Hedley Ward

Hedley Ward
Sheet music for Mona Lisa, featuring a portrait photo of Hedley Ward
Occupation(s)Band leader; band manager
Years active1930s-1960s
Press advert for the 12 January 1962 opening of the Las Vegas Ballroom, Sligo, featuring "Hedley Ward and his 15-piece orchestra"

Hedley Ward was a leading British bandleader of the 1930s to 1960s, known for his Birmingham-based Hedley Ward Band (sometimes "...Big Band", "...Dance Band", "...Broadcasting Band" or "...Orchestra"), which made many appearances on BBC Radio programmes, including Music While You Work,[1][2] Shall We Dance?,[3] and regional programmes named for the band.[4][5]

Among the musicians to appear in the band were drummer Tony Levin.[6]

Ward also created and managed the Hedley Ward Trio in 1948, featuring John "Jack" McKechnie (1918-2002) on guitar, Derek Franklin (second husband of Beryl Reid) on bass and lead vocals, and Bob Carter on piano.[7] In 1953 George Taylor (1926/1927-2019[8]) replaced Carter. Listings in The Radio Times show that the trio appeared on the BBC Home Service and Light Programme many times from 1948 onwards.[9] They also featured in the programme Educating Archie.[10] The trio released records on the Melodisc Records label.

References

  1. ^ "Music While You Work". Radio Times. No. 1325. 6 March 1949. p. 13.
  2. ^ Listener (21 February 1949). "Radio Review". Birmingham Daily Gazette. p. 2.
  3. ^ "Shall We Dance?". Radio Times. No. 1331. 17 April 1949. p. 20.
  4. ^ "Hedley Ward and his Dance Band". Radio Times. No. 1345. 24 July 1949. p. 34.
  5. ^ "The Hedley Ward Band Show". Radio Times. No. 1547. 5 July 1953. p. 32.
  6. ^ "Levin, Tony". Encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  7. ^ "Lot 838: Hedley Ward Trio signed on reverse of small 3 x 3 b/w photo". Invaluable. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  8. ^ "George Taylor". Bromsgrove Advertiser. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Hedley Ward Trio". BBC Genome. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  10. ^ Sheet music: The Ferry Boat Inn, Featuring The Tanner Sisters & Hedley Ward Trio