Biography

**Teddy Wender: Musician, Director, and Philanthropist**

Teddy Wender is a versatile musician, musical director, and philanthropist originally from Great Neck, Long Island. His extensive career spans several decades and encompasses a range of genres, including blues, rock, pop, and jazz. He began his musical journey in New York City in 1969 with the band **White Cloud**, where he was part of what is often referred to as the **New York Wrecking Crew**—a metaphor for some of the best studio musicians working during that time.
During his time with **White Cloud**, Wender collaborated with an impressive lineup of musicians, including **Thomas Jefferson K** on guitar, who wrote the songs; **Charlie Brown** on guitar; **Eric Weisberg** on banjo; **Don Payne** on bass; **Kenny Kosek** on fiddle; **Richard Crooks** on drums; **Joanne Vent**, lead singer; and himself on piano and organ. This collective of talented artists contributed to a rich and vibrant music scene, helping shape the sound of the era.
Following his work with **3-D**, Wender was a member of **The Loners**, a group known for backing up notable artist **Lester Chambers** from the **Chambers Brothers**. This collaboration not only showcased Wender's adaptability as a musician but also introduced him to diverse musical influences.
Wender has also worked with the legendary jazz tuba player **Ray Draper**, one of the only tuba players to have played with John Coltrane in his band. This experience further highlights Wender's extensive range and depth as a musician, bridging genres and styles throughout his career.
Throughout his musical journey, Wender has collaborated with an array of legendary artists, including **Johnny Winter**, **Odetta**, and **Albert King**, who invited him to join his band in 1975. During this time, Wender developed a close mentorship with **Hank Logan**, a notable singer-songwriter, leading to the formation of the **Hank Logan Band**. Although this band eventually disbanded, Wender’s creativity continued to thrive, resulting in the establishment of the **Wonderland Band**, which evolved into the acclaimed New Wave ensemble **3-D**.
**3-D** gained significant recognition for their two standout songs, **"X-Ray Eyes"** and **"All Night Television,"** which they performed on **"Saturday Night Live"** (SNL) in 1980. This performance was pivotal in elevating their status in the music scene. Notably, **U2** opened for them at the Ritz that same month, underscoring the band's growing prominence during a transformative period in music. Additionally, **3-D** opened for the **J. Geils Band** on their **"Love Stinks"** tour, which covered 60 cities, further solidifying their reputation as a dynamic live act.
Collaborating with **Henry Justin**, Wender co-wrote two R&B Top 40 songs for the **Memphis Horns**, including the hit **"Get Up and Dance,"** followed by the follow-up hit **"What the Funk."** Notably, **"Get Up and Dance"** was performed by **Michael McDonald** on **The Dinah Shore Show**, showcasing the talent of both Wender and Justin and contributing to their legacy in the music industry.
Over the course of his career, Teddy Wender has designed and built three recording studios, showcasing his commitment to the craft and production of music. He is currently engaged in his solo project called **Teddy Wender and JazzMatic**, which has produced 11 albums (CDs), available for download at **teddywender.com** and on various music platforms, including **Amazon**, **Apple Music**, and **Spotify**. In addition to these projects, Wender released **Old Friends and Friends Forever**, featuring songs by **Hank Logan**, which had never been previously released. This amazing project served to catalog some of the best country rock songs that Wender was privy to, many of which were only uncovered and documented at this time.
Along with talented collaborators like **Chris Brown** (a.k.a. **C4**) and R&B legend **Dan, The Man**, Wender co-produces all **JazzMatic** records and continues to crank out new material, keeping the project vibrant and evolving.
In addition to his performance work, Wender is involved with **Z Music**, where he contributes to music production for television, radio, and film projects, as well as sound design for various independent production projects and hundreds of commercials. Notably, Z Music produced the children’s show **Bingo & Molly** and the popular show **Overhaulin'** for **TLC and Discovery**, which continues to air in reruns today. This experience has enriched Wender's musical versatility and enabled him to participate in a broad array of creative endeavors.
Wender serves as the musical director of Long Island's **Red White and Blue Band**, performing extensively throughout Long Island and the East Coast.
Beyond his musical endeavors, Wender is a dedicated philanthropist who founded the **Ruth Winkleman Wender Foundation** in 2000. This successful nonprofit organization provides significant funding for cancer-related initiatives and Jewish causes, distributing large sums of money annually to support various community needs. Wender manages the foundation alongside his son, Austin.
Through his extensive collaborations, impactful performances, and philanthropic efforts, Teddy Wender continues to inspire audiences and emerging musicians alike, leaving a lasting influence in both the music industry and his community.