Teagarden, Jack

orig. Weldon Leo Teagarden

born Aug. 20, 1905, Vernon, Texas, U.S.

died Jan. 15, 1964, New Orleans, La.

U.S. jazz trombonist and singer.

He worked with two of the most popular bands of the early swing era, those of Ben Pollack (1928–33) and Paul Whiteman (1933–38). After leading his own group (1938–47), he joined Louis Armstrong's All Stars and recorded and toured with them internationally until 1951. Teagarden's trademark relaxed, bluesy approach was evident in both his playing and singing, his engaging Texas accent seeming to colour both.

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▪ American musician

byname of  John Weldon Teagarden  

born Aug. 20, 1905, Vernon, Texas, U.S.

died Jan. 15, 1964, New Orleans

 U.S. jazz trombonist, unique because he developed a widely imitated style that appeared to have arrived fully formed.

      Beginning on trombone at age seven, Teagarden was entirely self-taught. After drifting across the Southwest, he eventually arrived in New York City in 1927 and made his recording debut; from that moment he was the acknowledged master of his idiom. He led his own band (1939–47), played with Louis Armstrong (1947–51), and re-formed his band (1951–57); although he never achieved commercial success, he retained his full powers until the end of his life. His movies include Birth of the Blues (1941). His style was remarkable for its effortless flow of melodic ideas, technical poise, and the tender beauty of its overall effect. He was also an outstanding jazz singer. His voice, with an engaging Southern drawl, ranged somewhere between the rasp of Louis Armstrong and the smooth sound of Bing Crosby, with whom he was professionally associated from time to time.

      Jack's brother, Charlie Teagarden, played trumpet off and on in Jack's bands and did free-lance work for several well-known bandleaders, including Paul Whiteman, Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, and Bob Crosby.

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