Trivia

Pianist, organist, saxophonist, clarinettist and leader (from 1940) of Ivy Benson & Her Rhythm Girl Band, which remained popular in England for more than four decades. In the course of its history, the band had more than 250 members due to heavy turnover. Ivy was a child prodigy, proficient on piano from the age of five and performed on the BBC radio "Children's Hour" by the time she was nine.

She began her professional music career at 15 years of age playing saxophone in an all-women band at a seaside resort on the East Yorkshire, UK coast.

In 1924 she won the talent contest at the Empire Palace Theatre in Leeds, Yorkshire, UK presided over by music hall star Florrie Forde.

Daughter of musician Douglas "Digger" Benson.

Father was a riveter by trade but was a heavy drinker.

Was raised at 59 Cemetery Road, Beeston, Leeds.

Had 2 older brothers.

Father played at the Leeds Empire Theatre on Briggate.

Performed on stage as one of the Ten Loonies, a troupe of musical characters.

Father was Douglas Rolland Benson and mother was Mary Jane Mead.

Father played lead trombone with the Leeds Symphony Orchestra.

Eldest brother Thomas died of diphtheria in 1914.

Was born at her grandparent's public house, The Malt Shovel, in Lowerhead Road, Leeds.

Attended Saint Luke's in Beeston Hill, Leeds.

Took piano lessons from the age of five.

After dropping out of school she first worked in the shoe department of a large store before working for Montague Burton, a major gentleman's clothes manufacturer which also owned a chain of five hundred menswear shops.

Won a scholarship to Leeds School of Art" but dropped out as the family had no money.

At nine years of age in 1923 she performed on BBC Radio's "Children's Hour" playing "In A Persian Market".

She and her band appeared in the film The Man Inside with Anita Ekberg and Anthony Steel.