Teddy Wilson Talks Jazz: The Autobiography of Teddy Wilson

(Paperback)

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Description

In his varied and colourful life, Teddy Wilson worked with innumerable great names of jazz. He came to fame in the small groups led by Benny Goodman, and also through his remarkable series of recordings with the singer Billie Holiday. "Teddy Wilson Talks Jazz" is a candid account of Wilson's life and career, from his childhood through to his association with the critic and producer John Hammond, and on to his associations with Goodman, Holiday, his own bands and fellow pianists such as Earl Hines and Art Tatum. Highlights in this very personal view of a life in music include recollections of Al Capone, his respect for jazz pioneers such as Jelly Roll Morton, his account of the organization behind Billie Holiday's recording career, his recordings with Lester Young, and his 1962 trip to Russia, as well as his insider's account of working with Benny Goodman.

Reviews

"Full of valuable information and quietly astute observation that matches the pianist's manner and music." -Stanley Dance, JazzTimes
"Provides many personal insights into the life and times of Theodore Shaw Wilson, a prodigious pianist." -John Nelson, Mississippi Rag
"Articulate, generous and humane, Wilson's book fully expresses his jazz personality." -Chris Searle, Morning Star

Author Bio

Teddy Wilson was a well-known jazz musician who died in 1986. Arie Ligthart was a guitarist with the Dutch Swing College band for over twenty years, appearing on many sessions with the band's American guests including Billy Butterfield, Joe Venuti and Jimmy Witherspoon, as well as Teddy Wilson. Humphrey van Loo is an Anglo-Dutch writer, journalist and publicist.