Clarinetist Ted Lewis was born in Circleville, Ohio in 1890 and led bands in Ohio as early as 1910. He moved to New York in 1915 played at the College Cabaret at Coney Island and soon afterward joined Earl Fuller's band at Rector's supper club in Manhattan. It was in Fuller's group that he rose to fame. The success of the Original Dixieland Jass Band opened the doors for other hot and novelty syncopated orchestras and Earl Fuller's Famous Jazz Band was the most successful of the bunch. Lewis' wild stage antics and crazy clarinet sound stole the show and by 1919 he had left Fuller's band and started his own group. Ted Lewis and his Band was one of the most popular jazz bands of the period. His popularity remained high throughout the 1920s and 1930s. Lewis' bands and records over the years featured many up-and-coming musicians like Muggsy Spanier, Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, George Brunies, Jack Teagarden and Fats Waller. He was renowned for his famous saying "Is Everybody Happy?". Lewis wore a battered top hat on stage and was billed as the "High-hatted Tragedian of Jazz" and "The Medicine Man for Your Blues". There were three films made about Ted Lewis or starring him entitled "Is Everybody Happy?". The first was made in 1929 starring Tod Todd as Ted. In 1942 Universal made a musical short starring Lewis in 1942 with that title. In 1943 Columbia Pictures made a movie about Lewis' life called "Is Everybody Happy?" with Larry Parks playing Lewis (Parks also played Jolson in "The Al Jolson Story"). Ted Lewis' career continued up into the 1960s appearing on TV and playing in Las Vegas.

Here is a special bonus recording by Ted Lewis and his Band from the 1929 talkie movie "The Show Of Shows". The band performs the songs "Bold Pirates" and "Lady Luck".

If you are in southern Ohio be sure to check out the Ted Lewis Museum which has on display memorabilia of the legendary jazz musician, Ted Lewis. The museum features the Ted Lewis Theater which provides guests with an opportunity to see Ted Lewis in performance by means of tapes from his movies and TV appearances. The museum is open 1-5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Group tours are available by appointment. Call(740) 474-3231 or (740) 474-3834 for details. The Ted Lewis Museum is located at 133 West Main Street, P.O. Box 492, Circleville, Ohio.

Thanks to Dennis Pereya and Uncle Dave Lewis for their help with this page.