Research topic: Jack Teagarden

Jack Teagarden (Weldon Leo Teagarden), 1905-64, American jazz trombonist and singer, b. Vernon, Tex. One of the earliest white bluesmen, he came from a jazz-playing family and was mainly self-taught. He sometimes played with his brothers, trumpeter Charlie and drummer Cub, and sister, pianist Norma. In his twenties Teagarden wandered across America's Southwest, playing in several jazz groups, and arrived in New York in 1927. He played in bands led by Ben Pollack (1928-33), Paul Whiteman (1933-38), and Louis Armstrong (1947-51), and also led his own groups (1939-47; 1951-57). He began... Read more