Ivy Benson

Ivy Benson (11 November 1913 – 6 May 1993) was an English musician and bandleader, who led an all-female swing band. Benson and her band gained prominence in the 1940s, headlining variety theatres and topping the bill at the London Palladium, and became the BBC's resident house band.

Early years Benson was born on 11 November 1913 in Holbeck, Leeds, the daughter of Douglas Rolland "Digger" Benson and his wife Mary Jane Mead. Her father, a musician who played several instruments

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 record and learned to play clarinet and alto saxophone. She supplemented her income by playing in dance bands in the evenings. after which she toured with bands including Teddy Joyce and the Girlfriends, where she became a featured soloist. The band became the BBC's resident dance band in 1943, and were top of the bill at the London Palladium for six months in 1944. The band played for overseas-based servicemen until the 1970s.

Benson and the band appeared on the television series The Music Box in 1957. She was the subject of an episode of the UK tribute show This Is Your Life in 1976.

Personal life Benson married theatrical producer Caryll Stafford Clark in 1949; In 1957, she married Top Sergeant Brantley Callaway of the United States Air Force, whom she met while performing in a summer season on the 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.

In the early 1980s, Benson moved to Clacton, where she continued to perform as pianist, organist and vocalist at local concerts. She suffered a heart attack at her home and died on 6 May 1993, aged 79.

Honours

Benson was made an honorary fellow of Leeds Polytechnic in 1988, the only significant honour she received during her lifetime.

Benson's name is one of those featured on the sculpture Ribbons, unveiled in 2024.

Cultural references She is mentioned in the 'Grieg's Piano Concerto, by Eric Morecambe' comedy sketch, featuring Andre Previn, shown on The Morecambe and Wise Show (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.

Discography Ivy Benson And Her Orchestra (1977) You Danced to These Bands (2001)