Theodore Shaw Wilson (November 24, 1912 – July 31, 1986) was an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a major ...

pianist. Described by critic Scott Yanow as "the definitive swing pianist", Wilson had a sophisticated, elegant style. His work was featured on the records of many of the biggest names in jazz, including

Louis Armstrong Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed "Satchmo", "Satch", and "Pops", was an American trumpeter and vocalist. He was among the most influential figures in jazz. His career spanned five decades and several era ...

, Lena Horne, Benny Goodman,

Billie Holiday Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959) was an American jazz and swing music singer. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and music partner, Lester Young, Holiday had an innovative influence on jazz music and pop s ...

, and

Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, in ...

. With Goodman, he was one of the first black musicians to appear prominently with white musicians. In addition to his extensive work as a sideman, Wilson also led his own groups and recording sessions from the late 1920s to the 1980s.

Biography

Wilson was born in

Austin, Texas Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the county seat, seat and largest city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and Williamson County, Texas, Williamson co ...

. He studied piano and violin at

Tuskegee Institute Tuskegee University (Tuskegee or TU), formerly known as the Tuskegee Institute, is a private, historically black land-grant university in Tuskegee, Alabama. It was founded on Independence Day in 1881 by the state legislature. The campus was de ...

Tuskegee, Alabama Tuskegee () is a city in Macon County, Alabama, United States. It was founded and laid out in 1833 by General Thomas Simpson Woodward, a Creek War veteran under Andrew Jackson, and made the county seat that year. It was incorporated in 1843. ...

. After working in

Speed Webb Lawrence Arthur "Speed" Webb (18 July 1906 – 4 November 1994) was an American jazz drummer and territory band leader especially active in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Biography Webb first began playing on violin and mellophone before s ...

's band, with

, and also understudying Earl Hines in Hines's

Grand Terrace Cafe The Sunset Cafe, also known as The Grand Terrace Cafe, was a jazz club in Chicago, Illinois operating during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. It was one of the most important jazz clubs in America, especially during the period between 1917 and 1928 when ...

Orchestra, Wilson joined

Benny Carter Bennett Lester Carter (August 8, 1907 – July 12, 2003) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader. With Johnny Hodges, he was a pioneer on the alto saxophone. From the beginning of his career ...

Chocolate Dandies ''The Chocolate Dandies'' is a Broadway musical in two acts that opened September 1, 1924, at the New Colonial Theatre and ran for 96 performances – finishing November 22, 1924. Initial production The 1924 debut of ''The Chocolate Dandies' ...

in 1933. In 1935, he joined the Benny Goodman Trio (which consisted of Goodman, Wilson and drummer

Gene Krupa Eugene Bertram Krupa (January 15, 1909 – October 16, 1973), known as Gene Krupa, was an American jazz drummer, bandleader and composer who performed with energy and showmanship. His drum solo on Benny Goodman's 1937 recording of " Sing, Sing, ...

, later expanded to the Benny Goodman Quartet with the addition of

Lionel Hampton Lionel Leo Hampton (April 20, 1908 – August 31, 2002) was an American jazz vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist, and bandleader. Hampton worked with jazz musicians from Teddy Wilson, Benny Goodman, and Buddy Rich, to Charlie Parker, Charles M ...

). The trio performed during the

big band A big band or jazz orchestra is a type of musical ensemble of jazz music that usually consists of ten or more musicians with four sections: saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section. Big bands originated during the early 1910s an ...

's intermissions. By joining the trio, Wilson became one of the first black musicians to perform prominently in a racially integrated group. Jazz producer and writer John Hammond was instrumental in getting Wilson a contract with Brunswick, starting in 1935, to record hot swing arrangements of the popular songs of the day, with the growing jukebox trade in mind. He recorded hit records with singers such as Lena Horne, Helen Ward and

. During these years, he also took part in many sessions with swing musicians such as

Lester Young Lester Willis Young (August 27, 1909 – March 15, 1959), nicknamed "Pres" or "Prez", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and occasional clarinetist. Coming to prominence while a member of Count Basie's orchestra, Young was one of the most i ...

Roy Eldridge David Roy Eldridge (January 30, 1911 – February 26, 1989), nicknamed "Little Jazz", was an American jazz trumpeter. His sophisticated use of harmony, including the use of tritone substitutions, his virtuosic solos exhibiting a departure from ...

Charlie Shavers Charles James Shavers (August 3, 1920 – July 8, 1971) was an American jazz trumpeter who played with Dizzy Gillespie, Nat King Cole, Roy Eldridge, Johnny Dodds, Jimmie Noone, Sidney Bechet, Midge Williams, Tommy Dorsey, and Billie Holiday ...

Red Norvo Red Norvo (born Kenneth Norville; March 31, 1908 – April 6, 1999) was an American musician, one of jazz's early vibraphonists, known as "Mr. Swing". He helped establish the xylophone, marimba, and vibraphone as jazz instruments. His reco ...

Buck Clayton Wilbur Dorsey "Buck" Clayton (November 12, 1911 – December 8, 1991) was an American jazz trumpeter who was a member of Count Basie's orchestra. His principal influence was Louis Armstrong, first hearing the record "Confessin' That I Love You" ...

, and

Ben Webster Benjamin Francis Webster (March 27, 1909 – September 20, 1973) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. Career Early life and career A native of Kansas City, Missouri, he studied violin, learned how to play blues on the piano from ...

. From 1936 to 1942, he recorded for Brunswick Records and

Columbia Records Columbia Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music, Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the North American division of Japanese Conglomerate (company), conglomerate Sony. It was founded on Janua ...

. In the 1950s he recorded on

Verve Records Verve Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group (UMG). Founded in 1956 by Norman Granz, the label is home to the world's largest jazz catalogue, which includes recordings by artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simon ...

. Wilson formed his own short-lived big band in 1939, then led a sextet at

Café Society Café society was the description of the "Beautiful People" and "Bright Young Things" who gathered in fashionable cafés and restaurants in New York, Paris and London beginning in the late 19th century. Maury Henry Biddle Paul is credited with ...

from 1940 to 1944. He was dubbed the "Marxist Mozart" by Howard "Stretch" Johnson due to his support for left-wing causes: he performed in benefit concerts for ''

The New Masses ''New Masses'' (1926–1948) was an American Marxist magazine closely associated with the Communist Party USA. It succeeded both ''The Masses'' (1912–1917) and ''The Liberator''. ''New Masses'' was later merged into '' Masses & Mainstream'' (19 ...

'' journal and for

Russian War Relief Russian War Relief (RWR) (also known as the Russian War Relief Fund and The American Committee for Russian War Relief) was the largest American agency for foreign war relief. It had the "express and exclusive purpose of giving succor to the Russian ...

, and he chaired the Artists' Committee to elect

Benjamin J. Davis Benjamin Jefferson Davis Jr. (September 8, 1903 – August 22, 1964), was an African-American lawyer and communist who was elected in 1943 to the New York City Council, representing Harlem. He faced increasing opposition from outside Harlem a ...

(a New York City council member running on the

Communist Party USA The Communist Party USA, officially the Communist Party of the United States of America (CPUSA), is a communist party in the United States which was established in 1919 after a split in the Socialist Party of America following the Russian Revo ...

ballot line). In the 1950s, Wilson taught at the

Juilliard School The Juilliard School ( ) is a private performing arts conservatory in New York City. Established in 1905, the school trains about 850 undergraduate and graduate students in dance, drama, and music. It is widely regarded as one of the most el ...

. Wilson can be seen appearing as himself in the motion pictures ''

Hollywood Hotel The Hollywood Hotel was a famous hotel, society venue of early Hollywood, and landmark A landmark is a recognizable natural or artificial feature used for navigation, a feature that stands out from its near environment and is often visible fr ...

'' (1937) and ''

The Benny Goodman Story Dick Winslow ''The Benny Goodman Story'' is a biographical film starring Steve Allen and Donna Reed, directed by Valentine Davies, and released by Universal-International in 1956. The film was intended as a follow-up to Universal's 1954 hit '' Th ...

'' (1955). He also worked as music director for the ''

Dick Cavett Show ''The Dick Cavett Show'' was the title of several talk shows hosted by Dick Cavett on various television networks, including: * ABC daytime, (March 4, 1968–January 24, 1969) originally titled ''This Morning'' * ABC prime time, Tuesdays, ...

''. Wilson lived quietly in suburban

Hillsdale, New Jersey Hillsdale is a borough in the New York City metropolitan area in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 10,219,Irene Kitchings Irene Armstrong Wilson Kitchings (c. 1908-1975) was an African-American jazz pianist, band leader, and songwriter. She performed both as a solo act and as a band member. After transitioning to songwriting, Kitchings co-wrote "Some Other Spring", ...

. He performed as a soloist and with pickup groups until the final years of his life, including leading a trio with his sons Theodore Wilson on bass and Steven Wilson on drums. In 1979, Wilson was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from

Berklee College of Music Berklee College of Music is a private music college in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known for the study of jazz and modern American music, it also offers college-level cours ...

. Wilson died of stomach cancer in New Britain, Connecticut, on July 31, 1986, aged 73. He is buried at Fairview Cemetery in New Britain. In addition to Theodore and Steven, Wilson had three more children, William, James (Jim) and Dune.

Select discography

Solo

*1942: ''Columbia Presents Teddy Wilson'' *1972: '' With Billie in Mind'' (Chiaroscuro) *1983: ''Alone'' (Storyville)

As leader

*1944: ''Teddy Wilson Sextet (The Onyx Club New York Original Live Recordings)'' *1949: ''Teddy Wilson Featuring Billie Holiday'' *1952: ''Runnin' Wild'' (MGM) *1952: ''Just A Mood'' – Teddy Wilson Quartet Starring

Harry James Harry Haag James (March 15, 1916 – July 5, 1983) was an American musician who is best known as a trumpet-playing band leader who led a big band from 1939 to 1946. He broke up his band for a short period in 1947 but shortly after he reorganized ...

(Columbia EP B-1569/5-1277) *1955: ''

The Creative Teddy Wilson ''The Creative Teddy Wilson'' (also released as ''For Quiet Lovers'') is a studio album by American jazz pianist Teddy Wilson featuring performances recorded in 1955 for the Norgran label.

'' (Norgran) – also released as ''For Quiet Lovers'' (Verve) *1956: ''

Pres and Teddy ''Pres and Teddy'' is a jazz album by The Lester Young and Teddy Wilson Quartet, recorded in January 1956. Originally released on LP by Verve in 1959, it has subsequently been reissued on CD by Verve, Universal Japan and Lonehill Jazz. The albu ...

'' (Verve) with

*1956: ''

I Got Rhythm "I Got Rhythm" is a piece composed by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin and published in 1930, which became a jazz standard. Its chord progression, known as the " rhythm changes", is the foundation for many other popular jazz tunes suc ...

'' (Verve) *1956: ''Intimate Listening'' (Verve) *1956: '' These Tunes Remind Me of You'' (Verve) *1957: ''

The Impeccable Mr. Wilson ''The Impeccable Mr. Wilson'' is a studio album by American jazz pianist Teddy Wilson featuring performances recorded in 1956 for the Norgran Records, Norgran label.

'' (Verve) *1957: '' The Teddy Wilson Trio & Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Bob Brookmeyer at Newport'' (Verve) *1957: '' The Touch of Teddy Wilson'' (Verve) *1959: '' Mr. Wilson and Mr. Gershwin'' (Columbia) *1959: '' Gypsy in Jazz'' (Columbia) *1959: '' And Then They Wrote...'' (Columbia) *1963: '' Teddy Wilson 1964'' (Cameo) *1967: '' Moonglow'' (

Black Lion Black Lion, Black Lions, or Blacklions may refer to: Businesses and organisations * Black Lion, Hammersmith, a London pub * Black Lion, Kilburn, a London pub * Black Lion Records, a British jazz record company * Black Lions Films, associated wit ...

) *1968: '' The Noble Art of Teddy Wilson'' (Metronome) *1973: '' Runnin' Wild'' (Black Lion) *1976: ''Live at Santa Tecla'' *1980: ''Teddy Wilson Trio Revisits the Goodman Years'' *1990: ''Air Mail Special''

As sideman

*1933–1942: Billie Holiday, ''The Quintessential Billie Holiday (Volumes 1-9)''; '' Lady Day: The Complete Billie Holiday on Columbia 1933–1944'' (Columbia) *1935:

Mildred Bailey Mildred Bailey (born Mildred Rinker; February 27, 1907 – December 12, 1951) was a Native American jazz singer during the 1930s, known as "The Queen of Swing", "The Rockin' Chair Lady" and "Mrs. Swing". She recorded the songs " For Sentimenta ...

, ''Mildred Bailey and Her Alley Cats'' (Columbia) *1935–1939: Benny Goodman, ''

The Complete RCA Victor Small Group Recordings ''The Complete RCA Victor Small Group Recordings'' is a 1997 compilation 3-CD set of sessions led by jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman, and recorded for the RCA Victor label between 1935 and 1939. Reception Writing for ''Allmusic'', reviewer S ...

'' (RCA) *1938: Benny Goodman, ''

The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert ''The Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz Concert'' by Benny Goodman, Columbia Records catalogue item SL-160, is a two- disc LP of swing and jazz music recorded at Carnegie Hall in New York City on January 16, 1938. First issued in 1950, the landmark ...

'' (Columbia) *1946-1947: Sarah Vaughan, ''The Chronological Classics: Sarah Vaughan 1946–1947'' (Classics) *1954:

, '' Music for Loving'' (Norgran) *1973:

Eiji Kitamura Eiji Kitamura ja, 北村英治 (born April 8, 1929) is a Japanese jazz clarinetist and tenor saxophonist originally from Tokyo who made his debut at the age of 22. Kitamura devoted himself to clarinet playing while still an undergraduate at Ke ...

, ''Swing Special'' *1974: Phoebe Snow '' Phoebe Snow (album)'' (Shelter Records) *1975:

, ''Teddy and Eiji- Live Session'' *1980:

, ''Teddy Wilson Meets Eiji Kitamura''

References

External links

*
Teddy Wilson on BlueBlackJazz.com
* *
Teddy Wilson music, papers, and artifacts

Institute of Jazz Studies The Institute of Jazz Studies (IJS) is the largest and most comprehensive library and archives of jazz and jazz-related materials in the world. It is located on the fourth floor of the John Cotton Dana Library at Rutgers University–Newark in Newa ...

, (Rutgers University) {{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson, Teddy 1912 births 1986 deaths Musicians from Austin, Texas People from Hillsdale, New Jersey Big band bandleaders Swing pianists Mainstream jazz pianists African-American pianists American jazz pianists American male pianists Tuskegee University alumni Juilliard School faculty Brunswick Records artists Columbia Records artists Verve Records artists American jazz educators Benny Goodman Orchestra members Musicraft Records artists 20th-century American pianists Educators from Texas Educators from New Jersey Jazz musicians from Texas 20th-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians The Chocolate Dandies members Black Lion Records artists 20th-century African-American musicians