Ted Weems
b. 26 September 1901, Pitcairn, Pennsylvania, USA, d. 6 May 1963. After starting out on violin Weems switched to trombone, the instrument also favoured by his brother, Art. In 1923 the brothers formed their own band and soon afterwards Ted Weems decided to concentrate on simply leading the band. They became very popular during the later part of the '20s, appealing to dancers mostly in and around Chicago with their sophisticated playing and also through their decision to feature singers. Among those who sang successfully with the band were Marilyn Maxwell, Country Washburn and Perry Como. Also popular were whistler Elmo Tanner and saxophonist-cum-novelty-vocalist Red Ingle. The band had a number of big-selling records, among them My Baby Just Cares For Me and Nola, the latter featuring Tanner. The whistler also appeared on a record, HEARTACHES, made and released in 1933, which became an unexpected million-selling hit in 1947. Weems was the composer of Jig Time and The Martins And The Coys.