Ted Lewis and His Band: The King of Jazz and Hokum

Ted Lewis and His Band was a defining American jazz and novelty ensemble led by charismatic showman and clarinetist Ted Lewis. Hailing from Circleville, Ohio, the band achieved massive commercial success in the 1920s and 1930s, selling millions of records and becoming one of the most popular acts of the early big band era.

Early career

Theodore Leopold Friedman was born in 1890 and began his career as a teenage clarinetist in traveling circuses and minstrel shows. After forming his first band, he adopted the stage name Ted Lewis and began a long residency at New York's prestigious Rector's restaurant in 1919, which led to his first recording contract with Columbia Records.

Breakthrough

The band's national breakthrough came in the early 1920s, fueled by Lewis's signature phrase "Is everybody happy?" and a string of hit records. Their 1922 recording of "When My Baby Smiles at Me" became a massive seller, solidifying their status and leading to high-profile appearances in Broadway revues and early sound films.

Key tracks

When My Baby Smiles at Me — This 1922 hit became the band's theme song and a million-selling record, establishing their joyful, accessible jazz sound.

Me and My Shadow — A 1927 feature for vocalist and comic sidekick Eddie Chester, this song exemplified the band's popular blend of music and vaudeville-style entertainment.

On the Sunny Side of the Street — Lewis's 1930 recording of this Jimmy McHugh standard showcased the band's ability to deliver upbeat, memorable melodies that dominated radio play.

Just a Gigolo — The band's 1931 version brought this international song to a wide American audience, highlighting Lewis's distinctive, reedy vocal delivery.

St. James Infirmary — Their rendition of this blues standard demonstrated the band's genuine jazz roots behind the hokum and stagecraft.

The band's success continued through the 1930s with constant touring, radio broadcasts, and film appearances. Lewis was a master talent scout, featuring legendary musicians like trombonist George Brunies and, famously, a young Benny Goodman in his early career. Despite changing musical tastes, Lewis adapted his show and continued performing on stage and television into the 1960s, preserving the spirit of the Jazz Age for new generations.

Fans of the classic early jazz and vaudeville-inspired showmanship of Ted Lewis and His Band also enjoy the music of Paul Whiteman. Whiteman similarly led a massively popular orchestra that brought jazz-influenced music to the mainstream. The playful novelty style can be heard in the work of The Mills Brothers, who mastered close harmony vocals within a jazz and pop framework. For the hot jazz energy that underlay Lewis's showmanship, listen to Benny Goodman, who famously played in Lewis's band before becoming the "King of Swing." The enduring appeal of early 20th century pop is also found with Al Jolson, another consummate entertainer who dominated the same era.

The music of Ted Lewis and His Band remains a staple on classic jazz and nostalgia radio stations. Their recordings are regularly featured on dedicated big band FM stations and online radio streams that celebrate the golden age of American popular music, ensuring their sound continues to reach listeners.

You can hear the timeless jazz and novelty hits of Ted Lewis and His Band on radio stations featured on onairium.com. Discover this foundational act of early 20th century music by tuning into the classic entertainment stations available on our platform.