Roderman, Teddy - Stay Awhile

Tracks

Side 1

		Track Name	Length
	1	Stay Awhile (Ken Tobias)	02:58
	2	Mississippi	02:09

Side 2

		Track Name	Length
	1	What's Doin' (Phil Nimmons)	02:49
	2	Hard as I Try (Gene LacLellan)	02:11

Photos

Videos

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Information/Write-up

Teddy Roderman – Smooth Brass, Studio Gold (1924–1980)
Teddy Roderman was one of Canada's finest trombonists—an expressive soloist, gifted arranger, and ensemble leader whose career spanned orchestral, jazz, and easy-listening realms. Born in Toronto on March 21, 1924, and raised in the Trinity-Bellwoods neighbourhood, Roderman began performing professionally at the age of sixteen under Robert Farnon and honed his skills as part of the Canadian Army Show during the Second World War. He was a key member of the Armed Forces Entertainment Unit, which later served in Korea, where Roderman continued as lead trombonist.

Early in his musical development, he studied with Harry Hawe, the principal trombonist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra under Sir Ernest MacMillan. Hawe considered Roderman and fellow student Murray Ginsberg among his most promising protégés and left his trombone to Roderman upon his passing.

Following his return to civilian life, Roderman became a first-call player in Canada’s emerging broadcast and recording scene. He served as principal trombonist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the CBC Symphony Orchestra, and the Howard Cable Concert Band, and was frequently heard on CBC radio and television broadcasts throughout the 1950s and 1960s. His tone—warm, lyrical, and precise—was widely admired, and his adaptability made him a favourite among composers and conductors alike. He performed under such renowned figures as Igor Stravinsky, Percy Faith, Nelson Riddle, Stan Kenton, Henry Mancini, Lucio Agostini, Billy May, and others, and contributed to dozens of studio sessions and orchestral events during Canada’s golden era of public broadcasting.

Roderman’s first known commercial recordings appeared in 1962 as the featured soloist on two albums arranged and conducted by Johnny Burt for the Canadian Talent Library. On Trombone (CTL 5004), he took centre stage on smooth renditions of “Secret Love,” “Sleepy Lagoon,” “Where or When,” and other romantic standards, while Reminiscing (CTL 5014) further showcased his rich phrasing on ballads such as “Far Away Places” and Burt’s own “Mike Fright.”

In 1967, Roderman stepped forward as a leader with Teddy Roderman’s 6 Trombones, a concept album featuring overdubbed trombone harmonies and chamber-jazz arrangements aimed at Canadian radio listeners. The LP included standout arrangements by Rob McConnell (“Sunny,” “Goodbye,” “That’s Life,” “Meditation”), Roy Smith (“The Happening,” “Up-Up and Away,” “Oops”), Johnny Burt (“Lovers Roulette,” “Sunshine, Lollipops and Roses”), and Lucio Agostini (“A Gliss to Build a Gleam On”).

His final CTL release, Makin’ It With You (1971), featured arrangements blending melodic jazz with soft rock textures. The sessions included Doug Riley on keyboards, Bob Lucier on pedal steel, and Brian Leonard on drums. That same year, Roderman released a rare CBC single, Stay Awhile (LM-120), which continued his exploration of contemporary easy-listening sounds, anchored by his signature trombone voicings.

Roderman was also active as a member of several notable Canadian studio ensembles including Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, Johnny Burt Trombones, The Johnny Burt Society, and Howard Cable and the Highway Eleven, further cementing his place in Canada’s jazz and light music legacy. Throughout his career he was credited under several variations of his name, including Ted Roderman, Teddy Roderman Orchestra, and Teddy Roderman’s 6 Trombones.

In the late 1970s, Roderman moved to Florida, where he continued to arrange, perform, and enjoy a quieter life. He passed away from cancer in September 1980 at the age of 56. His son, Hap (Eric) Roderman, was a founding member of Rough Trade and later played with the Mike McKenna Slidewinder Band. Though Teddy Roderman remains under-recognized in mainstream jazz histories, his contributions to Canadian broadcasting, orchestral music, and the unique CTL soundscape are indelible.
-Robert Williston

Arranged by Jerry Toth and Phil Nimmons
Produced by Dave Bird
Engineered by Ian Jacobson
Recorded at Studio 4-Sound CBC and Eaton's Auditorium June 16 and 22, 1971

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