Finding the Groove: Pioneers of Jazz in India — Teddy Weatherford
A series of exhibitions of early jazz musicians in India.
American Institute of Indian Studies
The exhibitions are based on archival materials collected by Naresh Fernandes at the Archives and Research Center for Ethnomusicology, AIIS
Teddy Weatherford with the Hutson SistersAmerican Institute of Indian Studies
Teddy Weatherford and the Hutson sisters
Pianist Teddy Weatherford had cut his teeth on jazz in 1920s Chicago, even playing alongside the great Louis Armstrong.
He is seen here with the Hutson Sisters and can be heard accompanying them on this track.
Teddy Weatherford in Asia
Shanghai’s nightlife in the 1930s played host to African American musicians, the most popular among whom was Teddy Weatherford. He used Shanghai as his base to travel through Asia. In 1935, Wetherford was invited to join Crickett Smith’s band to play for a season in East Java.
Teddy Weatherford: An African-American jazzman in India
Weatherford arrived in India in 1935 and spent a decade entertaining audiences in Bombay and Calcutta. During his career in India, he performed with practically all the early Indian jazz pioneers.
Teddy Weatherford BandOriginal Source: Christine Correa and the Correa Family
Teddy Weatherford at the Taj
In the 1930s Weatherford played at the Taj, Bombay. Other performers included Crickett Smith, Roy Butler, Josic Menzie, Henry Green, George Leonadi, Luis Moreno, and Luis Pedroso. Frank Fernand was a member of the band, as was Micky Correa.
Teddy WeatherfordOriginal Source: Christine Correa and the Correa Family
The Teddy Weatherford Band playing "The Darktown Strutters Ball
Teddy Weatherford moved to Calcutta in 1941 where he married Anglo-Indian Pansy Hill. He played at the iconic Grand Hotel in Calcutta. After the racism of the US South, India seemed remarkably welcoming. Asked why he continued to live in India he is supposed to have responded, "They treat us white folks just fine."
Teddy Weatherford 78 rpm disc labelsOriginal Source: Marco Pacci
Teddy Weatherford on record
The pianist cut more than 70 songs with a host of Indian sidemen while he was in India.
Teddy Weatherford's obituaryOriginal Source: Jehangir Dalal
Calcutta mourns Teddy Weatherford
Weatherford died in Calcutta in April, 1945, a victim of a cholera epidemic. In a testament to his popularity, more than 40,000 people lined the streets as his casket was carried to the Lower Circular Road Cemetery.
Credits for images and materials: Marco Pacci.
Curation and content: Naresh Fernandes
Content editors - Ishita Mehta
Project Director: Shubha Chaudhuri
Based on the Taj Mahal Foxtrot and materials contributed by Naresh Fernandes at the Archives and Research Center for Ethnomusicology, American Institute of Indian Studies
Acknowledgements: The Correa Family and Jehangir Dalal for images.
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