Biography
Theodore Shaw 'Teddy' Wilson was born on November 24, 1912, in Austin, Texas, the son of James O. Wilson, a prominent teacher and librarian at Samuel Huston College, and Pearl Wilson, a librarian at Tuskegee Institute. His parents, both educators, encouraged his early musical studies, and by age seven, Wilson was taking piano lessons; he later studied violin, E-flat clarinet, and oboe, playing in the school band at Tuskegee Institute after the family moved to Alabama in 1918. Wilson briefly attended Talladega College as a music major before leaving to pursue a professional career, first in Detroit with Speed Webb’s band, then in Chicago, where he played with Erskine Tate, Louis Armstrong, and Jimmy Noone.
Wilson’s career breakthrough came in the mid-1930s when producer John Hammond brought him to New York, leading to collaborations with Benny Carter, Benny Goodman, and Gene Krupa. He became an original member of the Benny Goodman Trio (later Quartet), one of the first racially integrated groups in popular music, and led a celebrated series of small-group recordings with Billie Holiday and Mildred Bailey. Known for his elegant, restrained, and technically sophisticated piano style—often described as the 'definitive swing pianist'—Wilson was a major influence on the swing era and beyond. He continued performing, recording, and teaching (including at Juilliard) until his death on July 31, 1986, in New Britain, Connecticut.
Fun Facts
- Teddy Wilson was known for his impeccable professionalism—colleagues recalled he was never late and always impeccably dressed, standing apart from the wilder stereotypes of jazz musicians.
- He was the first African American musician to perform publicly with Benny Goodman's band, breaking racial barriers in the jazz world during the 1930s.
- Wilson was nicknamed the 'Marxist Mozart' by tap dancer and social activist Howard 'Stretch' Johnson due to his support for left-wing causes.
- In addition to performing, Wilson taught at the Juilliard School in the late 1940s and early 1950s and received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music in 1979.
Associated Acts
- The Benny Goodman Sextet - piano (1935–present)
- The Benny Goodman Quartet - original, piano
- The Benny Goodman Trio - original, piano
- Teddy Wilson and His Orchestra - eponymous, original, piano
- Teddy Wilson Quintet
- Teddy Wilson Sextet
- Teddy Wilson Octet
- Teddy Wilson Quartet
- Metronome All Stars - piano
- Jack Pleis and His Orchestra - piano
- Red Norvo & His Selected Sextet
- Teddy Wilson Trio - original, piano
- Charlie Shavers’ All American Five - piano
- The V‐Disc All Stars
- Red Norvo All-Stars
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Earl Hines - Stylistic influence, particularly Hines' 'trumpet-style' piano playing (N/A) [1920s–1930s]
- Art Tatum - Influenced Wilson's harmonic sophistication and technical approach (N/A) [1930s]
- Fats Waller - Influenced Wilson's rhythmic feel and swing (N/A) [1930s]
Key Collaborators
- Benny Goodman - Pianist in Goodman's Trio and Quartet, pioneering interracial jazz performances (Benny Goodman Trio/Quartet recordings) [1935–1939]
- Billie Holiday - Led and arranged recordings for Holiday, helping launch her career (Billie Holiday small group sessions (Brunswick/Columbia)) [1935–1939]
- Louis Armstrong - Played piano on Armstrong's recording sessions (Louis Armstrong sessions (1933))
- Benny Carter - Played in Carter's band and recorded with the Chocolate Dandies (Chocolate Dandies recordings)
- Gene Krupa - Drummer in Goodman's Trio/Quartet (Benny Goodman Trio/Quartet recordings) [1935–1939]
- Mildred Bailey - Recorded small-group sessions (Mildred Bailey sessions) [1930s]
Artists Influenced
- Hank Jones - Cited Wilson as a major influence on his piano style (N/A) [1940s–]
- Tommy Flanagan - Admired Wilson's touch and phrasing (N/A) [1950s–]
- Barry Harris - Studied Wilson's recordings for harmonic ideas (N/A) [1950s–]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| The Noble Art Of Teddy Wilson | 2000-04-20 | Album |
| I Got Rhythm | 1957-01-01 | Album |
| The Fabulous Benny Goodman | 1999-10-08 | Album |
| Essential Classics, Vol. 24: Teddy Wilson | 2023-10-06 | Album |
| Complete Jazz Series 1937 | 2009-09-14 | Album |
| Ultimate Big Band Collection: Benny Goodman | 1935 | Album |
| Complete Jazz Series 1936 - 1937 | 2009-09-14 | Album |
| Public Enemies | 2009-01-01 | Album |
| The Impeccable Mr. Wilson | 1957-01-01 | Album |
| After You've Gone | 2003-03-25 | Album |
| Complete Jazz Series 1937 - 1938 | 2009-09-14 | Album |
| Fine And Dandy | 1991-06-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Fools Rush In (The Noble Art Of Teddy Wilson)
- Easy Living (with Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra)
- Moonglow (Essential Classics, Vol. 24: Teddy Wilson)
- Moonglow - Take 1 (The Fabulous Benny Goodman)
- My Funny Valentine (Jazz 'Round Midnight)
- Stompin' At The Savoy - 1956 Version (I Got Rhythm)
- Say It Isn't So (I Got Rhythm)
- Gloomy Sunday (with Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra) - Take 1
- Easy Living (06-01-37) (Complete Jazz Series 1937)
- When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles with You) (with Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra) - Take 3
External Links
Tags: #big-band, #cool-jazz, #jazz
Heard on WWOZ
teddy wilson has been played 5 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.