| Me and My Father's Shadow: A Daughter's Quest and a Biography of Ted Lewis "The Jazz King" Dawn Willams |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| “Dawn Williams is an amazing woman who has written a remarkable book about her real father, the legendary band-leading icon, Ted Lewis.” |
| Gene Corman, producer of the Emmy-winning mini-series “Golda,” which starred Ingrid Bergman |
Pioneer of the Big Band Era, Star of Stage, Screen and
Radio, Ted Lewis ranks as one of the most influential
entertainers of the 20th Century. Famed for beginning his
shows with the admonition, "Is Everybody Happy," Lewis
had a show biz career in recording, radio, movie, television
and concerts that lasted for 50 years, from 1917 to 1967.
During the 1920s and into the mid-1930s, Lewis had a
number of million selling records, a rarity at the time, and
proved a favorite as the leader of a dance band. In Me and
My Father's Shadow, Dawn Williams, the daughter on
Ted Lewis, brings to life a man of varied talents who
captivated audiences across the country with such hits as
"I've Got a Million Wonderful Memories."
Radio, Ted Lewis ranks as one of the most influential
entertainers of the 20th Century. Famed for beginning his
shows with the admonition, "Is Everybody Happy," Lewis
had a show biz career in recording, radio, movie, television
and concerts that lasted for 50 years, from 1917 to 1967.
During the 1920s and into the mid-1930s, Lewis had a
number of million selling records, a rarity at the time, and
proved a favorite as the leader of a dance band. In Me and
My Father's Shadow, Dawn Williams, the daughter on
Ted Lewis, brings to life a man of varied talents who
captivated audiences across the country with such hits as
"I've Got a Million Wonderful Memories."
| Ted Lewis, playing himself, with famed comedians Abbott and Costello in "Hold" That Ghost" (1941) Click to Enlarge. |
| Youngest Clarinet Virtuoso: Spanky McFarland, diminutive "Our Gang" comedian, taking a clarinet lesson from Ted Lewis. Spanky and Ted appear together in a musical number from 1935 MGM production of "Here Comes the Band." Click to Enlarge. |
| Ted Lewis, "The Jazz King," and Sophie Tucker, "The Last of the Red Hot Mamas," combine talents as they perform one of their famous routes for radio. Click to Enlarge. |
| Ted Lewis and his Orchestra perform "Jazz Pirates" and "Lady Luck" with Noah Berry in Your Show of Shows in 1929, directed by John G Adolfi. Go to the Video Page to see more of Ted Lewis in action, powered by You Tube with more options following at the end of each video. |
| My and My Shadow: A Daughter's Quest and a Biography of Ted Lewis "The Jazz King" Dawn Williams |
|
|
|
|
Clarinetist Ted Lewis was born in Circleville, Ohio in 1890 and was
playing leading bands in Ohio as early as 1910. Ted formed a musical
as "Ted and Ed" which toured the Gus Sun Vaudeville circuit. When
his brother tired of show business Ted moved to New York and got a
job playing clarinet and saxophone at El Dorado Cafe in New York.
Ted then teamed up with a young singer named Jack Lewis and they
called their act "Lewis and Lewis". From then on Ted Friedman went
by the last name of Lewis. "Lewis and Lewis" disbanded after a
disastrous vaudeville tour of Canada in December of 1912 and
January of 1913 which left them broke and stranded. Ted briefly
returned to Circleville before moving to New York in 1915 where he
formed a band that played at the College Cabaret at Coney Island.
playing leading bands in Ohio as early as 1910. Ted formed a musical
as "Ted and Ed" which toured the Gus Sun Vaudeville circuit. When
his brother tired of show business Ted moved to New York and got a
job playing clarinet and saxophone at El Dorado Cafe in New York.
Ted then teamed up with a young singer named Jack Lewis and they
called their act "Lewis and Lewis". From then on Ted Friedman went
by the last name of Lewis. "Lewis and Lewis" disbanded after a
disastrous vaudeville tour of Canada in December of 1912 and
January of 1913 which left them broke and stranded. Ted briefly
returned to Circleville before moving to New York in 1915 where he
formed a band that played at the College Cabaret at Coney Island.
|
Domino Room and Rector's Supper Club in Manhattan. It was in Fuller's group that Ted
Lewis rose to fame and made his first recordings in 1917. The success of the Original
Dixieland Jess Band had opened the doors for other hot and novelty syncopated
orchestras and Earl Fuller's Famous Jazz Band was the most successful of the bunch.
Lewis' wild stage antics and crazy clarinet sound stole the show and by 1919 he had left
Fuller's band and started his own group which was featured in the "Passing Show of
1919" and the "Greenwich Village Follies" of 1919 through 1922. When not taking part in
these productions Lewis and his band were busy performing at Manhattan nightclubs
such as the Bal Tabarin and the Montmarte and recording for Columbia.
Lewis rose to fame and made his first recordings in 1917. The success of the Original
Dixieland Jess Band had opened the doors for other hot and novelty syncopated
orchestras and Earl Fuller's Famous Jazz Band was the most successful of the bunch.
Lewis' wild stage antics and crazy clarinet sound stole the show and by 1919 he had left
Fuller's band and started his own group which was featured in the "Passing Show of
1919" and the "Greenwich Village Follies" of 1919 through 1922. When not taking part in
these productions Lewis and his band were busy performing at Manhattan nightclubs
such as the Bal Tabarin and the Montmarte and recording for Columbia.
|
continued to be very successful throughout the rest of the decade and the 1930s. Lewis'
bands and records over the years featured many up-and-coming Jazz musicians
likeMuggsy Spanier, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, George Brunies, Jack Teagarden
and Fats Waller. He was renowned for his famous saying "Is Everybody Happy?".
Lewis wore a battered top hat on stage and was billed as the "High-hatted Tragedian of
Jazz" and "The Medicine Man for Your Blues".
There were three films made about Ted Lewis or starring him entitled "Is Everybody
Happy?". The first was made in 1929 starring Tod Todd as Ted. In 1942 Universal
made a musical short starring Lewis in 1942 with that title.
In 1943 Columbia Pictures made a movie about Lewis' life called "Is Everybody Happy?"
with Larry Parks playing Lewis (Parks also played Jolson in "The Al Jolson Story"). Ted
Lewis' career continued up into the 1960s appearing on TV and playing in Las Vegas.
bands and records over the years featured many up-and-coming Jazz musicians
likeMuggsy Spanier, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, George Brunies, Jack Teagarden
and Fats Waller. He was renowned for his famous saying "Is Everybody Happy?".
Lewis wore a battered top hat on stage and was billed as the "High-hatted Tragedian of
Jazz" and "The Medicine Man for Your Blues".
There were three films made about Ted Lewis or starring him entitled "Is Everybody
Happy?". The first was made in 1929 starring Tod Todd as Ted. In 1942 Universal
made a musical short starring Lewis in 1942 with that title.
In 1943 Columbia Pictures made a movie about Lewis' life called "Is Everybody Happy?"
with Larry Parks playing Lewis (Parks also played Jolson in "The Al Jolson Story"). Ted
Lewis' career continued up into the 1960s appearing on TV and playing in Las Vegas.
| Ted Lewis Photo Gallery Click Any Image to Enlarge |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| For Media Interviews Contact Promotion in Motion Irwin Zucker or Brad Butler 323-461-3921 irwinzuckerpr@aol.com brad@promotioninmotoin.net |
| A young Ted Lewis in the 1929 production of "Is Everybody Happy." The title became Ted Lewis' famous tag line during his live shows. Click to Enlarge |
Ted Lewis playing himself and performing
in "Follow the Boys" in 1944. This was
one of the all-star vehicles, where stars
played themselves, that the studios put
together as morale boosters during
World War II. Big productions showing
patriotism.
in "Follow the Boys" in 1944. This was
one of the all-star vehicles, where stars
played themselves, that the studios put
together as morale boosters during
World War II. Big productions showing
patriotism.
An older Ted Lewis as he nears the end
of a show business career that spanned
over 40 years and included everything
from Vaudeville to Broadway, radio and
movies and onto to television.
of a show business career that spanned
over 40 years and included everything
from Vaudeville to Broadway, radio and
movies and onto to television.
A product of Ohio, Ted Lewis became
famous for having fun with songs.
Equal parts singer, musician, actor
and comedian, Ted Lewis was truly a
diversely talented entertainer.
famous for having fun with songs.
Equal parts singer, musician, actor
and comedian, Ted Lewis was truly a
diversely talented entertainer.
Ted Lewis was well known as band leader
and singer, a man who could both make
his audiences laugh and swoon. Lewis is
credited with helping launch the Big Band
Era, considered by the many the Golden
Age of musical entertainment.
and singer, a man who could both make
his audiences laugh and swoon. Lewis is
credited with helping launch the Big Band
Era, considered by the many the Golden
Age of musical entertainment.
Ted Lewis dancing with one of his
shadows. Me and My Shadow was a
famous song that has been recorded
by dozens of singers. It was the last
song he performed at every live show.
shadows. Me and My Shadow was a
famous song that has been recorded
by dozens of singers. It was the last
song he performed at every live show.
A young Ted Lewis with his trademark
top hat. A favorite son of Circleville,
Ohio, Lewis was born Theodore
Leopold Friedman on June 6, 1891
and passed away on August 25, 1971
in New York City of a heart attack.
top hat. A favorite son of Circleville,
Ohio, Lewis was born Theodore
Leopold Friedman on June 6, 1891
and passed away on August 25, 1971
in New York City of a heart attack.
|
Ted Lewis the Big Band Leader found his
own style of showmanship and fun that
combined with musical entertainment
delighted audiences across the country.
own style of showmanship and fun that
combined with musical entertainment
delighted audiences across the country.
| Ted Lewis and his family. |
| "Entertainment Book of the Year Award" Book Publicists of Southern California |
|
Ted Lewis with his wife
Adah Becker, they
were married in 1915.
Adah Becker, they
were married in 1915.