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 eight, picked up the banjo when he was fourteen and led his first band the following year. They stayed together until 1944.His own band hired several highly regarded musicians formerly with the Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Casa Loma orchestras. The band made its début at New York's Famous Door nightclub.Teddy's big band was very popular for a short time in 1939 while they were in New York. Irving Fazola, Pete Mondello, John Austin, Nick Caizza, Carmen Mastren, Ely Davis, Hugh Brown, S.J. Kramer, John Popa, Jerry Shane, Irwin Berken featured on his bands.Unfortunately, in 1941, the band lost all of its instruments in a disastrous fire at a nightclub in New Jersey.Teddy Powell retired from band-leading in 1954 and formed a music publishing company in New York City sometime prior to 1960 and prospered. The principal company, among many, was Tee Pee Music Co.
Worked for eleven years (1927-38) for band leader Abe Lyman as guitarist, violinist, banjoist, vocalist and arranger. Formed his own big band in New York in 1940, recording for Victor, Bluebird and Decca, appearing in ballrooms, theatres and nightclubs across the U.S.. Residencies at Arcadia, Famous Door and Rustic Cabin, New Jersey, where all of the band's instruments were lost in a fire in October 1941 (though, fortunately not the original scores for his arrangements). Powell reorganised and led several more orchestras, until 1953, when he quit the big band scene and worked in music publishing for his own company, Tee Pee Music Inc..
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American composer, guitarist, banjoist, violinist, arranger, singer and bandleader. Wrote many popular songs, including "Take Me Back to My Boots and Saddles" (ASCAP Award 1935), "March Winds and April Showers", "Unsuspecting Heart", "Bewildered", "If My Heart Could Only Talk" and "I Couldn't Believe My Eyes". Trained at the San Francisco Music Conservatory and Heald's Business College in Oakland, California. Member of ASCAP from 1935.
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Powell dodged the military draft during World War II by bribing a clerk to delay his induction. He consequently served five months of a 15-months jail sentence for "conspiracy to evade military service".
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One of Powell's vocalists was future TV star Gene Barry.
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His theme song was "Blue Sentimental Mood".
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Tu cara me suena
2016
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Kesäillan valssi
2008
TV Series writer - 1 episode
It Takes Two
2008
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Bank Job
2008
lyrics: "Unchain My Heart" / music: "Unchain My Heart" / writer: "Unchain My Heart"
Esti showder
2007
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Deutschland sucht den Superstar
2007
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Canadian Idol
2005
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Queens
2005
writer: "Unchain my Heart"
Ray
2004/I
writer: "Unchain My Heart"
Idol
2003
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Agent of Influence
2002
TV Movie writer: "UNCHAIN MY HEART"
Lakeuden kutsu
2000
writer: "Kuningaskobra Snake Charmer"
Enkelin silmin - 10-vuotisjuhlakonsertti
1999
TV Movie writer: "Kuningaskobra" Snake Charmer
Tuttu juttu
1999
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Der König von St. Pauli
1998
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Tammerkosken sillalla
1996
TV Series writer - 1 episode
All Men Are Liars
1995
writer: "Somebody's Thinking Of You Tonight"
Beavis and Butt-Head
1993
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Virtaset ja Kekkonen
1993
writer: "Kuningaskobra The Snake Charmer"
Boomerang
1992
"Bewildered"
Harlem Nights
1989
writer: "Heaven Help This Heart Of Mine"
Freedomfest: Nelson Mandela's 70th Birthday Celebratation
1988
TV Special documentary writer: "Unchain My Heart"
Pennies from Heaven
1978
TV Mini-Series writer - 1 episode
Shindig!
1965
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Ballad in Blue
1965
writer: "Unchain My Heart" - uncredited
Four Hits and a Mister
1962
Short writer: "Gotta See Baby Tonight" - as Freddie James
The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show
TV Series lyrics - 1 episode, 1958 music - 1 episode, 1958
Ranch Party
1957
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Basin Street Revue
1956
writer: "Bewildered" - uncredited
Show Time at the Apollo
1955
TV Series 1 episode
The Big Sombrero
1949
lyrics: "La Golondrina"
You Won't Be Satisfied Until You Break My Heart
1946
Short writer: "You Won't Be Satisfied Until You Break My Heart" - as Freddy James
Jam Session
1944
performer: "'Murder,' He Says"
Call of the Canyon
1942
writer: " Give Me Back My Boots And Saddle"
Frances Carroll & 'The Coquettes'
1940
Short writer: "Snake Charmer" - uncredited
Swing!
1938
lyrics: "Heaven Help this Heart of Mine" / music: "Heaven Help this Heart of Mine"
Boots and Saddles
1937
lyrics: "Take Me Back To My Boots and Saddle" 1935 - uncredited / music: "Take Me Back To My Boots and Saddle" 1935 - uncredited
Mail and Female
1937/II
Short music: "I Can't Go On Like This" - uncredited
The Gay Desperado
1936
"Lamento Gitano/Gypsy Lament"
The Border Patrolman
1936
lyrics: "Take Me Back To My Boots and Saddle" - uncredited / music: "Take Me Back To My Boots and Saddle" - uncredited
College Dads
1936
Short writer: "You've Got What It Takes" - uncredited
Heroes of the Range
1936
lyrics: "Take Me Back To My Boots and Saddle" 1935 - uncredited / music: "Take Me Back To My Boots and Saddle" 1935 - uncredited
The Phantom Ship
1936
Short writer: "You've Got What It Takes" - uncredited