Teddy Wilson

Theodore Shaw Wilson was an American jazz pianist, arranger and bandleader born in Austin, Texas in 1912. He rose to prominence in the 1930s as a member of Benny Goodman’s trio and quartet, becoming one of the first Black musicians to perform regularly with a white ensemble in the swing era. Wilson led his own small groups, recorded extensively for Brunswick and Columbia, and accompanied Billie Holiday on many of her classic sides. His light, elegant touch and harmonic sophistication influenced generations of pianists; he later taught at Juilliard and the University of California, Berkeley. Wilson remained active until his death in 1986.