Synopsis
Studs Terkel and John McDonough talk with jazz pianist Teddy Wilson about his influences and career. Wilson was initially strongly influenced by Fats Waller and later came to highly admire Earl Hines. He adapted their clean and clear piano style to his own work. Wilson aspired to be a classical musician but felt he could not attain the performance level required because his time was spent in jazz. He was an original member of the Benny Goodman trio alongside both Goodman and Krupa. He was a part of the first inter racial group to play in public. Wilson had the ability to dominate as a pianist soloist and enhance the vocalist performances of the likes of Billie Holiday and Mildred Bailey as their accompanist. The Teddy Wilson Sextet included Edmond Hall on clarinet, Emmett Barry on trumpet, Benny Morton on trombone, Sid Catlet on drums, and Johnny Williams on bass. Teddy Wilson was very impressed by the book by Nat Shapiro called " Hear Me Talkin to Ya: The Story of Jazz as Told By the Men Who Made It." Wilson was playing the Ritz Carlton and took the time to meet with Terkel.