Lover – 1951
Jack Teagarden
The masterful trombonist plays one of his most famous solos
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Jack Teagarden (1905-64) was one of the greatest jazz trombonists of all time in addition to being an excellent jazz singer.
Teagarden’s arrival on the jazz scene in the late 1920s caused most trombonists to re-evaluate their own style; he played with the authority of a trumpeter, could play lead when called for, and always created bluesy solos.
While mostly associated with Dixieland groups after he broke up his big band in 1946, Teagarden was a more sophisticated soloist than most in that genre.
That fact can be seen in his solo on “Lover,” a song on which he always whipped through the chord changes with ease while creating melodic ideas.
This version from 1951 is a showcase for Teagarden who is joined by his brother trumpeter Charlie Teagarden, clarinetist Don Bonnee, tenor-saxophonist Puld Brown, altoist Heinie Beau, pianist Marvin Ash, bassist Ray Leatherwood and drummer Ray Bauduc.
-Scott Yanow
Ella Fitzgerald