Wolverine Blues – 1952
Jack Teagarden
Some hard-charging Dixieland from one of the great trombonists
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In the late 1920s, Jack Teagarden helped liberate the trombone from its former role as a largely-harmony instrument that was used to play percussively behind a trumpet or cornet lead; Teagarden was as strong a soloist as any trumpeter
While he led a swing big band during 1939-46, during much of his career he was featured in freewheeling Dixieland-oriented settings.
This Snader Telescription from Feb. 22, 1952, which was made for television, has Teagarden leading an all-star band that includes his brother trumpeter Charlie Teagarden, tenor-saxophonist Pud Brown, clarinetist Don Bonnee, pianist Marvin Ash, bassist Ray Leatherwood and drummer Ray Bauduc.
Ash, Brown and Charlie Teagarden get solos before Jack Teagarden makes a superior if effortless statement which is highlighted by his unaccompanied break.
A fine example of hot jazz.
-Scott Yanow
