Teddy Napoleon

Teddy Napoleon, the nephew of trumpeter Phil Napoleon as well as the older sibling of pianist Marty Napoleon, was the least-known from the 3 but he also had a productive profession. A talented swing-oriented pianist, Teddy experienced his 1st gig in 1933 with Lee Castle. He caused Tommy Tompkins for a couple years and freelanced in NY. Napoleon used the big rings of Johnny Messner and Bob Chester and in 1944 he became a member of Gene Krupa’s Orchestra. Teddy used Krupa on / off for 14 years including in his well-known trio with Charlie Ventura and of all of his big music group recordings from the 1944-49 period. Teddy was section of Krupa’s Trio throughout their niche figures with Jazz in the Philharmonic. The pianist also caused Flip Phillips, Expenses Harris and Eddie Shu. In 1959 he relocated to Florida (where Phil experienced relocated 3 years previously) and led his personal trio. Teddy’s primary impact was Teddy Wilson, but strangely plenty of he was by no means given an opportunity to lead his personal record date.