Teddy Bunn
Teddy Bunn (May 7, 1910 - July 20, 1978) was an American jazz and blues guitarist.
Biography
Largely self-taught, Bunn first gained recognition when he recorded with Duke Ellington in 1929 and played with the Washboard Rhythm Kings in the late-1920s / early-1930s period. A few years later, he was one of the stars with the Spirits of Rhythm (which played regularly at the Onyx Club). During 1938-40 Bunn recorded with Jimmie Noone, Johnny Dodds, Trixie Smith, J.C. Higginbotham, Sidney Bechet, Lionel Hampton and was on the famous Mezz Mezzrow-Tommy Ladnier sessions.
In addition, he made four unaccompanied solos for Blue Note. Switching to electric guitar, Bunn led his own groups in the 1940s and rejoined the Spirits of Rhythm. In the 1950s, he played R&B with a variety of groups (including Jack McVea, Edgar Hayes and Louis Jordan). Although fairly obscure after the early 1940s, Bunn worked regularly until the late 1960s when health problems forced his retirement.
Frank Zappa and Teddy Bunn
When Frank Zappa played at The Village Inn and Barbecue, the club was owned by a woman named Thelma, who was the wife of Teddy Bunn. [1]
Frank Zappa mentioned Teddy Bunn in the sleeve of Freak Out! (1966), under the heading:"These People Have Contributed Materially In Many Ways To Make Our Music What It Is. Please Do Not Hold It Against Them".
Zappa would also mention Thelma and Teddy (Bunn) in his song Village Of The Sun.
