Ivy's 1952 Band - augmented with Flute, Strings, and a Light Operatic Soprano.

Taken in the Restaurant of the Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch, London - Autumn 1953.

I have been very lucky in finding this unique photograph of Ivy and the 22 members of the Band, taken in London in 1952. The photographer was Harry Hammond, a photographer born in London in 1920, apprenticed to a Fleet Street photographer at the age of 14, who went on to specialise in big names in the entertainment industry. Besides the one of Ivy and her girls, he also photographed Ted Heath, Johnny Dankworth, The Beatles and several more. These photographs are copyright by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, from whom I have managed to obtain reproduction rights for the Ivy Benson picture.

L to R: Rhythm Section: June O'Hara (Guitar), Auriel Carnell (Piano), Ellen Park (Bass) Sax Section: Lynn Smith (Tenor), Maureen Mortimer, Lillian Kemp, Jean Naylor (Altos) and Rita Naylor (Baritone); Second on right from Ivy is Edna Wayne (Baritone Sax) here doubling on Violin ; Paula Pyke - Drums; Trumpet Section: Marilyn Carter, Ella Godwin & Joyce Alder; Trombones Section: Laura Lynne & Dot England Vocalist on right is Gloria Russell. Thanks for this wonderful range of information on the musicians in this photograph to Greta Marshall (now Willis), Maureen Mortimer & Nora Lord.

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