Betty Smith

Betty Smith (6 July 1929 – 21 January 2011) was an English jazz saxophonist and singer. She began playing the saxophone at the age of nine and left school six years later to perform with the travelling all-female septet Archie's Juveniles. She performed in the Middle East in 1947 and flew to Germany the following year. Smith and her husband Jack Peberdy joined Freddy Randall's band in 1950 before leaving seven years later to form their own quintet. Her time with Randall saw her travel the United States with some success in the country's hit parade. Her newly formed quintet found regular work and Smith later performed with the Ted Heath Orchestra and alongside Kenny Baker. Her career ended in 1985 and did not recover sufficiently to resume performing.

Early life and career Smith was born on 6 July 1929 in Sileby, Leicestershire. She began studying the piano from the age of six and started to play the saxophone (purchased by her father Gerald) three years later. Smith's talent was noticed by a local village resident who paid for her education fees to allow her to attend the private Stoneygate School in Leicester.

Smith later joined the Ivy Benson Orchestra in 1948 and flew into Berlin to perform for troops when the city's blockade started.

That same year, Randall became ill and disbanded the group, leading Smith and Peberdy to form their own quintet which included the pianist Brian Lemon. She found work into the summer seasons with visits to Guernsey and Cliftonville, including Exactly Like You in 1981. Peberdy survived her. Smith's funeral was held on 4 February at Loughborough Crematorium.

Discography Double Shuffle (1957) Bewitched/Hand Jive (1958) My Foolish Heart (1958)