Portsmouth Music Scene


The Portsmouth Music Scene
Benny Freedman and his Orchestra



benny

Barnett Freedman, born 25th May 1908 in London, died 14th January 1986 in Portsmouth, age 77.

28-7-53-733
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Left to right;-
Roger Mahoney drums, Roy Bevereley bass, Brian Barnes piano, back row, Stan Emptage and Jimmy Newton trumpets,
front row Jack Salt baritone sax, Ernie Davis tenor sax, Archie Horn alto sax, George Hunnisett tenorsax.

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bennyfreedman 222

Taken outside the Savoy??? Or Kimbells???
from left to right:- Stan Emptage, Archie Horne, Benny Freedman, unknown half hidden, vocalist Jeff(or Geoff) Powell,
Joe 'Tiny' Nicholls, unknown in blazer, Brian Barnes and Jimmy Newton.

Other line-ups for the band;- In Dec 1950
Don Reeve alto/clarinet/piano and Geoff Tipping tenor, also Stan Emptage trumpet joined the band
and Jeff Powell led a vocal quartet.

Benny Freedman and his Band, line-update 19th July 1955 Archie Horn Alto, clar. George Hunnisett, Alto, clar, violin, drum.
Ernie Davis Tenor, clar. Jack Salt, Baritone, alto, clar. Stan Emptage Trumpet. Jimmy Newton, Trumpet, vocalist. Brian Barnes Piano.
Geoff Powell, Bass, guitar, vocalist. Ted Harvey Drums. Benny Freedman, Alto, clar, violin.

Benny Freedman and his Orchestra, line-up date 17th July 1956 Archie Horn, Alto, Clar. Jimmy Newton, Trumpet, Alto, Guitar.
George Hunnisett, Alto, Clar, Violin. Brian Barnes, Piano. Ernie Davis, Tenor, Clar. Geoff Powell, Bass, Guitarist, Vocalist.
Jack Salt, Baritone, Alto, Clar. Ted Harvey, Drums. Stan Emptage, Trumpet. Benny Freedman, Alto, Clar, Violin

Also in 1965-66 he employed: R Mahoney, T Pudney, S Emptage, B Quinton, J Newton, B Browning,
A Horn, E Alexander (I think he taught trombone), H Clark, K Doohan, M Bear, J Lennox,
S Proctor, G Hunissett, J Nicholls, M Hamilton, J Wynn, R Hewings.
K Doohan (Kevin), R B Elkins, A Ward (Arthur), R Clark, D F Allen, R E Mahoney (Roger), A Horn (Archie), R Beverley,
G W Emptage (Stan??), J A Newton (Jimmy), E W Davis (Ernie), J R Salt (Jack), G Hunnisett (Geoff), G W Powell

- The Benny Freedman Band BBC Radio Broadcast, (quiet start) -

One of his Radio Broadcasts
11 January 1948 19.30 VARIETY CONCERT HALL
This week from the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone with Suzette Tarri, John McHugh, Dick Bentley, Johnny Franz, Benny Freedman and his Orchestra, Introduced by John Ellison, BBC Light Programme.

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Ron Brown's memories of the Savoy Ballroom, Southsea, in the 1950s.
And apart from big name bands such as Ted Heath, Joe Loss and Johnny Dankworth, they will also have fond recollections of the resident Savoy Band. The man behind this 10-piece band - or perhaps I should say in front of it - was a talented man of music named Benny Freedman, who was always dressed immaculately in a dinner suit with his hair slicked back smoothly. In fact, he was the epitome of a band leader from those halcyon dance band days. Benny had progressed through a hard school when learning his trade. As a student at the Royal College of Music, he supplemented his income by playing in an orchestra which used to accompany the silent films.
He later fronted his own dance band in London and Folkestone before coming to Portsmouth in 1948, where he was destined to become an institution at the Savoy Ballroom. On Friday nights, Benny and the boys would warm up the dancers before handing over the stage to the big-name guest outfits. And, believe me, those names really were big, the absolute tops in British popular music. In the 1950s the Savoy was the place were hundreds of couples met, courted and got engaged to the strains of the Freedman band, a period in which Benny was afforded the title of `Mister Tempo'. He was an especially popular figure with the Royal Navy men, not only British sailors but those from visiting foreign navies.
On such a visit by the Russian Navy, Benny had the problem of playing their national anthem. Nobody knew it, not even the Royal Marine bandsmen at Eastney, so he sat up to 4am listening to the radio so he could copy it down as it was played. Naturally, as the drink flowed through the evening, Jack would frequently be inspired by the notion that vocally he was the next Frank Sinatra, and make attempts to mount the stage and take over the microphone.
At such moments, Benny was forced to display a good deal of diplomacy, but at the same time be I firm. The Freedman face was familiar to thousands, even when he was on I holiday in the United States someone came up to him and said he had recognised Benny from the Savoy.
Sadly, it had to end, and by 1965 ', the big band era was over, replaced by guitar-strumming groups. The number of Savoy patrons diminished, and on the last time the Ted Heath Band appeared there, only 250 people paid to get in, where previously there would be 2,000 inside and another 1,000 queuing outside on the off-chance of getting in.
Looking back to the 1970s, Benny Freedman recalled: `The last time Johnny Dankworth was here we both wept at the small audience. We just didn't think that such an era could die.' Luckily, unlike many, Benny had something to fall back on when the dance band era faded. Having passed the Royal Academy of Music Diploma, when a Portsmouth head teacher - who had been a regular at the Savoy - asked if he could teach music on a temporary basis, Benny was able to accept. Three months lasted 13 years.
As well as teaching at Portsmouth Grammar School and St John's College, Benny played in orchestras at the Kings Theatre and the Guildhall. Benny Freedman died in 1986, and Portsmouth lost a musician who had shared the bandstand with some of the greatest names in popular music. And yet, he was always modest about his own talent. When Johnny Dankworth arrived at the Savoy without his saxophone, he borrowed Benny's. Afterwards, Benny said: `I never heard it played so well.'
Benny Freedman retired in about 1964 when the band was laid off fronm the Savoy Ballroom.
After he left the Savoy once the dance band days ended he carried on gigging with a quartet or palm court trio for functions, and also conducted the orchestra for the South Downes Musical Society productions at the Kings and Mayflower, Southampton (Gaumont at that time).He also took his LRAM and became a teacher of violin, clarinet and guitar.
Billy Butler, age 24, was the guitarist/vocalist for the Benny Freedman Orch 1964/1965 at the Savoy. It was his first professional job as a musician. That start turned into a lifelong successful career as a musician and recording engineer/producer, and he is still working!.

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The Portsmouth NEWS 16th January 1986

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Died 14th January 1986


1948
October 11th A new resident band at the Embassy, Benny Freedman and his Orchestra, featuring Joe "Tiny" Nicholls, 20 stones of entertainment. They are direct from three years residency at the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone.
1949
January 26th Norma Picard, formerly with Harry Roy, sings with Benny Freedman's Band at the Embassy Ballroom.
May 23rd Benny Freedman and his Orchestra play the final week at the Embassy Ballroom.
August 29th Benny Freedman and his Band, including Joe 'Tiny' Nicholls, return to the Embassy Ballroom.
1950
February 10th Jeff Powell, bassist/vocalist, well known member of the Heather Tones Vocal Group has joined Benny Freedman and his newly augmented 10 piece Orchestra who are the new resident band at the Savoy Ballroom.
May 25th Benny Freedman and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
August 19th Saturday, Benny Freedman and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
October 28th Saturday, Benny Freedman and his band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
1951
January 6th Benny Freedman's Orchestra again this year, resident at the Savoy Ballroom.
August 10th Jazz Band Ball at the Savoy Ballroom with music from Humphrey Lyttleton, Mike Daniels, Chris Barber, Mick Milligan and Benny Freedman's assorted bands.
December 31st At the Savoy Ballroom, Benny Freedman's Band are supported by broadcasting organist Charles Smitten.
1952
March 10th Savoy and Kimbells have Staff dance, the only employees working were Benny Freedman and his band. Mr. George B Turner was the MC.
April 2nd Benny Freedman and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom for the Young Conservatives Annul Dance.
1953
February 27th At the Savoy Ballroom, The Jimmy Walker Quintet, Johnny Lyne and his Music and the Benny Freedman Orchestra.
March 9th Eric Silk and his Southern Jazzmen, plus Benny Freedman's Orchestra, play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 29th Benny Freeman and his Orchestra broadcast on the BBC Home Service in "What's new?".
December 31st Joe Brickell and his Jazzmen join Benny Freedman’s Band at the Savoy Ballroom.
1954
November 29th Johnny Lyne and his Music play with Benny Freedman's band at the Savoy Ballroom.
December 24th Norman Burns and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom with resident Benny Freedman Orchestra.
December 31st The High Curley Stompers join Benny Freedman and his Orchestra at the Savoy Ballroom.
1955
January 6th A British Medical Association Ball held at the Savoy Ballroom, had music from Benny Freedman and Roy Richards.
February 21st Roy Richard's Mayfair Orchestra and Benny Freedman's Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
April 11th Benny Freedman and his Orchestra and also Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra provide music for dancing at the Savoy Ballroom.
April 25th The Regal Five from London and Benny Freedman and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 30th Saturday, Reg Bannistra and his Quartet play at the Savoy Ballroom, plus Benny Freedman and his Orchestra.
August 29th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom with Benny Freedman and his Orchestra.
August 30th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom with Benny Freedman and his Orchestra.
October 31st Barry McCarthy and his Dixielands plus Benny Freedman and his Orchestra play at Kimbells as the Savoy Ballroom is privately booked.
December 24th Saturday, Benny Freedman and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom with Graham Leslie and his Orchestra.
December 26th Benny Freedman and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom with Graham Leslie and his Orchestra.
December 31st Saturday, At the Savoy ballroom, Benny Freedman and his Orchestra are joined by The Lani Kris Hawaiian Quartet.
1956
March 26th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's band.
March 27th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's band.
April 9th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's band.
April 19th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's band.
April 25th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's band.
June 14th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
July 18th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
July 25th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
August 7th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
August 9th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
August 22nd Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
August 30th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
September 4th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
September 11th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
September 18th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
September 25th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
October 9th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
October 24th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
October 31st Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
November 7th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
December 4th Roy Richards and his Mayfair Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom along with Benny Freedman's Band.
1957
June 8th Eric Maddison at the Electric Organ plays at the Savoy Ballroom with Benny Freeman and his Orchestra.
August 14th With Benny Freedman at the Savoy Ballroom are Irene White's Can Can Girl's, and the Mike Glover Skiffle Group.
October 25th Manny Howard and his Maniacs plus Tommy Moss and his Rolling Ramblers Skiffle Group play at the Savoy Ballroom plus Benny Freedman and his Orchestra.
November 18th Benny Freedman and his Orchestra are joined by Vic Abbott and his Orchestra at the Savoy Ballroom.
November 25th Benny Freedman and his Orchestra are joined by Vic Abbott and his Orchestra at the Savoy Ballroom.
1957
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1958
March 2nd Vic Abbott and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom with the Benny Freedman Orchestra.
October 17th Dancing at the Savoy Ballroom to Benny Freedman’s augmented 12 piece Dance band.
1959
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Benny Freedman and his Orchestra Radio broadcasts

Light Programme Sunday 11 January 1948 19.30 VARIETY CONCERT HALL This week from the Leas Cliff Hall , Folkestone with Suzette Tarri , John McHugh Dick Bentley , Johnny Franz Benny Freedman and his Orchestra Introduced by John Ellison

BBC Home Service West Wednesday 29 July 1953 18.30 Benny Freedman and his Orchestra.

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mavis

mavis

The Next generation

From the NEWS, 11th February 2011
Mavis Lane

Relive the golden days with Mavis
Singer Mavis Lane will be among the performers in The Golden Days Of Variety at the Spring Arts Centre in Havant. Mavis is the daughter of dance-band leader Benny Freedman, who played nightly at the Savoy Ballroom in Southsea. She attended Portsmouth Southern Grammar School and sang with her father's band at the age of 15 before going to London to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama - and then embarked on a successful professional career.
She now lives at Cowplain but has not appeared locally for many years despite singing in shows and cabaret across Britain and Europe. The Golden Days Of Variety will feature a mix of UK and international performers presenting different styles of entertainment. They are headed by Ronnie (The Squire) Hayward, a comedian who was a favourite in series such as The Comedians, Sunday Night At The London Palladium and The Val Doonican Show. He has worked around
the world on cruise ships, in theatre and in cabaret and has hosted his own radio shows. Among other performers will be top UK harmonica player Johnny Stafford, and Mike Pannel who directed and appeared in Aladdin at the Regis Centre, Bognor, last Christmas and tours the country playing Bud Flanagan in The Flanagan And Allen Story.
The Golden Days Of Variety is on Thursday, February 24 (7.15pm). Tickets: (023) 9247 2700 or thesprinq.co.uk.

For some years, Mavis has sung and entertained at venues around the South and the UK, a popular accomplished, experienced, talented singer and entertainer. The black and white photo shows Mavis in the early days at the Savoy Ballroom with her father Benny on violin.


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