Jimmie Noone, and the Erskine Tate Orchestra. His next move took him to New York in 1933. Here, he played informally with Benny Goodman until he officially joined the Band in 1936. He was also a member of Benny Carter’s band, The Chocolate Dandies, in 1935 (2).
While with the Goodman Band, he was part of a trio with Goodman and drummer Gene Krupa. These recordings became quite popular. A year later vibraphonist Lionel Hampton made it a quartet (2). At this time, he was one of the first black musicians to appear with white musicians (1).
In the late 39s and early 40s Wilson acted as Billie Holiday’s musical director. He also recorded with Billie Holliday in the 1930s to produce some of her best works (3). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncVRMPU_y2M&list=PL6A07EDB82DD433BD&index=9b (4).
Wilson’s relationship with Goodman concluded in 1940 when he formed his own band. Unfortunately, his big band never succeeded while his performances in small group settings were popular, and he recorded several albums for the Mosaic label. In the 1950s, he taught at Julliard School of Music and Metropolitan School of Music. In the 1960s, Wilson rejoined Benny Goodman for tours and concerts.
Wilson became a popular jazz pianist as a result of his break from “Stride” pianists who came before him. In the Stride style of piano playing the left hand “strides” between bass notes or (rolled 10ths) on beats 1 and 3 of a 4/4 measure and chords and chords around the middle of the keyboard on beats 2 and 4. Notable stride players were Art Tatum and “Fats Waller An example can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Cs_zb4q14 (5).
Wilson was known for being a very elegant, smooth player. His touch was very light and fluid, and he utilized the full range of the keyboard (6). Rather than using his left hand to provide a beat he used his very large hands to develop a style that used two and three note voicing that were impossible for most pianists (6).
Because these chords were easy to play on the guitar using the 6th and 3rd strings, guitarists were able to emulate these harmonies. They also were able to incorporate his middle voice on the 4th string. Thus, today, three note “Teddy Wilson” chords form the foundation of big band rhythm guitar voicing (6). In addition, by playing 10ths with his left hand and omitting roots Wilson was able to create bass lines similar to those that a bass player would play (7). Check http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/teddy-wilson/id118623 to become more familiar with Wilson’s style of playing that pretty much sounded the same throughout his long career.
References
- Stein, Sammy. Great Jazz Musicians, August 2010. http://www.helium.com/items/1935160-great-jazz-musicians
- Berlinger, Sandra, Teddy Wilson, Theodore Shaw Wilson, Pianist, Bandleader, Violinist. (1912 – 1986). http://www.jazzbiographies.com/Biography.aspx?ID=211. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
- Beals, Charles. Jazz Piano from Scratch. Hal Leonard Corporation, Milwaukee, Wi, 2002.
Don’t forget to visit our free 24/7 Internet Radio Station at http://www.wos-radio.com, our wonderofsound.blogspot.com, and our Lisem Enterprises Inc. and Daniel Kobialka Facebook and Twitter pages to let us know how you like the newsletter topics and/or suggest some of your own.
Greetings! I’ve been following your site for a long time now and finally got the courage
to go ahead and give you a shout out from Houston Tx!
Just wanted to tell you keep up the good work!
Superb data can be found on your web blog. Continue the good work.
Thank you for sharing. I’m amazed with your website.
I am going to post this to my facebook wall.
Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just
extremely magnificent. I actually like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you are
stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable
and you still care for to keep it sensible. I can not wait to read far more from you.
This is really a great website.
Hola! Esto blog no podía escribirse mucho mejor!
Pasando por artículo me recuerda a mi compañero de cuarto anterior!
Él continuamente predicación sobre esto. Yo voy a
enviar esta información para él. Bastante seguro que va
a tener una muy buena ver. os agradezco for compartir!
Woah I love your site content, bookmarked!
My spouse and i adored your posts.
Very nice post. I just came across your weblog and wished to
say that I have definitely liked surfing around your
blogs. In any case I’ll be signing up to your feed as
well as I hope you write once again soon!
This is my first time to visit here. I found so many enjoyable stuff in your weblog, specifically in its discussion. I guess I’m not the only one having all the entertainment here!
Keep up the superb work.
I like this website it’s a work of art! Delighted I found this on google.
I don’t make it a habit to make comments on numerous articles, however this one deserves
attention. I agree with the information you’ve written so
beautifully here. Thanks.
I am fortunate that I found this blog, precisely the
right information that I was trying to find!
Right after researching several posts in your site now,
and I really love your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark
website list and will be checking back shortly. Please check out my
web page too and tell me what you think.
You need to take part in a contest for one of the finest blogs on the internet.
I will highly recommend this site!
It is not my first time to go to see this website, i am browsing this web site dailly and get pleasant information from
here all the time.
I got this web site from my buddy who informed me
concerning this web page and at the moment this time I
am browsing this site and reading very informative posts at this time.
Normally I do not read article on blogs, however I
would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to try and do so!
Your writing taste has been surprised me.
Thank you, quite great post.
Super-Duper website! I am loving it!! Will be back later to
read more. I am bookmarking your feeds as well.
Explica el concepto de herencia en un lenguaje de programación orientado a objetos y de qué manera emplearla en Java.
Good post. I learn something new and challenging
on sites I stumbleupon everyday. It will always be
useful to read through articles from other writers and practice
a little something from other websites.
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to
say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts.
After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
Hi there I am so delighted I found your site, I really found you by error, while I was browsing on Yahoo for something else, Anyhow I am here now and would just
like to say thanks for a tremendous post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I
don’t have time to read it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added your RSS
feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read more, Please do keep up the superb work.
Right now it appears like WordPress is the best blogging platform available right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
Hello, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and
i was just wondering if you get a lot of spam remarks?
If so how do you protect against it, any plugin or anything you can advise?
I get so much lately it’s driving me mad so any help is
very much appreciated.
But wanna input on few general things, The website design and style is perfect, the subject material is really good : D.
I think the admin of this site is actually working hard for his website, for the reason that here every
data is quality based material.
Wow, this piece of writing is pleasant, my sister is analyzing
these kinds of things, thus I am going to tell her.
For newest news you have to pay a quick visit world wide web and on web
I found this site as a most excellent web site for latest updates.
Thanks for the marvelous posting! I truly enjoyed reading it, you happen to be a great author.I will ensure that I bookmark your
blog and will eventually come back in the foreseeable future.
I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great work, have a nice weekend!
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful post. Many thanks for supplying this info.
This design is steller! You definitely know how to keep a reader amused.
Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job.
I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented
it. Too cool!
I would weep for you!!!!!
I love the valuable info you supply in your posts. To be honest I am not sure I can agree with you.
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website.
I am hoping to check out the same high-grade blog posts by you later on as well.
In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my very own website now 😉
Great website. Lots of helpful information here.
I am sending it to some buddies ans also sharing in delicious.
And certainly, thank you for your sweat!
Refer to the post “Notes from the Author”
Does your site have a contact page? I’m having trouble
locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an e-mail. I’ve got
some suggestions for your blog you might be interested
in hearing. Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.
Would you mind if I quote a small number of your articles
or blog posts as long as I provide credit and sources back to your
website: http://wonderofsoundmusicnotes.com/2015/04/09/theodore-shaw-wilson-teddy-wilson/. I will
aslo be certain to give you the appropriate anchor text hyperlink using your
webpage title: Theodore Shaw Wilson (Teddy Wilson) .
Please make sure to let me know if this is acceptable with you.
Thanks alot 🙂
This is quite interesting, You’re an extremely skilled blogger.
I have joined your feed and look forward to reading more of your
superb post. Furthermore, I have shared your website in my social networks!
I am only commenting to inform you of the remarkable
experience our girl encountered reading the blog. She noticed
numerous pieces, which included how it is like to possess an amazing giving nature to get certain people really easily learn certain multifaceted things.
You definitely exceeded visitors’ desires. I appreciate you for rendering the
important, healthy, informative in addition to easy suggestions about the topic.