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Questions and Answers:
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Please
send your emails etc to me and I will put them "On-Line" for
our Visitors to read; they may have a helpful reply and I will advise
you of any resulting information, relevant to your query.
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Keep
a look-out for new insertions, and if you can help in any way, please
reply to me via the "Email" facility on the "Contents"
page, the "Contact Us" feature, by phone or even "Snail
Mail" - your bits of info are very important to the continuation
of this Site
Query
Ref:: 006: Name of sender: Kelly Taylor Hi My mother died last year at the age of 70. Her name was Margaret
Mary Johnson and she played in the band. I believe she played lead tenor
sax. I was born in 1958 which is when she gave up the band. I have looked
through the photos and cant see any of her in the time frame. She would
have been about 19 when she joined. Does any one remember her or have
any record of her. Photos would be greatly appreciated. Query Ref::
007: Name of sender: Laura Sloper (nee Thomas)
I am researching my family history on my paternal side. My Aunt, Betty Thomas, was part of the Ivy Benson Band for many years, and the stories told down the years is that when Betty applied to be in the band she was an accomplished violinist, pianist and harpist. Ivy needed a trombone player - so 6 weeks later (so the story goes) Betty came back as a fully accomplished trombone then trumpet player. Unfortunately she died in March 1966. Her brother, my father died in 1998. I remember her as a very kind lady knowing her for only a short time. My mother has always held her in very high esteem as a talented and compassionate lady. I have some pictures of Betty but sadly none in her days with Ivy Benson. If there are any available that I may have missed I would dearly love to have a copy of them.
Biography: If anyone remembers her it would be fantastic if they
could either e-mail me so that I could Query Ref:: 010:
Name of sender: Tanza Mckernon (Trumpet) Hi Brian,
Query Ref:: 011: Name of sender: Pauline Bingham (Played Trumpet) Information for Ron and Mavis PS: Just received this email as further confirmation:
Query Ref:: 012: Name of sender: Greta (Marshall) Willis (Piano - 1950 to 1952) I am wondering if anyone knows the whereabouts of Iris Trayner? For some reason she was known as "Mac", probably to differentiate her from the other Iris in the band, Iris Long, guitar (also known as "Fagin"). Mac was a photographer's model,a beautiful girl who played clarinet for 6 weeks at the Tabaris nightclub in Dusseldorf in 1951 or 1952. She said she wanted to find out what playing in a girls' band was like! I heard many years ago that she was a psychiatrist in Scotland, but the story was not confirmed. Sorry, Greta - I have checked my records but don't have an reference for the names above. Perhaps there is someone reading this who can help; - Brian PS: Just received your last email ( 28 June) regarding Iris - very
sorry but no further infomation as yet. Kindest regards - Brian. August 2008 - Things are quiet over these Summer months, but here are a few queries/and replies recieved; hope you find them interesting and informative: Query Ref:: 013: "this wonderful lady now lives in King's Lynn, Norfolk" - sorry, no name of sender.
This email from Mark Hemmings "Hi there!
I am making contact with you on behalf of a friend of
mine, Lilian Lilian has given me a photograph which you might like to add to
your Can I email to you with her contact details? Many thanks, Mark Hemmings". Hi Mark, I would be very pleased to make contact with Lilian; please
let her know how to contact us. Query Ref:: 016: (6 August 2008) Just received the following from a very good friend of this website - Nina has provided me with many great photos and Tales about her time with the Band- "I would like to get in touch with Betty Caddy. I worked with
Betty back in 1949 when I was 17 and she was a couple of years older.
This was up in Aberdeen, and we played with Blanche Coleman-way-way
back. Now, Readers, can you help Nina make contact with Betty Caddy and Sylvia Monks - please contact me with any info, pix or Stories for me to pass on. Query Ref:: 017:
(6 August 2008) Name of sender: Megan Davies "Do you ever manage to reunite members of the band? I noticed
that Julie Clark contacted you. I'd like to say 'Hello' to her. Also
I'd love to contact Sheryl Navarro. I was in the band in 1979, just
for the Summer Season at Caister. (Same time as Ann and Jaz, Jean and
Karen Fulton)" Hi Megan, Thanks for the email; I have included it above so our visitors can read it. To answer your question I have not actually arranged specific meetings or reunions. I feel that running this website is enough at present! However, I have managed to put several people in touch, and arranged for an exchange of email address's if I have the info. I should say that for security reasons I never pass on information without authority of the people concerned- you ask me to help (as you have) and I will put it Online (as I have right here) and see what transpires. We now have to wait to see if anyone can link up with the details which I will pass on to you. Lets hope we're lucky. Perhaps I can ask you for YOUR details re: playing with the Band - you can see from the I'm always looking for further history website- Photos, clippings, stories and memorabilia always very welcome - if you want to chat to me, please send me an email and a phone number. Regards Query Ref:: 018: (16 August 2008) Name of sender: Nina Dellamura - (now Meserve; Tenor Sax 1957 to 1959) Hi Brian. Query Ref:: 019: (5 September 2008) Name of sender: Rene Amyes (Played Trumpet with Ivy in 1953) My name was Renee Amyes I first joined Gracie Cole in 1953,and later played trumpet for Ivy took my audition in Lyons corner house 1954. I was with Ivy in the Isle of Man, Villa Marina. She was married there.I have photos of the band making an arch with our instruments outside the Villa Marina for her and husband Brent to walk under,also a recording session we did on stage there. Only just read your web; brought back many memories of the girls,and lots of big bandsmen, that I remember. Hi Rene, Thanks for your email. All these memories are still rolling in, and lots of "Ivy's Girls" have helped in the assembly of this website - Thanks to you all and keep them coming!!! Regards Brian Ravenhill Query Ref:: 020: (11 August 2008) Name of sender: Simone Tashman (Lead Alto with Ivy 1979 to 1982) Hello, I was Lead Alto with Ivy around 1979-1982 (previously Simone Tashman) I now run a swing band with my husband touring theatres all over the country. www.fivestarswing.co.uk Our audiences always remember Ivy and the name is still a draw.
Hi Peter, Hi Peter, ".....Hiya Brian, Many thanks to Jazz for the info. Query Ref:: 022: ( November 2008) Name of sender: Dr Kevin Cordes Hello, Query Ref:: 023: ( November 2008) Duncan Terry,
I have the sad duty to inform you that Ms Patricia Edith Mary TERRY
formerly Alto and Tenor Sax with Ivy has passed away aged 83yrs in Canvey
Island, Essex. I am not sure of the dates that she played with the band
but would have left just as I began to "show" in November
1954. I know that she was married in secret without Ivy knowing and
many of the girls were at her wedding. Her married name was Smith-Weilding
but I carried the family name. Query Ref:: 025:
( November 2008) Sent from Elaine Hutchings Hi I am looking for Jackie Davies tromboneist, do you know where she is
now? I worked with Jackie in Bridlington when she was in the Gaytones along
with Elaine Query Ref:: 026:
( November 2008) Sent from Renee Amyes My name was Renee Amyes I was with Ivy from 1955 to 1957. I have some
photos you may be interested in. I am on Barbara Ellenors Album 53 &
played trumpet. Renee Hi Renee, Regards Brian Ravenhill Continued
from Query No:26 (above) My name was Renee Amyes I first joined Gracie Cole in 1953,and later played trumpet for Ivy took my audition in Lyons corner house 1954. I was with Ivy in the Isle of Man, Villa Marina. She was married there.I have photos of the band making an arch with our instruments outside the Villa Marina for her and husband Brent to walk under,also a recording session we did on stage there.Only just read your web brought back many memories of the girls,and lots of big bandsmen, that I remember Query Ref:: 028: ( November 2008) Sent from Simone Smith (nee Tashman) Hello, I was Lead Alto with Ivy around 1979-1982 (previously Simone Tashman)I
now run Our audiences always remember Ivy and the name is still a draw. Regards, Simone Smith Query Ref:: 029:
( November 2008) Sent from Rodney Thomas Can you tell me in the 1950s what Inge Wannell is up to these days?
Is she still in the music world? Kind Regards Rodney Thomas Query Ref::
030: ( November 2008) Sent from Sonia Ramsden Query Ref:: 031:
( November 2008) Sent from Rob I seem to remember Ivy's band playing in the Winter Gardens Penzance
in the 1950s about 57 or 58. That was in the days when Saturday Nights
were spent dancing properly not like the jigging about that happens
now. Regards Rob Query Ref:: 032:
( November 2008) Name of sender: Ralph Rigby I had served with Desert Air Force and in 1947 was headed from CMF
to Germany via Austria. It's only last year I talked about this to another veteran and he remembered her too.It suddenly occurred to me browse the internet and found your websit. Such nostalgia. Query Ref:: 033: ( November 2008) Laura Sloper What a fabulous website!
I am researching my family history on my paternal side. My Aunt, Betty Thomas, was part of the Ivy Benson Band for many years, and the stories told down the years is that when Betty applied to be in the band she was an accomplished violinist, pianist and harpist. Ivy needed a trombone player - so 6 weeks later (so the story goes) Betty came back as a fully accomplished trombone then trumpet player. Unfortunately she died in March 1966. Her brother, my father died in 1998. I remember her as a very kind lady knowing her for only a short time. My mother has always held her in very high esteem as a talented and compassionate lady. I have some pictures of Betty but sadly none in her days with Ivy Benson. If there are any available that I may have missed I would dearly love to have a copy of them.
Laura Sloper (nee Thomas) Query Ref:: 034: ( November 2008) Name of Sender: Carol Axford (Nee Bloxsome) I was with the Ivy Benson band for a short while in 1973 playing harmonica solos and doubling up on piano. Ivy played the piano for me. We were at Stuttgart for a month and then moved to Bremen for supposedly 2 weeks. but a few days into the time (playing in a giant tent) a hurricane happened and the tent was blown down, luckily the instruments were safe but it happened over night. What an experience. Ive Benson was an amazing person. I am still playing the harmonica occasionally, music teaching, and help with adjudicating for the british harmonica championships every year in Bristol. I am now 62 years old with a talented son who is my accompanist for any shows we do. Kind regards, a fantastic site here, Carol Axford > you in touch with her? I would like to get more info - pix, stories etc. Can > you help ? > > Regards > Brian Query Ref:: 035: ( November 2008) Name of Sender: Helen Griffith Hi Helen, "Further info from Helen........ Thanks Helen for the following - just the sort of interesting memories etc which I am sure will be of interest to our readers; many thanks and all best wishes- "Sorry to have taken so long to reply. Lista Bette Caddy joined Ivy Benson at the age of 14 in 1944. she was too young to travel abroad so Ivy had her play with a band in Manchester until she was 16 and then she was able to tour with the rest of the band. She was known as the baby of the band as she was so young. She played tenor Sax, accordian, piano and clarinet. She played with a number of bands over the years. Whilest playing with a band in Gibralter she met her 1st husband Seargent Fox and had two daughters Lesely and Audrey. Later she divorced and remarried a Mike Griffith bass player with the Terry Davis Sound and had two more children, Nicola and Paul. She lives on her own in Camarthenshire. If anyone remembers her it would be fantastic if they could either e-mail me so that I could pass them on to her or write to me at GWAL Y BLAIDD, STAR CLDEY, LLANFYRNACH PEMBROKESHIRE SA35 0AW". Query Ref:: 036:
( November 2008) Name of Sender: Terry Atkinson Name of sender: Terry Atkinson Would anyone know where Barbara Ellenor was married. Barbara played
trombone with Ivy from 1955 to 1957. Thank you in anticipation. Best regards Terry Atkinson Query Ref:: 037: ( November 2008) Name of Sender: James Forbes
Dear Sir/Madam, I will try and get her to commit some tales to paper and submit them to your website through me (her being a technophobe!) Regards Query Ref:: 038: ( November 2008) Name of Sender: Ron Jones Can anyone help Ron find his relations? Any info welcome. "Can you possibly help us trace a long lost cousin? We knew her
as Doreen Jones (maiden name)- Probably born around 1928.Doreen was
a cornet/trumpet player from Leeds area.(not far from Kippax?)I remember
my dad telling me that she had auditioned successfully for the Ivy Benson
Band,probably around 1948. She was off to play in Douglas.Her father,
Stewart Jones,drove a bright red Trojan van for Brook Bond or Typhoo
Tea and her mum was Lucy. Because we lived near Birmingham we long since
lost touch. She was very kind to us all and there was never any family
problems that I'm aware of. Several of her Midlands cousins send their
love and hope that she's still alive and well!" Query Ref:: 040: ( November 2008) Name of Sender: Tanza Mckernon, Hi Brian, my name is Tanza Mckernon, usually "Jazz" contacts
you if there is any info, but I have tried her, and she must be away,
hence this email. Query Ref:: 041:
( November 2009) Name of Sender: Jeremy Parker
I’m interested to find out how long my mom played with the Band? Ella Godwin became Ella Parker after she met my dad Jack Parker in Phil Parker Brass Instruments (My dad was one of the brothers). Does anyone remember Ella Godwin?
They have both gone to be with the Lord.
I was looking through some old photo’s and found some from the Ivy Benson band days. Maybe you would be interested to see some of them?
All the best,
Jeremy M Parker Query Ref:: 042
: ( November 2009)Name of sender: Denise Bradley Hello, I played for Ivy Benson from early 1973 to September 1974 My single name was Denise Robinson and I come from Derbyshire I had a wonderful time with Ivy and her band, I was only young just left school and had never wandered into the big wide world before, I had a fabulous experience playing in Austria and Germany and also playing at The Hotel De France in Jersey when Michael Bentine was top of the bill and Paul Daniels was a support act. I am contactable on the above email address.
Query Ref:: 043:
( November 2009): Colin Scott In the ‘News’ section of your Ivy Benson website I saw a note from a Colin Aitchison – leader of a jazz band in Hong Kong. Would you happen to have an email address for Colin? I knew him many years ago back on Tyneside and would like to get in touch for
old times sake.
Colin Scott Madison ,Wisconsin,USA Query Ref:: 044: ( November 2009): Name of sender: Laurie Allan Would like to contact Lillian Kemp, an old pal of mine from school
days. I visited where we used to live and hopefully, she is still with
you. Anyone know of her whereabouts? thanks very much. Query Ref:: 045: ( February 2009): I have just received this email from Maurice Hope - seems we have
stirred some memories! Keep checking - hopefully more " Tales"
on the way. Backstage, nerves a-jangle, I was met by a lovely, smiley lady who
said she was the bandleader and that I was not to worry because she
had heard me in the heats and I had been grand. She led me to the piano
, introduced me to the audience, and away I went with the theme from
'The Eddie Duchin Story'. Not at all bad!..... But next ,the really
big test - Afterwards, Ivy introduced me to her agent, Arthur Frewin (?) , who said he could get me a recording contract. 'You're made son,' said my father, but it didn't come to anything"....... Maurice Hope. I have to apologise for some recent delays in updating my Website
- bear with me - I will get the faulty Email program working as soon
as I can (fingers crossed!). Query Ref:: 046: ( April 2009): Hello, Query Ref:: 047: ( April 2009): I am trying to find information for a friend of mine who is now in her eighties, she says she was in the band from 1940 to 43, her name at that time was Gladys Beale and she played piano. Any information would be useful Many thanks Query Ref:: 048: ( April 2009): Name of sender: David Sowden My late father was one of the few male musicians to work with Ivy's band. One very bad winters night in Leeds some of Ivy's band could not get through so the house band were drafted in. I remember as a youth sat in the villa marina gardens Isle of Man, the band was a popular feature there. I sat with Ivy's father "Digger" Benson who was a trombonist and friend of my father. Hope this bit of "info" may be of interest to you . Regards - Dave Sowden. Query Ref:: 049:
( April 2009): I have been looking on your web page and noticed that there are photographs of Joyce Clarke. My Father, Eric Higgins was Joyce's Uncle, her Mother being his older sister. Does anyone have any news of Joyce, as we lost touch with that side of the family after my Father passed away in 1973. I would be interested to hear any news. Thank you in anticipation Query Ref:: 050: ( April 2009): Name of sender: Valerie Wilkinson Hi there, Val Wilkinson Query Ref:: 051:
( April2009): Query Ref:: 052: (April 2009): hi Brian I have got hold of one CD of the band, are there any other recordings
of the whole or part of the band? Query Ref:: 053: (April 2009): Greetings from sunny Florida. Hi Brian. Query Ref:: 054: ( April 2009): Hi, I wrote to you about two years ago to find out about Elsie Harris
and Regards, Cliff Harris. Query Ref:: 055: ( April 2009): Name of sender: Carol Powells I have written a book about a fictional all-girl band based in London in 1943-44. I am anxious to get details right. Would you ask any previous band members how double basses were transported around, eg to and from rehearsals and engagements. In particular, were they ever taken on an ordinary service bus? If so, how did they manage to carry them? I play the double bass myself and am sure a fit girl in her twenties could lift one onto a bus, but my husband says it is impossible. Help me prove him wrong! Query Ref:: 056: (April 2009): Name of sender: Denise Bradley Hello I played for Ivy Benson from early 1973 to September 1974 My single name was Denise Robinson and I come from Derbyshire I had a wonderful time with Ivy and her band, I was only young just left school and had never wandered into the big wide world before, I had a fabulous experience playing in Austria and Germany and also playing at The Hotel De France in Jersey when Michael Bentine was top of the bill and Paul Daniels was a support act. I am contactable on the above email address. Query Ref:: 057:
( April 2009): I was stationed in Germany from 1949 until 1950 originally based at
Weisendorf near Celle where I was in the Royal Horse Guards (The Blues)
and I can recall that Ivy Benson and her band played in our main 'hall'
for just the one fantastic evening. After the performance the girls
all came back to the W.O.'s mess for a few drinks and they then all
ended up in the flat above the mess which I shared with the Regimental
Corporal Majors batman who was an accomplished drummer. They left next
morning in their coach and as they passed the Officers mess several
officers attempted to stop the coach - unsuccessfully!
Query Ref:: 058: ( April 2009): Name of sender: Ron Jones Can you possibly help us trace a long lost cousin? We knew her as Doreen Jones (maiden name)- Probably born around 1928.Doreen was a cornet/trumpet player from Leeds area.(not far from Kippax?)I remember my dad telling me that she had auditioned successfully for the Ivy Benson Band,probably around 1948. She was off to play in Douglas.Her father, Stewart Jones,drove a bright red Trojan van for Brook Bond or Typhoo Tea and her mum was Lucy. Because we lived near Birmingham we long since lost touch. She was very kind to us all and there was never any family problems that I'm aware of. Several of her Midlands cousins send their love and hope that she's still alive and well!
Query Ref:: 059: (April 2009): Name of sender: Duncan Terry I have the sad duty to inform you that Ms Patricia Edith Mary TERRY
formerly Alto and Tenor Sax with Ivy has passed away aged 83yrs in Canvey
Island, Essex. I am not sure of the dates that she played with the band
but would have left just as I began to "show" in November
1954. I know that she was married in secret without Ivy knowing and
many of the girls were at her wedding. Her married name was Smith-Weilding
but I carried the family name. Query Ref:: 060: (June 2009): Name of sender: Joyce Green Hi Joyce, I played trumpet with Ivy from 1957 - 1960 and would be pleased Anyone help Joyce out ????- Query Ref:: 061: (June 2009): Name of sender: Peter Hodge Dear Brian I was the trombone player with Sid Phillips at the Villa Marina in
So if you can find me a phone number or address, email or other I Sincerely Peter Hodge
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