The Teddy Charles Discography

Back to Teddy Charles page at Noal Cohen's Jazz History Website

Note: For conventions and abbreviations used in this discography, please see: Discography Key.

Chubby Jackson (ldr), Norman Faye, Al Porcino, Charlie Walp (t), Mario Daone, Rob Swope (tb), Frankie Socolow (as), Ray Turner, Al Young [Epstein] (ts), Marty Flax [Flachsenhaar] (bar), Teddy Charles (vib, bo), Gene DiNovi (p), Curly Russell (b), Tiny Kahn (d, v), Joe Harris (cng), Paula Castle (v)

Teddy Charles (bo) on a, d; Joe Harris (cng) on a, d; Paula Castle (v) on c; Tiny Kahn (v) on d.

The shout chorus on Tiny's Blues has been credited to Al Cohn. Teddy Charles solos on vibraphone on tracks b and d.

Chubby Jackson (ldr), Norman Faye, Al Porcino, Charlie Walp (t), Mario Daone, Rob Swope (tb), Frankie Socolow (as), Ray Turner, Al Young [Epstein] (ts), Marty Flax [Flachsenhaar] (bar), Teddy Charles (vib, bo), Gene DiNovi (p), Curly Russell (b), Tiny Kahn (d, v), Joe Harris (bo, cng), Chubby Jackson (con, v), Paula Castle (v)

Teddy Charles (bo) on b-c, f; Joe Harris (bo) on b-c, f; (cng) on b-c, f; Paula Castle (v) on d; Chubby Jackson (v) on e; Tiny Kahn (v) on e.

The personnel on this session is not known with certainty but probably resembles very closely that of the February 24, 1949 studio session. Jumpin' With Symphony Sid was the band's theme but is not listed. It is just a short version including Symphony Sid's spoken introduction leading into Tiny's Blues. Father Knickerbopper is listed as "Father Knickerbocker." Teddy Charles solos on vibraphone on tracks b, c, e and f. The scat vocalists on track e are presumed to be Chubby Jackson and Tiny Kahn.

Chubby Jackson (ldr), Norman Faye, Al Porcino, Charlie Walp (t), Rob Swope (tb), Frankie Socolow (as), Ray Turner, Al Young [Epstein] (ts), Marty Flax [Flachsenhaar] (bar), Teddy Charles (vib, bo), Gene DiNovi (p), Curly Russell (b), Tiny Kahn (d, v), Joe Harris (bo, cng), Chubby Jackson (con, v), Paula Castle (v)

Paula Castle (v) on d; Chubby Jackson (v) on e; Tiny Kahn (v) on e.

The personnel on this session is not known with certainty but probably resembles very closely that of the February 24, 1949 studio session. Track f is incomplete, fading out during a trombone solo, and is not listed. Track d is listed as "When You Love So Well." Track b is listed as "Father Knickerbocker." Teddy Charles solos on vibraphone on every track except d. The scat vocalists on track e are assumed to be Chubby Jackson and Tiny Kahn.

Buddy DeFranco (ldr), Buddy DeFranco (cl), Teddy Charles (vib), Jimmy Raney (g), Harvey Leonard (p), Bob Carter (b), Max Roach (d)

Florence Wright (ldr), Stan Webb (ts), Teddy Charles (vib), Mundell Lowe (g), Howard Biggs (p), Al Hall (b), Florence Wright (v)

Buddy DeFranco (ldr), Bernie Glow, Don Joseph, Dickie Mills, Dale Pierce (t), Frank Lane, Al Robertson, Fred Zito (tb), Andy Cicalese, Gene Quill (as), Buddy Arnold, Eddie Wasserman (ts), Danny Bank (bar), Buddy DeFranco (cl), Teddy Charles (vib), Teddy Corabi (p), Bill Anthony (b), Frank DeVito (d), Bonnie Richards (v)

Bonnie Richards (v) on c.

Teddy Charles solos on track a. Some sources indicate that "Body and Soul" was recorded on February 19, 1951 and that this session included a tune called "Rumpus Room." The information shown is taken from the Ruppli-Novitski MGM Label Discography and appears correct based on the sequence of matrix numbers.

Teddy Charles (ldr), Teddy Charles (vib), Don Roberts (g), Kenny O'Brien (b)

New Jazz 78 No. 838 was issued as "The Teddy Cohen Trio" with Teddy Cohen on vibes. Teddy Charles was born Theodore Charles Cohen.

Teddy Charles (ldr), Teddy Charles (vib), Jimmy Raney (g), Dick Nivison (b), Ed Shaughnessy (d)

Teddy Charles (ldr), Teddy Charles (vib, mar, x, glk), Hall Overton (p), Ed Shaughnessy (d)

Teddy Charles (ldr), Frank Morgan (as), Wardell Gray (ts), Teddy Charles (vib), Sonny Clark (p), Dick Nivison (b), Larance Marable (d)

Howard Rumsey (ldr), Bob Cooper, Stan Getz (ts), Jimmy Giuffre (bar), Teddy Charles (vib), Russ Freeman (p), Howard Rumsey (b), Shelly Manne (d)

Bob Cooper (ts) on b, d-f; Stan Getz (ts) on a-b, d-f; Jimmy Giuffre (bar) on b-f; Teddy Charles (vib) on b, d-f.

Teddy Charles (ldr), Chet Baker, Shorty Rogers (t), Jimmy Giuffre (ts), Teddy Charles (vib), Howard Roberts (g), Russ Freeman (p), Curtis Counce (b), Shelly Manne (d)

Chet Baker (t) on a; Shorty Rogers (t) on a; Jimmy Giuffre (ts) on a; Russ Freeman (p) on a.

This was a concert recorded by Cecil Charles Spiller.

Teddy Charles (ldr), Shorty Rogers (t), Teddy Charles (vib), Curtis Counce (b), Shelly Manne (d)

Shorty Rogers is listed as "Jolly Roger" on Prestige PRLP 164.

Teddy Charles (ldr), Shorty Rogers (t), Jimmy Giuffre (ts, bar), Teddy Charles (vib, p), Curtis Counce (b), Shelly Manne (d)

Jimmy Giuffre (ts) on a-c; (bar) on d; Teddy Charles (vib) on a-b, d; (p) on c.

Track d is a combination of two takes.

Teddy Charles (ldr), Bob Brookmeyer (vtb, p), Teddy Charles (vib), Teddy Kotick (b), Ed Shaughnessy (d), Nancy Overton (v)

Bob Brookmeyer (vtb) on a-c; (p) on c-d; Nancy Overton (v) on b.

The issue of track b on Prestige 78 No. 889 is edited with a timing of 2:12; the vibraphone and valve trombone solos are deleted resulting in a performance of essentially one chorus. Many thanks to Geoff Wheeler for noting this. Nancy Overton's "vocal" on this track is a dramatic recitation of the lyrics.

Sonny Terry (ldr), Sonny Terry (h, v), Teddy Charles (vib), Brownie McGhee (g), Lee Stanfield (b), Marty Wilson (d)

Sonny Terry discographer Chris Smith reports that the matrix number of Louise shown (3507) is from an inspected copy of the issue. This differs from that given in standard discographies (3501) and suggests that more than the four tracks listed may have been recorded at this session. The matrix numbers of the unissued titles are untraced. Groove was a subsidiary of RCA Victor.

Mundell Lowe (ldr), Teddy Charles (vib, cel), Mundell Lowe, Sal Salvador (g), Kenny O'Brien (b), Ed Shaughnessy (d)

Teddy Charles (vib) on b; (cel) on a.

Teddy Charles is listed as "Stix Kahn" on the LP. No vibraphone can be heard on track a but rather, a celeste which is not credited in the LP liner notes. Charles remembers playing this instrument on the recording session. Discographies indicate that Charles performs on other tracks of the LP recorded in March of 1954. However, the personnel assignments given in the LP liner notes reveal his presence only on these two tracks.

Important caveat regarding the Earl Bostic sessions below of October 8 & 9, 1954 and January 27, 1955: In 1959, in King Records' Cincinnati, OH studios, Earl Bostic rerecorded many tunes in stereo that had originally been done in mono. The personnel on the stereo sessions bear no resemblance to those of the earlier ones. Although the stereo tracks were given new matrix numbers, they were issued by King on LPs with the same title, catalog number and content as the original mono versions leading to great confusion.

Earl Bostic (ldr), Blue Mitchell, Eldridge Morris (t), Earl Bostic (as), Benny Golson (ts), Teddy Charles (vib), Jimmy Shirley (g), Stash O'Laughlin (p), George Tucker (b), Granville T. Hogan (d)

It should be noted that versions of some of the above titles which appear on the King stereo LPs 529 (Let's Dance With Earl Bostick) and 503 (Bostic For You) and the corresponding CD reissues KCD-529 and KCD-503 were actually recorded in March and June of 1959 with completely different ensembles. It should also be noted that the version of Liebestraum on See For Miles SEECD 720 is not the one from this session as claimed on the CD insert but rather, the stereo remake of June 10, 1959 with different personnel. I have not confirmed that track d is, in fact, the take issued on Definitive DRCD 11295.

Earl Bostic (ldr), Blue Mitchell, Eldridge Morris (t), Earl Bostic (as), Benny Golson (ts), Teddy Charles (vib), Jimmy Shirley (g), Stash O'Laughlin (p), George Tucker (b), Granville T. Hogan (d), Sonny Carter (v)

Blue Mitchell (t) on a, c-d; Eldridge Morris (t) on a, c-d; Benny Golson (ts) on a, c-d; Sonny Carter (v) on c-d.

It should be noted that versions of titles a and b which appear on the King stereo LPs 503 (Bostic for You - also CD reissue KCD 503) and 525 (Dance Time), respectively, were actually recorded in March of 1959 with completely different ensembles. No horns other than that of Bostic are audible on Sweet Lorraine. I have not confirmed that track b is, in fact, the take issued on Definitive DRCD 11295. Tracks c and d were originally issued under vocalist Sonny Carter's name.

Teddy Charles (ldr), J.R. Monterose (ts), Teddy Charles (vib), Charles Mingus (b), Jerry Segal (d)

Earl Bostic (ldr), Johnny Coles, Elmon Wright (t), Earl Bostic (as), Benny Golson (ts), Teddy Charles (vib), Jimmy Shirley (g), Stash O'Laughlin (p), George Tucker (b), Granville T. Hogan (d), Sonny Carter (v)

Sonny Carter (v) on g.

It should be noted that versions of titles a-f which appear on the King stereo LP 515 (Alto-Tude) were actually recorded in June of 1959 with completely different ensembles. I have not confirmed that tracks b and d are, in fact, the takes issued on Definitive DRCD 11295.

Earl 'Connelly' King (ldr), Henry Glover (t), Johnny Burdine (ts), Teddy Charles (vib), Mickey Baker (g), Leo Spann (b), Emmanuel Sims (d), Earl 'Connelly' King (v)

Robert 'Bubber' Johnson (ldr), David Van Dyke (ts), Teddy Charles (vib), Mickey Baker (g), Robert 'Bubber' Johnson (p, v), Wendell Marshall (b), Thomas J. Hunter (d)

The personnel is incomplete. Unknown backup singers, a harpist, reeds and a string section are present on this session.

Ralph Sharon (ldr), J.R. Monterose (ts), Teddy Charles (vib), Joe Puma (g), Ralph Sharon (p), Charles Mingus (b), Kenny Clarke (d)

J.R. Monterose is incorrectly listed as "Jack Montrose" and "J.R. Montrose" on the London LP jacket and his instrument is also wrongly listed as alto sax. Track j is listed as "Can't Get Out Of This Dream" on the LP jacket. A bongo drum is audible on track e which may be a simulation produced by Puma's guitar. The correct track order is as shown above (side 1: tracks a-f; side 2: tracks g-l) and not that given on the back of the LP jacket. Teddy Charles solos on tracks a, c, f-i, l. Fresh Sound CD 320 was issued under J.R. Monterose's name and is a collection of tracks from several sessions on which he was present.

Miles Davis (ldr), Miles Davis (t), Britt Woodman (tb), Teddy Charles (vib), Charles Mingus (b), Elvin Jones (d)

This session has been incorrectly listed in most sources, including the CD reissues, as having been recorded on July 9, 1955 at Rudy Van Gelder's studio.

Earl 'Connelly' King (ldr), David Van Dyke (ts), Teddy Charles (vib), Mickey Baker (g), Robert 'Bubber' Johnson (p), Wendell Marshall (b), Specs Powell (d), Earl 'Connelly' King (v)

Robert 'Bubber' Johnson (ldr), David Van Dyke (ts), Betty Glamann (hrp), Teddy Charles (vib), Mickey Baker (g), Arnold Jarvis (p), Wendell Marshall (b), Specs Powell (d), Robert 'Bubber' Johnson (v)

The personnel is incomplete. Unidentified additional reeds, backup vocalists and strings are present on this session.

Charles Mingus (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Eddie Bert, Britt Woodman (tb), John LaPorta (as, cl), Teo Macero (ts), Teddy Charles (vib), Mal Waldron (p), Charles Mingus (b), Elvin Jones (d)

Charles Mingus (ldr) on a-c, e-h; Art Farmer (t) on a-c, e-h; Eddie Bert (tb) on a-c, e-h; Britt Woodman (tb) on a-c, e-h; Teo Macero (ts) on a-c, e-h; John LaPorta (cl) on a-c, e-h; Teddy Charles (vib) on a-c, e-h; Mal Waldron (p) on a-c, e-h; Elvin Jones (d) on a-c, e-h.

This performance was a Voice of America radio broadcast which has, apparently, never been issued. It was part of a panel discussion "Jazz from the Inside Out" on Sunday afternoon of the 1955 Newport Jazz Festival. Tapes of this event are stored at the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress documentation indicates a title "Sounds of April" which is most likely a misidentification of Teo Macero's composition "Sounds of May." An online Charles Mingus discography lists "Non-sectarian" as one of the tracks performed but this title is not among those given in the Library of Congress documentation. I have not auditioned these performances.

Alonzo Levister (ldr), Louis Mucci (t), John LaPorta (as, cl), Lorin Bernsohn (vc), Teddy Charles (vib, per), Arne Gold (x, per), Alonzo Levister (p), Morris Lang (tmp), Jackson Wiley (con)

Teddy Charles (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Don Butterfield (tu), Gigi Gryce (as), J.R. Monterose (ts), George Barrow (bar), Teddy Charles (vib), Jimmy Raney (g), Mal Waldron (p), Teddy Kotick (b), Joe Harris (d)

Art Farmer was listed on the original LP issue (Atlantic 1229) as "Peter Urban."

Lavern Baker (ldr), John Barrows (fh), Sam 'The Man' Taylor (ts), Dave McRae (bar), Teddy Charles (vib), George Barnes (g), Ernie Hayes (p), Lloyd Trotman (b), Panama Francis (d), The Gliders (bkv), Lavern Baker (v)

I have found one source that indicates Teddy Charles was also present on the Atlantic Lavern Baker session of December 21, 1955 that produced "Jim Dandy," "Mine All Mine," "My Happiness Forever" and "Fee Fi Fo Fum" but this is as yet unconfirmed.

Teddy Charles (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Don Butterfield (tu), Gigi Gryce (as), J.R. Monterose (ts), George Barrow (bar), Teddy Charles (vib), Jimmy Raney (g), Mal Waldron (p), Teddy Kotick (b), Joe Harris (d)

Art Farmer was listed on the original LP issue (Atlantic 1229) as "Peter Urban."

Teddy Charles (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Don Butterfield (tu), Gigi Gryce (as), J.R. Monterose (ts), Sol Schlinger (bar), Teddy Charles (vib), Jimmy Raney (g), Mal Waldron (p), Teddy Kotick (b), Joe Harris (d)

Art Farmer was listed on the original LP issue (Atlantic 1229) as "Peter Urban."

Jimmy Tyler (ldr), Jimmy Tyler (as, ts), Teddy Charles (vib), Mickey Baker (g), Andy Gibson (p), Abie Baker (b), Cliff Leeman (d)

Thad Jones (t), Eddie Bert (tb), Lee Konitz (as), Al Cohn, Zoot Sims (ts), Serge Chaloff (bar), Tony Scott (cl), Teddy Charles (vib), Tal Farlow (g), Billy Taylor (p), Charles Mingus (b), Art Blakey (d)

The rest of this album features the Count Basie Band, Joe Williams, Ella Fitzgerald and George Wallington. An unissued take of Billie's Bounce, without Thad Jones, apparently exists.

Teddy Charles (ldr), Jon Eardley (t), Don Butterfield (tu), Gigi Gryce (as), Hal Stein (ts), George Barrow (bar), Teddy Charles (vib), Barry Galbraith (g), Hall Overton (p), Addison Farmer (b), Ed Shaughnessy (d), David Broekman (con)

David Broekman (con) on f.

Tapes of this Voice of America broadcast are held at the Library of Congress.

Jimmy Giuffre (ldr), Jimmy Giuffre (cl), Teddy Charles (vib), Percy Heath (b), Connie Kay (d)

Teddy Charles (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Eddie Bert (tb), Jim Buffington (frh), Don Butterfield (tu), Hal Stein (as), Bob Newman (ts), George Barrow (bar), Teddy Charles (vib), Jimmy Raney (g), Hall Overton (p), Addison Farmer (b), Ed Shaughnessy (d)

Eddie Bert (tb) on a; Jim Buffington (frh) on a.

Teddy Charles (ldr), Teddy Charles (vib), Hall Overton (p), Charles Mingus (b), Ed Shaughnessy (d)

Apparently, all titles were recorded on this date even though the matrix numbers are not in sequence and suggest two different sessions.

Gil Melle (ldr), Art Farmer (t), Hal McKusick (as), Zoot Sims (ts), Gil Melle (bar), Teddy Charles (vib), Joe Cinderella (g), Vinnie Burke (b), Ed Thigpen (d)

These 3 tracks were never issued on the original LP, Prestige 7063. The personnel has generated much controversy. Based apparently on information present on Prestige tape boxes now owned by Fantasy/Concord, the liner notes on the CD reissue omit Charles and Sims and erroneously list Phil Woods and Donald Byrd as the alto saxophonist and trumpeter, respectively. There is definitely a vibraphone audible. Bruyninckx's discography indicates no guitar present and Seldon Powell (ts), George Duvivier (b) and Shadow Wilson (d) as possible personnel. The personnel shown here is believed to be correct since it comes from an interview with Gil Melle done by Rudy Van Gelder historian Dan Skea in 1999.

Thad Jones (t), Frank Wess (ts, f), Teddy Charles (vib), Mal Waldron (p), Doug Watkins (b), Elvin Jones (d)

Frank Wess (ts) on c-d, f; (f) on a-b, e.

Teddy Charles (ldr), Idrees Sulieman (t), Teddy Charles (vib), Mal Waldron (p), Addison Farmer (b), Jerry Segal (d)

January 17, 1957 has also been given as the date of this session.

Idrees Sulieman (t), John Jenkins (as), Teddy Charles (vib), Mal Waldron (p), Addison Farmer (b), Jerry Segal (d)

John Jenkins (as) on a-e.

This ensemble was the Prestige Jazz Quartet augmented by Sulieman and Jenkins.

Teo Macero (ldr), Teo Macero (ts), Teddy Charles (vib), Mal Waldron (p), Addison Farmer (b), Jerry Segal (d)