# Ivy Benson > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ivy_Benson > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ivy_Benson.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy_Benson > Source revision: 1333330185 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **Ivy Benson** (11 November 1913 – 6 May 1993) was an English musician and bandleader, who led an [all-female](/source/All-female_band) [swing](/source/Swing_(music)) band. Benson and her band gained prominence in the 1940s, headlining [variety theatres](/source/Variety_theatre) and topping the bill at the [London Palladium](/source/London_Palladium), and became the [BBC](/source/BBC)'s resident [house band](/source/House_band). ## Early years Benson was born on 11 November 1913 in [Holbeck](/source/Holbeck), [Leeds](/source/Leeds), the daughter of Douglas Rolland "Digger" Benson and his wife Mary Jane Mead.[1] Her father, a musician who played several instruments[1] including [trombone](/source/Trombone) for the [Leeds Symphony Orchestra](/source/Leeds_Symphony_Orchestra),[2] began teaching her the piano at the age of five. She played at [working men's clubs](/source/Working_men's_club) from the age of eight,[2] billed as Baby Benson, and performed on BBC Radio's *[Children's Hour](/source/Children's_Hour)* aged nine.[3] Ivy's father had ambitions for her to become a concert pianist, but she was inspired to become a jazz musician after hearing a [Benny Goodman](/source/Benny_Goodman) record and learned to play [clarinet](/source/Clarinet) and [alto saxophone](/source/Alto_saxophone).[1][3] She left school at 14[1] and took a job at the [Montague Burton](/source/Montague_Burton) factory in Leeds, putting aside [half a crown](/source/Half_crown_(British_coin)) from her wages each week to save up for her first saxophone.[4] She supplemented her income by playing in [dance bands](/source/British_dance_band) in the evenings.[5] ## Career Benson joined Yorkshire-based [six-piece band](/source/Sextet) Edna Croudson's Rhythm Girls in 1929, touring with them until 1935,[6] after which she toured with bands including Teddy Joyce and the Girlfriends, where she became a featured soloist.[1] She moved to London in the late 1930s and formed her own band. Their first significant engagement was performing with the all-female revue *Meet the Girls*, which starred [Hylda Baker](/source/Hylda_Baker).[3] During the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War), opportunities for female musicians opened up as many male musicians were enlisted into the armed forces.[2] The band became the BBC's resident dance band in 1943, and were [top of the bill](/source/Billing_(filmmaking)) at the London Palladium for six months in 1944.[1] In 1945, the band were the first entertainers invited to perform at the [VE Day](/source/Victory_in_Europe_Day) celebrations in [Berlin](/source/Berlin) at the request of [Field Marshal Montgomery](/source/Bernard_Montgomery,_1st_Viscount_Montgomery_of_Alamein), and on Christmas Day that year they performed for a live BBC Radio broadcast from [Hamburg](/source/Hamburg) immediately after [the King's speech](/source/Royal_Christmas_Message).[1] Benson and her band also toured Europe and the Middle East with the [Entertainments National Service Association](/source/Entertainments_National_Service_Association) entertaining [Allied](/source/Allies_of_World_War_II) troops,[2] headlined variety theatres[1] and performed at the [1948 Summer Olympics](/source/1948_Summer_Olympics) in London.[4] Benson's band had a high turnover of musicians, as they frequently left to marry [G.I.s](/source/G.I._(military)) they met while touring. She once commented, "I lost seven in one year to America. Only the other week a girl slipped away from the stage. I thought she was going to the lavatory but she went off with a G.I. Nobody's seen her since."[4] In the 1950s, she played summer seasons at [Butlins](/source/Butlins) holiday camps and Villa Marina on the [Isle of Man](/source/Isle_of_Man).[1] She continued to lead the band until the early 1980s, adapting to changing tastes by adding pop tunes to the band's repertoire in the 1960s.[5] The band played for overseas-based servicemen until the 1970s.[6] Towards the end of her career the band played mostly private functions as dance halls and variety theatres declined. The band disbanded in 1982 after a final performance at the [Savoy Hotel](/source/Savoy_Hotel),[3] briefly reforming in 1983 for a performance on [Russell Harty](/source/Russell_Harty)'s television show to celebrate Benson's 70th birthday.[1] ### Film and television appearances Benson appeared as herself with a speaking role in the feature film *[The Dummy Talks](/source/The_Dummy_Talks)* (1943), which starred [Jack Warner](/source/Jack_Warner_(actor)).[1] She and the band were scheduled to take part in a [BBC Television](/source/BBC_Television) broadcast in 1946, but were forced to cancel 48 hours before they were due to go on air following a dispute with the Stoll Theatres Corporation, who she was contracted to. Stoll advised her that she faced a ban from their theatres, saying that they considered that television "will be a great detriment to the theatre".[3][7] Benson and the band appeared on the television series *The Music Box* in 1957.[8] She was the subject of an episode of the UK tribute show *[This Is Your Life](/source/This_Is_Your_Life_(British_TV_series))* in 1976.[4] Benson retired to the seaside resort of [Clacton-on-Sea](/source/Clacton-on-Sea), Essex, occasionally entertaining local holidaymakers on the [electric organ](/source/Electronic_organ).[1] A few months before her death in 1993 she became close friends with the actor [Sean Pertwee](/source/Sean_Pertwee). Pertwee had sought her advice about his upcoming portrayal of a troubled trombonist and drag queen in the film *[Dirty Weekend](/source/Dirty_Weekend_(1993_film))*.[9] ## Personal life Benson married theatrical producer Caryll Stafford Clark in 1949;[1] the couple divorced in 1951.[10] In 1957, she married [Top Sergeant](/source/First_sergeant) Brantley Callaway of the [United States Air Force](/source/United_States_Air_Force), whom she met while performing in a summer season on the [Isle of Man](/source/Isle_of_Man). The marriage ended after she refused to accompany him when he returned to the United States in 1963, and they were divorced in 1964.[1][5][10] An operation left her unable to have children.[11] In the early 1980s, Benson moved to [Clacton](/source/Clacton-on-Sea), where she continued to perform as pianist, organist and vocalist at local concerts.[12] She suffered a heart attack at her home and died on 6 May 1993, aged 79.[13] ## Honours Benson was made an [honorary fellow](/source/Honorary_fellow) of [Leeds Polytechnic](/source/Leeds_Polytechnic) in 1988, the only significant honour she received during her lifetime.[1] In 2011, she was commemorated by [Leeds Civic Trust](/source/Leeds_Civic_Trust) with a [blue plaque](/source/Blue_plaque) placed at her childhood home in Cemetery Road, Holbeck.[14] Benson's name is one of those featured on the sculpture *[Ribbons](/source/Ribbons_(sculpture))*, unveiled in 2024.[15][16] ## Cultural references She is mentioned in the 'Grieg's Piano Concerto, by Eric Morecambe' comedy sketch, featuring [Andre Previn](/source/Andre_Previn), shown on *[The Morecambe and Wise Show](/source/The_Morecambe_%26_Wise_Show_(1968_TV_series))* (BBC) in 1971. In 1984, *The Silver Lady*, a play by Liane Aukin based on Benson's life, was staged at the [Birmingham Repertory Theatre](/source/Birmingham_Repertory_Theatre).[1] Benson and her band have been suggested as a possible basis for [Alan Plater](/source/Alan_Plater)'s TV film *[The Last of the Blonde Bombshells](/source/The_Last_of_the_Blonde_Bombshells)* (2000) and play *Blonde Bombshells of 1943*, in which a woman reunites her wartime [all-female band](/source/All-female_band).[4][17][18] ## Discography - *Ivy Benson And Her Orchestra* (1977)[3] - *Ivy Benson And Her All Girl Band* (2000)[19] - *You Danced to These Bands* (2001)[20] ## See also - [Gracie Cole](/source/Gracie_Cole) – trumpeter with the Ivy Benson band. - [June Smith](/source/June_Smith_(jazz_singer)) – singer and trumpeter with the Ivy Benson band - [All-female band](/source/All-female_band) ## References 1. Tracy, Sheila (May 2006). ["Benson, Ivy (1913–1993)"](http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/51438). [doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/51438](https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/51438). Retrieved 8 October 2010. 1. O'Brien, Lucy (2002). [*She Bop II: The Definitive History of Women in Rock, Pop and Soul*](https://archive.org/details/shebopiidefiniti0000obri). London: [Continuum](/source/Continuum_International_Publishing_Group). pp. [33](https://archive.org/details/shebopiidefiniti0000obri/page/33)–38. ISBN 978-0-8264-7208-3. [OCLC 61259135](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/61259135) 1. *The Encyclopedia of Popular Music, Volume 1*. 3rd ed. London: [Macmillan Reference](/source/Macmillan_Publishers). November 1998. p. 485. ISBN 0-333-74134-X. [OCLC 60219087](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/60219087) 1. ["Farsley historian launches appeal about pioneer of girl power"](http://www.farsleytoday.co.uk/news/latest-local-news/farsley_historian_launches_appeal_about_pioneer_of_girl_power_1_2799222). *Farsley Today*. [Yorkshire Post Newspapers](/source/Yorkshire_Post_Newspapers). 4 November 2008. Retrieved 29 April 2011.[dead link] 1. Hopcraft, Arthur (24 March 1968). "My Name Is Ivy Benson, I'm the Leader of the Band". *[Sunday Times Magazine](/source/Sunday_Times_Magazine)* Reproduced in *In the Sixties*. London: [Pavilion](/source/Pavilion_Books). 1995. pp. 164–168. ISBN 1-85793-710-4. [OCLC 34439480](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/34439480) 1. Chilton, John (2004). [*Who's Who of British Jazz*](https://archive.org/details/whoswhoofbritish00chil). 2nd ed. London: [Continuum](/source/Continuum_International_Publishing_Group). p. [32](https://archive.org/details/whoswhoofbritish00chil/page/32). ISBN 0-8264-7234-6. [OCLC 53879364](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/53879364) 1. ["Theatres Ban Television Artists"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oUxAAAAAIBAJ&pg=4383%2C2510477). *[Glasgow Herald](/source/Glasgow_Herald)*. 12 June 1946. Retrieved 30 April 2011. 1. ["Music Box, The (1957)"](http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/1304226/credits.html). *[Screenonline](/source/Screenonline)*. [British Film Institute](/source/British_Film_Institute). Retrieved 27 April 2011. 1. McGarrigle, Interview by Clyde (12 February 2016). ["Sean Pertwee: my family values"](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/feb/12/sean-pertwee-my-family-values). *Theguardian.com*. Retrieved 17 October 2019. 1. Cliffe, Peter (10 May 1993). ["Obituary: Ivy Benson"](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-ivy-benson-2322038.html). *[The Independent](/source/The_Independent)*. Retrieved 29 July 2011. 1. Devitt, Maureen (29 December 1988). ["How Ivy Beat the Boys"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oOpAAAAAIBAJ&pg=2059%2C8147114). *[Evening Times](/source/Evening_Times)*. Retrieved 30 April 2011. 1. John Chilton. *Who's Who of British Music* (1997), p. 28 1. "Ivy Benson dies at 79". *[The Times](/source/The_Times)*. 7 May 1993. 1. ["Bandleader Ivy Benson gets Leeds blue plaque"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-14030468). *[BBC News Online](/source/BBC_News_Online)*. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011. 1. ["383 Inspirational Women of Leeds"](https://www.ribbons-sculpture-leeds.co.uk/women). *Ribbons Sculpture Leeds*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240823171410/https://www.ribbons-sculpture-leeds.co.uk/women) 23 August 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 13 October 2024. 1. ["Leeds: Ribbons sculpture celebrates city's inspiring women"](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c14821gz1e6o). *www.bbc.com*. October 12, 2024. 1. Tucker, Sherrie (20 August 2000). ["Television/Radio; A Hazy Look at Women's and Music's History"](https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F00D17F8355B0C738EDDA10894D8404482&pagewanted=2). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved 9 August 2011. The fictitious Blonde Bombshells appears to be loosely based on the actual, and extremely popular, Ivy Benson's All Girl Orchestra. 1. Anglesey, Natalie (21 January 2009). ["News & Reviews: Blonde Bombshells of 1943"](http://www.citylife.co.uk/news_and_reviews/reviews/10015765_blonde_bombshells_shines__but_only_in_second_half). *[City Life](/source/City_Life_(magazine))*. Retrieved 30 April 2011. 1. ["Ivy Benson and Her All Girl Band"](http://www.allmusic.com/album/ivy-benson-and-her-all-girl-band-r515372). *[Allmusic](/source/Allmusic)*. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 20 July 2011. 1. ["You Danced to These Bands"](http://www.allmusic.com/album/you-danced-to-these-bands-r873859). *[Allmusic](/source/Allmusic)*. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 20 July 2011. ## External links - [Ivy Benson and her All Girl Band](https://web.archive.org/web/20120327204941/http://www.ivybenson-online.co.uk/) - [Ivy Benson](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0072516/) at IMDb - ["The 1940s bandleader who braved virulent sexism"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29557015). *BBC News*. 13 October 2014. --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ivy Benson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy_Benson) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy_Benson?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.