Caption: Ted Lewis & his ubiquitous silk hat
Ted Lewis & his ubiquitous silk hat 

The Tragedian of Jazz

From: Guy Rathbun
Series: the Club McKenzie: Your 1920s Jazz Speakeasy
Length: 59:01

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He has one foot in vaudeville and one foot in jazz, and he was a show unto himself. Ted Lewis was the only popular bandleader who could show up without his orchestra, and still pack the house. Read the full description.

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While Theodore Leopold Friedman was still a teenager, he began performing in various vaudeville bands. He acquired his new name, Ted Lewis, when he teamed up with comedian Eddie Lewis, and was billed as "Lewis & Lewis."
But, in 1919 he made is first recording. His reputation soare

Also in the the Club McKenzie: Your 1920s Jazz Speakeasy series

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Composer and lyricist Jerome Kern summed up the life and work of Israel Baline (Irving Berlin) when he said, “Irving Berlin has no place in American music. He is American ...
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The Hawk: 40-years with Coleman Hawkins (58:58)
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Considered the first great tenor saxophonist in jazz, Coleman Hawkins was a child he was a gifted musician. In 1922, Mamie Smith spotted him in and hired him to play with her ...
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Billy Cotton: That Rhythm Man (58:57)
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Despite the vast popularity of "That Rhythm Man," as Billy Cotton was known, his recognition did not reach the states like the bands lead by Ambrose, Noble, Hilton and others.
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The Uke (58:57)
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The ukulele became as commonplace in the American parlor as the piano in the 1920s. Today we think of the tiny guitar as a Hawaiian instrument, when in reality, it was ...
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The Odd Couple (58:57)
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Sidney Bechet was one of the early jazz virtuosos. Born in New Orleans, he began his professional career long before jazz was put to wax. Then there was Mezz Mezzrow. ...
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Laughing in Rhythm (58:57)
From: Guy Rathbun

Laughter is the best medicine. But, it feels that today's musicians may be taking themselves too seriously. Here are selections from the 1920s to the '40s where some of the ...
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Pee Wee (58:57)
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Although he hailed from St. Louis, Charles Ellsworth “Pee Wee” Russell took his clarinet cues from New Orleans. Only now is he beginning to be recognized as one of the most ...
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The Wordsmiths (58:57)
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This program features those wonderfully talented lyricists of the 1920s who created such memorial songs as "Margie," "You Took Advantage of Me," "Three Little Words," "A Fine ...
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Hidden Messages (Pledge Drive Special) (49:30)
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As far back as the 1920s, jazz bands were performing music that had hidden messages inside their songs. Messages that asked their audience to pledge to public radio. Think ...

Piece Description

While Theodore Leopold Friedman was still a teenager, he began performing in various vaudeville bands. He acquired his new name, Ted Lewis, when he teamed up with comedian Eddie Lewis, and was billed as "Lewis & Lewis."
But, in 1919 he made is first recording. His reputation soare

Broadcast History

KCBX Public Radio

Musical Works

Title Artist Album Label Year Length
Milenberg Joys Ted Lewis & his Band LP 1925 02:46
Beale Street Blues Ted Lewis & his Band LP 1927 02:59
Memphis Street Blues Ted Lewis & his Band LP 1927 03:16
A Jazz Holiday Ted Lewis & his Band LP 1928 02:55
Glad Rag Doll Ted Lewis & his Band LP 1928 02:53
Tin Roof Blues Ted Lewis & his Band LP 1925 03:09
Where'd You Get Those Eyes? Ted Lewis & his Band LP 1926 02:47
Jungle Blues Ted Lewis & his Band LP 1928 02:46
Camel Walk Ted Lewis & his Band LP 1925 02:37
Some of These Days Ted Lewis & his Band LP 1926 02:50
She's Funny That Way Ted Lewis & his Band LP 1928 03:15
My Mama's in Town Ted Lewis & his Band LP 1926 02:57
Me and My Shadow Whispering Jack Smith LP 1926 03:12
That Certain Party Ted Lewis & his Band LP 1925 02:51
New St. Louis Blues Ted Lewis & his Band LP 1926 02:54
Hello! Montreal Ted Lewis & his Band LP 1928 02:41
Goodnight (excerpt) Ted Lewis & his Band LP 1927 01:13