Teddy Kotick began his musical career by learning the guitar at the age of 6, before taking up the double bass during his school years. On his arrival in New York in 1948, he played in various bands: with Buddy De Franco (1949 and 1952), Artie Shaw (1950), but it was during his stay in Stan Getz's band (1951-1953) that he made his name. He then played with Charlie Parker (1954), who considered him one of his favorite bassists. He then joined Bill Evans' first trio (1956) with Paul Motian. He played with George Wallington (1957), Horace Silver (1957-1958), and joined two of the Four Brothers, Al Cohn and Zoot Sims (1959). In 1960, Teddy Kotick recorded with Belgian guitarist René Thomas, who had moved to Canada for several years (1956-1961). When Martial Solal was invited to play at the Newport Jazz Festival (1963), he was accompanied by the Kotick-Motian duo. Teddy Kotick did not play for many years (1963-1970). In 1970, he recorded a disc with the little-known saxophonist J.R. Monterose, then in 1982 with Allen Eages. Gifted with a deep sense of tempo, Teddy Kotick's playing is elegant, supple and subtle.
