Teddy Powell

Teddy Powell (Teodoro Paolella, March 1, 1905, Oakland, California - November 17, 1993, New York) was an American jazz guitarist, composer and big band leader. Some of his compositions were under the pseudonym Freddy James. Teddy spent several years with the Abe Lyman band where he also served as a vocalist, arranger and helped out on the business side of things. Powell began playing violin when he was 8, picked up the banjo when he was 14 and led his first band the following year. They stayed together until 1944.