by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
Four years ago, Teddy Washington was honored in Orlando with a prestigious Onyx Award for Excellence in Entertainment. Indeed, Teddy is an American musical icon in the same league as B.B. King and Ray Charles, and I’m honored to have him as my friend.
Over his illustrious career spanning more than fifty years, Teddy has played with or partied with the biggest names in the biz, including Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, and many other late great artists and living legends such as Tony Bennett.
From the early 1950s to the 1960s, Teddy was the lead trumpet player, back-up vocalist and Musical Director for The James Brown Band. In the mid-1960s, Teddy co-starred with Ann Margaret in the movie CC Rider.
Through the 1970s, Teddy was a headline performer at many famous big city theaters, including The Palladium in Los Angeles, The Paramount Theatre on Broadway, The Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C., and the Apollo Theatre in Harlem.
From 1984 through 1998, Teddy wrote, arranged and produced four albums. Through the heyday of the Jacksonville Jazz Festival (1980-1999), Teddy was a frequent headliner. He returned for the reincarnation of the JJF in 2002.
Remarkably, Teddy’s apartment is a mini-museum of American musical history over the last fifty years. He has photographs of himself with every major dude in the biz, including some rare photos of himself. On Teddy’s Wall of Fame is the most impressive piece of framed memorabilia: four multi-platinum selling commemorative CDs awarded to Teddy personally for his work as an artist, writer, and arranger with James Brown on: James Brown Golden 30 Hits, James Brown Plays New Breed, James Brown Live, and Lowdown at the Apollo, and Brown’s megahit album, Live at The Apollo.
Again Friday, September 7, at 7:30 pm, Teddy is producing and performing in his 3rd annual tribute to local musical luminaries called Teddy Washington’s Follies at the Florida Theatre. Last Wednesday, I called my friend Teddy to get the details of this much anticipated annual event.
EU: Well, its been awhile since we have chatted, but I wanted to find out the details of this 3rd annual Follies.
Teddy Washington: This year will be different, I’m calling the show “The Land of Make Believe.” Arthur Crofton is the emcee this year. This year we have a really nice trophy made of marble. Last year we gave away plaques. The opening scene will be a dance number with professional dancers. Carson Mary Bailey, who is a theater vocalist and actor will be receiving an award. Then we will be awarding a trophy to Jeno Gonzales followed by Rick Marino, Jax’s own Elvis Tribute Artist. And we will be featuring the Jaguar Dancers.
EU: It seems as though the show is much more visual with the dancers this year. Have you expanded the parameters of artists receiving awards?
TW: Yes, I wanted to make the show more entertaining, like a real showcase, not just people getting awards.
EU: So what other surprises do you have in store?
TW: Well, Sam Rivers, who played with Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis, is coming up from Orlando to receive an award. But I’m really excited about having Jahaan Sweet, a fourteen-year old piano prodigy who will be performing. He’s going to blow some minds in the audience. Also, Rita Champ and Emma Shipp will participate in my James Brown tribute set. Yes, I have some other surprises that I don’t want to give away until the show.
We talked on about old times and our long friendship. We talked about health and life. This show is well worth seeing and pays tribute to much of our famous local talent. Of course, Teddy himself is a national and local treasure. Tickets are available at the Florida Theatre box office.
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EU Critic’s Choice Awards
