James Bant aka Ted Hanson (1904-1973) James attended the University of Maine in Orono after graduating from Morse High School in Bath. (class of 1922) He then pursued a career in music performance as a trumpet man, arranger, conducter, and talent scout. In Boston in the early 30s he adopted the stage name Ted and his own dance orchestra found a home in the Normandie Ballroom. Eventually they were broadcasting live on a whole network of radio stations around New England. He also had a stint in Henry Busse's orchestra as a trumpet player in the late 20s. JIm went on to join fellow Mainer Rudy Vallée in the later 30s through the early 40s, playing as solo trumpet artist in his band "The Connecticutt Yankees" during the years when Rudy's radio program was consistently #1 on the air. There were many top hit records too. His playing became nationally famous and he was featured in national advertisements for the Conn Symphony Special trumpet in those days. When Vallée went to Hollywood, Hanson stayed East and joined Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians. He did some arranging for the Pennsylvanians too, along with his day in and day out trumpet playing. After a divorce around 1950 or 51, he secured a steady job teaching high school choral and band music in both Falmouth High and Greely high of Cumberland. he taught at Falmouth through '64, and at Greely through '66. During the fifties and into the sixties, he also led the Jimmie Hanson Orchestra (big band) based in the Portland area. After moving to Poland took two years off from teaching music to be the recreation director form the Poland Spring Job Corps facility (Maine) from 1966-68. Then he took a position doing the choral and band music for three Auburn Schools (Webster Jr. High, Walton Jr. High, and Central 6th grade school) He taught at these 3 until his retirement in 1972. This lovely recording was made in 1934. Vocal by George Gould.
