Jack Teagarden, Red River Valley Museum, Vernon Texas. (original) (raw)
There are a few mementos of Jack Teagarden and his career. Born Weldon Leo in 1905 he entered a family of musicians. His father played cornet and his mother played both organ and piano.
He played piano at fiveand trombone at seven. While waiting for his arms to grow he occasionally played French horn.
He played duets with his mother at the local movie house to accompany the silent films.
A piano - trombone duet is a rare treat and their performances probably hastened the invention of "talkies."
In 1926 he went to New York and joined Doc Ross' Jazz Bandits. This isn't important, but we like the name Jazz Bandits. Jazz Bandits Jazz Bandits Jazz Bandits. His unique playing style and raspy vocals made him unique as a musician and bandleader which he later became. He died in New Orleans in 1964.
The museum has only a desk (a small secretary) that belonged to his family, a trombone that may or may not be his, and a trophy he was awarded by Esquire magazine in the 1940s.
Jazz enthusiasts, mostly from Europe, make a pilgrimage here, and are disappointed by how little Vernon has on "The Big T." His sister Norma died only a few years ago and was a jazz pianist who was playing in San Francisco as late as 1995.
A Canadian documentary-maker has recorded a one-hour video on Jack's life, which may be shown on PBS stations.
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