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Jack Teagarden

American jazz trombonist and singer (1905–1964)

Jack Teagarden
Teagarden c. 1944
Background information
Birth name	Weldon Leo Teagarden
Born	(1905-08-20)August 20, 1905 Vernon, Texas, U.S.
Died	January 15, 1964(1964-01-15) (aged 58) New Orleans, Louisiana
Genres	Jazz dixieland swing big band
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instrument(s)	Trombone, vocals
Years active	1920–1964

Weldon Leo "Jack" Teagarden (August 20, 1905 – January 15, 1964)^[1] was an American jazz trombonist and singer.^[2] According to critic Scott YanowofAllmusic, Teagarden was the preeminent American jazz trombone player before the bebop era of the 1940s and "one of the best jazz singers too".^[3] Teagarden's early career was as a sideman with the likes of Paul Whiteman and lifelong friend Louis Armstrong.

Teagarden was born in Vernon, Texas, United States.^[2] His brothers Charlie and Clois "Cub" and his sister Norma also became professional musicians. His father was an amateur brass band trumpeter and started him on baritone horn; by age seven he had switched to trombone. His first public performances were in movie theaters, where he accompanied his mother, a pianist.^[4]

Teagarden's trombone style was largely self-taught, and he developed many unusual alternative positions and novel special effects on the instrument. He is usually considered the most innovative jazz trombone stylist of the pre-bebop era – Pee Wee Russell once called him "the best trombone player in the world".^[5]

By 1920, Teagarden was playing professionally in San Antonio, including with the band of pianist Peck Kelley.^[2] In the mid-1920s he started traveling widely around the United States in a quick succession of different bands. In 1927, he went to New York City where he worked with several bands. By 1928 he played for the Ben Pollack band.^[2]

In the late 1920s, he recorded with such bandleaders and sidemen as Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Bix Beiderbecke, Red Nichols, Jimmy McPartland, Mezz Mezzrow, Glenn Miller, Eddie Condon, and Fats Waller. In 1931, Teagarden’s early orchestra recorded the tune “Chances Are” with Fats Waller playing piano and Jack singing and playing trombone. Miller and Teagarden collaborated to provide lyrics and a verse to Spencer Williams' "Basin Street Blues", which in that amended form became one of the numbers that Teagarden played until the end of his days.^[2]

Teagarden sought financial security during the Great Depression and signed an exclusive contract to play for the Paul Whiteman Orchestra from 1933 through 1938.^[2] In 1946, Teagarden joined Louis Armstrong's All Stars.^[2] In late 1951, Teagarden left to again lead his own band.^[2]

He died of pneumonia in New Orleans at the age of 58.^[1]

• Red Allen, Red Allen, Kid Ory & Jack Teagarden at Newport (Verve, 1957)
• Ben Pollack, Dixieland (Savoy, 1956)

• Red River Valley Museum

• Jack Teagarden discography at Discogs
• Jack TeagardenatIMDb
• Jack Teagarden recordings at the Discography of American Historical Recordings.

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