Teddy Riley

Edward Theodore "Teddy" Riley (born October 8, 1967) is a Grammy Award–winning American singer-songwriter, musician, keyboardist and record producer credited with the creation of the new jack swing genre. Through his production work with Michael Jackson, Bobby Brown, Doug E. Fresh, Today, Keith Sweat, Heavy D., Usher, Jane Child, etc. and membership of the groups Guy and Blackstreet, Riley is credited with having a massive impact and seminal influence on the formation of contemporary R&B, hip-hop, soul and pop since the 1980s.

Early life

Teddy Riley was raised in St. Nicholas Houses, Harlem, New York. Riley, a child prodigy since the age of 5, began playing instruments in the church. His uncle, who owned the famed Harlem club The Rooftop, built a studio in the club in which Riley would spend most of his time while growing up. By 14, upstart New York rappers began making music to his tracks. Under the guidance of local music producer Gene Griffin, Riley formed the short-lived group Kids at Work. At the age of 17, Riley produced Kool Moe Dee's 12" single, "Go See the Doctor". Released on an independent label in 1986, the song became a crossover hit, reaching #89 on The Billboard Hot 100. Riley had previously worked on the production of Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew's "The Show" in 1985.

Teddy Riley (jazz)

Theodore "Teddy" Riley (10 May 1924 – 14 November 1992) was a jazz trumpet player and bandleader. On occasion he also sang and played flugelhorn.

Riley was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he would spend most of his career. His father Amos Riley (c. 1879 - 1925) was also a New Orleans trumpeter and bandleader.

Mostly known for playing jazz, he also worked and recorded with various Rhythm & Blues bands. Artists and groups he worked with included Louis Cottrell, Jr., Fats Domino, Champion Jack Dupree, The Dookie Chase Orchestra, Roy Brown's Band, The Onward Brass Band, The Olympia Brass Band, The Williams Brass Band, and The Royal Brass Band.

In 1971 Riley played on the cornet used by Louis Armstrong in his youth for the New Orleans ceremonies marking Armstrong's death.

He made a guest appearance on Wynton Marsalis' 1989 release "The Majesty of the Blues."

He performed both leading his own small band at hotels and clubs as well as in various brass bands until a couple of weeks before his death.