Teddy Wilson, Piano, 1912, Austin, TX
Teddy grew up in Tuskegee, Alabama, and briefly studied music at Talladega College. In the early '30s he worked with Louis Armstrong and Jimmie Noone in Chicago before moving to New York to join Benny Carter's band. He played informally with Benny Goodman until 1936 when he officially joined BG's band, becoming one of the first black musicians to appear prominently with white artists. He remained with Goodman until 1939, performing and recording on some of the most successful jazz recordings of the period. Around 1950 he was an instructor at the Juilliard School Of Music, an early instance of the recognition of jazz by an important conservatory. Wilson was the most important pianist of the swing era. He had a percussive style, with single-note lines that was indebted to Earl Hines. He used the full range of the piano, often changing register and texture. His solos served as models for countless pianists of the late swing period. Teddy Wilson died in 1986.
Al Cohn, Saxophone, 1925, New York, NY
Al studied piano from the age of 6, and clarinet from the age of 12, finally taking up the tenor sax while in his teens. In the mid '40s he played and wrote for Joe Marsala, Georgie Auld, Boyd Raeburn, and Buddy Rich. In 1948 he replaced Herbie Steward in Woody Herman's band and became part of the sax section known as the Four Brothers. He married Mary Ann McCall, the singer in Woody's band. He later worked as a freelance with Elliot Lawrence and Artie Shaw among others. From the early '80s he teamed up with Zoot Sims to form one of the most popular duo's in jazz history. They were both influenced by Lester Young, but Cohn's tone was slightly warmer than Zoot's. Cohn had a broad, heavy tone and played in an uncomplicated style. His arranging remains some of the finest, even by today's standards. Al Cohn died in 1988.
Wild Bill Davis, Organ, 1918, Glasgow, MO
