Teddy Buckner

by Scott YanowA strong Dixieland player, Teddy Buckner spent most of his career emulating his idol Louis Armstrong, not really developing a sound of his own despite having impressive technique. He worked on the West Coast in the 1930s, and was with Buck Claytons orchestra in Shanghai, China (1934). Louis Armstrongs stand-in on the 1936 film Pennies From Heaven, Buckner never attempted to advance with the times. He worked with Benny Carter (1945-1948), Lionel Hampton (1947-1948), and most notably with Kid Orys Creole Jazz Band (1949-1954). Starting in 1955, Buckner led his own Dixieland group, and he held his own with the fiery Sidney Bechet at a few French concerts in 1958. Buckner worked regularly for a long period with his band at Disneyland (1965-1981), and through the years recorded several albums for GNP/Crescendo and its subsidiary Dixieland Jubilee.