Teddy Powell
American jazz musician and bandleader (1905–1993)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Teddy Powell (born Teodoro Paolella; March 1, 1905 – November 17, 1993)[1] was an American jazz musician, band leader, composer, and arranger. Some of his compositions were written under the pseudonym Freddy James.
March 1, 1905
Teddy Powell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Freddy James |
| Born | Teodoro Paolella March 1, 1905 Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Died | November 17, 1993 (aged 88) New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, swing |
| Occupations | Musician, bandleader |
| Instrument | Guitar |
| Labels | Decca, Bluebird |
Born in Oakland, California, Powell began playing violin when he was eight years old and picked up the banjo when he was fourteen.[2] During the late 1920s to the early 1930s, he was a member of the Abe Lyman orchestra,[3] taking on the additional tasks of gathering radio bands. He formed the Teddy Powell Orchestra in 1939 and it performed through the 1940s.[3] Powell's sidemen included Tony Aless, Gus Bivona, Pete Candoli, Irving Fazola, and Charlie Ventura, but his best sideman left for better paying work.[2]
"Snake Charmer", a song Powell published in 1937 (with lyrics by Leonard Whitcup), is still a popular song among partner dancers in Finland, where it is usually performed as a translation: "Kuningaskobra fi"). It placed 69th on the 1952–1959 Finnish charts,[4] and is still being recorded by modern performers, as listed in the recordings database of the Finnish national broadcasting company Yle.[5]
After the band folded, Powell wrote music and arrangements.[3] He had hits with "Bewildered" and "If My Heart Could Only Talk". During the latter part of his career, he worked in music publishing.[2]
Powell moved to Newark, New Jersey, where he opened his club Teddy P's.[6][7][8] managed by Clarence Avant.