By Vanessa Lantos Daly (Spicy Melon)
Feb. 5, 2025 – One of the true highlights of 2024 was the opportunity and honor of attending Teddy Adams’ 83rd birthday concert. It was one of those events where you arrive expecting a great night and end up discovering a wonder. Not only was the performance sensational, but the energy in the room was absolutely electric. It turned out to be one of the best writing assignments I had all year.
During the event, I spoke with Teddy’s family and friends, all of whom shared in their love and admiration for both the man and his extraordinary talent. Mr. Teddy is a man of few words, but he speaks volumes through his performance and his infectious smile. He was gracious enough to let me greet him, shake his hand, and take a photograph with him.
I genuinely thought that would be our only interaction.
A few days after the interview, Mr. Teddy himself called me—to thank me for the article and to personally ask if I would write about his upcoming book.
I was in awe.
Surely, Teddy Adams has connections and fans in abundance—anyone would be eager to write about his new book. In fact, the news had already jumped at the chance.
But Mr. Teddy doesn’t let fame or recognition get to his head. He even complimented my writing in the article I had written about him—with that same warm smile.
I was speechless. The whole experience felt surreal.
Upon my first visit to Mr. Teddy’s, he casually handed me a copy of his new book with a proud smile. He even said, “Don’t worry, it’s not very long.” Then, sheepishly, he added, “We’ll do the interview after you read it.”
Mr. Teddy is careful not to overwhelm new acquaintances. I can see why he is a kind, fatherly figure to so many.
I was grateful and excited, but something didn’t feel quite right. This book is a continuation of his first, which was published seven years ago. If I was going to truly understand his story, I needed to start from the beginning.
So, I got the first book as well, cozied up, and read them both.
What makes a world-class trombonist want to write a book—or two?
Let me be completely honest: while I’ve always enjoyed jazz, I was an amateur when it came to its history and significance in Savannah. Being introduced to Mr. Teddy and reading his books opened a whole new world to me—one that had always seemed like an exclusive secret club with velvet curtains. But now, I see that the doorman welcomes you with a smile.
Even more impressive is the deep connection between, as Mr. Teddy often says, “the art form commonly referred to as jazz” and Savannah’s history.
While these books are biographical, Mr. Teddy narrates from the perspective of an amused and grateful spectator—someone who has seen, eaten, and drank it all.
His first book, The Up of the Down Beat, is a fascinating account of how the influences around him shaped him into the musician he is today—from Savannah to Charleston, DC, Tokyo, and beyond. It explores how the relationships and connections he fostered allowed him to be surrounded by immense talent and experiences that defined his life. Most importantly, it highlights how different it was to be a musician in the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s and how the music scene varied across the world, from Colombia to Russia.
His storytelling style brought a smile to my face on several occasions, with lines like, “I witnessed and experienced some things that will not be mentioned in this book but are indelible in my mind,” and “Washington, DC, was a bachelor’s paradise.”
For all the locals in Savannah who love history, this book is an amazing read. One of the most fascinating and unexpected aspects is its glimpse into Savannah in the 1950s. For example, MLK Boulevard was then called West Broad Street, which Mr. Teddy describes as the place where “the foundation for surviving as a person and as a musician was solidly laid.”
A proud Savannahian, Mr. Teddy always acknowledges and thanks his mentors and influences as he tells his story. He sprinkles in fascinating facts, such as how there was no formal music training in Savannah’s public schools in the early 1950s. His narrative is cheerful and full of amazement at where his journey has taken him—despite limited opportunities and socio-economic disadvantages.
But Mr. Teddy is not your typical musician. He’s an Air Force veteran and was a professor at Savannah State University for 20 years. Since 1976, he has also been a key figure in reviving Savannah’s jazz scene, playing a major role in the yearly Christmas Concert and Jam Session, as well as the annual Savannah Jazz Festival. The festival, which has always been free to the public, continues to bring incredible talent to the city every year.
Mr. Teddy’s second book is a natural continuation of his first. In fact, I highly recommend reading them back-to-back.
The first half of Keepin’ the Beat paints a fascinating roadmap of clubs and establishments in Savannah and the surrounding areas that have shaped the city’s jazz legacy and history. It serves as both an insider’s guide to the best places to enjoy live music and a tribute to the musicians who have performed there. His narrative style is often filled with wonder and pride, as if he still can’t quite believe he was part of so much history.
The second half of the book is a heartfelt dedication to the musicians he has admired and played with over the years. It’s a candid collection of short profiles, written with love and admiration, shining a light on both legendary and local jazz talents. This section introduced me to many incredible artists, but I was especially drawn to learning more about the Eric Jones Trio.
The final pages feature what he calls “trivias”—significant events, memorable conversations, and references to moments from his first book. This is why I strongly recommend reading the first book first; it allows you to fully appreciate the journey and become as invested as I did.
After finishing both books, I visited Mr. Teddy at his home for an interview—but it didn’t feel like an interview. It felt like a friendly conversation.
Talking with Mr. Teddy for an hour felt like just ten minutes. It’s that easy to lose track of time in his presence.
When reflecting on the stories he chose to include in his books, Mr. Teddy shared:
“I chose the things that had an impact on me. Some of them were comical, some of them were very, very serious. But I knew, at the time they were happening, that they would not be forgotten. I didn’t really envision writing a book, but there are just some things you know are worth telling.”
Why does this matter?
For me, having called Savannah home for almost 20 years, reading history and personal stories from such an intimate perspective hits differently. It feels like being part of something bigger—not because of Teddy Adams’ name or recognition, but because of the pure and heartfelt way he tells his story.
For those who know him personally or follow his music, I’m sure the significance is immeasurable.
There are no fame exploits, no tales of drugs or women lighting up the pages—though, let’s be honest, that would probably sell books. Instead, what fills these pages is an endless, genuine admiration and gratitude for those who supported him and played a role in his journey.
He keeps it real.
When I asked if we should expect a third book, he replied:
“I’m still thinking. There is so much that still wasn’t included. But I’m almost sure that a third book is not going to happen.”
I suggested he starts a blog to continue sharing his memoirs and funny bits. I’ll keep you posted if that happens!
For now, Mr. Teddy is focused on getting all his music recorded as part of his legacy.
“I have about 10 mentees who are doing very, very well musically. All of them have their master’s degrees, and all of them are surviving as musicians. So I had them promise that they are going to take care of that for me.”
All of Mr. Teddy’s music has been influenced by his loved ones and life experiences, and he has ensured that every piece is copyrighted.
<Looking for live music? Check out the Savannah Music Collective event calendar>
“If I can get all my music recorded, that can be a stronger legacy than the books I’ve written—because more people listen to music than read books.”
To all Savannahians and jazz lovers, these books are a treasure. I highly recommend both of them—not just for the vibrant history painted on each page, but to truly grasp the significance of Savannah’s jazz scene.
Love always,
Vanessa
If you find value in this website, please consider contributing above or via Paypal to help cover the costs. You can also send contributions via Venmo @Savannah_Agenda. Your support, no matter how much you give, is appreciated and will help ensure the future viability of this community resource. You can also show your support by subscribing below and sharing Savannah Agenda with others via email or social media. Increasing readership is critical to the long-term success of this site.
More columns by Vanessa Lantos Daly (Spicy Melon)
